As far as RL examples go, I have 2 examples from Dick O'Kane (can't get much more RL than that.....):
1. With respect to power of the gun:
Wahoo expended approximately 80-90 rounds (!!) in sinking a fairly modest sized freighter (only 4,000t or less). In game I've destroyed a large European liner with about 6-10 rounds.... I think the gun is entirely too powerful in the damage it does per shell.
2. Concerning RoF:
In Clear the Bridge (p325) O'Kane recalls attacking, of all things, a yacht armed with heavy mgs and lots of radio antennae.
"With the slow rate of fire, about seven seconds per round (my italics), it was impossible to stay on the yacht for more than one or two hits.....and only 8 sure hits were observed. After 88 rounds.....the enemy still seemed under control...."
So, a definitive statement as to the rate of fire achievable under patrol conditions. The engagement commenced at 7000yds, closing to 4500. After 88 rounds the yacht was still afloat, and O'Kane expresses his doubts it would have sunk.
Conclusion:
* a RoF of 8-10 rounds per minute is entirely reasonable.
* the ease of hitting is excessive as currently simulated in game.
* damage done per hit is massively excessive.
Given this, I'd suggest:
* return RoF to something like 6-10 seconds per round, basedon gunnery skill of crew members and weather conditions.
* make hitting more difficult (although hitting a large target at 500yds shouldn't be very hard if seas are calm).
* reduce damage done OR make it linked very closely to hit location. A few HE rounds in superstructure will make life unpleasant for the crew, but not seriously threaten the ship - unless cargo make fire a major risk. AP hits in engine spaces and at/below waterline are far more likely to achieve critical effects.
Now, I don't know if all that is achievable. I do believe the gun does too much damage and it is too easy to hit (firing manually, at least) at longer ranges. When I was playing I used to make my crew fire, never controlling it myself. If hits were less frequent or more closely linked to sheel type/hit location/ship cargo, a more realistic RoF such as mentioned above would be OK.
Cheers
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