US Fast Battleships 1936–47: The North Carolina and South Dakota Classes

Osprey New Vanguard #169

by Lawrence Burr, Peter Bull (Illustrator)

This volume details the design, construction, and operation of the first six of the ten US fast battleships, two of the North Carolina class and four of the South Dakota class. These six battleships were all authorized in 1936 and were the first vessels built in the US since 1923. Consequently, these ships benefitted from enormous technological leaps, with improvements in ship design, power, armor, armament and the single most important improvement the use of radar guided fire control helping to change the course of the war in the Pacific. Packed with first-hand accounts, battle reports, and specially created artwork this book tells the story of these war-winning vessels.

Genres: History

48 pages, Paperback

First published November 10, 2010

Reviews

[Sleepy Boy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had the urge to read this after visiting the USS Alabama with my family. Enjoyed the insights but there sadly was not much on the Alabama herself. More focus on the USS North Carolina and South Dakota themselves, rather than the BB classes as a whole. Good to great to art work as per usual.

[Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding overview of the six fast battleships the US built in preparation for World War II but still operating under the requirements of the London Naval Treaty. Burr provides solid information on the development, operational careers, and ultimate fates of these amazing warships.

[Steven Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh, those Osprey books. . . . This one focuses on a set of US battleships of World War II vintage--the North Carolina and South Dakota classes. There were six battleships in these classes built between 1937 and 1942--t5he Noerth Carolina and Washington (in the North Carolia class) and the South Dakota, Indiana, Massachusetts, and Alabama (of the South Dakota class).

As with other Osprey books that look at weapons and military technologies, this slender volume considers the design and construction of the battleships, their fire control, radar, and use of aircraft each carried a handful of planes for anti-submarine, spotting, rescue, etc.).

The book then moves to their record in battloe in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters.

A nice introduction to two classes of World War II battle wagons. . . .

[Teufel Wolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting short history of the class. Includes details about the ships, and a short history of their combat operations.

[Sean Chick · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is not enough detail on the development of these ships and their particular characteristics.