yes

Is it normal to only manage 28/42 on a Hipper? Just wondering.

MN CA reload maybe 0.1 sec faster than KM does and damage at range is pitifull (
450ish, but 750ish at close range), spread is as bad as KM or even worse and ofc
it's ranged by miles.
They're food for any decent player.

MN CA = hard hitter and fast reloader.

They have the small downside of ridiculous ammo (2 bind I think) and getting outranged
silly by the Mpro, even with 8" Ds.

At any rate, quite easy to take down from range.

Well, the idea with KM is to avoid getting hit, not to soak up hits. You can't avoid
getting hit if you aren't able to run and keep the enemy out of range when they come at
you. Somebody using a dedicated AH/PE for CA battles is probably already higher level
anyway, and so the SD will come from using other support crew. Honestly, I don't think I'd
even put repairers on a CA (not a KM one, anyway) once the crew reaches about BB2 level.

Granted, the ability to soak up a little damage is definitely a plus, but you shouldn't
trade running ability for it, because that's really the only significant advantage you
have. Every other CA in the game (except maybe the MN ones? I have no idea what gun
configurations they use or how good the guns are) does more damage than you. Some of them
do nearly twice as much as you. You can't compete with that kind of damage output unless
you're able to keep them at bay.

--Helms

I completely concede the point on engineers, now that I look it up. I'll be honest I
didn't notice the effects of engineers on overheat time at my crew levels. But for
engineers well over AH/Eugen levels, it's absolutely significant. If you're running a
dedicated set up, you probably want to include one or more engineers.

I didn't advocate restorers unless there was an SD deficiency he needed to address. Which
he might run into if he wants to use his dedicated AH/Eugen from reaching it at level. But
if he's just leveling through to bigger and better ships, ditch the restorers from the start.

Helms really does sum it up well there
Restors although nice to have for a while really will leave you wanting at later lvls.
The tight spread and hitting power that the york and balti can bring to you is best to
stay away from, so use your range high angle and SPEED to gain the upper hand.
Get the enemy chasing you and with hang time and overhead youll be laughing all the way
across the map

"You can speed cap both ships by loading the CV 1 Heavy engine. So
you don't technically need engineers."

Engineers don't just add speed, they add overheat time. So what happens when your Eugen
with reps/restorers on it gets rushed by a York or Baltmore or Nawlins that has engineers
on it? Your overheat exhausts itself after a few seconds, preventing you from getting
away, and with your spread, you can't do damage fast enough to force them to retreat.
Therefore, you die. And your extra SD that you traded overheat time for just means that
you're that much yummier food for them.

Restorers are absolutely useless for gunships, with one exception: running a high-level
restorer on lowbie ships for the SD while bringing up additional support crew/BOs. You are
never better off with a restorer over a similar-level engineer or repairer. Never, never,
never.

--Helms

A restorer is pretty useless in the high levels so you better get a repairer or engy instead.

If you were talking about using it to level through to get to the BBs, then take the
advice above.

If you were talking about making a dedicated Prinz Eugen/Admiral Hipper, then the biggest
question is AA or no AA. You can speed cap both ships by loading the CV 1 Heavy engine. So
you don't technically need engineers. Just stuff either 3 or 5 (without AA) Repairers, and
swap one out with a Restorer if you aren't getting enough SD. Don't forget a scout pilot.

BO
2 Main Gunners
3 Repairer/Restorer
1 Scout Pilot
Option of 2 AA gunners or 2 Repairer/Restorer