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  • Montana Class BB

    My question is what were the major improvements over the Iowa Class that the Montana Class would have brought to the table?

    I know she would have had an extra turrent and would not have been able to transit the Panama Canal.

    What would have been the inovations to make this class stand above the rest?

  • #2
    Her most significant improvement was protection -- rated to withstand the 2700# 16" AP projectile fired by her own guns, the Iowas and South Dakota's were protected against the earlier 2250# projectiles. Since the Yamato's 18.1" projectiles did not perform significantly better than the US 2700# AP, they probably would have had adequate protection against those guns
    sigpic"If your plan is for one year, plant rice. If your plan is for ten years, plant trees.
    If your plan is for one hundred years, educate children."

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    • #3
      Yep, pretty much it. Also the Montana's represented the fact that the Iowa's were infact a departure from traditional US BB design. Our design philosphy valued firepower and protection over that of speed. That being said our "fast" BB's of the 30's were still slower than the contemparary BB's of other nations. The 10,000 tons that the cancellation of the Washinton Naval Treaty bought the Iowas about 5 knots in speed, an extra 5 calibres on the main guns, and tiny bit more protection over that of the South Dakotas. The Montana's on the other hand had more firepower and protection but at the cost of those 5 knots and about an additional 10,000 tons.
      Hit Hard, Hit Fast, Hit Often...

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      • #4
        The Montana's were also to be fitted with 5"/54's a fine upgrade over the 5"/38's of the Iowa's.

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        • #5
          Originally posted by surfgun View Post
          The Montana's were also to be fitted with 5"/54's a fine upgrade over the 5"/38's of the Iowa's.
          Navweaps had an interesting comment about the new piece:

          This gun was not as popular as the 5"/38 (12.7 cm) Mark 12, possibly because the larger projectile and cartridge cases resulted in faster crew fatigue.

          Essentially, this weapon was simply a longer version of the 5"/38 (12.7 cm) Mark 12
          “He was the most prodigious personification of all human inferiorities. He was an utterly incapable, unadapted, irresponsible, psychopathic personality, full of empty, infantile fantasies, but cursed with the keen intuition of a rat or a guttersnipe. He represented the shadow, the inferior part of everybody’s personality, in an overwhelming degree, and this was another reason why they fell for him.”

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          • #6
            Originally posted by TopHatter View Post
            Navweaps had an interesting comment about the new piece:
            I guess they would need more Marine 5" gun crews.

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            • #7
              Marines only manned few mounts aboard the Iowas. You wouldnt need more men just faster change out cycles of the gun crews if necessary. In most cases it wasnt, the ones that would be changed out would be in the mags loading powder and projectile. Not the ones in the upper handling rooms or the mount proper since they sealed when in action.

              Figure the 5"/54 rifle would be 6.7' feet longer then the standard 5"/38 rifle which was approx 15.8 feet long so the new rifle would be 22.5 feet long and weigh almost 3000 lbs each perhaps slightly heavier. Which also means the projectile would be slightly longer, weigh slightly more then the standard 55lbs and require a heavier powder charge to achieve longer range. The Sky radar sets would have to be upgraded from the Mk 38 and its mating radars as well.
              Last edited by Dreadnought; 09 Jun 10,, 23:32.
              Fortitude.....The strength to persist...The courage to endure.

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              • #8
                Originally posted by shadow01 View Post
                My question is what were the major improvements over the Iowa Class that the Montana Class would have brought to the table?

                I know she would have had an extra turrent and would not have been able to transit the Panama Canal.

                What would have been the inovations to make this class stand above the rest?
                No doubt, had the USN built them, FCR would have taken another step forward from the Iowas as well as their standard radars, protection. Perhaps new boiler and water treatment designs among other improvements in propulsion and power. They would have needed heavier anchors and a lot more paint as well.:))
                Last edited by Dreadnought; 09 Jun 10,, 23:33.
                Fortitude.....The strength to persist...The courage to endure.

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                • #9
                  I'm certainly no naval expert but, IMHO, the Iowa's represented probably the best combination of speed, firepower & armor in the world. Sure, the Montana probably could've shrugged off hits from the Yamato's 18" guns, but how often would that have happened? For protection against one (numerically small) class of battleships, you're losing at least 5 knots of speed, maybe more. Not worth it.
                  "There is never enough time to do or say all the things that we would wish. The thing is to try to do as much as you can in the time that you have. Remember Scrooge, time is short, and suddenly, you're not there any more." -Ghost of Christmas Present, Scrooge

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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Stitch View Post
                    I'm certainly no naval expert but, IMHO, the Iowa's represented probably the best combination of speed, firepower & armor in the world. Sure, the Montana probably could've shrugged off hits from the Yamato's 18" guns, but how often would that have happened? For protection against one (numerically small) class of battleships, you're losing at least 5 knots of speed, maybe more. Not worth it.
                    Yes the did beyond doubt. But although you loose 5-8 knots of speed you do gain 3 more 16"/50's. A tough trade considering.;)
                    Fortitude.....The strength to persist...The courage to endure.

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by Stitch View Post
                      I'm certainly no naval expert but, IMHO, the Iowa's represented probably the best combination of speed, firepower & armor in the world. Sure, the Montana probably could've shrugged off hits from the Yamato's 18" guns, but how often would that have happened? For protection against one (numerically small) class of battleships, you're losing at least 5 knots of speed, maybe more. Not worth it.
                      Yes they did beyond doubt. But although you loose 5-8 knots of speed you do gain 3 more 16"/50's. A tough trade considering.;)
                      Fortitude.....The strength to persist...The courage to endure.

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by Dreadnought View Post
                        Yes the did beyond doubt. But although you loose 5-8 knots of speed you do gain 3 more 16"/50's. A tough trade considering.;)
                        Especially considering the only BB's that outgun you can't outrun you.

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