Commander Gizmo
10-09-09, 02:56 PM
I had a theory of a way to hide from DD's that I thought might work out on the odd occasion and so preceded to look for a scenario to test it out. On my next convoy attack in 1941, I find 3 Black Swan and 1 Flower running for my IXB and I decided to give it a go.
With three war ships quickly closing on my position, I jump up to flank and get some speed going. I then manually operate the rudder to bring me in behind a large merchant I had hit earlier that was opposed to sinking, being careful not to wasted too much speed on rudder drag.
Once lined up, I set my depth for 165 meters and allow the drag on the planes to gradually slow me down as I slip under her. I then set turns for 5 knots, which is the approximate speed of the merchant. Ok, so just how will those DD's get me while I'm changing depth under a wounded ship?
At first they send in the Flower -- I guess it's training day -- and tell him to run across ahead of the merchant and drop a few depth charges. Naturally, they all miss seeing as how I am no where close to that position. After a few failed tries, the commander on the surface decides to bring in a fresh approach.
At this point, I am getting the hang of changing speed and course to stay just under the merchant as she zigs and zags, with liberal use of the external camera to confirm for this test. I want to know if the task is possible, not if I can maneuver by sound alone. I'll worry about that later. Anyway, I am confident I am directly under the merchant and at 165 meters. Surely I am fairly safe, yes?
Well, it turns out those Brits are smarter than they look. They remembered to bring their latest invention: the K-Gun. The Swans then move forward and circle the weaving merchant while firing depth charges just ahead of the her. These, quite naturally, do not have time to sink to my depth and so my plan is still working -- for the moment.
After seeing the results of their efforts, the commander opts to take bdu's advice "Be More Aggressive!!". The swans now sweep in from alternate directions and nearly clip the merchant's bow. I give the captain of that ship credit, as he doesn't even flinch at the wheel or slow at all. The swans fire off more depth charges so that they nearly hit the side of the merchant. A few actually appear to slide in at an angle and go directly under the ship. Now they are on to something, but I am way to deep to get hit by those. On the other hand, the ship above me is getting covered with blast after blast of sea water which is now erupting on either side and from under the boat. (Perhaps if I was shallower, the depth charges would be set to sink the ship for me. But alas, I am not that brave today.)
After a few passes as described above, the swans finally get it right and sweep out farther ahead and drop and fire depth charges far enough ahead of the merchant to allow time for them to sink adequately. I now must come up considerably to avoid getting hit. So, they found a way after all.
Yes, I was cheating with the free camera. However, what's the point of such an experiment if I can't enjoy the show? And now you know to only hide under another ship if it is going slowly enough for silent running or you are facing a bunch of toothless Flower's.
I would have thought the noise from the merchant would have hid most of my own and the position under the merchant made finding my sonar signature rather difficult. Apparently not. There were a few times I thought the swans might finish each other or the merchant off with their reckless driving/firing too. They certainly can coordinate their movements!
With three war ships quickly closing on my position, I jump up to flank and get some speed going. I then manually operate the rudder to bring me in behind a large merchant I had hit earlier that was opposed to sinking, being careful not to wasted too much speed on rudder drag.
Once lined up, I set my depth for 165 meters and allow the drag on the planes to gradually slow me down as I slip under her. I then set turns for 5 knots, which is the approximate speed of the merchant. Ok, so just how will those DD's get me while I'm changing depth under a wounded ship?
At first they send in the Flower -- I guess it's training day -- and tell him to run across ahead of the merchant and drop a few depth charges. Naturally, they all miss seeing as how I am no where close to that position. After a few failed tries, the commander on the surface decides to bring in a fresh approach.
At this point, I am getting the hang of changing speed and course to stay just under the merchant as she zigs and zags, with liberal use of the external camera to confirm for this test. I want to know if the task is possible, not if I can maneuver by sound alone. I'll worry about that later. Anyway, I am confident I am directly under the merchant and at 165 meters. Surely I am fairly safe, yes?
Well, it turns out those Brits are smarter than they look. They remembered to bring their latest invention: the K-Gun. The Swans then move forward and circle the weaving merchant while firing depth charges just ahead of the her. These, quite naturally, do not have time to sink to my depth and so my plan is still working -- for the moment.
After seeing the results of their efforts, the commander opts to take bdu's advice "Be More Aggressive!!". The swans now sweep in from alternate directions and nearly clip the merchant's bow. I give the captain of that ship credit, as he doesn't even flinch at the wheel or slow at all. The swans fire off more depth charges so that they nearly hit the side of the merchant. A few actually appear to slide in at an angle and go directly under the ship. Now they are on to something, but I am way to deep to get hit by those. On the other hand, the ship above me is getting covered with blast after blast of sea water which is now erupting on either side and from under the boat. (Perhaps if I was shallower, the depth charges would be set to sink the ship for me. But alas, I am not that brave today.)
After a few passes as described above, the swans finally get it right and sweep out farther ahead and drop and fire depth charges far enough ahead of the merchant to allow time for them to sink adequately. I now must come up considerably to avoid getting hit. So, they found a way after all.
Yes, I was cheating with the free camera. However, what's the point of such an experiment if I can't enjoy the show? And now you know to only hide under another ship if it is going slowly enough for silent running or you are facing a bunch of toothless Flower's.
I would have thought the noise from the merchant would have hid most of my own and the position under the merchant made finding my sonar signature rather difficult. Apparently not. There were a few times I thought the swans might finish each other or the merchant off with their reckless driving/firing too. They certainly can coordinate their movements!