Independence

13.3

Independence

Aircraft Carrier | U.S.A. | Tier VI

Tech Tree Position

stock

 top

General

Research price25000 exp

Purchase price2,000,000

Hit Points38,800

AA Defense

40 mm/56 Bofors on a Mk.1 mount11 х 2 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second124.3

. . . Firing Range3.51 km.

20 mm Oerlikon on a Mk.4 mount14 х 1 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second50.4

. . . Firing Range2.01 km.

Maneuverability

Maximum Speed31.6 knot

Turning Circle Radius820 m.

Rudder Shift Time10 sec.

Concealment

Surface Detectability Range9.86 km.

Air Detectability Range8.99 km.

Battle Levels

12345678910

13.3

Independence

Aircraft Carrier | U.S.A. | Tier VI

Tech Tree Position

stock

 top

General

Research price25000 exp

Purchase price2,000,000

Hit Points40,200

AA Defense

40 mm/56 Bofors on a Mk.2 mount2 х 4 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second31.8

. . . Firing Range3.51 km.

20 mm Oerlikon on a Mk.4 mount14 х 1 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second50.4

. . . Firing Range2.01 km.

40 mm/56 Bofors on a Mk.1 mount9 х 2 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second101.7

. . . Firing Range3.51 km.

Maneuverability

Maximum Speed31.6 knot

Turning Circle Radius820 m.

Rudder Shift Time10 sec.

Concealment

Surface Detectability Range9.86 km.

Air Detectability Range8.99 km.

Battle Levels

12345678910

VI

2,000,000

Independence — American Tier VI aircraft сarrier.

A successful light aircraft carrier based on the Cleveland-class cruiser. The ship was well-armored, had a high speed and carried numerous AA artillery. Small displacement limited the aircraft carrier's hangar capacity.

Modules

	Hit Points (HP)	Armor (mm)	Armor (mm)	Main Turrets (pcs.)	Secondary Gun Turrets (pcs.)	AA Mounts (pcs.)	Torpedo Tubes (pcs.)	Hangar Capacity (pcs.)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
Independence (A)	38,800	6	127			14/11				0	200,000
Independence (B)	40,200	10	127			9/2				7,000	800,000

	Speed (knot)	IDS_SHIP_PARAM_SQUADRON_MED_DAMAGE (HP/min)	IDS_SHIP_PARAM_SQUADRON_AMMO_AMOUNT	Hit Points (HP)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
F4F Wildcat						0	120,000
F4F Wildcat						7,000	750,000

	Maximum Torpedo Damage (HP)	Speed (knot)	Hit Points (HP)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
TBD Devastator	3,767	112	1,700		0	120,000
TBF-1C Avenger	3,767	115	1,780		7,000	750,000

	Maximum Bomb Damage (HP)	Speed (knot)	Hit Points (HP)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
Douglas SBD-4					0	120,000
Douglas SBD-4					7,000	750,000

	Maximum Speed (knot)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
Propulsion: 53,500 hp	31.6		0	100,000

Compatible Upgrades

Slot 1
Slot 2
Slot 3
Slot 4

Player Opinion

Performance

Independence is the first U.S. carrier in the game that's not based on a transport hull. It's speed of 31.5 knots is a breath of fresh air after the incredibly slow speeds of the earlier carriers. Unlike Bogue, all three flight groups on Independence have three squadrons, so the initial flight group is a valid choice for players who want a well-rounded load out. Independence loses its two 127 mm secondaries with Hull (B), leaving it with no anti-ship weapons of any kind or long-range AA, in exchange for better mid-range AA.

Pros:

• Unlike earlier American carriers, Independence is rather fast for her size since she was designed from a Cleveland.
• Carries many good characteristics from Cleveland — AA power, armor, speed and turning circle radius.
• Strike load out devastates enemy ships without much difficulties.
• Awesome AA like Cleveland, can shred higher tier planes.
• Air superiority load out defeats Ryujo’s since they are more durable, are 2 knots faster.
• Planes are moderately tough, since they are the same from Tier VI to VIII.

Cons:

• Gets detected more easily from the air than from the surface for some odd reason.
• The reserve of planes is limited at 37, 11 less than her counterpart, and if the planes are ill-used then she will run out quickly.
• No secondary armament on Hull (B), making her planes her only viable defense.
• If the air superiority load out is chosen, she'll need her teammates to protect her from enemy ships since one dive bomber squad is not enough to stop most ships.
• A bit clumsy to turn, the rudder shift is rather slow.
• Stock hull feels a bit like a Tier VI Bogue since it differs by an extra 2 reserve planes.

Research

Players who wish to go with strike Independence should research Hull (B) since the extra planes and AA is needed if you want to lose fighters. Most carrier players will take the bait of your planes and fly right into your AA, getting easy plane kills. If you chose the air superiority load out, research the fighters first then the B hull.

Optimal Configuration

Upgrades

As a carrier with four upgrade slots (slots 1, 2, 4, and 5), it's best to mount Air Groups Modification 1, Flight Control Modification 1 (for faster servicing time) or Air Groups Modification 2 (for better fighter survivability), and Damage Control System Modification 1, and Propulsion Modification 2 (for faster relocating) on Independence.

Commander Skills

Due to dive bombers having over 100% chance of causing fires, Demolition Expert is not a recommended skill.

Recommended Commander Skills
Cost (points)	Endurance		Attack		Support		Versatility
1	Priority Target Situational Awareness indicator will show the number of opponents currently aiming at you with main battery guns. ★	Preventative Maintenance -30% to the risk of incapacitation of main turrets, torpedo tubes, steering gear, engines.	Expert Loader -50% to reload time when shell type is switched.	Air Supremacy -5% aircraft restoration time. ★★★	Direction Center for Fighters +1 fighter to carrier fighter squadrons or catapult fighters.	Improved Engine Boost +10% Aircraft engine boost time.	Incoming Fire Alert Indicator of long-range enemy artillery fire.	Last Gasp Completely restores the engine boost for the last attack flight of the carrier's planes.
2	High Alert -10% to reload time of Damage Control Party consumable. ★	Jack of All Trades -5% to reload time of all consumables.	Expert Marksman +2.5 deg/sec to traverse speed of guns with a caliber up to 139mm. +0.7 deg/sec to traverse speed of guns with a caliber above 139mm.	Torpedo Acceleration +5 knots to torpedo speed. -20% to torpedo range. ★★★	Smoke Screen Expert +20% to the radius of the smoke screen.	Improved Engines +2.5% Squadron speed.	Adrenaline Rush -0.2% to reload times of all types of armament for each 1% of total health lost. +0.2% squadron speed for each 1% of total health lost.	Last Stand The ship remains able to move and maneuver while the engine or steering gears are incapacitated.
3	Basics of Survivability -15% to time of repair, fire extinguishing, and recovery from flooding. ★	Survivability Expert +350 ship HP for each ship tier. +15 aircraft HP for each ship tier.	Torpedo Armament Expertise -10% to reload time of torpedo tubes. ★★★	Aircraft Armor Reduces continuous damage to aircraft in all AA defense zones. -10% continuous damage.	Basic Firing Training -10% to reload time of main battery guns with a caliber up to and including 139mm and all secondary battery guns. +10% to continuous damage from AA guns. ★	Superintendent +1 additional charge to all consumables mounted on a ship.	Demolition Expert +2% chance of HE shells causing a fire on target. +1% chance of rockets causing a fire on target. +5% chance of HE bombs causing a fire on target.	Vigilance +25% to detection range of enemy torpedoes.
4	Manual Fire Control for Secondary Armament Tightens dispersion of shells from secondary batteries. -15% for Tier I-VI ships. -60% for Tier VII-X ships. Manually selected target only.	Fire Prevention -10% to the risk of fire. The maximum number of fires on a ship is reduced to three.	Inertia Fuse for HE Shells +30% to the armor penetration capacity of HE shells. -1% chance of fire on target caused by shells <=139mm. -3% chance of fire on target caused by shells >139mm.	Sight Stabilization Speeds up the aiming of a carrier's aircraft. +5% attack aircraft aiming speed. +5% torpedo bomber aiming speed. +10% dive bomber aiming speed.	Advanced Firing Training +20% to firing range of main battery guns with a caliber up to 139mm and all secondary battery guns. +15% damage/sec. within the explosion radius of shells fired from long-range AA defenses.	Massive AA Fire Instantaneous Damage +100%. Priority AA sector cooldown +50%.	Radio Position Finding Shows the direction to the nearest enemy ship. The enemy is alerted that a bearing has been taken.	Concealment Expert -10% to the detection radius of all ships and aircraft. ★★
Key: ★★★ - Extremely Useful       ★★ - Frequently Useful       ★ - Occasionally Useful      No stars - Meh     Χ - Not recommended

Consumables

Independence has access to only Damage Control Party.

Camouflage

Type 1, 2, or 5 camouflage can be equipped for credits; Types 1 or 5 are recommended at a minimum to reduce detectibility range.

Players who wish to spend doubloons can equip Independence with Type 16 camouflage that lowers her detection radius, reduces the accuracy of incoming shells, and increases the amount of experience she earns.

Signals

As a carrier, Independence can only mount at most four signals at a time and has no risk of detonating. Players should mount Equal Speed Charlie London (for faster XP grinding / increased XP gain per battle), Zulu Hotel (when coupled with Equal Speed Charlie London greatly helps increase commander (re)training), November Echo Setteseven (for better bomber self-defense against fighters and increased AA DPS), and Juliet Whiskey Unaone (to have a better chance at causing flooding and dealing damage via flooding). Players can also choose to equip the Dragon Flag for faster commander (re)training.

Gallery

• 

  Independence with Type 1 camouflage.

• 

  Independence with Type 2 camouflage.

• 

  Independence with Type 5 camouflage.

• 

  Independence with Type 6 camouflage.

• 

  Independence with Type 16 premium camouflage.

• 

  Independence supporting a friendly North Carolina while using an island as cover.

• 

  Independence underway and launching aircraft.

• 
• 

  Independence sailing across Islands of Ice.

• 

  Independence on fire.

Historical Info

The Independence-class aircraft carriers were a class of light carriers built for the United States Navy that served during World War II.

Adapted from the design for Cleveland class light cruisers, this class of ship resulted from the interest of President Franklin D. Roosevelt in naval air power. With war looming, the former Secretary of the Navy noted no new fleet aircraft carriers were expected to be completed before 1944. He proposed to convert some of the many cruisers then under construction to carriers. Studies of cruiser-size aircraft carriers had shown the type had serious limitations, and on 13 October 1941, the General Board of the United States Navy replied that such a conversion showed too many compromises to be effective.

Undeterred, President Roosevelt ordered another study. On 25 October 1941, BuShips reported that the cruiser conversion aircraft carrier would result in a vessel of lesser capability, but they would be available much sooner. Following the December 1941 Pearl Harbor attack the need for more carriers became urgent. In January 1942, the Navy responded by greatly accelerating construction of the 34,000 ton Essex class aircraft carriers, and ordering the conversion of a Cleveland class light cruiser then under construction to completion as a light aircraft carrier, becoming the USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24).

Historical Inaccuracies

• Independence entered service in 1943; the Douglas TBD "Devastator" was retired from active service in 1942.
• Two of Independence’s historical aircraft, the F6F-5 "Hellcat" and Grumman TB "Avenger", are missing.
• Nominal aircraft complement consisted of 24 Hellcats and nine Avengers. No dive bombers were carried by October 1944.
• Maximum aircraft capacity was 45.
• The Grumman F6F "Hellcat" actually carries 400 rounds per gun, more than the F4F-4 "Wildcat"’s 240.

Historical Gallery

• 

  USS San Jacinto (CVL-30) on a training cruise off the east coast in 1944.

• 

  USS Princeton (CVL-23).

• 

  USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24).

• 

  USS Cowpens (CVL-25).

• 

  USS Monterey (CVL-26).

• 

  Side by side comparisons: two fleet carriers from the outbreak of the war, the USS Saratoga (CV-3) and the USS Enterprise (CV-6), moored near the Essex-class USS Hornet (CV-8). Beyond Hornet is moored USS San Jacinto.

Ships of U.S.A.

Aircraft Carriers