Best World war two warships?

[Nonskimmer]

Considering how simple they were, they did the job well enough. They were also cheap and easy to build. Perfect for the RCN at the time. They were a misery to sail on the North Atlantic though. They tossed around like corks and always leaked. You were almost constantly wet, cold, and seasick. Those old-timers who manned them will forever have my respect.

[Gnomey]

Yep, they did the job though, still not somewhere I would like to be...

LOL your sigs Hussars and NS!

[102first_hussars]

Yeah, a little inside joke for NS.

[davparlr]

This one just ekes in and probably doesn't qualify but should be noted. I saw a History Channel or Military Channel show on the USS Midway. This aircraft carrier was launched in March 1945, but really didn't make the war. This ship fought the cold war, Vietnam, and Persian Gulf war, where she was the command vessel! She was decomissioned in 1992. She had an armored deck and struggle with a certain level of instability her entire life. I guess it made landing in rough seas quite an experience. For a fighting vessel to be active for 47 years is simply outstanding.

[Nonskimmer]

USS Midway and USS Coral Sea both visited Halifax at different times when I was a kid. Coral Sea was paid off in 1986 or 87 I believe. I remember seeing her tied up down at old Pier 21, with some of her Phantoms parked on deck. Quite a sight for Halifax. They were the only remaining US carriers small enough to use our jettys. Modern carriers like the Nimitz class have to anchor out in the harbour.

[Henk]

You lucky dog. I wish our navy had a aircraft carrier.

Henk

[Nonskimmer]

Ours doesn't have any either.

[Henk]

But dint you have one?

Henk

[Nonskimmer]

Not in about thirty-six years.

[Henk]

Dam, I did not know that.

Henk

[102first_hussars]

NS, the Kingston Class vessels, are they like cruisers or what?

[Soundbreaker Welch?]

6.) Submarine

I guess what they were best at was destroying other ships. They couldn''t bombard a seashore though.

[Nonskimmer]

Originally Posted by 102first_hussars

NS, the Kingston Class vessels, are they like cruisers or what?

Oh god no. Nothing of the kind. They're a small multi-role coastal patrol/surveillance vessel, manned by the Naval Reserves.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingsto..._patrol_vessel

[pgm1962a]

The IOWA class have to be considered the best of the best. Alot of attention here has been made to the YAMATO and her side belt of armor and her gun size....however several factors to consider. gun size: although the YAMATO had bigger guns (18.1" vs 16" for IOWA). IOWA had better ranging shells than YAMATO. Protection: One must remember that by WWII it was the plunging shells (hitting the decks of a ship), that caused most of the damage. The IOWA's kill box was smaller than YAMATO. However this meant that IOWA could get in closer and hit YAMATO with plunging shells on her decks. YAMATO's shells at that range would have hit the IOWA at more of an angle, thus reducing their effectivness. speed: IOWA was 4 knots faster than YAMATO and had a tight radius of her own. These are somethings to consider. Remember just because you had bigger armor and guns doesnt mean better all the time.

Also IOWA would have pulverized BIZMARK. And the 'Battlecruiser' concept by WWII was a dinosaur. No battlecruiser could hope to hold its own against virtually any type of battleship.

[syscom3]

Essex class carriers, Baltimore class heavy cruisers, cleveland class light cruisers and fletcher class destroyers.