USS Baltimore

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Rank VI USSR | Premium | Golden Eagles
Su-25K Pack
USS Baltimore
us_cruiser_baltimore_class.png
GarageImage USS Baltimore.jpg
USS Baltimore
AB RB SB
6.0 6.0 6.0
Show in game

Description

The Baltimore-class,USS Baltimore (CA-68), 1943 is a gift rank V American heavy cruiser with a battle rating of 6.0 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced during Update "Hot Tracks" as a reward for the 2020 Operation W.I.N.T.E.R. event.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armourfront / side / back
Citadel152 / 152 / 64 mm
Main fire tower203 / 83 / 37 mm
Hull19 mm (steel)
Superstructure17 mm (steel)
Number of section8
Displacement17 031 t
Crew1 560 people

Baltimore does not have as much armour as a Hipper-class heavy cruiser, it is somewhat on par with IJN counterparts such as the Mogami.

Having lots of AA also means lots of crew. However, lots of crew can also be lost due to the AA being repeatedly destroyed. It is not recommended to repair the ship unless major damage has been sustained.

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB71 / 29 km/h
RB61 / 25 km/h

Baltimore's speed is a bit slower than other heavy cruisers. Her agility is better however, displacing 30% less than a Mogami.

She is unlikely to evade a torpedo, but being a heavy cruiser, she should survive a hit or two.

Mobility Characteristics
Game Mode Upgrade Status Maximum Speed (km/h) Turn Time (s) Turn Radius (m)
Forward Reverse
AB Stock ___ ___
Upgraded 71 29
RB/SB Stock ___ ___
Upgraded 61 25

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB12 722 → 17 174 Sl icon.png
RB12 691 → 17 132 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications289 000 Rp icon.png
428 000 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost2 200 Ge icon.png
Crew training230 000 Sl icon.png
Experts790 000 Sl icon.png
Aces1 800 Ge icon.png
Research Aces780 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
450 / 600 / 100 % Sl icon.png
202 / 202 / 202 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Seakeeping Unsinkability Firepower
Mods new ship hull.png
Dry-Docking
Research:
14 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
21 000 Sl icon.png
360 Ge icon.png
Mods new ship rudder.png
Rudder Replacement
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
16 000 Sl icon.png
280 Ge icon.png
Mods new ship screw.png
Propeller Replacement
Research:
12 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
18 000 Sl icon.png
310 Ge icon.png
Mods new ship engine.png
Engine Maintenance
Research:
19 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
28 000 Sl icon.png
490 Ge icon.png
Mods ship damage control crew.png
Damage Control Division
Research:
14 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
21 000 Sl icon.png
360 Ge icon.png
Mods ship fire control crew.png
Fire Division
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
16 000 Sl icon.png
280 Ge icon.png
Mods engine smoke screen system.png
Smokescreen
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
16 000 Sl icon.png
280 Ge icon.png
Mods ship anti fragmentation protection.png
Shrapnel Protection
Research:
12 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
18 000 Sl icon.png
310 Ge icon.png
Mods ship venting.png
Ventilation
Research:
12 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
18 000 Sl icon.png
310 Ge icon.png
Mods new ship pumps.png
New Pumps
Research:
19 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
28 000 Sl icon.png
490 Ge icon.png
Mods ship ammo wetting.png
Ammo Wetting
Research:
19 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
28 000 Sl icon.png
490 Ge icon.png
Mods new aa caliber turrets.png
Anti-Air Armament Targeting
Research:
14 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
21 000 Sl icon.png
360 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
203mm_us_mk21_navy_ap_ammo_pack
Research:
14 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
21 000 Sl icon.png
360 Ge icon.png
Mods new aux caliber turrets.png
Auxiliary Armament Targeting
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
16 000 Sl icon.png
280 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
203mm_us_mk25_navy_hc_ammo_pack
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
16 000 Sl icon.png
280 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
127mm_usa_mk46_special_common_sap_ammo_pack
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
16 000 Sl icon.png
280 Ge icon.png
Mods new main caliber turrets.png
Primary Armament Targeting
Research:
12 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
18 000 Sl icon.png
310 Ge icon.png
Mods ship rangefinder.png
Improved Rangefinder
Research:
12 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
18 000 Sl icon.png
310 Ge icon.png
Mods he frag proxi fuze ship.png
127mm_usa_mk31_aavt_radio_fuse_ammo_pack
Research:
12 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
18 000 Sl icon.png
310 Ge icon.png
Mods shipSupportPlane.png
Hydroplane
Research:
19 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
28 000 Sl icon.png
490 Ge icon.png
Mods he frag base fuse tank.png
203mm_us_mk17_navy_special_common_ammo_pack
Research:
19 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
28 000 Sl icon.png
490 Ge icon.png

Armament

Primary armament

3 х Turret3 x 8 inch/55 Mark 12 cannon
Ammunition450 rounds
Vertical guidance-10° / 41°

Baltimore, being a WW2 US cruiser, shoots super-heavy AP shells out of her 203 mm guns. These shells are heavier than others, weighing over 150 kg. Most other nations' shells weigh usually 110 kg. This gives them a longer flight time, but a steeper angle. The idea was that, at long ranges, the shells would penetrate battleship's decks from above instead of hitting the much thicker side armour.

Secondary armament

6 х Turret2 x 5 inch/38 Mk.12 cannon, mount Mk.32
Ammunition720 rounds

Her secondaries are found on most WW2 US ships. Dual purpose, dual 127 mm turrets. She has six of them. Those turrets are her first line of defence against PT boats and aircraft.

Anti-aircraft armament

12 х Turret4 x 40 mm Bofors L/60 Mark 2 gun
Ammunition8000 rounds
Belt capacity4 rounds
Fire rate156 shots/min
24 х Turret20 mm/70 Oerlikon Mk.II autocannon
Ammunition1800 rounds
Belt capacity60 rounds
Fire rate450 shots/min

As with most WW2 US ships, AA armament is where she shines. Compared to a Cleveland-class light cruiser, Baltimore has many more 40 mm Bofors emplacements. She has twelve quadruple 40 mm Bofors turrets, and twenty-four 20 mm Oerlikon single guns. This is much stronger than what could be mounted on light cruisers, giving her awesome close range firepower.

Unlike the Cleveland-class, she cannot fire Variable Time-Fuse shells out of her main guns, giving her slightly less long range AA power compared to a Cleveland.

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).

Baltimore feels right at home when protecting allies from aircraft. Her 203 mm guns have a difficult time killing dreadnoughts, she should shoot first at other cruisers and destroyers.

Her super-heavy 203 mm shells are useful to shoot above islands while avoiding incoming fire.

She can count on close range AA to protect her from most air attacks while staying near islands.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Amazing AA defences
  • Super-heavy AP shells

Cons:

  • Rather small for a heavy cruiser
  • Small crew amount compared to other heavy cruisers

History

Devblog

The development of new heavy cruisers for the US Navy began after the outbreak of World War II. The restrictions of the London and Washington Treaties ceased to be relevant, so the United States enthusiastically began to refine the projects built within the limits of the restrictions. Based on the heavy cruisers of the USS Wichita class, a new cruiser was developed to correct the issues of its predecessor, namely low stability and a shortage of anti-aircraft weapons, and also with improved seaworthiness, protection and range. The lead ship of the new series, the heavy cruiser USS Baltimore, was laid down in 1941. The distinctive features of the new large series of cruisers are extremely powerful and versatile anti-aircraft weapons and an increased hull width for increased stability. The USS Baltimore entered service in 1943 and immediately began performing combat missions in the Pacific. Until the end of World War II, Baltimore was in the midst of naval war, taking part in a number of US operations. After a short "vacation" it was re-commissioned in 1951, but did not take part in the new, Korean War. The ship was decommissioned from service in May 1956.

Media

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


USA heavy cruisers
Pensacola-class  USS Pensacola
Northampton-class  USS Northampton
Portland-class  USS Portland
New Orleans-class  USS New Orleans
Baltimore-class  USS Baltimore · USS Pittsburgh
Des Moines-class  USS Des Moines · USS Newport News