New Unit - "Atlanta" Class Light Cruiser (WIP)

[Pablo]

Originally Posted by Wulfmann

This was something that just got wrongly reported and was not true. They were designed for 32.5Knts and they never exceeded 34Knts on a calm day (Atlanta did 33.27 on trials)

Hmm - my sources indicate a speed of 40 knots for Atlanta at its sea trials, with normal speed just over 32 knots. In any case, I agree a maximum in-game speed of 32 knots is reasonable for SHIII.

...they certainly had sonar and a decent anti sub array of weapons but they were not maneuverable enough to be so used and those weapons were removed because the ships were so top heavy.

The ship's log of USS Juneau (sister to Atlanta) indicates its crew was drilled regularly in the use of antisubmarine weapons, and those weapons were still installed when the ship was sunk at the Battle of Guadalcanal in October, 1942. I wouldn't expect to see these ships at all after 1942, but that's up to the campaign designers...

I personally do not think they should be used as A/S ships by the actual results.

Well, I think if it has sonar and depth charges it darn well ought to use them and not just act like a target. It is true the U.S. Navy needed their antiaircraft batteries in the Pacific more than it needed their depth charges in the Atlantic, but if we've got them in the Atlantic and the Luftwaffe's not around to provide target practice for them, why not let them chase a U-boat if they have the chance?

Pablo

I had a discussion with Ibecomelife ages ago about certain Cruisers being fitted with ASW weapons. As stated they were not ment to truely hunt Subs like a DD/DE/CO, but they mainly were tasked as a fall back incase a sub made it past the main escort screen. Its main purpose was to detect those that had sliped through, and then to drive the sub down and away from the capital ships that the cruiser's were/are screening. 1's thats been done then a standard escort (DD/DE/CO) would take over the hunt untill either contact lost or destroyed or whatever. It was just another layer of ASW between the Escorts and the MAIN Capital Ships.

Another little known fact is that MOST Light Cruiser's were driven like a Destroyer. They were just as fast, not that much better armoured and packed a lot more (and most times bigger) than a Destroyer. Included in the above was ASW. Now granted not all CL's had ASW weapons but more did than 1 would think. Its just that for some reason I can NOT fathom, its 1 of the weapon types thats seldom reported as being fitted to those CL's that had them. This can be plainly seen by those Cruiser's that made up Maruder Groups. Maruder Groups were composed of 1 CL and 1 Flotilla of DD's. They activley HUNTED all Enemy units at sea, that includes Subs. If that was the case then the CL would NOT be left vulnerable to a Sub attack NOR be made redundant in such a Hunt.

[Wulfmann]

Well, I am aware of the 40 knot claims but most (all I have read) books say they were exaggerated and untrue.

Of the 6 original commissioned in 42 (Reno early 43) 4 survived throughout the war so don’t see why they would not continue to appear in SH4 for the duration (adding Flint in 44)

My concern about them as A/S ships is how SH3/4 allows them to play.
If they were to act somewhat real; as an unmaneuverable poor A/S ship fighting as a last resort, why not?
But, my concern would be them turning on a dime and being way out of character regarding their capability, a super A/S DD.
Perhaps someone should add sonar, DCes and K-Guns on a Dido and give it a go.

Wulfmann

[Pablo]

Originally Posted by Wulfmann

Of the 6 original commissioned in 42 (Reno early 43) 4 survived throughout the war so don’t see why they would not continue to appear in SH4 for the duration (adding Flint in 44)

I agree that these ships appearing in SH4 is not an issue - probably a question for the SH4 fora.

My concern about them as A/S ships is how SH3/4 allows them to play.
If they were to act somewhat real; as an unmaneuverable poor A/S ship fighting as a last resort, why not?
But, my concern would be them turning on a dime and being way out of character regarding their capability, a super A/S DD.

I agree ships should be modelled with realistic maneuverability, regardless of their role, so that a light cruiser in an ASW role shouldn't be granted extraordinary maneuverability.

Let the chips fall where they may.

Pablo