Carrier Aircraft are the main battery of the Carrier...
just as Cannons are on more traditional ships, and Torpedoes are on submarines.
Carrier wins in general because the main battery range, effectiveness, and accuracy is so much higher than any other ship.
However, sans air wing, CV6 can easily outrun and outrange Constitution with her 5" AAA battery, and easily set the latter on fire.
CV6 under the guns of an Iowa without air support? Iowa wins. Keep in mind that when the Yamato got some US Escort Carriers under the guns (Taffy 3, Battle off Samar, Oct 1944), there was some level of air support and other surface combatants which helped to drive off the IJN force. Substitute some or all of the CVE's with a full CV Fleet Carrier, they all have the speed to GTFO quickly in that scenario, even if they take a couple of hits from the IJN main batteries (Yamato top speed of 27kts vs. CV's top speed of 33kts). Gambier Bay (only US carrier lost to gunnery fire) had a top speed of 19kts, and yet 5 other CVE's got away.
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In response to this post by VTHokie2000)
Posted: 05/25/2016 at 1:06PM