actually he didn’t even respond to a post…he just reprinted a post over 5 years old and didn’t comment on anything which is even more crazy.
yea that did annoy me, but in a scratch my head type of way. 😞
Four Kongo class battleships vs one Iowa class battleship.
To prevent the boring “Iowa runs away at 33 knots”, we’ll start them close at 10 kilometres away.
The commanders are of equal skill, although Japanese damage control isn’t as good.
As this is only a thought experiment anyway, no other aircraft or other ships will be available besides the seaplanes on the battleships.
No mechanical faults on either side.
Both sides are in their World War 2 versions.
And what if you replaced the Iowa with a South Dakota?
It is a perfect, clear, calm day, best for Japan.
Now, fight!
@superbattleshipyamato I’m taking the American battleship. This ship is newer.
Ouch, not even 4 to 1 odds work?
@ABWorsham4 , my friend,
I have to disagree , sorry.
I really think 4 ships firing 14” shells at the Iowa , would have done enough damage to make her disengage . It is probable 2 of the Kongo class ships might have sustained enough damage to disable them , but the Iowa would have had to call it a day. It would have only taken one good salvo (from 4 ships) to win this contest.
Think of the Bismarck, when facing just two inferior ships.
The odds are stacked in favour of numbers in this scenario, I think
I agree. Iowa can definitely tackle 2 ships, maybe even 3, but not 4.
If Iowa split her fire only 3 16 inch guns can hit reach Japanese ship and a fourth can fire with impunity. Sooner or later multiple shells will hit the same spot and a penetration is made. Repeat several more times.
The parameters I set are also as good for Japan as can be.
@superbattleshipyamato How did I overlook the four vs one detail, I was riding across Oklahoma on a trip. I thought this was a one on one contest.
I will recast my vote on the Japanese battle line. Enough 14” shells would cause enough damage to finish the lone battleship.
@abworsham4 hope you are having a fun trip and have a great Christmas.
@witt We celebrated 15 years of marriage. Good trip.
@abworsham4 congratulations. Our 15th is in September.
Awesome! I’m happy for you.
One thing you are not taking into account with your premise is the Iowa has superior search radar and fire control computers compared to the Kongo. The 16in guns would sink the Kongos before they even got into firing range and the engagement would end before they came within 10kms of each other.
I am perfectly aware of Iowa’s superior radar. That is why I put them so close to each other.
If 10 kilometres isn’t enough, make it point blank range for the Kongo’s guns. That should be enough.
Sorry, I just really want Japan to win.
Oh, I see what you mean. You meant that the Iowa would sink the Kongos before they ever got into 10 kilometre range. My mistake.
It’s all hypothetical though as neither capital ship will operate alone like that.
So in a realistic possibility where a Kongo (or several) meets an Iowa, they would be dead since Iowa is with carriers.
As I said, I really want Japan to win.
@superbattleshipyamato said in Who would win?:
Oh, I see what you mean. You meant that the Iowa would sink the Kongos before they ever got into 10 kilometre range. My mistake.
True enough, but your original premise was, that they would start at 10 km distance, so whether or not they could have reached that position is outside of that premise. You didn’t state their exact position, but let’s say that Iowa is in the center and the Kongo’s are approaching from all four directions.
Now, 10 km is just not very far for those big guns, so it stands to reason that they would start firing at each other right away, and it also stands to reason that they would typically hit their target. But let’s say that due to superior fire control, Iowa always hits, whereas the Kongo’s are 50% effective (I actually think they’d do better than that, at that range and closing in). The Kongo’s have 8 14" guns, Iowa has 9 16" guns.
Salvo 1: Iowa kills one Kongo but gets hit by 16 shells.
Salvo 2: Iowa kills one Kongo but gets hit by 12 shells.
Salvo 3: Iowa kills one Kongo but gets hit by 8 shells.
Salvo 4: Iowa kills one Kongo but gets hit by 4 shells.
I know that I’m adding a lot of assumptions here, but my vote goes to the Kongo’s. The first Japanese salvo alone, would just be too much to take.
And of course, all of this is quite unrealistic and would never have happened this way.
@kaleu how have you been? Been a while .
@witt said in Who would win?:
@kaleu how have you been? Been a while .
Thanks! I’ve been reading the forums but haven’t been too active.
Happy New Year!
Yes, but crsluggo pointed that out, so I had to acknowledge that. I agree with your assessment. Few battleships can fight four on one battles (unless it’s dreadnoughts vs pre dreadnoughts).
Happy New Year everyone!