Thermal Layers

[Kpt. Lehmann]

A couple of questions here...

1)I am aware that thermal layer modelling IS present in SH3. However, is it an ACTIVATED feature or just dormant like the dolphins? Is there any way to know apart from guessing?

2)Apart from dulling enemy sensors and temperature changes, what effects do thermal layers have on a sub? Buoyancy changes?

[benetofski]

Lehmann,

I dont know whether they are modelled and judging from the hammering I keep getting - I suspect not! :rotfl:

1. If Thermal Layers are activated in SH3 the result would probably not be too noticeable in the sub - as in real life WW2 subs.

2. From what I understand, the only way the crew was aware of thermal layering was by noting an outside temperature change inside the hull. It wasnt immediately apparent otherwise. The bouyancy, it seems was not a noticeable indicator, as the crew would automatically compensate trim during operations.

It also appears (from interviews I have seen with sub Kapitan's) that it was more luck than judgement and no real attempt was made to find thermal layers which could either be present or not. They were however, more apparent it seems, in the Mediterranean than the Atlantic...

[Pablo]

Hi!

This question came up a few months ago. You can find a couple of relevant SUBSIM threads here (http://www.subsim.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=37358) and here (http://www.subsim.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=24663).

The upshot seemed to be that U-boats had the ability to measure water density and pressure, but were not equipped with a bathythermograph per se. The Germans understood the usefulness of thermal layers in evading active sonar and recommended their captains sample the water regularly to look for thermal layers, but the extent to which U-boat commanders could or did sample water density and temperature while evading an escort was not clear. The developers apparently stated their intent to model the effects of thermal layers on sonar, but I'm not sure whether this was implemented or not.

Pablo

[Kpt. Lehmann]

Thanks for the responses guys! Much appreciated. :know: