Dangerous, but ...

[robj250]

It is Sept 1939 and I have 11 torps left so I thought I'd head into Scapa Flow. The weather is bad, foggy, rough seas, winds 15/s. Should I wait outside until night fall and then try to go in? Time is 1119 and I'm just about there. I have a VIIB.

Any advice???

[spork542]

I'd wait for nightfall myself. Warships tend to spot you a little too easily in daylight.

[robj250]

I'd wait for nightfall myself. Warships tend to spot you a little too easily in daylight.

I was thinking about waiting for nightfall just a ways out before heading in. Any other advice, like going in decks awash if desk awash allows me to use diesel.

But maybe decks awash is not possible in such rough weather.

[Sir Big Jugs]

I thought "night & day vision" was not modelled into SH III...?:doh:

[robj250]

I thought "night & day vision" was not modelled into SH III...?:doh:

I'm using TGW1.1a

[Sir Big Jugs]

I thought "night & day vision" was not modelled into SH III...?:doh:
I'm using TGW1.1a
Still, I thought it wouldn't be released until GWX!:hmm:

[Venatore]

I would wait till the end of the war and go to SF as a tourist:hmm:

[SubConscious]

I just completed a mission into Loch Ewe in October 1939: I bagged the Rodney and managed to slip out before the escorts found me. I went in at night with decks awash (7 meters) at 1-2 knots. At narrow choke points where I was more likely to be spotted, I went to periscope depth, creeping at 1 knot. Depending upon what you have your water density set for, you may be able to use your attack periscope while underwater to search for anti-submarine nets. I have mine set pretty clear and was able to spot the nets before running into them. Technically, your observation scope is supposed to have significantly better light-gathering qualities, but I didn't notice any difference between it and the attack scope. Don't bother with 6x magnification - it won't do you any good underwater.

It looked like the nets at Loch Ewe would catch a boat at about 8.5-9 meters (they must have lowered the nets when the Rodney entered), so be careful if the sea state is rough, as you might bounce right into the net (or worse). Don't bother trying to blow up the nets using torpedoes - it doesn't work.

My only other bit of advice is to make sure your watch crew is sharp.

Good luck and good hunting!

[robj250]

I just completed a mission into Loch Ewe in October 1939: I bagged the Rodney and managed to slip out before the escorts found me. I went in at night with decks awash (7 meters) at 1-2 knots. At narrow choke points where I was more likely to be spotted, I went to periscope depth, creeping at 1 knot. Depending upon what you have your water density set for, you may be able to use your attack periscope while underwater to search for anti-submarine nets. I have mine set pretty clear and was able to spot the nets before running into them. Technically, your observation scope is supposed to have significantly better light-gathering qualities, but I didn't notice any difference between it and the attack scope. Don't bother with 6x magnification - it won't do you any good underwater.

It looked like the nets at Loch Ewe would catch a boat at about 8.5-9 meters (they must have lowered the nets when the Rodney entered), so be careful if the sea state is rough, as you might bounce right into the net (or worse). Don't bother trying to blow up the nets using torpedoes - it doesn't work.

My only other bit of advice is to make sure your watch crew is sharp.

Good luck and good hunting!

I am using TGW, hot do I set my water density?

[Respenus]

I believe you can set it in SH3 Commander, but I'm not sure.

[SubConscious]

I am using TGW, hot do I set my water density?

Using SH3 Commander, you can find water density by going to SH3 Options, then Gameplay Options. A setting of 20 is perfectly transparent. I have mine set to 18, which is pretty close to the stock game, but probably not very realistic.

Good luck!

By the way, if you're not using SH3 Commander, I highly recommend it.

[robj250]

I am using TGW, hot do I set my water density?

Using SH3 Commander, you can find water density by going to SH3 Options, then Gameplay Options. A setting of 20 is perfectly transparent. I have mine set to 18, which is pretty close to the stock game, but probably not very realistic.

Good luck!

By the way, if you're not using SH3 Commander, I highly recommend it.

Thanks, but I can't set until finished mission. So for good clarity under water in TGW I should set the density for 18 for dark nights?

It is now 2248 Sept 13 and pitch black out and I'm heading in at 1/3 speed. When I come across any war ships on the way in, should I sink them or try to avoid them. I want to sink some capital ships.

[VonHelsching]

Continue through the side passage, with the barricade ships. Stay on the surface decks awash and keep an eye with the binoculars for any land battery or a patrol boat. 1/3 is OK; you dont want to make a big wake.

When you finish the passage, submerge. Continue with 1/3, checking the hudrophones towards the harbour. If there is no capital ships there, continue to the other side to get to the Atlantic. Near the enterance of the other (west) passage, sometimes there is an auxilliary cruiser. It's better than notning.

[robj250]

Continue through the side passage, with the barricade ships. Stay on the surface decks awash and keep an eye with the binoculars for any land battery or a patrol boat. 1/3 is OK; you dont want to make a big wake.

When you finish the passage, submerge. Continue with 1/3, checking the hudrophones towards the harbour. If there is no capital ships there, continue to the other side to get to the Atlantic. Near the enterance of the other (west) passage, sometimes there is an auxilliary cruiser. It's better than notning.

I'm entering from the west side. Decks awash in rough weather is tough but will give it a try. How will I know if there are Capital ships before the mines and nets? If I have to leave I will have to exit the east side and then south through AN grid towards home.

[TarJak]

I'm entering from the west side. Decks awash in rough weather is tough but will give it a try. How will I know if there are Capital ships before the mines and nets? If I have to leave I will have to exit the east side and then south through AN grid towards home.

You won't know until you get there! Do it at night although I've visited in daylight I've never gotten out alive.

The eastern approach is easier as there are no nets or minefields in the way. All you have to do is slip between the blockade wrecks and steer in. My policy is to run decks awash until you enter the harbour proper then slip to periscope depth and run silent until you get close enough for a shot. Use the scope sparingly but enough so you can see what is going on.

Check out this Harbour Infiltration Tutorial thread for other tips on getting in and out safely: http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=96843

[TarJak]

Check this site out. It's got a good description of how GP went in in Oct 39:

http://www.u47.org/english/u47_sca.asp

[robj250]

How is SH3Gen going to help me in this situation in infiltrating Scapa Flow from the west end, which is where I am now. I have never used GEN in this manner, only at the beginning of a patrol.

Stabiz has made it in and out but I really don't know how he did it. His movies on the subject made it look real easy.

It is Sept 13 1939(Wednesday)The weather is very poor, in that I mean seas are rough (15 m/s) heavy fog.

I am running at 1/3 but with the seas so rough, I don't know if I can run decks awash. I just looked from the bridge and it is PITCH BLACK OUT.

I really don't know whether I should attempt this or not. My intentions are to enter from the west (which is where I am) and exit to the east.

If I could get a good map showing where the mine fields are, where the sub nets are and where the sunken ships are would be great.

I really think I can try this because of such poor visibility, but that means getting close to the target because otherwise it will be almost impossible to see it.

I have never fired using sonar so I don't know if it can be done. At the moment the depth under keel is 76 metres.

If I can make a printout, I'll try to use Photoshop CS2 to show where I am and then submit it.

I wish those that have successfully gone in, attacked and come out without any real damage would give me some advise.

Even though this is just a game, I am actually afraid to make the attempt.:oops:

[_Seth_]

Robj250: You are a true submariner! If i were you, i would go for the eastern approach. Try entering during night, watch out for those shipwreks. sail between the, and when you enter the main "basin of scapa flow, dive to PD. run at 2-3 knots, and silent (dont want to wake those bad destroyers....Zzzzzz-Zzzzzzz) Hug the right shore on your way to the port (check depth, dont run aground..) Use periscope often. If you are detected, run like H*ll out the same way you came. The water is too shallow to survive i DC attack, so make your engines sing! And most important: Take the time you need, be tactical, dont stress anything! You will do this just fine! And then, you will no longer be a scapa-virgin....! Good Luck, fellow kaleun, i'll see you over a beer when you get back to port!:()1:

SH3Gen would probably be to no use, remeber: THE SAFEST WAY IS THE EAST APPROACH!

[robj250]

This was my intentions:

http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/7050/westscaparoutekg2.jpg

[robj250]

Is this what you suggest I do?

http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/6295/snap035routemq6.jpg

[bigboywooly]

No go in through the East channel - same as Prein did

http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/5706/screenhunter253vr2.jpg

Mind the barricade ships tho

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/8912/scapazm2.jpg

[robj250]

BigBoyWOlly. Perhaps you could draw the route you are referring to and then post the link to the map because from looking at the map you put up, I don't know what you are referring to. Sorry about being so stupid but I don't know Scapa Flow at all, never been in there.

[robj250]

Sorry, but I don't know which entrance on the east side you are referring to?

[bigboywooly]

http://img58.imageshack.us/img58/9361/eastlm7.jpg

[_Seth_]

Remember PD!! Those brits have coastal search lights and other bad surprises in Scapa... :up:


http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/765/shiiiscapaaf0.jpg

[robj250]

Thanks guys, I'll give it a go.

Here are my intentions:

http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/6207/snap036vr6.jpg

[robj250]

I notice on the map that there are two ships in the channel I am attempting to go through. I assume these are sunken ships designed to block the channel. Is it possible to navigate between them underwater in rough seas at night?

[_Seth_]

I notice on the map that there are two ships in the channel I am attempting to go through. I assume these are sunken ships designed to block the channel. Is it possible to navigate between them underwater in rough seas at night?
Yes, But dont put Bernard at the helm!!! :rock:

Its possible, but use external view, so you dont end up scratching your new sub-paint..