Does anybody have any info on "Peardrop" R.N. Submarine Decoys.

[Mush Martin]

/\ that should read R.N.

I am unable to locate info on "Peardrop"
an RN radar decoy device consisting of
an inflated aluminized balloon tethered to
a submerged anchor bouy, deployed by submarines
to create the illusion of a surfaceship/sub???
on the surface. Either its an invasion deception
method or a submarine evasion decoy.

according to ballentines illustrated allied secret weaps.
it was meant for one and used for the other,

any info would be appreciated.
M

[Friction150]

Kinda like this? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thetis_(decoy))

It's not the exact same thing, but same concept. This one was definately used in WWII by German U-Boats.

[Mush Martin]

The same sort of item but on a different system.

I gather from what I read that it was ejected
and then inflated its balloon with the tether
assumably weighted to hold it half way in the
water.

[mcf1]

Something like the aphrodite?
http://www.uboataces.com/radar-decoys.shtml

[Friction150]

I got nothing to do on this lazy Sunday, so I'm searching with you MM :up:

Are you looking for an exact model? Allied or German mainly...

[Mush Martin]

I got nothing to do on this lazy Sunday, so I'm searching with you MM :up:

Are you looking for an exact model? Allied or German mainly...

allied R.N. specifically codename "Peardrop"

[Friction150]

I looked around for awhile Mush but couldn't seem to find very much info. Most of the info that I did find was mostly on the German Aphrodite Decoy, which by the sound of things, is very close to the system you are searching for. The only other mention of radar and balloons were "kite balloons" used by Allied ships to spot U-Boats. They were teathered to the ship and dragged across the ocean, manned by 2 men usually, they had simple radar on board to detect surface ships.

I sent an email out to the Royal Navy Submarine Museum Archives Dept. inquiring about the "Peardrop" or other sub launched decoys. I will get back to you with any info I recieve.

[Mush Martin]

I appreciate the effort Friction I was just considering that its unual
that nobody here had it already.

the article that mentioned it claimed it was used on several occasions.
but thats all I have
M

[Friction150]

Yeah, no problem at all MM. :up: I like researching stuff like that, cause it's not something that everyone knows. I saw a thread the other day, a guy was requesting a mod for Aphrodite (here (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=139573)), so if you are planning on cooking something up, maybe you can make one the Peardrop for allies and Aphrodite for us uboat captains? I'll keep you posted on any info.

[Mush Martin]

(Bump):hmm: wow