HMS Kent

HMS Kent

HMS Hawkins

HMS Norfolk

HMS Kent

HMS Hawkins

HMS Norfolk

Britain

IV Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
5.7	5.7	5.7

Class:

Heavy cruiser

Research:75 000

Purchase:250 000

Description

The County-class, HMS Kent (54), 1934 was a County-class heavy cruiser built for Royal Navy in the mid 1920s. She was laid down on 15th November 1924 and commissioned on 25th June 1928. She was armed with four twin 8 inch/50 Mark VIII cannons in superfiring positions with two on bow and two aft. The secondary armament was made of six 4 inch/45 QF Mark V cannons in single mounts on various locations amidship and four 2 pdr QF Mk.VIII autocannons for anti-aircraft protection and two quadruple 533 mm torpedo launchers. After completion, Kent was sent to China where she stayed until the outbreak of WWII when she was tasked with hunting the German pocket battleship Graf Spee in the East Indies together with the French heavy cruiser Suffren and Australian destroyers Vampire and Voyager. In mid 1940, after Italy declared war, Kent was transferred to the Mediterranean where she arrived in August. Two weeks later, she escorted convoys between Alexandria and Malta. During the night of 17 to 18th September 1940, Kent was attacked by Italian S.M.79 torpedo bombers from 279th Squadriglia Autonoma Aerosiluranti. She was towed to Alexandria by destroyers where temporary repairs were conducted before she departed bound for UK. She spent the rest of 1941 undergoing repairs and refitting during which she gained various radars and multiple Oerlikon autocannons. Between 8th and 12nd December 1941, she sailed to Murmansk with British Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden on board. She was assigned to the Home Fleet and escorted convoys bound for Russia until 1944 when she took part in Operation Mascot, covering the carriers performing raids on German battleship Tirpitz in Norway. Kent was put into reserve in January 1945 until being sold for scrap in January 1948.

The Kent was introduced in Update 1.97 "Viking Fury". Her armour protection is very poor for a heavy cruiser with only 25 mm belt armour protecting the machinery and ammo elevators of the turret with 101 mm thick armour plate protecting the magazines. As Kent is in her 1934 fit, she does not possess adequate anti-air protection as the aircraft were not seen as such big threat as later on in the war. The module layout however plays in Kent's favour, as the majority of ship above the waterline is empty so when hit no modules except the ones on superstructure such as secondary weapons or bridge are damaged. All the vital components are located under the waterline being naturally protected from the damage. The 8 inch guns with average fire rate compared to other heavy cruisers possess quite capable penetration capabilities thanks to the SAPBC rounds.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armourfront / side / back

Citadel25 / 25 / 35 mm

Main fire tower25 / 25 / 25 mm

Hull25 mm (steel)

Superstructure8 mm (steel)

Number of section9

Displacement13 500 t

Crew784 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

AB66 / 30 km/h

RB56 / 26 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	66	30
RB/SB	Stock	___	___
	Upgraded	56	26

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB9 670 → 13 102

RB9 385 → 12 716

Total cost of modifications66 500

128 500

Talisman cost1 500

Crew training72 000

Experts250 000

Aces940

Research Aces480 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

420 / 600 / 100 %

166 / 166 / 166 %

Modifications

Seakeeping	Unsinkability	Firepower
Dry-Docking Research: 2 700 Cost: 5 200 190 Rudder Replacement Research: 3 000 Cost: 5 800 210 Propeller Replacement Research: 3 300 Cost: 6 400 230 Engine Maintenance Research: 4 300 Cost: 8 300 300	Damage Control Division Research: 2 700 Cost: 5 200 190 Fire Division Research: 3 000 Cost: 5 800 210 Smokescreen Research: 3 000 Cost: 5 800 210 Shrapnel Protection Research: 3 300 Cost: 6 400 230 Ventilation Research: 3 300 Cost: 6 400 230 New Pumps Research: 4 300 Cost: 8 300 300 Ammo Wetting Research: 4 300 Cost: 8 300 300	Anti-Air Armament Targeting Research: 2 700 Cost: 5 200 190 102mm_uk_mkxvi_navy_SAP_ammo_pack Research: 2 700 Cost: 5 200 190 203mm_uk_mk8_mark_ib_sapc_ammo_pack Research: 2 700 Cost: 5 200 190 Auxiliary Armament Targeting Research: 3 000 Cost: 5 800 210 102mm_uk_mkxvi_navy_he_dist_fuse_ammo_pack Research: 3 000 Cost: 5 800 210 Primary Armament Targeting Research: 3 300 Cost: 6 400 230 Improved Rangefinder Research: 3 300 Cost: 6 400 230 Torpedo Mode Research: 4 300 Cost: 8 300 300 Hydroplane Research: 4 300 Cost: 8 300 300

Armament

Primary armament

4 х Turret2 x 8 inch/50 Mark VIII cannon

Ammunition300 rounds

Vertical guidance-3° / 70°

203 mm 8 inch/50 Mark VIII (x 8)
Turrets (Bow to stern)
	Front turret (x2)	Front elevated turret (x2)	Rear elevated turret (x2)	Rear turret (x2)
Vertical guidance	-°/+°	-°/+°	-°/+°	-°/+°
Horizontal guidance	-°/+°	-°/+°	-°/+°	-°/+°
Ammo capacity
Rounds per turret

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
HE	HE	62	62	62	62	62	62
Mark I.B. SAPCBC	SAPCBC	274	248	209	178	153	119

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%
HE	HE	855	116.1	0	0.1	10	79°	80°	81°
Mark I.B. SAPCBC	SAPCBC	855	116.1	0.025	9	5.2	48°	63°	71°

Secondary armament

6 х Turret4 in/45 QF Mark V cannon

Ammunition200 rounds

102 mm 4 in QF Mark V (x 6)
Turrets (Bow to stern)
	Front port turret (x2)	Front starboard turret (x2)	Middle port turret (x2)	Middle starboard turret (x2)	Rear turret (x2)
Vertical guidance	-°/+°	-°/+°	-°/+°	-°/+°	±°
Horizontal guidance	-°/+°	-°/+°	-°/+°	-°/+°	±°
Ammo capacity
Rounds per turret

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
4 inch HE-TF	HE-TF	20	20	20	20	20	20

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°
4 inch HE-TF	HE-TF	811	15.88	0	0.1	1,550	79°	80°	81°

Anti-aircraft armament

4 х Turret40 mm 2pdr QF Mk.VIII automatic cannon

Ammunition2240 rounds

Belt capacity56 rounds

Fire rate200 shots/min

2 х Turret4 x 12.7 mm Vickers Mk.V machine gun

Ammunition8000 rounds

Belt capacity200 rounds

Fire rate600 shots/min

40 mm 2pdr QF Mk.VIII (x 4)
Turrets (Bow to stern)
	Front port turret	Middle port turret	Front starboard turret	Middle starboard turret	Rear port turret	Rear starboard turret	Rear stern turret
Vertical guidance	-°/+°	±°	-°/+°	±°	±180°
Horizontal guidance	-°/+°
Ammo capacity
Rounds per turret

Additional armament

Setup 18 x 533 mm steam turbined Mk.V torpedo

Torpedo Characteristics
Torpedo Mode	Mass (kg)	Maximum speed in water (km/h)	Travel distance (km)	Depth stroke (m)	Arming distance (m)	Explosive type	Explosive mass (kg)	TNT equivalent (kg)
No	1,736	74	4.57	1	50	TNT	305	305
Yes	1,736	46	12.34	1	50	TNT	305	305

Scout plane

Located amidships is a catapult with one Osprey Mk IV scout plane which provides unique offensive and defensive abilities, expanding tactical options. Ship-launched scout planes fly just like regular tree units but lack munition choices and cockpit views. The Osprey may look familiar as it is a derivative of the Nimrod fighter, but as a 2 seater equipped with a defensive machine gun along with the fixed machine gun and no bombs. It does have the scout plane ability to cap zones and lay down smoke cover (up to 3 times). Captains will be wise to remember to utilise the aircraft and consider when best to use it, for example to cap a point early or late in the match, to create a smoke screen to stymie enemy bombardment and repair, to attack enemy units directly, or perhaps something completely new!

Usage in battles

HMS Kent provides incredible protection: it features torpedo protection of 250 kg, which translates into taking multiple torpedo strikes, without sinking. However, this heavy cruiser can still be sunk by a single well placed torpedo. If it was to hit the front of starboard (left) or port (right) sides which is the closes to the ammunition storage for turret A (first turret on the ship). HMS Kent has the 8" cannons installed, which are the same cannons on the previous ship HMS York. The Kent, has four turrets with two 8" cannons per turret providing it a total of eight, 8" cannons with 1,200 rounds of ammunition. The ammunition choices for main 8" armament is limited to fire only HE or SAPCBC rounds or a combination of both.

HMS Kent secondary armament consists of six 4" deck cannons, which can carry 1,200 rounds of the following ammunition HE, SAP or HE-TF. The anti-aircraft is placed on the mid-ships of the ship, the armament consists only of four 40 mm 2-pdr automatic cannons, with 8,960 rounds of ammunition. Two quad firing 12.7 mm, Vickers machine guns with 16,000 rounds of ammunition.

To get the best performance out of HMS Kent, it's important to keep enemy ships at range - the eight 8" cannons will be able to knock out any enemy ship fast with well placed shots. To do this, aim for the enemy ship turrets and knock them out so it cannot fire back. Additionally, the SAPCBC rounds will penetrate the deck of the ship and detonate the ammo racks knocking that turret out completely. To do this use the SAPCBC which provide up to 263 mm of penetration and at long range up to 15,000 m up to 143 mm of penetration. This is able to penetrate any ship deck and cause catastrophic damage to the enemy ship.

Biggest Naval threats

The biggest naval threats to this ship are the following ships:

• Kirov-class light cruisers: offer fast speed, agile handling along with a devastating salvo which is able to penetrate the armour of HMS Kent. Importantly, the Kirov class ships lack armour protection and can be easy destroyed at range by the SAPCBC rounds. However at close ranges the Kirov class, light cruisers require precision aiming for the weak parts on their hull and armour to be sunk.

• Chapayev, Zheleznyakov & Sverdlov light cruisers offer great handling, good speed, incredible powerful main armament and powerful secondary armament. Both of these two Russian naval ships feature incredible strong hull and belt armour able to with stand non-armour piercing rounds. However, these two ships have one major weakness the turrets and deck armour can be easily knocked out by the British 8" cannons when firing SAPCBC rounds.

• Admiral Graf Spee heavy cruiser - The legendary and iconic heavy cruiser called by Great Britons "The Pocket Battleship", the Admiral Graf Spree is one of the most formable ships in the game with two turrets containing 3 x 283 mm/52 SK C/28 cannons, which are the same cannons used on some German battleships! The rounds from this pocket battleship are able to destroy any ship with a few salvos fired from it. HMS Kent with its 8" cannons firing SAPCBC rounds is able to destroy the Admiral Graf Spree at ranges of over 15,000 m. However to do this, HMS Kent must stay hidden from the Admiral Graf Spree, aim for its frontal turret as a marker use the SAPCBC rounds to penetrate its weak deck armour and detonate its magazine.

• Admiral Hipper & Prinz Eugen heavy cruisers - These German heavy cruisers offer great armour protection and powerful cannons along with torpedoes. These heavy cruisers are able to be a royal pain for HMS Kent, they are able to withstand salvos fired from her 8" cannons. The ammunition fired from the Admiral Hipper & Prinz Eugen heavy cruisers, can cause major damage and penetrate HMS Kent turret armour causing the turrets to become knocked out. HMS Kent can knock out the Admiral Hipper & Prinz Eugen heavy cruisers however it is not easy even at close range - the ideal distance to knock them out is between 5,000 and 8,000 m with SAPCBC rounds performing a full broadside - Aim for the front of the Admiral Hipper & Prinz Eugen Heavy cruisers.

Another way of knocking Admiral Hipper & Prinz Eugen Heavy cruisers out is by aiming for the bridge and castle deck and setting it on fire with every salvo. Over time this will knock the crew out slowly and cause the ship to run out, causing critical damage to the ship making repairs longer and longer. Allowing for more hits to happen and possibly a torpedo strike from HMS Kent to finally sink the Admiral Hipper & Prinz Eugen heavy cruisers.

• Mogami class light and heavy cruisers: they are incredible strong at long range engagements, the main armament from the Mogami-class cruisers are able to penetrate and destroy HMS Kent with ease. The armour on Mogami-class cruisers can reduce the 8" SAPCBC impact. At close ranges from under 8,000 m Mogami-class cruisers can be easily knocked out from the 8" SAPCBC round. To do this, target the front turrets and the SAPCBC round will penetrate the ammo racks and cause the magazines of the three main guns to explode.

Handling aircraft threats

HMS Kent is able to handle aircraft threats very well, its defensive armament when loaded with HE-TF is able to destroy the enemy torpedo and bomber aircraft with ease. However, it's important that you stay aware of them in battle. If they drop any torpedoes they must be dodged, only one torpedo needs to miss the torpedo protection and it's game over.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Great main and secondary armament
• 8" SAPCBC round is one of the best in game, able to cause major damage to any ship it hits
• Good survivability and features torpedo protection
• Torpedo protection offers protection of up to 250 kg warheads
• One scout seaplane

Cons:

• Not as fast as some other heavy cruisers
• Long turning radius
• Limited anti-aircraft protection compared to HMS London
• Limited armour protection, does not protect all the critical parts
• Fuel tanks are not protected by armour plates and if penetrated can cause fires

History

HMS Kent underway near Scapa Flow

HMS Kent was a County-class heavy cruiser of the Royal Navy. Built in the 1920s, the ship enjoyed a long service life stretching into the final stages of World War II. After her commissioning, she served in the China Station until the start of the Second World War. Following the outbreak of war, she participated in the hunt for Admiral Graf Spee, escorted convoys in the Indian ocean and saw service in Norway. Following the end of war, she was decommissioned, and was eventually scrapped after being used as a target ship.

Design and construction

HMS Kent was the lead ship of the Kent subclass of the County-class cruisers. As the first 'treaty' cruisers designed following the Washington Naval Treaty, they were built within the 10-thousand ton standard-displacement limit. She carried substantial armament of eight 8-inch (203 mm) guns in four double mounts, as well as two quadruple torpedo launchers and numerous AA defences. However, she was very lightly protected due to the imposed weight limitations. She could make a top speed of 31.5 knots (58 km/h).

Kent was laid down on November 15th 1924, and was launched in March of 1926. Following her completion, she was formally commissioned in June of 1928.

Service History

Following her completion, Kent was assigned to the 5th Cruiser squadron of the China Station. She spent the majority of her pre-war years serving with the China Station, though she returned to the UK in 1937 to receive additional armour plating. Following the outbreak of war, she joined the French cruiser Suffren and two Australian destroyers on the hunt for Graf Spee. She was then reassigned to troop convoy escort duties in the Indian ocean for the first part of 1940.

After Italy declared war, she was reassigned once again to the British Mediterranean squadron. In September of that year, she was torpedoed by Italian SM.79 bombers, and subsequently underwent a lengthy refit receiving numerous additional anti-aircraft guns. She went on to serve as a convoy escort between 1942 and 1943, and provided cover for British aircraft carriers attacking the Tirpitz in Operation Mascot.

In early 1945, it was apparent that the ship's deteriorating condition and lack of crew was impeding its ability to operate. As a result, the ship was paid off in early 1945. She remained in reserve until early 1948, when she was used as a target ship. Thereafter, she was given to BISCO for scrapping.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the HMS Kent from live.warthunder.com.

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

References

Citations

Bibliography

• Russian Convoy Club of New Zealand. (2004). Royal Navy Ships G. Retrieved November 17, 2020, from http://www.russianconvoyclub.org.nz/RoyalNavyShipsGL.html
• Smith, G. (2005). HMS Kent, heavy cruiser, WWII. Retrieved November 17, 2020, from https://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-06CA-Kent.htm

Chatham Dockyard
Light Cruisers
Arethusa-class	HMS Arethusa
Heavy Cruisers
Hawkins-class	HMS Hawkins
County-class	HMS Kent

Britain heavy cruisers
Hawkins-class	HMS Hawkins
York-class	HMS York
County-class	HMS Kent · HMS London · HMS Norfolk