Semi OT - Naval Observations

[geofflambert]

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball
SUBS: Criminal; the IJN sub doctrine and mission list was a mish-mash that produced a different type for seemingly every mission, instead of settling on one type. The result was inefficient building program that expended alot of resources for minimal results

But did Hitler suggest they make a fighter-bomber version? [:D]

[MateDow]

ORIGINAL: wdolson

I discussed this with a friend who knows more about naval stuff than I do, and he thought it was just due to a shift in doctrine, but the US had 10 CAs under construction or doing shake down cruises when the war ended. If the doctrine had changed, why complete 10 CAs so late?

Bill

IMHO, the US slowed construction of the CAs based on the experience of the US Navy early in the war. The slow rate of fire from the 8" gun was a liability in the close ranged fights that made up the early fighting. Later in the war, the US had developed the semi-auto 8" gun that gave those guns a rate-of-fire equal to the 6" guns. With that as the case, the heavier punch of the 8" gun becomes an asset.

Also leading to the late-war, and post-war, interest in the CAs was the fact that their design wasn't as overloaded as the Cleveland-class allowing them to better bear the increased electronics loads.

[John 3rd]

A 'semi-auto 8" gun?' YIKES. Bet it was something to see...

[dr.hal]

8" 55 Cal Mk 16, it used semi-fixed ammo...

[MateDow]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

A 'semi-auto 8" gun?' YIKES. Bet it was something to see...

10 rounds/min vs the 3-4 for the previous design.


For more information...
http://navweaps.com/Weapons/WNUS_8-55_mk16.htm

The scary thought is that there were plans for a 6" version that would have had a rate-of-fire of 20-25 rounds/min. Imagine a US cruiser bringing 10 of those guns to a naval fight. [:D]

[oldman45]

Gun fire support would take on a whole new meaning. [;)]

[wdolson]

I recall reading that the older 8 inch guns used separate shell and powder bag like the larger caliber guns on BBs and the 6 inch used all in one shells like an artillery piece. A 6 inch gun is the same caliber as a 150mm artillery piece, though I expect naval shells are longer.

I believe it was the late Baltimores that introduced an all in one cartridge for the 8 inch.

That must have been the reason so few CAs were built during the war, but they were building a bunch at the end. The Baltimores did become the base on which a lot of new cruiser ideas were tested in the 1950s.

Bill