Storm - your best friend in '44 and '45

meduza · 10-23-08, 05:49 PM

I hate stormy weather, but it has an important advantage: it keeps the RAF at home. I had heavy rain and strong winds almost throughout my entire last patrol.

The absence of air cover allowed me to have the schnorkel up all the time, giving me the high speed and the benefit of using the hydrophones for detection. Once I found unescorted target, I would surface and use radar to plot its course, and to make final approach. When I got into the visual range (500-700m), I would launch the torpedoes and disappear in the rain.
Using this tactics I sank 60000 tons. Not bad for October 1944.

richardphat · 10-23-08, 07:15 PM

well done captain

FIREWALL · 10-23-08, 07:21 PM

I'm with you Meduza.

I find it safer and more challenging.

I can bring on bad weather by going 1024 tc and go 128 tc for 24 hrs to get bck to good weather.

Pillar · 10-23-08, 08:11 PM

Does the snorkel get detected by radar or is it strictly visual spots from planes flying by?

FIREWALL · 10-23-08, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pillar

Does the snorkel get detected by radar or is it strictly visual spots from planes flying by?

Good question. :hmm: Any takers out there ?

I am assumeing your useing GWX 2.1 and SHCommander

predavolk · 10-24-08, 09:04 AM

I think it's by radar. But certainly, the bombing of your ship would be much tougher in a storm, as that relies on visual cues. Given that visibility is only ~600M for a big ship, an airplane would probably have to get within a few hundred meters to spot your sub. Not very likely, and nearly impossible with just the snorkel IMO. Now, I don't know if the game codes for that, but airplanes are less active at night and in stormy weather in my experience.

Rhodes · 10-24-08, 09:10 AM

I recall that on SH3 the snorkell was deteced as a "somenting" of ship size. But I don't know if GWX and/or SH3 commander correct this.

meduza · 10-24-08, 09:48 AM

The schnorkel is detectable by radar, from about 5km. This figure is based on some quick Single mission test, so it's probably not very accurate.
I guess the visual detection range is also close to 5 km, maybe even less.

Regarding the aircraft activity, I also think they are less active by night, and I never saw one during the storm.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIREWALL

I can bring on bad weather by going 1024 tc and go 128 tc for 24 hrs to get bck to good weather.

Didn't know that. Thanks for the tip.

kylania · 10-24-08, 10:17 AM

Technically the snorkel would have limited you to 6kts and wouldn't have functioned well in bad weather, but yeah it's good to have all the same.

Remember to have your periscopes up to help with seeing planes should they attack you.

meduza · 10-24-08, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kylania

Technically the snorkel would have limited you to 6kts and wouldn't have functioned well in bad weather, but yeah it's good to have all the same.

True. Fortunately for us, those limitations are not fully simulated in SH3

, although the top speed is limited to some 12kt (type IX), and the schnorkel does have a problem in high waves.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kylania

Remember to have your periscopes up to help with seeing planes should they attack you.

I do, but the planes are rarely spotted. Usualy the first sign that I am spoted is a damage report. But now I'm equipped with the RWR on top of the schnorkel and I'll be fine.

PappyCain · 10-24-08, 11:05 AM

In high sea states (see former post) AND driving wind and rain, I will risk running on top as the RAF / USAAF will be grounded. Even surface ships will have difficulty theoretically. Just wish we had a reduction in crew performance with sea sick sailors ...

Jimbuna · 10-24-08, 02:19 PM

Don't forget the surface radar....a real killer in bad weather

meduza · 10-24-08, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbuna

Don't forget the surface radar....a real killer in bad weather

That's exactly why I've chosen to stay submerged most of the time...

FIREWALL · 10-24-08, 02:39 PM

I just used the bad weather to sneak into a large convoy with decks awash and raised havoc.

I wasn't as worried about de and dc as I was about getting run over by those pesky merchants.:p

Jimbuna · 10-24-08, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIREWALL

I just used the bad weather to sneak into a large convoy with decks awash and raised havoc.

I wasn't as worried about de and dc as I was about getting run over by those pesky merchants.:p

Yep....it can be like tip toeing amongst a herd of elephants in the fog

10-23-08, 05:49 PM	#1
meduza Ace of the Deep Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: on patrol Posts: 1,035 Downloads: 40 Uploads: 0	Storm - your best friend in '44 and '45 I hate stormy weather, but it has an important advantage: it keeps the RAF at home. I had heavy rain and strong winds almost throughout my entire last patrol. The absence of air cover allowed me to have the schnorkel up all the time, giving me the high speed and the benefit of using the hydrophones for detection. Once I found unescorted target, I would surface and use radar to plot its course, and to make final approach. When I got into the visual range (500-700m), I would launch the torpedoes and disappear in the rain. Using this tactics I sank 60000 tons. Not bad for October 1944. __________________

10-23-08, 07:21 PM	#3
FIREWALL Eternal Patrol Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: CATALINA IS. SO . CAL USA Posts: 10,108 Downloads: 511 Uploads: 0	I'm with you Meduza. I find it safer and more challenging. I can bring on bad weather by going 1024 tc and go 128 tc for 24 hrs to get bck to good weather. __________________ RIP FIREWALL I Play GWX. Silent Hunter Who ???

10-24-08, 09:10 AM	#7
Rhodes Silent Hunter Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Figueira da Foz, Portugal Posts: 4,515 Downloads: 110 Uploads: 0	I recall that on SH3 the snorkell was deteced as a "somenting" of ship size. But I don't know if GWX and/or SH3 commander correct this. __________________ http://www.flickr.com/photos/16416646@N05/

10-24-08, 10:17 AM	#9
kylania Silent Hunter Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 3,528 Downloads: 118 Uploads: 0	Technically the snorkel would have limited you to 6kts and wouldn't have functioned well in bad weather, but yeah it's good to have all the same. Remember to have your periscopes up to help with seeing planes should they attack you. __________________

10-24-08, 11:05 AM	#11
PappyCain Samurai Navy Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: on the Atlantic Ocean Posts: 559 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	In high sea states (see former post) AND driving wind and rain, I will risk running on top as the RAF / USAAF will be grounded. Even surface ships will have difficulty theoretically. Just wish we had a reduction in crew performance with sea sick sailors ... __________________ DID, no cheats, no shortcuts, no non-historic equipment deviations. Boat and crew safety is integral with my immersion style! Follow the historic events during your patrol: http://www.uboat.net/today.html

10-23-08, 07:15 PM	#2
richardphat Seasoned Skipper Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 682 Downloads: 17 Uploads: 0	well done captain

10-23-08, 08:11 PM	#4
Pillar Electrician's Mate Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 138 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Does the snorkel get detected by radar or is it strictly visual spots from planes flying by?

10-24-08, 09:04 AM	#6
predavolk Weps Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 369 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I think it's by radar. But certainly, the bombing of your ship would be much tougher in a storm, as that relies on visual cues. Given that visibility is only ~600M for a big ship, an airplane would probably have to get within a few hundred meters to spot your sub. Not very likely, and nearly impossible with just the snorkel IMO. Now, I don't know if the game codes for that, but airplanes are less active at night and in stormy weather in my experience.

10-24-08, 02:19 PM	#12
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,473 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Don't forget the surface radar....a real killer in bad weather __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

10-24-08, 02:39 PM	#14
FIREWALL Eternal Patrol Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: CATALINA IS. SO . CAL USA Posts: 10,108 Downloads: 511 Uploads: 0	I just used the bad weather to sneak into a large convoy with decks awash and raised havoc. I wasn't as worried about de and dc as I was about getting run over by those pesky merchants.:p __________________ RIP FIREWALL I Play GWX. Silent Hunter Who ???