The German 15" guns were the best 15" guns in the world. They reloaded about 50% faster than the 16" guns of that time, and were equipped with excellent radar from the start. They were especially designed to be effective at longer range, when going against deck armor. I saw no evidence of significant differences between the sisters when it comes to their main guns and/or fire control. True, they needed to have their spotter planes in the air to do ER5, which applies to any and all battleships.
While I agree with most of this, my understanding is that the late-war Iowas would not have needed spotter planes for ER5. They could hit a capital ship at 35k+ yards with ease.
Formerly "Admiral Jacky Fisher."
"It follows then as certain as that night succeeds the day, that without a decisive naval force we can do nothing definitive, and with it, everything honorable and glorious"--George Washington
Didn't the German's get more advanced radar and rangefinders throughout the war as well? Isn't it conceivable that the Tirpitz could have been therefore on the same playing ground range wise with the Iowa's?
Didn't the German's get more advanced radar and rangefinders throughout the war as well? Isn't it conceivable that the Tirpitz could have been therefore on the same playing ground range wise with the Iowa's?
Actually, I have read they let radar development for the Kriegsmarine languish after the start of the war. That wouldn't be surprising given Hitler's attitude toward the surface navy. Not that they probably couldn't have improved it if they wanted to I guess.
Just as much as you could argue that bismark is stastically underdone, the same deothof historical interpretation could argue that class limit should be 1, since Bismark was sunk before Tirpitz had finished working up
Just as much as you could argue that bismark is stastically underdone, the same deothof historical interpretation could argue that class limit should be 1, since Bismark was sunk before Tirpitz had finished working up
All this talk of Bismarck class battleships made me buy a 3D printed shepways Tirpitz since to WotC one is so inaccurate!
Couldn't agree more. I love the aesthetics of Bismarck's design but WOTC just didn't do it justice.
Formerly "Admiral Jacky Fisher."
"It follows then as certain as that night succeeds the day, that without a decisive naval force we can do nothing definitive, and with it, everything honorable and glorious"--George Washington
All this talk of Bismarck class battleships made me buy a 3D printed shepways Tirpitz since to WotC one is so inaccurate!
What material did you choose for the model?
Formerly "Admiral Jacky Fisher."
"It follows then as certain as that night succeeds the day, that without a decisive naval force we can do nothing definitive, and with it, everything honorable and glorious"--George Washington
I went FUD. I have done WSF before with an Armada purchase, but I figured as this had more detail and was smaller and less smooth it warranted FUD. I’m very excited to get it. I don’t understand how they messed up Bismarck when so many of the other Set I sculpts were some of the best in the game: Yamato, Washington, Akagi, Hood, etc.
The German 15" guns were the best 15" guns in the world. They reloaded about 50% faster than the 16" guns of that time, and were equipped with excellent radar from the start. They were especially designed to be effective at longer range, when going against deck armor. I saw no evidence of significant differences between the sisters when it comes to their main guns and/or fire control. True, they needed to have their spotter planes in the air to do ER5, which applies to any and all battleships.
While I agree with most of this, my understanding is that the late-war Iowas would not have needed spotter planes for ER5. They could hit a capital ship at 35k+ yards with ease.
I was under the impression that ER5 is over the horizon, that's why the spotter planes.
Großadmiral Swizzle
Browncoat by fandom; Cossack by blood; American by birth; Virginian/Husband/Father by wife; Libertarian by choice; Human by race; Christian by grace.
All this talk of Bismarck class battleships made me buy a 3D printed shepways Tirpitz since to WotC one is so inaccurate!
Don't be giving me any ideas!
I've already replaced the biggest scale offenders and I consider these to be in the middle somewhere, not the best but not the worst. I think if you look close enough a lot of the WOTC minis are slightly off compared to shapeways. I was looking the other day at the original Scharnhorst mini next some German shapeways BBs and the structure height wise is certainly off. Similar to a lot of others - off the top of my head - Massachusetts (bridge height), US extended range 4 type cruisers (height again, especially secondary gun mount heights).
I think to get everything bang on most of the WOTC stuff would have to be replaced
"That's right son, join the navy. Get behind a bloody big gun and knock the hell out of somebody"
"We went out, got our arses kicked, then came back again"
On the Bismarck card itself I've always felt it was underdone, the defence especially. To me it should be late 50s cost and swizz has got it close with his, so I'm looking forward to them!
It makes me wonder if the original Hood had something to do with it, fatal flaw and all. Erring on the side of caution and not wanting to make it too strong.
"That's right son, join the navy. Get behind a bloody big gun and knock the hell out of somebody"
"We went out, got our arses kicked, then came back again"
While I find the Bismarck to be a very serviceable game piece, I do find the 8 Armor stat a little unsatisfying. By mid-late WWII standards, Bismarck's gunnery and speed were "pack" at best, but the level of protection on her displacement was pretty high. I don't believe this warrants hull 6, but a 9 Armor / 15 Vital on Bismarck would have made a lot more sense than the 9 Armor / 15 Vital on Richelieu (which happens to be one of my favorite ships both historically and in game, and by all accounts a very well armored if unusual ship). The difference between 8 Armor and 9 Armor is significant, particularly when you consider the gunnery values on most of the early war BBs in the game.
If I could redesign the original Bismarck card, I'd drop the AA to 7 and raise the Armor to 9. I think that would do a much better job in reflecting the actual ability of the ship without succumbing to some of the mythology that continues to surround it.