Difference between revisions of "HMS Glorious"

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== Description ==
 
== Description ==
 
<!-- ''In the first part of the description, cover the history of the ship's creation and military application. In the second part, tell the reader about using this ship in the game. Add a screenshot: if a beginner player has a hard time remembering vehicles by name, a picture will help them identify the ship in question.'' -->
 
<!-- ''In the first part of the description, cover the history of the ship's creation and military application. In the second part, tell the reader about using this ship in the game. Add a screenshot: if a beginner player has a hard time remembering vehicles by name, a picture will help them identify the ship in question.'' -->
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} British battlecruiser {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Fire and Ice"]].
+
One of the trio of the Courageous-class "large light cruisers", the {{PAGENAME}}'s design perfectly encapsulates First Sea Lord John ('Jackie') Fisher's obsession with superior speed and firepower. Built with his 'Baltic Project' in mind, the ship was designed with high speed and large guns to devastate enemy cruisers while having a shallow draught to allow operations supporting coastal landings in the Baltics. Despite being a capital ship, it was designed with paper thin armour, partly to allow for the high speed and partly to get around a restriction imposed by the Government on the construction of new capital ships, with First Sea Lord Fisher presenting the ships as simply large light cruisers. In fact, the ships were so lightly built that HMS Courageous took not insignificant structural damage in rough seas during sea trials, buckling the hull and deck in several places, shearing off rivets and allowing water to pour in.
 +
 
 +
Introduced in [[Update "Fire and Ice"]], the unconventional design of HMS Glorious in her 1919 configuration makes her very distinctive from the other "pocket battleships" at her BR, such as [[Admiral Graf Spee|Graf Spee]] and the [[IJN Ikoma|Ikoma]]. The ship is a true "glass cannon", featuring high offensive firepower in the form of four 381 mm cannons, numerous 102 mm guns, a huge stockpile of torpedoes, along with great mobility to boot, however still lacks adequate armour to shield from even cruiser-calibre guns.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
Line 33: Line 35:
 
''Provide information about the characteristics of the primary armament. Evaluate their efficacy in battle based on their reload speed, ballistics and the capacity of their shells. Add a link to the main article about the weapon: <code><nowiki>{{main|Weapon name (calibre)}}</nowiki></code>. Broadly describe the ammunition available for the primary armament, and provide recommendations on how to use it and which ammunition to choose.''
 
''Provide information about the characteristics of the primary armament. Evaluate their efficacy in battle based on their reload speed, ballistics and the capacity of their shells. Add a link to the main article about the weapon: <code><nowiki>{{main|Weapon name (calibre)}}</nowiki></code>. Broadly describe the ammunition available for the primary armament, and provide recommendations on how to use it and which ammunition to choose.''
  
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
+
{{:15 inch/42 BL Mark I (381 mm)/Ammunition|15 inch 4crh CPC, 15 inch 4crh Mark XIIa APC}}
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
 
|-
 
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 
! rowspan="2" | Type of<br>warhead
 
! colspan="6" | Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
 
|-
 
! 1,000 m !! 2,500 m !! 5,000 m !! 7,500 m !! 10,000 m !! 15,000 m
 
|-
 
| 4crh CPC || SAPCBC || 487 || 459 || 418 || 382 || 352 || 308
 
|-
 
| 4crh Mark XIIa APC || APCBC || 644 || 597 || 528 || 470 || 422 || 357
 
|-
 
|}
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 
! colspan="10" | Shell details
 
|-
 
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 
! rowspan="2" | Type of<br>warhead
 
! rowspan="2" | Velocity<br>(m/s)
 
! rowspan="2" | Projectile<br>mass (kg)
 
! rowspan="2" | Fuse delay<br>(s)
 
! rowspan="2" | Fuse sensitivity<br>(mm)
 
! rowspan="2" | Explosive mass<br>(TNT equivalent) (kg)
 
! colspan="3" | Ricochet
 
|-
 
! 0% !! 50% !! 100%
 
|-
 
| 4crh CPC || SAPCBC || 752 || 871 || 0.035 || 26 || 58.6 || 48° || 63° || 71°
 
|-
 
| 4crh Mark XIIa APC || APCBC || 752 || 871 || 0.025 || 26 || 20.68 || 48° || 63° || 71°
 
|-
 
|}
 
  
 
=== Secondary armament ===
 
=== Secondary armament ===
Line 72: Line 42:
 
{{main|BL Mark IX (102 mm)}}
 
{{main|BL Mark IX (102 mm)}}
  
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
+
''Some ships are fitted with weapons of various calibres. Secondary armaments are defined as weapons chosen with the control <code>Select secondary weapon</code>. Evaluate the secondary armaments and give advice on how to use them. Describe the ammunition available for the secondary armament. Provide recommendations on how to use them and which ammunition to choose. Remember that any anti-air armament, even heavy calibre weapons, belong in the next section. If there is no secondary armament, remove this section.''
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
+
 
|-
+
{{:BL Mark IX (102 mm)/Ammunition|4 inch HE, 4 inch SAP}}
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 
! rowspan="2" | Type of<br>warhead
 
! colspan="6" | Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
 
|-
 
! 1,000 m !! 2,500 m !! 5,000 m !! 7,500 m !! 10,000 m !! 15,000 m
 
|-
 
| 4 inch HE || HE || 11 || 11 || 11 || 11 || 11 || 11
 
|-
 
| 4 inch SAP || SAP || 90 || 72 || 51 || 37 || 28 || 24
 
|-
 
|}
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 
! colspan="10" | Shell details
 
|-
 
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 
! rowspan="2" | Type of<br>warhead
 
! rowspan="2" | Velocity<br>(m/s)
 
! rowspan="2" | Projectile<br>mass (kg)
 
! rowspan="2" | Fuse delay<br>(s)
 
! rowspan="2" | Fuse sensitivity<br>(mm)
 
! rowspan="2" | Explosive mass<br>(TNT equivalent) (g)
 
! colspan="3" | Ricochet
 
|-
 
! 0% !! 50% !! 100%
 
|-
 
| 4 inch HE || HE || 805 || 14.06 || 0 || 0.1 || 721 || 79° || 80° || 81°
 
|-
 
| 4 inch SAP || SAP || 805 || 15.2 || 0.015 || 5 || 520 || 47° || 60° || 65°
 
|-
 
|}
 
  
 
=== Anti-aircraft armament ===
 
=== Anti-aircraft armament ===
Line 122: Line 62:
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
<!-- ''Describe the technique of using this ship, the characteristics of her use in a team and tips on strategy. Abstain from writing an entire guide – don't try to provide a single point of view, but give the reader food for thought. Talk about the most dangerous opponents for this vehicle and provide recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of playing with this vehicle in various modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe the technique of using this ship, the characteristics of her use in a team and tips on strategy. Abstain from writing an entire guide – don't try to provide a single point of view, but give the reader food for thought. Talk about the most dangerous opponents for this vehicle and provide recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of playing with this vehicle in various modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
''Describe the technique of using this ship, the characteristics of her use in a team and tips on strategy. Abstain from writing an entire guide – don't try to provide a single point of view, but give the reader food for thought. Talk about the most dangerous opponents for this vehicle and provide recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of playing with this vehicle in various modes (AB, RB, SB).''
+
HMS Glorious is a classic "glass cannon", featuring extremely powerful 381 mm cannons, backed up by a suite of decent secondary armaments and torpedoes, and great mobility. However, it also has extremely thin armour, which can sometimes prove insufficient against even cruiser-calibre cannons.
 +
 
 +
Against other battleships and battlecruisers, the armour is wholly inadequate, and the ship really does become equivalent to a large light cruiser. Its mobility can be used to play around hard cover and attempt to dodge incoming shells; however, if caught in the open, Glorious is unlikely to survive for long.
 +
 
 +
On the other hand, if in a match against only cruisers, the unusual armaments can be used to great effect, quickly destroying any cruiser in a few good hits. When facing destroyers, consider switching to control of the 102 mm cannons - the greater volume of fire (up to 12 guns on a broadside) and sufficient stopping power of the guns will rapidly wreck any small ship. The 4" SAP ammunition is significantly better for this than the stock HE.
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
Line 139: Line 83:
 
* Very large and distinctive hull shape, easily identified and hit by any enemies
 
* Very large and distinctive hull shape, easily identified and hit by any enemies
 
* Poor armour protection, relies heavily on fuel tanks to absorb damage
 
* Poor armour protection, relies heavily on fuel tanks to absorb damage
 +
* Terrible main turret traverse speed, inability to fire reactively
 
* Poor anti-air defence
 
* Poor anti-air defence
* Fixed torpedo tubes restrict its usage to saturational barrages
+
* Fixed torpedo tubes restrict their usage to saturational barrages
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
Line 147: Line 92:
 
The Courageous-class battlecruisers were formulated during WW1 by the ever-eccentric First Sea Lord, Jacky Fisher, as part of his 'Baltic Project', a planned attack on the German Baltic coastline. In 1915, the Chancellor of the Exchequer had forbidden new construction of any warships larger than light cruisers, yet Lord Fisher wanted new fast capital ships for the Baltic Project in order to support his proposed landings of troops on the beaches of Pomerania.
 
The Courageous-class battlecruisers were formulated during WW1 by the ever-eccentric First Sea Lord, Jacky Fisher, as part of his 'Baltic Project', a planned attack on the German Baltic coastline. In 1915, the Chancellor of the Exchequer had forbidden new construction of any warships larger than light cruisers, yet Lord Fisher wanted new fast capital ships for the Baltic Project in order to support his proposed landings of troops on the beaches of Pomerania.
  
In order to get around the rule against new capital ships and also because of Lord Fisher's obsession with speed at the expense of all else, the Courageous class were presented as 'large light cruisers', with extremely light armour, extremely high speed and half the main armament of the new Queen Elizabeth-class battleships. Fortunately for Fisher, many of the politicians up top had little knowledge in naval matters and so they saw the high speed, low armour and just approved the design for construction.
+
In order to get around the rule against new capital ships and also because of Lord Fisher's obsession with speed at the expense of all else, the Courageous class were presented as 'large light cruisers', with extremely light armour, extremely high speed and half the main armament of the new Queen Elizabeth-class battleships. Fortunately for Fisher, many of the politicians up top had little knowledge in naval matters and so they saw the high speed, low armour and just approved the design for construction. Unfortunately, however, the ships proved to be a little too lightly built and had a tendency to take structural damage in rough seas or at high speed or even when firing the main guns until they were structurally stiffened in response.
 
 
Unfortunately, however, the ships proved to be a little too lightly built and had a tendency to take structural damage in rough seas or at high speed or even when firing the main guns until they were structurally stiffened in response.
 
  
 
As Fisher's Baltic Project never took place, the ships spent the war patrolling the North Sea. HMS Glorious saw little action, other than the Second Battle of Heligoland Bight, during which she only suffered damage from a premature shell detonation and her own muzzle blasts. She was also present for the surrender of the German High Seas Fleet in 1918.
 
As Fisher's Baltic Project never took place, the ships spent the war patrolling the North Sea. HMS Glorious saw little action, other than the Second Battle of Heligoland Bight, during which she only suffered damage from a premature shell detonation and her own muzzle blasts. She was also present for the surrender of the German High Seas Fleet in 1918.
  
The Courageous-class battlecruisers were converted into aircraft carriers in the 1920s.
+
Following the end of WW1, the battlecruisers were converted into aircraft carriers due to their high speed, whilst the 381 mm turrets of Courageous and Glorious were put into storage. During WW2, these turrets would be reused in the construction of HMS Vanguard, the last battleship ever built.
  
On the return journey of an evacuation of British aircraft from Norway in June 1943, HMS Glorious was attacked by the German battleships [[Scharnhorst]] and Gneisenau, losing over 1,200 lives in the battle. HMS Glorious remains on the floor of the Fjord today.
+
During WW2, Glorious served in the Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, and in the Norwegian Campaign, before being intercepted in the Norwegian Sea by [[Scharnhorst]] and Gneisenau. Due to a number of faults in leadership, the ship was flying no patrols and made no effort to change course or speed. Glorious was struck by Scharnhorst at a range of 24 km, the longest range capital ship hit in history (a title which Scharnhorst shares with HMS Warspite, which struck an Italian battleship at approximately the same range). Despite the heroic efforts of her two escorting destroyers, Ardent and Acasta, Glorious was sunk by the German battleships a little over two hours after first sighting them, although Scharnhorst was badly damaged by a torpedo from Acasta, requiring the ship to head to port for immediate repairs.
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
 
<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''
+
 
 +
;Skins
 +
 
 +
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=uk_battlecruiser_glorious Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==

Revision as of 07:47, 2 May 2023

Rank VI USSR | Premium | Golden Eagles
Su-25K Pack
uk_battlecruiser_glorious.png
GarageImage HMS Glorious.jpg
HMS Glorious
AB RB SB
5.7 6.0 6.0
Research:125 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:360 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

One of the trio of the Courageous-class "large light cruisers", the HMS Glorious's design perfectly encapsulates First Sea Lord John ('Jackie') Fisher's obsession with superior speed and firepower. Built with his 'Baltic Project' in mind, the ship was designed with high speed and large guns to devastate enemy cruisers while having a shallow draught to allow operations supporting coastal landings in the Baltics. Despite being a capital ship, it was designed with paper thin armour, partly to allow for the high speed and partly to get around a restriction imposed by the Government on the construction of new capital ships, with First Sea Lord Fisher presenting the ships as simply large light cruisers. In fact, the ships were so lightly built that HMS Courageous took not insignificant structural damage in rough seas during sea trials, buckling the hull and deck in several places, shearing off rivets and allowing water to pour in.

Introduced in Update "Fire and Ice", the unconventional design of HMS Glorious in her 1919 configuration makes her very distinctive from the other "pocket battleships" at her BR, such as Graf Spee and the Ikoma. The ship is a true "glass cannon", featuring high offensive firepower in the form of four 381 mm cannons, numerous 102 mm guns, a huge stockpile of torpedoes, along with great mobility to boot, however still lacks adequate armour to shield from even cruiser-calibre guns.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armourfront / side / back
Citadel76 / 76 / 51 mm
Main fire tower229 / 178 / 279 mm
Hull25 mm (steel)
Superstructure16 mm (steel)
Number of section9
Displacement22 560 t
Crew842 people

Talk about the vehicle's armour. Note the most well-defended and most vulnerable zones, e.g. the ammo magazine. Evaluate the composition of components and assemblies responsible for movement and manoeuvrability. Evaluate the survivability of the primary and secondary armaments separately. Don't forget to mention the size of the crew, which plays an important role in fleet mechanics. Save tips on preserving survivability for the "Usage in battles" section. If necessary, use a graphical template to show the most well-protected or most vulnerable points in the armour.

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB68 / 34 km/h
RB59 / 29 km/h

Write about the ship's mobility. Evaluate its power and manoeuvrability, rudder rerouting speed, stopping speed at full tilt, with its maximum forward and reverse speed.

Mobility Characteristics
Game Mode Upgrade Status Maximum Speed (km/h) Turn Time (s) Turn Radius (m)
Forward Reverse
AB Stock ___ ___
Upgraded 68 34
RB/SB Stock ___ ___
Upgraded 59 29

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB14 723 → 18 550 Sl icon.png
RB20 365 → 25 659 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications133 200 Rp icon.png
217 500 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost1 900 Ge icon.png
Crew training105 000 Sl icon.png
Experts360 000 Sl icon.png
Aces1 400 Ge icon.png
Research Aces620 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
450 / 600 / 100 % Sl icon.png
184 / 184 / 184 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Seakeeping Unsinkability Firepower
Mods new ship hull.png
Dry-Docking
Research:
5 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
8 500 Sl icon.png
200 Ge icon.png
Mods new ship rudder.png
Rudder Replacement
Research:
9 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
16 000 Sl icon.png
370 Ge icon.png
Mods new ship screw.png
Propeller Replacement
Research:
6 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
11 000 Sl icon.png
250 Ge icon.png
Mods new ship engine.png
Engine Maintenance
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
18 000 Sl icon.png
410 Ge icon.png
Mods ship damage control crew.png
Damage Control Division
Research:
5 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
8 500 Sl icon.png
200 Ge icon.png
Mods ship fire control crew.png
Fire Division
Research:
9 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
16 000 Sl icon.png
370 Ge icon.png
Mods ship anti fragmentation protection.png
Shrapnel Protection
Research:
6 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
11 000 Sl icon.png
250 Ge icon.png
Mods ship venting.png
Ventilation
Research:
6 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
11 000 Sl icon.png
250 Ge icon.png
Mods new ship pumps.png
New Pumps
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
18 000 Sl icon.png
410 Ge icon.png
Mods ship ammo wetting.png
Ammo Wetting
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
18 000 Sl icon.png
410 Ge icon.png
Mods new aa caliber turrets.png
Anti-Air Armament Targeting
Research:
5 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
8 500 Sl icon.png
200 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
15-inch 4crh Mark IIa APC
Research:
5 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
8 500 Sl icon.png
200 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
102mm_uk_mkxvi_navy_SAP_ammo_pack
Research:
5 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
8 500 Sl icon.png
200 Ge icon.png
Mods new aux caliber turrets.png
Auxiliary Armament Targeting
Research:
9 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
16 000 Sl icon.png
370 Ge icon.png
Mods new main caliber turrets.png
Primary Armament Targeting
Research:
6 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
11 000 Sl icon.png
250 Ge icon.png
Mods ship rangefinder.png
Improved Rangefinder
Research:
6 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
11 000 Sl icon.png
250 Ge icon.png
Mods torpedo.png
Torpedo Mode
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
18 000 Sl icon.png
410 Ge icon.png

Armament

Primary armament

2 х Turret2 x 15 inch/42 BL Mark I cannon
Ammunition240 rounds
Vertical guidance-3° / 20°

Provide information about the characteristics of the primary armament. Evaluate their efficacy in battle based on their reload speed, ballistics and the capacity of their shells. Add a link to the main article about the weapon: {{main|Weapon name (calibre)}}. Broadly describe the ammunition available for the primary armament, and provide recommendations on how to use it and which ammunition to choose.

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
1,000 m 2,500 m 5,000 m 7,500 m 10,000 m 15,000 m
4crh CPC SAPCBC 487 459 418 382 352 308
4crh Mark XIIa APC APCBC 644 597 528 470 422 357
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Velocity
(m/s)
Projectile
mass (kg)
Fuse delay
(s)
Fuse sensitivity
(mm)
Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (kg)
Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
4crh CPC SAPCBC 752 871 0.035 26 58.6 48° 63° 71°
4crh Mark XIIa APC APCBC 752 871 0.025 26 20.68 48° 63° 71°

Secondary armament

6 х Turret3 x 102 mm/45 BL Mark IX cannon
Ammunition450 rounds
Main article: BL Mark IX (102 mm)

Some ships are fitted with weapons of various calibres. Secondary armaments are defined as weapons chosen with the control Select secondary weapon. Evaluate the secondary armaments and give advice on how to use them. Describe the ammunition available for the secondary armament. Provide recommendations on how to use them and which ammunition to choose. Remember that any anti-air armament, even heavy calibre weapons, belong in the next section. If there is no secondary armament, remove this section.

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
1,000 m 2,500 m 5,000 m 7,500 m 10,000 m 15,000 m
4 inch HE HE 11 11 11 11 11 11
4 inch SAP SAP 90 72 51 37 28 24
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Velocity
(m/s)
Projectile
mass (kg)
Fuse delay
(s)
Fuse sensitivity
(mm)
Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (g)
Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
4 inch HE HE 805 14.06 0 0.1 721 79° 80° 81°
4 inch SAP SAP 805 15.2 0.015 5 520 47° 60° 65°

Anti-aircraft armament

2 х Turret76 mm/45 QF 3in 20cwt HA Mark I cannon
Ammunition150 rounds

An important part of the ship's armament responsible for air defence. Anti-aircraft armament is defined by the weapon chosen with the control Select anti-aircraft weapons. Talk about the ship's anti-air cannons and machine guns, the number of guns and their positions, their effective range, and about their overall effectiveness – including against surface targets. If there are no anti-aircraft armaments, remove this section.

Additional armament

Setup 140 x 533 mm Mk.IV torpedo
Main article: Mk.IV (533 mm)

Describe the available additional armaments of the ship: depth charges, mines, torpedoes. Talk about their positions, available ammunition and launch features such as dead zones of torpedoes. If there is no additional armament, remove this section.

Usage in battles

HMS Glorious is a classic "glass cannon", featuring extremely powerful 381 mm cannons, backed up by a suite of decent secondary armaments and torpedoes, and great mobility. However, it also has extremely thin armour, which can sometimes prove insufficient against even cruiser-calibre cannons.

Against other battleships and battlecruisers, the armour is wholly inadequate, and the ship really does become equivalent to a large light cruiser. Its mobility can be used to play around hard cover and attempt to dodge incoming shells; however, if caught in the open, Glorious is unlikely to survive for long.

On the other hand, if in a match against only cruisers, the unusual armaments can be used to great effect, quickly destroying any cruiser in a few good hits. When facing destroyers, consider switching to control of the 102 mm cannons - the greater volume of fire (up to 12 guns on a broadside) and sufficient stopping power of the guns will rapidly wreck any small ship. The 4" SAP ammunition is significantly better for this than the stock HE.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Four 381 mm guns, enough to cripple any enemy it might have to face
  • Numerous fast-firing 102 mm provides steady damage output at mid-to-close range
  • Huge empty space at the bow and stern can absorb several hits from shells and torpedoes
  • Quite fast and manoeuvrable, despite the size
  • Equipped with 40 torpedoes with decent performance

Cons:

  • Very large and distinctive hull shape, easily identified and hit by any enemies
  • Poor armour protection, relies heavily on fuel tanks to absorb damage
  • Terrible main turret traverse speed, inability to fire reactively
  • Poor anti-air defence
  • Fixed torpedo tubes restrict their usage to saturational barrages

History

The Courageous-class battlecruisers were formulated during WW1 by the ever-eccentric First Sea Lord, Jacky Fisher, as part of his 'Baltic Project', a planned attack on the German Baltic coastline. In 1915, the Chancellor of the Exchequer had forbidden new construction of any warships larger than light cruisers, yet Lord Fisher wanted new fast capital ships for the Baltic Project in order to support his proposed landings of troops on the beaches of Pomerania.

In order to get around the rule against new capital ships and also because of Lord Fisher's obsession with speed at the expense of all else, the Courageous class were presented as 'large light cruisers', with extremely light armour, extremely high speed and half the main armament of the new Queen Elizabeth-class battleships. Fortunately for Fisher, many of the politicians up top had little knowledge in naval matters and so they saw the high speed, low armour and just approved the design for construction. Unfortunately, however, the ships proved to be a little too lightly built and had a tendency to take structural damage in rough seas or at high speed or even when firing the main guns until they were structurally stiffened in response.

As Fisher's Baltic Project never took place, the ships spent the war patrolling the North Sea. HMS Glorious saw little action, other than the Second Battle of Heligoland Bight, during which she only suffered damage from a premature shell detonation and her own muzzle blasts. She was also present for the surrender of the German High Seas Fleet in 1918.

Following the end of WW1, the battlecruisers were converted into aircraft carriers due to their high speed, whilst the 381 mm turrets of Courageous and Glorious were put into storage. During WW2, these turrets would be reused in the construction of HMS Vanguard, the last battleship ever built.

During WW2, Glorious served in the Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, and in the Norwegian Campaign, before being intercepted in the Norwegian Sea by Scharnhorst and Gneisenau. Due to a number of faults in leadership, the ship was flying no patrols and made no effort to change course or speed. Glorious was struck by Scharnhorst at a range of 24 km, the longest range capital ship hit in history (a title which Scharnhorst shares with HMS Warspite, which struck an Italian battleship at approximately the same range). Despite the heroic efforts of her two escorting destroyers, Ardent and Acasta, Glorious was sunk by the German battleships a little over two hours after first sighting them, although Scharnhorst was badly damaged by a torpedo from Acasta, requiring the ship to head to port for immediate repairs.

Media

Skins

See also

Links to articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

  • reference to the series of the ship;
  • links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links


Britain battlecruisers
Invincible-class  HMS Invincible
Courageous-class  HMS Glorious
Renown-class  HMS Renown
Admiral-class  HMS Hood