The third pair, built for the Pacific, displaced more than the earlier ships and carried enough fuel for substantially greater range. Their secondary and anti-aircraft fit changed, including eight 85 mm dual-purpose guns. These changes made the design more suitable for the distances and air threat of Far Eastern service. Yet the compact light-cruiser ancestry remained visible in the cramped triple turrets: all three 180 mm guns shared a single cradle. Their close spacing let muzzle blast from adjacent barrels worsen salvo dispersion, trading compactness for gunnery accuracy.
Chapter · 34:07-36:42
Project 26-bis2 adapts for the Soviet Far East
The Far Eastern pair grew heavier and longer-ranged, gained a stronger anti-aircraft fit, but retained cramped triple 180 mm turrets with serious dispersion.