Hi guys.
Is it true that Hipper had a better operating radius (fuel range) than Prinz Eugen?
Also, how does the Hipper class match up in terms of Fire control, gun power and armour compared to other 8" cruisers?
I know Hippers deck protection was bad.
Thanks
Admiral Hipper
Admiral Hipper
God created the world in 6 days.........and on the 7th day he built the Scharnhorst
- Ulrich Rudofsky
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The range was slightly more for Hipper than for Prinz Eugen. Gröner says: HP 6800 nm @20 knots; 7900 @19. PG 6800 @20; 7200 @20. Fuel capacity HP 3050 t and 3700 t after modification. PG 3250 t and 3400 t after modification. That range was far below the Lützow, Admiral Scheer and Graf Spee which was 10000, 9100, 8900 nm @20 knots, respectively; fuel capacity was 2750, 2410 and 2500 t, respectively.
Ulrich
The only good figures I have for comparison are US Cruisers. Almost all foreign cruisers were smaller than Hipper. The US New Orleans class treaty cruiser had 3268T fuel for 10,000 mi / 15 kts. Standard displacement was 10,000 tons, LOA of 585'6". Fire control was probably not as good. Armor was less extensive and a bit thicker. 9 8"/50 guns. There were some shell dispersion problems until the center gun was delayed as in later US ships.
If you look at the Baltimore class (beginning in 1943) you have 13,600 T standard displacement on a 673' ship. Armor was much thicker than Hipper. Fire control was modern. Fuel was 2343 T for 7900 / 15. Internal subdivision and damage control had many improvements due to wartime experience.
Then you have the Salem Class, at over 17,000 tons with fully automatic 8" guns. None were completed in time for WWII.
I think we can say that the Hippers were more powerful than US contemporary cruisers, but of course Germany cheated on the treaty, and didn't build better ships during the war like the US did. Finall, US powerplants were much more reliable than German ones.
If you look at the Baltimore class (beginning in 1943) you have 13,600 T standard displacement on a 673' ship. Armor was much thicker than Hipper. Fire control was modern. Fuel was 2343 T for 7900 / 15. Internal subdivision and damage control had many improvements due to wartime experience.
Then you have the Salem Class, at over 17,000 tons with fully automatic 8" guns. None were completed in time for WWII.
I think we can say that the Hippers were more powerful than US contemporary cruisers, but of course Germany cheated on the treaty, and didn't build better ships during the war like the US did. Finall, US powerplants were much more reliable than German ones.
- Ulrich Rudofsky
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USS SALEM in her glory in 1951, and clinging to life in the abandoned Quincy Yard 2005 (my visit) http://www.uss-salem.org/index.htm
Ulrich
Hmmmm .... half of the 5" battery appears to be missing, even in 1951. Odd. I saw the Newport News during the Viet Nam war and she was fully armed, similar to when built. A bit more clutter with ECM and communications gear, but otherwise complete.
Edit: I was mistaken. I can see them now - the position of the aft port mount made it appear to me that it was missing, and I couldn't see the aftermost one at first. When I enlarged the photo, they are obviously all there.
Edit: I was mistaken. I can see them now - the position of the aft port mount made it appear to me that it was missing, and I couldn't see the aftermost one at first. When I enlarged the photo, they are obviously all there.
- Ulrich Rudofsky
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Re: Admiral Hipper
I think the difference between Hipper and PE for range is due to cruising turbines installed in Hipper. Cruising turbines are more economical at lower speeds (10-15 knots).Gary wrote:Hi guys.
Is it true that Hipper had a better operating radius (fuel range) than Prinz Eugen?
Also, how does the Hipper class match up in terms of Fire control, gun power and armour compared to other 8" cruisers?
I know Hippers deck protection was bad.
Thanks
This is why some of the newest US cruisers from WWII were mothballed whiles the oldest ones of the same classes (Baltimore and Cleveland) were kept operational. To save cost and streamline the production of turbines and turning gear, cruising turbines were deleted. In a peace time Navy that adds to operational cost, hence the mothballing of the cruisers without cruising turbines.
There are 2 types of vessels out there. One type is called a target. If it isn't capable of silently doing 30+ knots at 2000 ft depth its always considered a target. The vessel that can silently go fast and deep is the one the targets are afraid of.