Hampshire
Tier VIII · Cruiser · U.K. · Premium
Rating B- (Below average within its tier and class · overall score 44) · Long-range cruiser
Long-range cruiser. It is especially strong against cruisers (AP deals a same-tier cruiser's HP in about 2 min on paper); but it is weak against destroyers (AP deals a same-tier destroyer's HP in about 12 min on paper). AP penetration of 321 mm is 39% above average and handles thick armor. AP-only, it looks for big citadel hits on broadsiding capital ships but often overpens destroyers (10% damage). Key skills: Air Defense Alert II ×2; Sonar I ×2 (3.75 km, 25 s); Scout Plane I ×3 (main battery range +12%, 30 s).
Key stats
- HP: 30,562
- Top speed: 29.75 kn
- Surface detectability: 8.22 km
- Main battery: 203 mm 5X2 · reload 9 s · range 11.58 km
The Japanese construction of cruisers with ten 8-inch guns made the British Admiralty think about improving the combat characteristics of future ships. In May 1927, an order was given to develop cruisers with five main battery turrets and one additional turret. Following lengthy discussions, it was decided to discard the idea of the additional turret in favor of armor. This would later spur the emergence of the Surrey-class cruisers.