Quote:
Originally Posted by BigWalleye
Balao, the class lead boat, was commissioned 4 Feb 1943 and reported to Brisbane for operational duty on 10 July 1943. How did you get one six months earlier, you lucky dog? If you had enough pull at BuShips to get a Balao rushed into service 6 months early, you probably got the top-secret developmental ultra-high-explosive torpedo warheads as well. 
I urge you to be VERY careful on your next patrol, because you used up a lot of good luck on that one!
On the other hand, if you are always this lucky, who do you like in the World Cup?  |
Ah, well, I think they were a little awe-struck with the last couple of missions, that, plus the fact that the head of the R&D Commissioning group inside the BuSub has a little brother in the submarine force. He is a Nav on a certain sub currently operating out of Midway. No names, no pack-drill, as they say in the Ground Pounders. You think maybe that helped?
OK, guys, maybe I have been too pessimistic about the number of torps it takes to put 'em down. I'm certainly getting much better results than I ever did in SH3, but then I'm paying much more attention to depth settings, so maybe that's paying off. (That and Robert Oppenheimer obviously tweaking the yield on the torpex!!) Having said that, BilgeRat's changes certainly adds a nicer sinking profile (though I'm still chasing a failure to show some sinkings and therefore credit them.)
This cruise, so far, I've caught a convoy of smallish merchants heading into Wewak, but was too late to then intercept a Pelau to Truck group, also advised via Flash-traffic. So, I decided to infiltrate Truck (as I've done successfully before).
I think you are right about the luck thing - I tagged a HC doing 18 knots heading South near Truck with 2 torps set on slow at 6,200. Sloppy skip in a hurry - no zig-zag. Previously, I would never have bothered 'wasting' two precious torps on a shot like that - KNOWING I would never have had a prayer!
Now, I'm in Truck main lagoon whiling away the day (April 18, '43) till I can go after the at-anchor TF (I have to do it at Radar Depth, so definitely a night time raid). I'll surface and breath and recharge for an hour or so after moon-set, then head in for the 3 HCs, the FC, and, the
piece de resistance, the Yamato. First time I've encountered The Beast.
So, maybe I've just got a cauldron-full of the Luck of the Irish - so, as to your question, I like Bhutan for the World Cup. Now, I know they are not even in it (at this time), but what the heck? That would be no more unlikely than the results I seem to be having!
Thanks all, gotta go and see if I can sink the Yamato with a 'Cutie'!
Cheers
Gryff
PS, I've just seen my new 'image' and tag. Now where DID you guys dig up the picture of me in the "Crossing the Line" outfit the first time I had to get done up as Neptune's Daughter.? That's way before I grew the beard, back when I was a handsome cove. Thanks for the memories...