The Humming Bird U-boat

Der Teddy Bar · 03-20-06, 02:08 AM

There has been much discussion over how easily a WWII u-boat could achieve neutral buoyancy. Even when assuming it could be done all time the time, the fact is that it took time to achieve, and when you changed depth by say 10 metres, you would have to reconfigure the boat. The guys who did this were very good at it, but again, it still took time.

U-boats were actually never set for neutral buoyancy anyway, but to slightly positive buoyancy.

For the most part, a u-boat also never was just stationary for several reasons. A negative/positive buoyancy means that your sink/raise. But the main reason was control. With no forward motion you have virtually no control over your boat and can quite easily plummet out of control should a change is the water temperature or salinity occurs.

At periscope depth, the waves would easily bring your u-boat to the surface if you tried to hover like a humming bird.

The game play enhancement of not being able to just hover like a humming bird would be immense. Attacks would have to be planned to attain an attacking position instead of just rushing in, and â€˜hangingâ€™ around till the ships arrives.

View Poll Results: Would you want a u-boat that...
Does not Hover like a Humming Bird	32	52.46%
Humming Birds are a beautiful creature and you should leave them alone	29	47.54%
Voters: 61. You may not vote on this poll

03-20-06, 02:08 AM	#1
Der Teddy Bar Blade Master Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 1,388 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	The Humming Bird U-boat There has been much discussion over how easily a WWII u-boat could achieve neutral buoyancy. Even when assuming it could be done all time the time, the fact is that it took time to achieve, and when you changed depth by say 10 metres, you would have to reconfigure the boat. The guys who did this were very good at it, but again, it still took time. U-boats were actually never set for neutral buoyancy anyway, but to slightly positive buoyancy. For the most part, a u-boat also never was just stationary for several reasons. A negative/positive buoyancy means that your sink/raise. But the main reason was control. With no forward motion you have virtually no control over your boat and can quite easily plummet out of control should a change is the water temperature or salinity occurs. At periscope depth, the waves would easily bring your u-boat to the surface if you tried to hover like a humming bird. The game play enhancement of not being able to just hover like a humming bird would be immense. Attacks would have to be planned to attain an attacking position instead of just rushing in, and â€˜hangingâ€™ around till the ships arrives.