'Hovering' Uboat is achievable ??

vanjast · 01-11-13, 02:24 PM

Just a note for the Mods:

Busy reading U-boat, the reference book for the film Das Boot.

The author makes distinct reference to the chief of the boat being able to 'Hang by the Periscope' - which essentially is hovering at periscope depth with the scope extended with engines off, IF the sea conditions were suitable.

Another point made in the same paragraph is that the Chief boasted being able to trim the boat so well at any other depth, that it literally 'hovered', either sinking or rising very slowly. Depth control at this trim being by slow speed. The speed is not mentioned but all indicators point to less than 2 Knots.

There were differences expressed for years of the games existence, that the U-Boat couldn't 'hover' - This source being regarded as genuine, tells a very different story.

Herr-Berbunch · 01-11-13, 02:49 PM

It would require constant trim, just one guy walking about would shift it all to cock! I doubt it was ever done, not saying it wasn't, just I doubt it.

Sailor Steve · 01-11-13, 07:00 PM

Please give the exact quotes. What conditions exactly were "suitable"? It's like the oft-quoted 4-second reload rate for the deck gun. It could be done, but never in actual working conditions.

Barring that, do they give an example in which it was actually done in combat?

fitzcarraldo · 01-11-13, 07:21 PM

"Das Boot" is a great, superbe novel, but I don´t consider the book for technical references...

In fact, there are many (many) u boats veterans refuting the technical and historical references in the novel.

Best regards.

Fitzcarraldo

TorpX · 01-11-13, 08:11 PM

Quote:

The speed is not mentioned but all indicators point to less than 2 Knots.

I wouldn't consider this "hovering".

It was probably undesirable to be moving faster than 3 or 4 kts. due to periscope vibration, in any case.

vanjast · 01-12-13, 04:42 AM

Some pages - there's quiet a bit of technical stuff in the book.
Some funny errors, maybe through translation, but it looks accurate enough

01-11-13, 02:24 PM	#1
vanjast Sea Lord Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Somewhere else now Posts: 1,733 Downloads: 825 Uploads: 4	'Hovering' Uboat is achievable ?? Just a note for the Mods: Busy reading U-boat, the reference book for the film Das Boot. The author makes distinct reference to the chief of the boat being able to 'Hang by the Periscope' - which essentially is hovering at periscope depth with the scope extended with engines off, IF the sea conditions were suitable. Another point made in the same paragraph is that the Chief boasted being able to trim the boat so well at any other depth, that it literally 'hovered', either sinking or rising very slowly. Depth control at this trim being by slow speed. The speed is not mentioned but all indicators point to less than 2 Knots. There were differences expressed for years of the games existence, that the U-Boat couldn't 'hover' - This source being regarded as genuine, tells a very different story.

01-11-13, 02:49 PM	#2
Herr-Berbunch Kaiser Bill's batman Join Date: May 2010 Location: AN72 Posts: 13,203 Downloads: 76 Uploads: 0	It would require constant trim, just one guy walking about would shift it all to cock! I doubt it was ever done, not saying it wasn't, just I doubt it. __________________

01-11-13, 07:00 PM	#3
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	Please give the exact quotes. What conditions exactly were "suitable"? It's like the oft-quoted 4-second reload rate for the deck gun. It could be done, but never in actual working conditions. Barring that, do they give an example in which it was actually done in combat? __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

01-11-13, 07:21 PM	#4
fitzcarraldo Argentinian Skipper Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Somewhere between Buenos Aires and the Bungo Suido Posts: 5,318 Downloads: 3345 Uploads: 0	"Das Boot" is a great, superbe novel, but I don´t consider the book for technical references... In fact, there are many (many) u boats veterans refuting the technical and historical references in the novel. Best regards. Fitzcarraldo __________________ *My subject is War, and the pity of War. The Poetry is in the pity - Wilfred Owen.*

01-12-13, 04:42 AM	#6
vanjast Sea Lord Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Somewhere else now Posts: 1,733 Downloads: 825 Uploads: 4	Some pages - there's quiet a bit of technical stuff in the book. Some funny errors, maybe through translation, but it looks accurate enough Last edited by vanjast; 06-01-14 at 02:27 AM.