Torpedos and rough seas...

Kpt, Otto · 08-27-07, 10:18 AM

Can anyone tell me if a torpedo can be affected by rough seas in a surface attack? Do they run staight or can they go off course as they may break the surface? :hmm:

I like to play the game as real as posible, however I attacked a ship in rough seas and sank it off the coast of Norfolk in a surface attack.

Just wondered though if the torpedo would have run on course in real life under those conditions.

(Range 500m, t/depth 4m, impact fuse) Ship sank 35min later by the bow, staight down!

Kpt, Otto. Jan 3, 1940

Type IIb

U-23

melnibonian · 08-27-07, 10:25 AM

Torpedoes are affected only if they have magnetic pistols. Other than that there should be no problem

Sailor Steve · 08-27-07, 12:01 PM

Yep, you'll never have a torpedo 'porpoise' and then dive to the bottom, or break surface and be thrown off course.

papa_smurf · 08-27-07, 01:28 PM

I always set my pistols to imapct when the seas are rough, and never have any problems with my torpedoes.

dmlavan · 08-27-07, 02:18 PM

I'm always cautious about attacking in bad weather. Here are a few problems I've had in what are probably "hurricane conditions":

- Had a torpedo go OVER the target. That's right. As the target got swamped by a wave, due to the shallow depth I had set the torpedo at it went over the target just aft of the superstructure.
- Numerous torpedoes going under the target, even when set at the right depth. Heavy seas can cause ships to rise significantly. While the torpedo will tend to run at the right depth, it doesn't account for the keel of the ship rising out of the water.
- Ships' speed being significantly slowed by heavy seas. If firing from a distance, this can throw off your firing solution enough to have the torpedo pass well ahead of the target.

This doesn't stop me from attacking in bad weather. In 1943, I'll attack in horrible weather because the escorts and aircraft are hindered. However, I use a lot more torpedoes than in good weather.

Klaus_Doldinger · 08-27-07, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmlavan

I'm always cautious about attacking in bad weather. Here are a few problems I've had in what are probably "hurricane conditions":

- Had a torpedo go OVER the target. That's right. As the target got swamped by a wave, due to the shallow depth I had set the torpedo at it went over the target just aft of the superstructure.
- Numerous torpedoes going under the target, even when set at the right depth. Heavy seas can cause ships to rise significantly. While the torpedo will tend to run at the right depth, it doesn't account for the keel of the ship rising out of the water.
- Ships' speed being significantly slowed by heavy seas. If firing from a distance, this can throw off your firing solution enough to have the torpedo pass well ahead of the target.

This doesn't stop me from attacking in bad weather. In 1943, I'll attack in horrible weather because the escorts and aircraft are hindered. However, I use a lot more torpedoes than in good weather.

Except seeing a torpedo flying over the target

, I have experienced similar problems in very rough seas.

Kpt, Otto · 08-27-07, 07:06 PM

I did fire at only 500m and so not much could go wrong other than a malfunction.

I guess at longer ranges when the torp is doing between 30 and 40 Knots, if it breaks the suface it just cuts through and back in.

I set the torp to impact fuse and depth 4m to counter the ships motion, seemed to work! Went down with just one hit.

Thanks people, your thoughts are most welcome.

Now on 6th Patrol, just off Harwich, got caught by a destroyer which gave me a dry slap! Smashed me gauges, the boat nearly went out of control with the stern almost out of the water! and in 26m of water that aint funny :rotfl: I shook him off after repairing the damage only for them to find me again when I thought I was safe and secured from silent running.

After another dose of tin cans which caused us no damage, they knew where we were and I couldnt shake em off... so I had to get mean... plum dowg mean!

I prepared a torp and as soon as they went round past 270 dropped their tin cans, I went to flank speed... periscope depth... then I let em av it! One G7a range 445m magnetic fuse depth 4.5m target brg 350, I caught them as they came round. The torp struck aft and blew their stern off. She sank minutes later much to my releif. I thought id had it!

Kpt, Otto,
Jan 11, 1940

Type IIb
U-23

SH3 Commander+GWX 1.03

08-27-07, 10:18 AM	#1
Kpt, Otto Planesman Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London Posts: 195 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Torpedos and rough seas... Can anyone tell me if a torpedo can be affected by rough seas in a surface attack? Do they run staight or can they go off course as they may break the surface? :hmm: I like to play the game as real as posible, however I attacked a ship in rough seas and sank it off the coast of Norfolk in a surface attack. Just wondered though if the torpedo would have run on course in real life under those conditions. (Range 500m, t/depth 4m, impact fuse) Ship sank 35min later by the bow, staight down! Kpt, Otto. Jan 3, 1940 Type IIb U-23

08-27-07, 10:25 AM	#2
melnibonian Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Reading UK Posts: 3,473 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	Torpedoes are affected only if they have magnetic pistols. Other than that there should be no problem __________________ http://www.thegreywolves.com/ http://wolvesatwar.com/ Download GWX and other goodies: http://hosted.filefront.com/melnibonian

08-27-07, 12:01 PM	#3
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	Yep, you'll never have a torpedo 'porpoise' and then dive to the bottom, or break surface and be thrown off course. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

08-27-07, 07:06 PM	#7
Kpt, Otto Planesman Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London Posts: 195 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	500m I did fire at only 500m and so not much could go wrong other than a malfunction. I guess at longer ranges when the torp is doing between 30 and 40 Knots, if it breaks the suface it just cuts through and back in. I set the torp to impact fuse and depth 4m to counter the ships motion, seemed to work! Went down with just one hit. Thanks people, your thoughts are most welcome. Now on 6th Patrol, just off Harwich, got caught by a destroyer which gave me a dry slap! Smashed me gauges, the boat nearly went out of control with the stern almost out of the water! and in 26m of water that aint funny :rotfl: I shook him off after repairing the damage only for them to find me again when I thought I was safe and secured from silent running. After another dose of tin cans which caused us no damage, they knew where we were and I couldnt shake em off... so I had to get mean... plum dowg mean! I prepared a torp and as soon as they went round past 270 dropped their tin cans, I went to flank speed... periscope depth... then I let em av it! One G7a range 445m magnetic fuse depth 4.5m target brg 350, I caught them as they came round. The torp struck aft and blew their stern off. She sank minutes later much to my releif. I thought id had it! Kpt, Otto, Jan 11, 1940 Type IIb U-23 SH3 Commander+GWX 1.03

08-27-07, 01:28 PM	#4
papa_smurf Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: High Peak, Derbyshire Posts: 2,851 Downloads: 33 Uploads: 0	I always set my pistols to imapct when the seas are rough, and never have any problems with my torpedoes.

08-27-07, 02:18 PM	#5
dmlavan Weps Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 351 Downloads: 69 Uploads: 0	I'm always cautious about attacking in bad weather. Here are a few problems I've had in what are probably "hurricane conditions": - Had a torpedo go OVER the target. That's right. As the target got swamped by a wave, due to the shallow depth I had set the torpedo at it went over the target just aft of the superstructure. - Numerous torpedoes going under the target, even when set at the right depth. Heavy seas can cause ships to rise significantly. While the torpedo will tend to run at the right depth, it doesn't account for the keel of the ship rising out of the water. - Ships' speed being significantly slowed by heavy seas. If firing from a distance, this can throw off your firing solution enough to have the torpedo pass well ahead of the target. This doesn't stop me from attacking in bad weather. In 1943, I'll attack in horrible weather because the escorts and aircraft are hindered. However, I use a lot more torpedoes than in good weather.