Balao, unfair advantage?

Bubblehead1980 · 07-01-10, 03:12 AM

I will admit I have not used the Balao too much in TMO, I usually go with a Gato in 43 and 44 but decided for a change to use a Balao starting in June 1944.First patrol off Hokkaido was decent, about 14k down but no convoys or escort ships so no evading DD's.Second patrol in September 1944 in Luzon Strait has been different, two different convoys evading their escorts, I attack and sink, then go deep, usually level off at 550 feet and only once has one came close to finding me at that depth, they usually lose me once I get below 400 feet or so, even in ideal sonar conditions.Not complaining just seems deep diving boat like Balao takes some of the challenge out, then again I may have just been lucky thus far

OHH the irony haha....

Looks like I spoke a bit too soon.Found a lone large troopship with an Akizuki and Yugumo DD escorting, had a great early morning submerged approach going(Akizuki had radar so night surface was out) While at 100 feet and silent running, preparing to go up to scope depth and for shooting, the small convoy made a zig that put them too close to me, seas were flat calm, knew the lead escort would hear me since hed come about 800 yards from me, sure enough he started pinging, I let him run in and think I was staying at 100 feet, as he neared I ordered ahead flank and went to 200 feet, then popped back up, worked a quickie solution and fired 4 of 6 remaining Mark 14's at the transport, two hit but two missed.The Akizuki then closed in and forced me deep.I went all the way to 615 feet and they were still landing charges pretty close, was no doubt delaing with A team.After 4 tries, a lucky charge caused 70 percent damage to stern torpedo room bulkhead, also damaged compressor, 3 stern tubes, destroyed one stern tube and port prop shaft had 90% damage.Flooding occuringI went to flank speed and ordered a climb to 300 feet and put the DC party to work.For the next 4 hours real time, I endured 10 more depth charge attacks, avoiding them by yo-yo'ng up and down while fighting to keep boat from going too deep by the stern due to the flooding.Finally they mustve been convinced they killed me, after 4 hours they left the area.One of the more intense attacks i've had in TMO lately.Made repairs and sank a large coastal freighter the next night, then headed home with 37,000 tons down and awarded the Navy Cross.Good patrol

Balao's are top notch.

07-01-10, 03:12 AM	#1
Bubblehead1980 Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Florida USA Posts: 7,121 Downloads: 605 Uploads: 44	Balao, unfair advantage? I will admit I have not used the Balao too much in TMO, I usually go with a Gato in 43 and 44 but decided for a change to use a Balao starting in June 1944.First patrol off Hokkaido was decent, about 14k down but no convoys or escort ships so no evading DD's.Second patrol in September 1944 in Luzon Strait has been different, two different convoys evading their escorts, I attack and sink, then go deep, usually level off at 550 feet and only once has one came close to finding me at that depth, they usually lose me once I get below 400 feet or so, even in ideal sonar conditions.Not complaining just seems deep diving boat like Balao takes some of the challenge out, then again I may have just been lucky thus far OHH the irony haha.... Looks like I spoke a bit too soon.Found a lone large troopship with an Akizuki and Yugumo DD escorting, had a great early morning submerged approach going(Akizuki had radar so night surface was out) While at 100 feet and silent running, preparing to go up to scope depth and for shooting, the small convoy made a zig that put them too close to me, seas were flat calm, knew the lead escort would hear me since hed come about 800 yards from me, sure enough he started pinging, I let him run in and think I was staying at 100 feet, as he neared I ordered ahead flank and went to 200 feet, then popped back up, worked a quickie solution and fired 4 of 6 remaining Mark 14's at the transport, two hit but two missed.The Akizuki then closed in and forced me deep.I went all the way to 615 feet and they were still landing charges pretty close, was no doubt delaing with A team.After 4 tries, a lucky charge caused 70 percent damage to stern torpedo room bulkhead, also damaged compressor, 3 stern tubes, destroyed one stern tube and port prop shaft had 90% damage.Flooding occuringI went to flank speed and ordered a climb to 300 feet and put the DC party to work.For the next 4 hours real time, I endured 10 more depth charge attacks, avoiding them by yo-yo'ng up and down while fighting to keep boat from going too deep by the stern due to the flooding.Finally they mustve been convinced they killed me, after 4 hours they left the area.One of the more intense attacks i've had in TMO lately.Made repairs and sank a large coastal freighter the next night, then headed home with 37,000 tons down and awarded the Navy Cross.Good patrol Balao's are top notch. Last edited by Bubblehead1980; 07-01-10 at 09:24 AM.