A note on guns and ranges.

[Tankerace]

I have recently reworked all main gun ranged in War Plan Orange, and fixed a number where I had simply used the WW2 value. As a consequence, most main guns are incredibly short ranged, the normal range being 23-25,000 yards. Below is a note on the range differences (from WitP) in particular guns, and why some ships have different main guns than in regular War in the Pacific.

1) Japanese 35cm/45 41YT guns (14"/45s) in the 1920's had a max elevation of +25 degrees, yielding a 28,000 yard range. In 1927, all Japanese 35cm classes are updated, and receive a new 35cm/45 41YT gun, with a 33,000 yard range. This represents new turrets capable of 33 degrees. In the 1930's (not covered in WPO) they would be further updated, gaining a 43 degree elevation and the current WitP range of 38,000 yards.

2) US Guns are now changed on the 14" battleship series. It is very different, so I will explain. In WitP, the 2 14" guns are the 50 cal Mk 7 (Tennessee and New Mexico) and the 45 cal Mk 8 (Nevada, New York, and Pennsylvania). These were all remanufactured guns of the 1930s, with 30 degree elevations. In WPO, the ships start out with these:

New York, Nevada, Pennsylvania:

14"/45 Mk 5. This gun had a 15 degree elevation, and a maximum range of 23,000 yards. In the 1930s, these guns would be rebuilt into the Mk 8 series.

Tennessee

14"/50 Mk 4. These are the only ships with a 30 degree elevation, giving a full 36,000 yard range. The Tennessee (no data on California) was actually equipped with the Mk 4 until 1942, when she received the Mk 7 modeled in WitP.

New Mexico

The New Mexicos start out with the 14"/50 Mk 6, which for game purposes (and near design) is a Mk 4 gun, but the turret only has a 15 degree elevation, and hence a 25,000 yard range.

In 1930, the Mexicos are allowed to rebuild into their 1930's fits, with a tower mast. In doing so, they also switch out their 14"/50 Mk 6s for 14"/50 Mk 7s, with a 30 degree elevation and 36,000 yard range.

British guns, however, never receive updates, and thus like older ships of other nations, suffer from short ranged weapons. However, thanks to me correcting this, the Royal Navies only real disadvantage is her guns are less accurate than other nations.

However, this presents another challenge to the player. 16" battleships, (and British 15" battle cruisers) have ranges in excess of 30,000 yards. This means they can pummel 14", 13.5", and 12" battleships from outside their effective range. In a sluggout between WWI ships (All Brit BBs, All Jap BBs up to the Nagatos, and all US BBs up to the Tennessees) can beat each other with out a clear cut advantage (except of course, 12" on 14", etc). However, the newer BBs can even the odds in an unfair fight, or tip the balance in a fair one.

Plus, for anyone who isn't too sure, I hope this post also displays the information, research, and work I have put into this, to make it as accurate as possible.

[Deathtreader]

Never doubted you for a minute............ labours of love are always easy to recognize.
[:)]