I dont have a NM45 since I chose the colo, but penn43 main advantage is that its the 2nd
USN BB to speedcap after Alaska and Guam.

You wont speedcap NM45 till you are way passed it unless you have awesomely vetted engies.

I believe however NM45 can reach 44 a bit longer than Penn43 at higher level. Thats a
belief however. Not an affirmation I'm making.

Penn43 gets back down to 42 with the weight of a BB5 lvl crew.

Penn43 is faster right out of the box.

thanks

I have both of them, with full crew (5 eng with lv about 85-90) and only set armor with
0,5" deck + 0,2" side deck + some bulge until lost speed
Pennsylvania (1943) can reach 42-43 (I must checked again, I'm forget)
New Mexico (1945) can reach 42

I believe the speed cap on the penn43 is 42 or 44 (depending on crew), do not remember the
nm1945.

In terms of easiest to hit, I believe according to kelvins chart the penn43 is easier to cap

Refer to "
http://www.navyfield.com/board/view.asp?Num=132840&Sort=A01&Order=re_upday&PageSize=20&Page=1&SearchPart=title&SearchText=speed&Ctg_1=&Ctg_2=&Ctg_3=
"