Periscope Question

[Luno]

In the game you can look through either periscope while each is in a low position, but I wonder if that was possible in an actual u-boat.

The attack scope console seems to have been stationary, and while you sat in the bike-saddle, the whole thing rotated via electric motors. Because the console itself doesn't go up or down, it seems like it could be possible to see an image through the scope whether or not it's at the lowest or highest position.

However, the observation scope, which has a simple console in the command room, is rotated by hand with the folding grips. The console raises/lowers with the scope, as far as I can tell, and even disappears into the floor in its lowest position (this is not visually modeled in SH3).

So, should it be possible to see anything through the attack scope, or observation scope if it's at a low position? The reason I ask is because one can simply raise the scope so that it sits just above the waves, barely visible. I wonder if that's at all realistic.

[yubba]

Scope goes up, scope goes down.

[desirableroasted]

In the game you can look through either periscope while each is in a low position, but I wonder if that was possible in an actual u-boat.

The attack scope console seems to have been stationary, and while you sat in the bike-saddle, the whole thing rotated via electric motors. Because the console itself doesn't go up or down, it seems like it could be possible to see an image through the scope whether or not it's at the lowest or highest position.

However, the observation scope, which has a simple console in the command room, is rotated by hand with the folding grips. The console raises/lowers with the scope, as far as I can tell, and even disappears into the floor in its lowest position (this is not visually modeled in SH3).

So, should it be possible to see anything through the attack scope, or observation scope if it's at a low position? The reason I ask is because one can simply raise the scope so that it sits just above the waves, barely visible. I wonder if that's at all realistic.

I don't know what mod you are playing, but I can't see anything through my scopes until they are outside of the casing. At that point, yes I can see through them.

Or have I misunderstood your question?

[Luno]

Right, so while it's in the absolute lowest position, you can't see anything (obscured by casing), but once you raise it just a tiny bit you can see through it just fine. I'm wondering if that's realistic, or if the scope had to be raised all the way to its highest possible position before one could hope to see through it.

[Sailor Steve]

It's realistic for the attack periscope, as it's what they called a "fixed-eyepiece" periscope. The internal lenses move with the 'scope so the viewer doesn't have to move. With the observation periscope you'd have to lie on the floor or be on your knees to see at the lowest level. This is probably part of the reason why the observation doesn't rise as high as the other one.
http://www.uboatarchive.net/U-570BritishReport.htm

Chapter VI, Page 30.

[Luno]

Ok thank you! (I will have to read the document tomorrow, now it's time for bed)

EDIT - looked at it anyway. Very helpful and well illustrated diagram...Now I just wonder how practical it would be to lie on the floor to look through the observer scope. :D In any case, I plan to save my back by lowering the sub's depth by a couple more meters whenever I use it.

[Sailor Steve]

:rotfl2:

I use the interior mods that activate the periscopes. I raise the o-scope and watch it go up, only clicking on the lens when it reaches eye level.

[frau kaleun]

Now I just wonder how practical it would be to lie on the floor to look through the observer scope.

On my boat this is Bernard's permanent duty station, even when we're well below periscope depth.

He gets stepped on a lot but it keeps him out of trouble. :yeah: