In the process of fixing the main disadvantage
of the Washington Treaty-based County-class cruisers—
extremely weak armor—
British designers adopted quite an unusual approach in the late 1920s.
They managed to strengthen the armor by reducing the designed displacement
from the maximum of 10,000 permitted by the treaty to 8,000 tons,
and the number of main battery guns from eight to six.
The result was a very balanced ship in terms of her gun-armor-speed parameters.
She entered service as Exeter.
The ship was used as the design basis for the next cruiser,
now with a displacement of 10,000 tons.
Having successfully maintained all of her advantages,
the designers returned the fourth main battery turret.
Three Surrey-class ships were scheduled to enter service in 1932.
In the meantime,
the London Naval Treaty of 1930 set a displacement limit for heavy cruisers.
Great Britain had already exceeded it by that time,
and the order for Surrey was canceled.
In our game, we decided to reflect on how this line of English cruisers
might have developed further in terms of stronger firepower.
And today, I'm proud to present to you British Tier VIII Premium cruiser Hampshire.
Given the usual construction speed for ships of this class in British shipyards,
such a cruiser could have been completed around 1935.
In our game, however, Hampshire has new AA guns and radars
that she could only have been equipped with in the mid-1940s, during modernization.
The ship is armed with ten 203 mm main guns
that fire only armor-piercing shells with improved ricochet angles,
which allow her to effectively confront any opponent.
The cruiser performs best in medium- and long-range encounters.
Hampshire is also equipped with two quadruple-tube torpedo launchers
that can release torpedoes individually.
The ship has special engine settings like cruiser Minotaur,
and she can quickly pick up speed.
She has the Hydroacoustic Search and Defensive AA Fire consumables
in different slots,
and you can also choose between Fighter and Spotting Aircraft in a single slot.
At the same time, unlike the researchable British cruisers,
Hampshire has no Repair Party consumable,
and this makes her quite vulnerable to any mistakes made by her Captain.
Taking all the above into account,
I recommend installing the following upgrades to increase your survival chances in battle:
So, use the first slot for Main Armaments Modification 1,
and the second slot for Damage Control System Modification 1,
or Hydroacoustic Search Modification 1
if you're going to challenge destroyers for Key Areas.
Install Aiming Systems Modification 1 in the third slot,
Steering Gears Modification 1 in the fourth,
and Concealment System Modification 1 in the fifth.
Now it's time for the Armada raffle!
The main prize is a bundle with cruiser Hampshire,
a Port slot, and a commemorative flag.
It will go to a subscriber who hits the "Like" button under the video
and correctly answers the following question—
"What aircraft does Hampshire carry?"
Don't forget to share your in-game nickname and the server you play on
in the comment with the answer.
We'll announce the name of the winner in the next Armada episode.
By the way,
we have a web campaign dedicated to the release of cruiser Hampshire.
You'll go on a trip around the world,
complete combat missions, and receive various rewards—
including Navigator Tokens, which you can exchange for valuable items in the Armory!
Learn more via the link in the description
and head out for the treasure hunt without delay!
Good luck, Captains!