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Rapid Fire by old 6" cruisers


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#1 W. Clark

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Posted 26 December 2015 - 07:19 AM

I noticed when looking at the Sudden Storm USN gunnery chart that the Omaha class cruisers are equipped with an older model of 6" that does not allow for rapid fire. I've yet to find any data on their firing cycle but I figured that either their firing cycle was too slow or their ammo supply could not keep up with the rate that rapid fire expends rounds and that is why the rules do not allow them to rapid fire. My question is; did the USN fix that or should I use the SS USN gunnery chart when employing Omaha class cruisers in WWII scenarios? Beyond that I'm wondering about other older 6" cruisers like the RN D class and if we are wrong to allow them rapid fire?



#2 Cpt M

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Posted 26 December 2015 - 06:08 PM

I noticed when looking at the Sudden Storm USN gunnery chart that the Omaha class cruisers are equipped with an older model of 6" that does not allow for rapid fire. I've yet to find any data on their firing cycle but I figured that either their firing cycle was too slow or their ammo supply could not keep up with the rate that rapid fire expends rounds and that is why the rules do not allow them to rapid fire. My question is; did the USN fix that or should I use the SS USN gunnery chart when employing Omaha class cruisers in WWII scenarios? Beyond that I'm wondering about other older 6" cruisers like the RN D class and if we are wrong to allow them rapid fire?

The older US 6" guns (as used on the Omaha class) would not be capable of rapid fire in WWII.  This was due to several factors (ammo supply restrictions, fire control issues, etc).  As for the older British 'D' class, I really can't say whether rapid fire would apply.     



#3 W. Clark

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Posted 26 December 2015 - 07:33 PM

Thanks for the response. If I find evidence that the D class are like the Omahas then I'll make a special rule just for them (and the Omahas) to preclude their rapid firing in the Breaking the Malay Barrier Campaign.



#4 Thomas Ruta

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Posted 02 January 2016 - 10:16 PM

Hello W.,

 

Check Richard Worth's Fleets of World War II.  He is not very kind to the Omaha(-ha-ha) Class.  He gives a firing cycle time of 10 to 15 seconds for the Omaha's 6"/53 cal. guns.  He further states that the turret mounted guns had a greater range than the casemate guns, but a lower rate of fire.  When discussing the Brooklyn Class and their 6"/47 cal. guns, he notes that they have a firing cycle of 6-8 seconds, resulting in a max rate of fire of 10 rds/gun/min.  The Omaha just doesn't compare.  You'll have to read the rest of Worth's commentary on the faults and failures of the Omaha class as a whole. They were clearly a failed experiment.

 

According to Worth, the British 6"/45 cal. guns in the D-Class cruisers had a firing cycle of 8.5 to 12 seconds.  While that is faster than the Omaha, it still does not compare to a Brooklyn.  I would not support giving rapid fire capability to the D-Class.

 

Hope that helps.

 

Regards,



#5 W. Clark

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Posted 03 January 2016 - 04:20 AM

I read that and thanks. Dave Franklin and I have both decided to preclude by rule, rapid fire by either the Omahas or the D class.






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