Feeling sentimental...

[pathalla]

Don't know what's got me on this kick lately but I've been viewing old videos of Naval battleships, so much history... I am of course biased towards the American Iowa class battleships. Although that is not to slight the fans of the German, British or Japanese navy who also fielded fine ships. I find those equally impressive. Maybe its the gun nut in me, I'm not sure, although one thing IS sure... when this ship fires its guns... Whoa! One of these ships shows up off your shores? Bend over and kiss your ass goodbye. ONE 50 caliber round could penetrate 30 feet of concrete. Following is a link of the Wisconsin firing her main guns:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsNlm...eature=related

[pathalla]

Although surpassed and by carriers and technology today nothing impresses quite like this, two Iowa class running the line:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVyYmQkARl8

[jyasaki]

Originally Posted by pathalla

ONE 50 caliber round could penetrate 30 feet of concrete.

Did you mean one 16 inch shell?

The Military Channel recently had a show on the battleships of WWII. Pretty interesting.

jky

[Kernow Buoy]

Always been an admirer of old battleships too but wondered why the Iowa class were so slow compared to British battleships of the same age?

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by Kernow

Always been an admirer of old battleships.

I've heard that.

[Limey Linda]

Just a great example of raw power. I have personal connections via family with the British ships. My Father was on HMS Ark Royal, flying a Swordfish during the sinking of the Bismark, his brother Dennis was on HMS Victorious that took part in the Bismark chase. Unfortunately his other, elder brother was on HMS Hood.
Great stuff Pat, thanks for posting
T.

[Solent-Salted]

Originally Posted by Mollers

I've heard that.

THAT was impeccably timed.

Pure genius.

[pathalla]

Originally Posted by jyasaki

Did you mean one 16 inch shell?

The Military Channel recently had a show on the battleships of WWII. Pretty interesting.

jky

It is a 50 caliber 16 inch gun. Previous U.S. naval guns were .45 caliber 16 inch. Barrel length is fifty times the 16 inch bore, so it's a 16" 50 caliber gun.
A barrel better than twice the length of my boat... Sheesh!

[pathalla]

Originally Posted by Kernow

Always been an admirer of old battleships too but wondered why the Iowa class were so slow compared to British battleships of the same age?

The Iowa class battleships were intended to support the Essex class carriers (in addition to other duties) the U.S. was building at the time. they were to give close anti aircraft support to these carriers which also were pretty heavily gunned ( 5 in. 20, 40 mm) These battleships had to be fast enough to stay with the carriers and they were, normal operation being 31 knots to a theoretical high of 35 knots lightly loaded. Carriers made about 33 knots so the Iowas speed was adequate.
Compare this to the Yamato class (two ships) 27 knot speed and to the 28 knot speed of the King George class and you could hardly call the Iowa class
slow...
Britains planned Lion class battleship would have compared favorably with the U.S. ships but they were never completed. At the end of the war the carrier had changed Naval warfare forever...

[Kernow Buoy]

Originally Posted by pathalla

Compare this to the Yamato class (two ships) 27 knot speed and to the 28 knot speed of the King George class and you could hardly call the Iowa class
slow...

Oh...
Thanks for that Pat, I just assumed they were slow because it seemed to take them 2 years to cross the atlantic after the start of WW2!