Difference between revisions of "USS Sumner"
Alaska_chan (talk | contribs) (Added text for the Armament, Secondary Armament, Anti-aircraft Armament, Torpedo Armament and Special Armament sections as well as an overall spelling and grammar check as well as adding some links to similar ships and a wikipedia link.) (Tag: Visual edit) |
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== Description == | == Description == | ||
| − | <!--''In the first part of the description, cover the history of the | + | <!-- ''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.'' --> |
[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]] | [[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]] | ||
{{Break}} | {{Break}} | ||
| − | The '''{{ | + | The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} American destroyer {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.83 "Masters of the Sea"]]. |
The ship is, along with the similarly named [[Somers (DD-381)]], the ultimate destroyer type ship in the American naval tree. | The ship is, along with the similarly named [[Somers (DD-381)]], the ultimate destroyer type ship in the American naval tree. | ||
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== General info == | == General info == | ||
=== Survivability and armour === | === Survivability and armour === | ||
| − | The USS Allen M. Sumner has very little but still significant | + | <!-- ''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.'' --> |
| + | The USS Allen M. Sumner has very little but still significant armour. Encased in 19 mm of anti-fragmentation hull armour and 13 mm of anti-fragmentation deck armour, the Sumner's armour won't stop any shells fired by destroyers, let alone larger ships. The light armour will serve the Sumner as protection from smaller calibre machine guns rounds as well as some splash damage from HE shells. A major flaw in its armour, however, is found in the very weak armour of its primary 12.7 cm mounts. Anything larger than a .50 calibre machine gun can and will knock out the Sumner's turrets, this means that when facing against multiple targets, the Sumner can very quickly be put out of action. | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
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! Armour !! Bow (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Stern !! Deck | ! Armour !! Bow (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Stern !! Deck | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | | Hull || N/A || 19 mm (0-19°) || N/A || 13 mm (88-89°) | + | | Hull || N/A || 19 mm (0-19°) || N/A || 13 mm (88-89°) |
|- | |- | ||
! Armour !! Front !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof | ! Armour !! Front !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof | ||
| Line 26: | Line 27: | ||
'''Notes:''' | '''Notes:''' | ||
| − | * The radar atop the bridge is covered with an anti-fragmentation | + | * The radar atop the bridge is covered with an anti-fragmentation armour with 19 mm thickness. |
* The gun shields around the 20 mm Oerlikon autocannons are 12.7 mm thick. | * The gun shields around the 20 mm Oerlikon autocannons are 12.7 mm thick. | ||
=== Mobility === | === Mobility === | ||
| − | The Sumner's increased firepower compared to the previous destroyers come at a cost to the max speed of the vessel. While not much, the decrease in 1 or 2 km/h in max speed is noticeable on larger maps as much faster Russian or German ships are able to flank the ship with their superior top speeds. The Sumner however, is fitted with an additional rudder over the previous destroyers on the tree, greatly increasing the turn rate of the ship and allowing much greater | + | <!-- ''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.'' --> |
| + | The Sumner's increased firepower compared to the previous destroyers come at a cost to the max speed of the vessel. While not much, the decrease in 1 or 2 km/h in max speed is noticeable on larger maps as much faster Russian or German ships are able to flank the ship with their superior top speeds. The Sumner however, is fitted with an additional rudder over the previous destroyers on the tree, greatly increasing the turn rate of the ship and allowing much greater manoeuvrability, which comes in especially useful when dodging torpedoes and enemy fire. | ||
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | ||
| Line 38: | Line 40: | ||
! colspan="3" |Weight (tons) | ! colspan="3" |Weight (tons) | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | | colspan="3" |3,218 | + | | colspan="3" |3,218 |
|- | |- | ||
! colspan="3" | Max Speed (km/h) | ! colspan="3" | Max Speed (km/h) | ||
| Line 56: | Line 58: | ||
|} | |} | ||
| − | ==Armament== | + | == Armament == |
| − | ===Primary armament=== | + | === Primary armament === |
| − | {{main|5/38 | + | <!-- ''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.'' --> |
| + | {{main|5 inch/38 Mk.12 (127 mm)}} | ||
| − | The primary armament of the USS Allen M. Sumner comes in the form of | + | The primary armament of the USS Allen M. Sumner comes in the form of 6 x five inch (12.7 cm) 5/38 Mk.12 Dual Purpose cannons, mounted in three dual turrets: turrets 1 and 2 fore and turret 3 aft of the ship. Although these are the same excellent guns as on previous Farragut and Fletcher-classes, the new dual turrets allow for very quick reloading as well as making concentrating your fire a bit easier. The guns' HE shells perform excellently against other destroyers, however they will struggle against most cruisers, most notably in engagements over longer distances, even with AP. These guns when paired with a good crew and the HE-VT shells can make for very decent longer range AA support. |
| − | ===Secondary armament=== | + | === Secondary armament === |
| + | <!-- ''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.'' --> | ||
{{main|Bofors L/60 Mark 1 (40 mm)|Bofors L/60 Mark 2 (40 mm)}} | {{main|Bofors L/60 Mark 1 (40 mm)|Bofors L/60 Mark 2 (40 mm)}} | ||
| − | The Sumner is fitted with an excellent secondary armament of a total of twelve 40 mm cannons. Eight Bofors L/60 Mark 2 in two quad mounts, and four Bofors L/60 Mark 1 in two dual mounts. This is an incredible amount of guns, topping even the AA heavy USS Cowell premium destroyer. Regardless of your crew level, these guns are great for almost every engagement the Sumner might find itself in. They work great to shoot down aircraft, whittle down enemy crews in close quarters, and to keep enemy PT boats a safe distance away from you. Be sure to manage what targets you want the 40 mm cannons to be shooting at to be as efficient as possible. | + | The Sumner is fitted with an excellent secondary armament of a total of twelve 40 mm cannons. Eight Bofors L/60 Mark 2 in two quad mounts, and four Bofors L/60 Mark 1 in two dual mounts. This is an incredible amount of guns, topping even the AA heavy USS Cowell premium destroyer. Regardless of your crew level, these guns are great for almost every engagement the Sumner might find itself in. They work great to shoot down aircraft, whittle down enemy crews in close quarters, and to keep enemy PT boats a safe distance away from you. Be sure to manage what targets you want the 40 mm cannons to be shooting at to be as efficient as possible. |
=== Anti-aircraft armament === | === Anti-aircraft armament === | ||
| + | <!-- ''An important part of the ship's armament responsible for air defence. Anti-aircraft armament is defined by the weapon chosen with the control <code>Select anti-aircraft weapons</code>. 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.'' --> | ||
{{main|Oerlikon Mk.II (20 mm)}} | {{main|Oerlikon Mk.II (20 mm)}} | ||
| − | The Sumner's anti-aircraft armament consists of ten single mounted Oerlikon Mk.II 20 mm cannons. | + | The Sumner's anti-aircraft armament consists of ten single mounted Oerlikon Mk.II 20 mm cannons. This number once again tops the USS Cowell with its seven 20 mm cannons. Much like the rest of the Sumner's armament, the 20 mm cannons are very versatile, multi-purpose weapons. They play a very similar role to the Bofors 40mm cannons, however their smaller calibre means that in most situations it should remain as anti-aircraft armament, and leave the anti-smaller ship duties to the Bofors cannons. These are very standard and very good 20 mm cannons found on most American destroyers. |
=== Torpedo armament === | === Torpedo armament === | ||
| − | {{main|Mk.15}} | + | <!-- ''Torpedoes launchers are standard equipment on many ships and boats. Torpedoes are a significant means of defeating an opponent. Evaluate the position of the torpedo launchers, discuss the ammunition available, firing specifics such as dead zones, features of the torpedoes themselves, etc. If there is no torpedo armament, remove this section.'' --> |
| + | {{main|Mk.15 (533 mm)}} | ||
| − | The torpedo armament on the Sumner should be one that most, if not all US sailors should be familiar with at this point, since the torpedoes themselves are found on all but one of the US destroyers. The Sumner carries ten Mk.15 533 mm torpedoes, which are found in two mounts of five tubes each. One of these mounts is found in the very middle of the ship, and the second one can be found further aft, near turret 3. The torpedoes are not a greatly important part of the Sumner's kit, being more of something that's simply nice to have as opposed to being something necessary. The Mk.15 torpedoes are nothing to particularly write home about, especially when compared to other torpedoes like the Japanese Type 93 "Long Lance" which boast both superior range and speed. Torpedoes are always nice to have however, and will come in very handy for sinking enemy cargo ships and convoys, or they can be spammed out in stressful extreme close quarters or last ditch situations. | + | The torpedo armament on the Sumner should be one that most, if not all US sailors should be familiar with at this point, since the torpedoes themselves are found on all but one of the US destroyers. The Sumner carries ten Mk.15 533 mm torpedoes, which are found in two mounts of five tubes each. One of these mounts is found in the very middle of the ship, and the second one can be found further aft, near turret 3. The torpedoes are not a greatly important part of the Sumner's kit, being more of something that's simply nice to have as opposed to being something necessary. The Mk.15 torpedoes are nothing to particularly write home about, especially when compared to other torpedoes like the Japanese Type 93 "Long Lance" which boast both superior range and speed. Torpedoes are always nice to have however, and will come in very handy for sinking enemy cargo ships and convoys, or they can be spammed out in stressful extreme close quarters or last ditch situations. |
=== Special armament === | === Special armament === | ||
| + | <!-- ''Depth charges, mines, rocket launchers and missiles are also effective in skilled hands and can take an off-guard opponent by surprise. Evaluate the ammunition of this type of armament and rate its performance in combat. If there are no special armaments, remove this section.'' --> | ||
{{main|Mk.6 mortar depth charge}} | {{main|Mk.6 mortar depth charge}} | ||
The Sumner can carry depth charges in the form of the Mk.6 mortar depth charge. The depth charges shoot off the side of the ship, but they are not particularly useful for anything. You might get the occasional rare depth charge kill on an unlucky PT boat, but you are probably better off not taking the depth charges and save the little bit of money that it would have cost you to replenish them. | The Sumner can carry depth charges in the form of the Mk.6 mortar depth charge. The depth charges shoot off the side of the ship, but they are not particularly useful for anything. You might get the occasional rare depth charge kill on an unlucky PT boat, but you are probably better off not taking the depth charges and save the little bit of money that it would have cost you to replenish them. | ||
| − | ==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 – | + | <!-- ''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).'' --> |
| − | The USS Allen M. Sumner is one of, if not the most powerful and versatile destroyer in the game. The Sumner with its powerful main armament, ample anti-air capabilities and even some | + | The USS Allen M. Sumner is one of, if not the most powerful and versatile destroyer in the game. The Sumner with its powerful main armament, ample anti-air capabilities and even some armour, can win almost any one on one engagement against enemy destroyers, as well as being capable of taking on support roles for its team. The Sumner is an extremely useful ship, functioning like a superior version of the [[Cowell (DD-547)]], having very similar roles on the battlefield, although each with their slight differences, giving them advantages in disadvantages in various areas. |
*'''1. Gunfighter''' | *'''1. Gunfighter''' | ||
| − | The Sumner is equipped with one more main gun than the [[Fletcher (DD-445)]] and [[Cowell (DD-547)]]. While this might not seem a lot, there is a key difference: the guns are mounted in three turrets, each containing two guns. This means that your shells will have better grouping, but the most significant advantage is when you're bow on towards an enemy. While the Cowell and Fletcher can only utilize two of its guns while facing forward, the Sumner has a whopping '''four''', allowing you to deal twice as much damage when you are bow on. The Sumner's guns also fire faster than the Fletcher-classes, with a reload of 2.8 seconds aced compared to the Fletcher-classes' 3.7 seconds, giving them just another advantage. This allows you to put out a lot more shells in a short period of time compared to the Fletcher-class destroyers. Other than that, ship-to-ship combat plays out rather similarly to when playing the Fletcher-class ships. You will be able to take on most destroyers in a straight-up battle with your main threats being a [[Somers (DD-381)]], with eight guns, the [[Type 1936A (Mob)]] which has larger | + | The Sumner is equipped with one more main gun than the [[Fletcher (DD-445)]] and [[Cowell (DD-547)]]. While this might not seem a lot, there is a key difference: the guns are mounted in three turrets, each containing two guns. This means that your shells will have better grouping, but the most significant advantage is when you're bow on towards an enemy. While the Cowell and Fletcher can only utilize two of its guns while facing forward, the Sumner has a whopping '''four''', allowing you to deal twice as much damage when you are bow on. The Sumner's guns also fire faster than the Fletcher-classes, with a reload of 2.8 seconds aced compared to the Fletcher-classes' 3.7 seconds, giving them just another advantage. This allows you to put out a lot more shells in a short period of time compared to the Fletcher-class destroyers. Other than that, ship-to-ship combat plays out rather similarly to when playing the Fletcher-class ships. You will be able to take on most destroyers in a straight-up battle with your main threats being a [[Somers (DD-381)]], with eight guns, the [[Type 1936A (Mob)]] which has larger calibre guns, and the [[Tashkent (leader)]] which possess strong firepower. You have increased armour protection compared to the Fletcher-class destroyers which will help you to take a few more hits. However, as a trade-off, losing a turret that houses two guns is a much more significant loss. This is even more dangerous than the fact that your turrets are huge and are easy to take out. Nonetheless, the Sumner is a potent ship when it comes to gun fighting. |
*'''2. Anti Air Ship''' | *'''2. Anti Air Ship''' | ||
| − | The Sumner, like most of the late-war USN destroyers, is filled to the brim with anti-aircraft armament making it a great anti-air escort ship. A group of Sumners and Cowells can easily deny a large area of enemy aircraft. The Sumner is equipped with radio fuse HE-VT shells, that when combined with the good shell grouping as well as its fast rate of fire, makes for incredible air | + | The Sumner, like most of the late-war USN destroyers, is filled to the brim with anti-aircraft armament making it a great anti-air escort ship. A group of Sumners and Cowells can easily deny a large area of enemy aircraft. The Sumner is equipped with radio fuse HE-VT shells, that when combined with the good shell grouping as well as its fast rate of fire, makes for incredible air defence potential. The Sumner's many 40 mm Bofors cannons mean that you can easily deal with aircraft at medium and close ranges. The firing arcs on the Sumner are slightly inferior to the Cowell's as they cannot fire directly towards the bow, although this isn't a major drawback for the incredible capabilities of the ship. It is also equipped with 10 x 20 mm Oerlikon cannons which will provide decent short-range protection. As always, lead your targets when commanding your anti-air and make sure to switch between your main battery for long-range and smaller guns for short-range engagements. |
*'''3. Light Craft Hunter''' | *'''3. Light Craft Hunter''' | ||
| − | The Bofors cannons on the Sumner make for an extremely effective system to deal with smaller enemy vessels. The cannons will allow you to shred anything smaller than a destroyer, as well as some of the older destroyers like the Clemson and Mutsuki if they ever have the misfortune of coming across you. Get your crew to a point where they are good with the secondary armaments of the ship. When engaging small, fast boats, designate the target for your gunners and if you have no other immediate threats open fire on them with your main guns. A direct hit will be a one-shot kill, but even the splash damage can deal important damage to modules. Note that unlike the Cowell, you cannot fire off both of your dual Bofors mounts directly towards the bow as the ship's superstructure blocks the way. To deal with this, turn slightly to one side so that one side so that that side's mount can fire at them, sadly you won't be able to train both mounts on a single target. Turning a bit more will allow your quad Bofors near the stern of the ship to open fire. Always keep your head on a swivel when in patrol boat territory and never let them sneak up on you. The Sumner does not take torpedoes well and if a PT boat gets a torpedo off on you then there is not much you can do to avoid destruction. If you see a patrol boat nearby, turn in whichever direction you can, and keep your eyes on the water until you see the torpedoes. | + | The Bofors cannons on the Sumner make for an extremely effective system to deal with smaller enemy vessels. The cannons will allow you to shred anything smaller than a destroyer, as well as some of the older destroyers like the Clemson and Mutsuki if they ever have the misfortune of coming across you. Get your crew to a point where they are good with the secondary armaments of the ship. When engaging small, fast boats, designate the target for your gunners and if you have no other immediate threats open fire on them with your main guns. A direct hit will be a one-shot kill, but even the splash damage can deal important damage to modules. Note that unlike the Cowell, you cannot fire off both of your dual Bofors mounts directly towards the bow as the ship's superstructure blocks the way. To deal with this, turn slightly to one side so that one side so that that side's mount can fire at them, sadly you won't be able to train both mounts on a single target. Turning a bit more will allow your quad Bofors near the stern of the ship to open fire. Always keep your head on a swivel when in patrol boat territory and never let them sneak up on you. The Sumner does not take torpedoes well and if a PT boat gets a torpedo off on you then there is not much you can do to avoid destruction. If you see a patrol boat nearby, turn in whichever direction you can, and keep your eyes on the water until you see the torpedoes. |
'''Some of the greatest threats to the Sumner include:''' | '''Some of the greatest threats to the Sumner include:''' | ||
| − | * [[Somers (DD-381)]]: This destroyer has your guns, but with an extra turret for a total of eight guns. This means that if you aren't careful it cant beat you in a one-on-one duel. Try to knock out its turrets first and keep yours alive to make it even. You also have more | + | * [[Somers (DD-381)]]: This destroyer has your guns, but with an extra turret for a total of eight guns. This means that if you aren't careful it cant beat you in a one-on-one duel. Try to knock out its turrets first and keep yours alive to make it even. You also have more armour than it so you can take a bit more of a punch. |
* [[BTD-1]]: Despite your potent AA, these bombers can still get by and drop off a torpedo before it gets shot down. It carries two torpedoes or a 2,000 lb bomb, all of them lethal. Prioritize these bombers and always keep your eyes peeled for torpedoes, even after you've gotten the kill on the plane. | * [[BTD-1]]: Despite your potent AA, these bombers can still get by and drop off a torpedo before it gets shot down. It carries two torpedoes or a 2,000 lb bomb, all of them lethal. Prioritize these bombers and always keep your eyes peeled for torpedoes, even after you've gotten the kill on the plane. | ||
* [[Pe-8]]: These bombers often stay at high altitude from where they drop their 5000 kg bomb. Keep an eye out for them and use the HE-VT on your main guns to take them out. Call them out for your team if you want, as they might be able to help | * [[Pe-8]]: These bombers often stay at high altitude from where they drop their 5000 kg bomb. Keep an eye out for them and use the HE-VT on your main guns to take them out. Call them out for your team if you want, as they might be able to help | ||
* [[Type 1936A (Mob)]]: This destroyer has 150 mm guns which can deal significant damage to you. You have a faster fire rate and more durability so use that to your advantage. It might be best to avoid long range fights with these, as you can shred them when close up. | * [[Type 1936A (Mob)]]: This destroyer has 150 mm guns which can deal significant damage to you. You have a faster fire rate and more durability so use that to your advantage. It might be best to avoid long range fights with these, as you can shred them when close up. | ||
| − | * [[Pr. 159]] and [[Pr. 35]]: While these frigates will most likely be unable to kill you, they have fast-firing 76 mm guns which can very quickly destroy your turrets and bridge, leaving you a sitting duck for other ships. These ships lack | + | * [[Pr. 159]] and [[Pr. 35]]: While these frigates will most likely be unable to kill you, they have fast-firing 76 mm guns which can very quickly destroy your turrets and bridge, leaving you a sitting duck for other ships. These ships lack armour protection so if you have good aim you will be able to destroy them with ease. Their guns have less range than yours, so long-range engagements will give you the edge. |
| − | * Light Cruisers: Light Cruisers will generally have superior firepower and | + | * Light Cruisers: Light Cruisers will generally have superior firepower and armour than you. Never fight a cruiser one-on-one, especially at long range. Don't give though, your guns can still deal decent damage to them should you gain the opportunity. You should only engage cruisers directly if you are in a group of ships attacking the cruiser or if the cruiser is preoccupied engaging with a friendly cruiser. Be aware of any secondary armament they might have. |
* PT Boats: Fast-moving PT-Boats can catch you off-guard and fire their torpedoes. You might be able to destroy them but their torpedoes could instantly kill you if they hit. Always be on the lookout for PT boats in all directions and watch for any torpedoes. | * PT Boats: Fast-moving PT-Boats can catch you off-guard and fire their torpedoes. You might be able to destroy them but their torpedoes could instantly kill you if they hit. Always be on the lookout for PT boats in all directions and watch for any torpedoes. | ||
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|} | |} | ||
| − | ===Pros and cons=== | + | === Pros and cons === |
| − | <!-- | + | <!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' --> |
'''Pros:''' | '''Pros:''' | ||
| − | |||
* Quick fire rate (2.8 seconds aced) | * Quick fire rate (2.8 seconds aced) | ||
| − | * Powerful primary armament | + | * Powerful primary armament |
* Great AA | * Great AA | ||
* Large crew size | * Large crew size | ||
| − | * Good | + | * Good armour for a destroyer |
| − | * Turrets can traverse 360 degrees | + | * Turrets can traverse 360 degrees |
'''Cons:''' | '''Cons:''' | ||
| − | |||
* Dual turrets are an easy target | * Dual turrets are an easy target | ||
* Top speed is slightly below the Cowell's | * Top speed is slightly below the Cowell's | ||
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== History == | == History == | ||
| − | <!--Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ship in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the | + | <!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ship in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the ship and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Ship-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the ship's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' --> |
| − | |||
The Allen M. Sumner-class was introduced as an improvement to the previous Fletcher-class destroyers incorporating many of the lessons learned during the war. Twin 5" guns simplified the deck layout to allow for the installation of a more powerful anti-aircraft battery. Two quad 40 mm Bofors mounts and two dual 40 mm Bofors mounts supplied the heavy anti-aircraft fire with 11 x 20 mm guns further improving the weight of fire coming from the ship. | The Allen M. Sumner-class was introduced as an improvement to the previous Fletcher-class destroyers incorporating many of the lessons learned during the war. Twin 5" guns simplified the deck layout to allow for the installation of a more powerful anti-aircraft battery. Two quad 40 mm Bofors mounts and two dual 40 mm Bofors mounts supplied the heavy anti-aircraft fire with 11 x 20 mm guns further improving the weight of fire coming from the ship. | ||
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== Media == | == Media == | ||
| − | '' | + | ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' |
== See also == | == 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.'' --> | ||
* [[Somers (DD-381)]] | * [[Somers (DD-381)]] | ||
* [[Type 1936A (Mob)]] | * [[Type 1936A (Mob)]] | ||
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== External links == | == External links == | ||
| − | ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:'' | + | <!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:'' |
| − | + | * ''topic on the official game forum;'' | |
| − | * [[wikipedia:Allen_M._Sumner-class_destroyer|Wikipedia | + | * ''encyclopedia page on the ship;'' |
| + | * ''other literature.'' --> | ||
| + | * [[wikipedia:Allen_M._Sumner-class_destroyer|[Wikipedia] Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer]] | ||
{{USA destroyers}} | {{USA destroyers}} | ||
Revision as of 09:03, 3 February 2020
Contents
Description
The Allen M. Sumner-class, USS Sumner (DD-692), 1944 is a rank II American destroyer
with a battle rating of 4.7 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.83 "Masters of the Sea".
The ship is, along with the similarly named Somers (DD-381), the ultimate destroyer type ship in the American naval tree.
General info
Survivability and armour
The USS Allen M. Sumner has very little but still significant armour. Encased in 19 mm of anti-fragmentation hull armour and 13 mm of anti-fragmentation deck armour, the Sumner's armour won't stop any shells fired by destroyers, let alone larger ships. The light armour will serve the Sumner as protection from smaller calibre machine guns rounds as well as some splash damage from HE shells. A major flaw in its armour, however, is found in the very weak armour of its primary 12.7 cm mounts. Anything larger than a .50 calibre machine gun can and will knock out the Sumner's turrets, this means that when facing against multiple targets, the Sumner can very quickly be put out of action.
| Armour | Bow (Slope angle) | Sides | Stern | Deck |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hull | N/A | 19 mm (0-19°) | N/A | 13 mm (88-89°) |
| Armour | Front | Sides | Rear | Roof |
| Turrets | 6 mm | 6 mm | 6 mm | 6 mm |
Notes:
- The radar atop the bridge is covered with an anti-fragmentation armour with 19 mm thickness.
- The gun shields around the 20 mm Oerlikon autocannons are 12.7 mm thick.
Mobility
The Sumner's increased firepower compared to the previous destroyers come at a cost to the max speed of the vessel. While not much, the decrease in 1 or 2 km/h in max speed is noticeable on larger maps as much faster Russian or German ships are able to flank the ship with their superior top speeds. The Sumner however, is fitted with an additional rudder over the previous destroyers on the tree, greatly increasing the turn rate of the ship and allowing much greater manoeuvrability, which comes in especially useful when dodging torpedoes and enemy fire.
| Mobility characteristic | ||
|---|---|---|
| Weight (tons) | ||
| 3,218 | ||
| Max Speed (km/h) | ||
| Mode | Stock | Upgraded |
| Arcade | 54 | 73 |
| Realistic/Simulator | 54 | 63 |
Armament
Primary armament
The primary armament of the USS Allen M. Sumner comes in the form of 6 x five inch (12.7 cm) 5/38 Mk.12 Dual Purpose cannons, mounted in three dual turrets: turrets 1 and 2 fore and turret 3 aft of the ship. Although these are the same excellent guns as on previous Farragut and Fletcher-classes, the new dual turrets allow for very quick reloading as well as making concentrating your fire a bit easier. The guns' HE shells perform excellently against other destroyers, however they will struggle against most cruisers, most notably in engagements over longer distances, even with AP. These guns when paired with a good crew and the HE-VT shells can make for very decent longer range AA support.
Secondary armament
The Sumner is fitted with an excellent secondary armament of a total of twelve 40 mm cannons. Eight Bofors L/60 Mark 2 in two quad mounts, and four Bofors L/60 Mark 1 in two dual mounts. This is an incredible amount of guns, topping even the AA heavy USS Cowell premium destroyer. Regardless of your crew level, these guns are great for almost every engagement the Sumner might find itself in. They work great to shoot down aircraft, whittle down enemy crews in close quarters, and to keep enemy PT boats a safe distance away from you. Be sure to manage what targets you want the 40 mm cannons to be shooting at to be as efficient as possible.
Anti-aircraft armament
The Sumner's anti-aircraft armament consists of ten single mounted Oerlikon Mk.II 20 mm cannons. This number once again tops the USS Cowell with its seven 20 mm cannons. Much like the rest of the Sumner's armament, the 20 mm cannons are very versatile, multi-purpose weapons. They play a very similar role to the Bofors 40mm cannons, however their smaller calibre means that in most situations it should remain as anti-aircraft armament, and leave the anti-smaller ship duties to the Bofors cannons. These are very standard and very good 20 mm cannons found on most American destroyers.
Torpedo armament
The torpedo armament on the Sumner should be one that most, if not all US sailors should be familiar with at this point, since the torpedoes themselves are found on all but one of the US destroyers. The Sumner carries ten Mk.15 533 mm torpedoes, which are found in two mounts of five tubes each. One of these mounts is found in the very middle of the ship, and the second one can be found further aft, near turret 3. The torpedoes are not a greatly important part of the Sumner's kit, being more of something that's simply nice to have as opposed to being something necessary. The Mk.15 torpedoes are nothing to particularly write home about, especially when compared to other torpedoes like the Japanese Type 93 "Long Lance" which boast both superior range and speed. Torpedoes are always nice to have however, and will come in very handy for sinking enemy cargo ships and convoys, or they can be spammed out in stressful extreme close quarters or last ditch situations.
Special armament
The Sumner can carry depth charges in the form of the Mk.6 mortar depth charge. The depth charges shoot off the side of the ship, but they are not particularly useful for anything. You might get the occasional rare depth charge kill on an unlucky PT boat, but you are probably better off not taking the depth charges and save the little bit of money that it would have cost you to replenish them.
Usage in battles
The USS Allen M. Sumner is one of, if not the most powerful and versatile destroyer in the game. The Sumner with its powerful main armament, ample anti-air capabilities and even some armour, can win almost any one on one engagement against enemy destroyers, as well as being capable of taking on support roles for its team. The Sumner is an extremely useful ship, functioning like a superior version of the Cowell (DD-547), having very similar roles on the battlefield, although each with their slight differences, giving them advantages in disadvantages in various areas.
- 1. Gunfighter
The Sumner is equipped with one more main gun than the Fletcher (DD-445) and Cowell (DD-547). While this might not seem a lot, there is a key difference: the guns are mounted in three turrets, each containing two guns. This means that your shells will have better grouping, but the most significant advantage is when you're bow on towards an enemy. While the Cowell and Fletcher can only utilize two of its guns while facing forward, the Sumner has a whopping four, allowing you to deal twice as much damage when you are bow on. The Sumner's guns also fire faster than the Fletcher-classes, with a reload of 2.8 seconds aced compared to the Fletcher-classes' 3.7 seconds, giving them just another advantage. This allows you to put out a lot more shells in a short period of time compared to the Fletcher-class destroyers. Other than that, ship-to-ship combat plays out rather similarly to when playing the Fletcher-class ships. You will be able to take on most destroyers in a straight-up battle with your main threats being a Somers (DD-381), with eight guns, the Type 1936A (Mob) which has larger calibre guns, and the Tashkent (leader) which possess strong firepower. You have increased armour protection compared to the Fletcher-class destroyers which will help you to take a few more hits. However, as a trade-off, losing a turret that houses two guns is a much more significant loss. This is even more dangerous than the fact that your turrets are huge and are easy to take out. Nonetheless, the Sumner is a potent ship when it comes to gun fighting.
- 2. Anti Air Ship
The Sumner, like most of the late-war USN destroyers, is filled to the brim with anti-aircraft armament making it a great anti-air escort ship. A group of Sumners and Cowells can easily deny a large area of enemy aircraft. The Sumner is equipped with radio fuse HE-VT shells, that when combined with the good shell grouping as well as its fast rate of fire, makes for incredible air defence potential. The Sumner's many 40 mm Bofors cannons mean that you can easily deal with aircraft at medium and close ranges. The firing arcs on the Sumner are slightly inferior to the Cowell's as they cannot fire directly towards the bow, although this isn't a major drawback for the incredible capabilities of the ship. It is also equipped with 10 x 20 mm Oerlikon cannons which will provide decent short-range protection. As always, lead your targets when commanding your anti-air and make sure to switch between your main battery for long-range and smaller guns for short-range engagements.
- 3. Light Craft Hunter
The Bofors cannons on the Sumner make for an extremely effective system to deal with smaller enemy vessels. The cannons will allow you to shred anything smaller than a destroyer, as well as some of the older destroyers like the Clemson and Mutsuki if they ever have the misfortune of coming across you. Get your crew to a point where they are good with the secondary armaments of the ship. When engaging small, fast boats, designate the target for your gunners and if you have no other immediate threats open fire on them with your main guns. A direct hit will be a one-shot kill, but even the splash damage can deal important damage to modules. Note that unlike the Cowell, you cannot fire off both of your dual Bofors mounts directly towards the bow as the ship's superstructure blocks the way. To deal with this, turn slightly to one side so that one side so that that side's mount can fire at them, sadly you won't be able to train both mounts on a single target. Turning a bit more will allow your quad Bofors near the stern of the ship to open fire. Always keep your head on a swivel when in patrol boat territory and never let them sneak up on you. The Sumner does not take torpedoes well and if a PT boat gets a torpedo off on you then there is not much you can do to avoid destruction. If you see a patrol boat nearby, turn in whichever direction you can, and keep your eyes on the water until you see the torpedoes.
Some of the greatest threats to the Sumner include:
- Somers (DD-381): This destroyer has your guns, but with an extra turret for a total of eight guns. This means that if you aren't careful it cant beat you in a one-on-one duel. Try to knock out its turrets first and keep yours alive to make it even. You also have more armour than it so you can take a bit more of a punch.
- BTD-1: Despite your potent AA, these bombers can still get by and drop off a torpedo before it gets shot down. It carries two torpedoes or a 2,000 lb bomb, all of them lethal. Prioritize these bombers and always keep your eyes peeled for torpedoes, even after you've gotten the kill on the plane.
- Pe-8: These bombers often stay at high altitude from where they drop their 5000 kg bomb. Keep an eye out for them and use the HE-VT on your main guns to take them out. Call them out for your team if you want, as they might be able to help
- Type 1936A (Mob): This destroyer has 150 mm guns which can deal significant damage to you. You have a faster fire rate and more durability so use that to your advantage. It might be best to avoid long range fights with these, as you can shred them when close up.
- Pr. 159 and Pr. 35: While these frigates will most likely be unable to kill you, they have fast-firing 76 mm guns which can very quickly destroy your turrets and bridge, leaving you a sitting duck for other ships. These ships lack armour protection so if you have good aim you will be able to destroy them with ease. Their guns have less range than yours, so long-range engagements will give you the edge.
- Light Cruisers: Light Cruisers will generally have superior firepower and armour than you. Never fight a cruiser one-on-one, especially at long range. Don't give though, your guns can still deal decent damage to them should you gain the opportunity. You should only engage cruisers directly if you are in a group of ships attacking the cruiser or if the cruiser is preoccupied engaging with a friendly cruiser. Be aware of any secondary armament they might have.
- PT Boats: Fast-moving PT-Boats can catch you off-guard and fire their torpedoes. You might be able to destroy them but their torpedoes could instantly kill you if they hit. Always be on the lookout for PT boats in all directions and watch for any torpedoes.
Modules
| Tier | Seakeeping | Unsinkability | Firepower | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | Dry-Docking | Tool Set | 127 mm Common Mk.32 | 40 mm HE clips | Anti-Air Armament Targeting | |
| II | Rudder Replacement | Fire Protection System | Smokescreen | 40 mm AP clips | Auxiliary Armament Targeting | |
| III | Propeller Replacement | Ventilation | Shrapnel Protection | 127 mm AAVT Mk.31 | Improved Rangefinder | Primary Armament Targeting |
| IV | Engine Maintenance | New Pumps | Ammo Wetting | Bomb mortar | Torpedo Mode | |
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Quick fire rate (2.8 seconds aced)
- Powerful primary armament
- Great AA
- Large crew size
- Good armour for a destroyer
- Turrets can traverse 360 degrees
Cons:
- Dual turrets are an easy target
- Top speed is slightly below the Cowell's
- High repair cost
History
The Allen M. Sumner-class was introduced as an improvement to the previous Fletcher-class destroyers incorporating many of the lessons learned during the war. Twin 5" guns simplified the deck layout to allow for the installation of a more powerful anti-aircraft battery. Two quad 40 mm Bofors mounts and two dual 40 mm Bofors mounts supplied the heavy anti-aircraft fire with 11 x 20 mm guns further improving the weight of fire coming from the ship.
Majority of the class would find service in the Pacific Theater from 1944 to 1945 serving as a fleet escort. Several in the class would serve as radar picket ships during and after the Battle of Okinawa.
Post War service saw many ships undergoing significant upgrades with the last of the class decommissioned from US Navy service on December 15, 1973.
Media
Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.
See also
External links
| USA destroyers | |
|---|---|
| Clemson-class | USS Welborn C. Wood · USS Barker · USS Litchfield |
| Farragut-class | USS Aylwin |
| Bagley-class | USS Bagley |
| Porter-class | USS Porter · USS Phelps · USS Moffett |
| Somers-class | USS Somers · USS Davis |
| Fletcher-class | USS Fletcher · USS Bennion · USS Cowell |
| Allen M. Sumner-class | USS Sumner |
| Gearing-class | USS Gearing · USS Frank Knox |
| Mitscher-class | USS Mitscher · USS Wilkinson |
