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Platapus · 11-21-10, 11:46 AM

I too doubt the ability of the target ship to see the wake unless the sea is very still/calm.

The orientation of the observer plays a large part.

Observers from aircraft overhead could see the wake as the angle was advantageous - Perpendicular and overhead

Observers from the submarine could see the wake through the periscope because their angle was advantageous - along axis

This does not mean that an observer from a target ship would also have an advantageous viewing angle.

That combined with the fact that the wake would be observed at the surface of the water about 70-100 yards behind the torpedo, would make spotting the torpedo wake in time fortuitous at best.

11-21-10, 11:46 AM	#5
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,375 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	I too doubt the ability of the target ship to see the wake unless the sea is very still/calm. The orientation of the observer plays a large part. Observers from aircraft overhead could see the wake as the angle was advantageous - Perpendicular and overhead Observers from the submarine could see the wake through the periscope because their angle was advantageous - along axis This does not mean that an observer from a target ship would also have an advantageous viewing angle. That combined with the fact that the wake would be observed at the surface of the water about 70-100 yards behind the torpedo, would make spotting the torpedo wake in time fortuitous at best. __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.