The Brook is a better ship than the Cleve, unless you are getting sick of being DB'ed :D. At least with the decent AA available for the Cleve you can knock 1 or 2 bombers down before they get to you.
AA is good to have when you get to the Balt, since you will often be the last one in range of the enemy when the DD's/CL's rush ahead, which will cost you targets, as well as the fact that as a CA, most of the ships out there are smaller and worth less XP. Shooting down planes can supplement your income quite nicely, adding 4-500XP and 5-700 credits on average in a good-sized All game. In CL/CA games, the team that can keep scouts over the enemy while keeping their own skies clear has a big advantage, and AAW won't do the job.
If using the 8", I recommend the 5/38 AA, with Heavy HE in the B bind. That way, if a DD gets in close, you can really hammer him without having to keep waiting for the 8's to reload (and also not use up your 8" ammo, since supply is limited)
Also, if you use the Cleveland before getting Baltimore, the switch won't be as much of a shock.
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