[TEC] German "MK-18" problem?

J0313 · 01-25-17, 11:38 PM

That is called a circle runner. That was how the USS Tang was sunk and probably a few other Boats. And I am sure the U-boats had their share of them as well.

Barkerov · 01-26-17, 06:59 AM

Yeah the Germans had their torpedoes veer wildly off course too. I seem to remember a story similar to the one you described where the boat was saved only by the ineffective detonators

CaptBones · 01-26-17, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J0313

That is called a circle runner. That was how the USS Tang was sunk and probably a few other Boats. And I am sure the U-boats had their share of them as well.

Thanks...yes, I know; I met and knew Dick O'Kane and several other notable USN WWII commanders and leaders. Since I've been playing SH4 for almost ten years now and have never, ever, seen this before, I was just wondering if anyone else has had this happen to them in the game (either stock SH4 or OM or TMO, for instance).

...and thank you also Barkerov. I've never heard that story before, but there were at least two U-boats that were sunk by their own torpedoes, though the circumstances were not the same as the USN MK-18 "circle runner" problem. Those two known instances were cases where the T5 G7s Zaunköning (Wren) homing torpedoes homed in on the boats that fired them instead of their intended targets.

propbeanie · 01-26-17, 02:25 PM

In the ten years I've been playing the game, I've had it happen three times that I can remember, and that I know of. Once in stock, on the surface, and I had no idea it could happen then. For the life of me, I couldn't figure out where that torpedo had come from. Saw it from the bridge, just couldn't believe the game had something else that could shoot one at me... Once in TMO, also on the surface, and while attempting to get out of it's way, I actually ran into the torpedo... I would have been best off staying where I was. And now once in Fall of the Rising Sun, Ultimate Edition, just a few weeks ago, at periscope depth, and I wasn't paying attention. I heard the screws myself, but I was intent on watching the torp impact the ship I'd shot it at... Instead, it "impacted" my periscope. I was using the "proximity fuse", and it "proximated" just above me... I had a heck of a time getting the sinking under control, finally getting leveled off at about 3 and a quarter. Survived it, only to get slammed by every DD within an hour's travel time of where I was... I think there probably was like 6 of 'em up there, taking turns at dropping cans on me... Nothing like the detonation of your own torpedo to give your position away...

I could have sworn though, that the crew used to warn you of a torpedo coming at you, but maybe I'm thinking of a different game...

cdrsubron7 · 01-26-17, 03:40 PM

I've had circular runs after a torpedo leaves the tubes many a time. On one occasion I was hit in the bow by the torpedo. I was never more happy to here those immortal words "Torpedo is a dud, Sir"

propbeanie · 01-26-17, 04:53 PM

...

- that one that got me in TMO? I'd had a run of six torps in a row just before that that had been duds... not the one that got me, of course...

CaptBones · 01-27-17, 06:06 PM

Good to know it wasn't a bug or some other random fault in the program.

I guess I'm now surprised that I haven't seen it before and more often, although it might explain one or two other unexplained "misses" way back when; I just didn't think to look on the attack plot on those occasions.

But, it also reminded me of a real-world incident. Acting as a target for MK-48 torpedo tests on the underwater range in the Straits of Georgia at Nanaimo, BC, we were "advised" by the test firing barge, using underwater phone ("Gertrude") that the barge had "lost contact" with the weapon and they recommended we sound collision alarm and set Material Condition Zebra.

Oh really, did they think we hadn't already done that in anticipation of being the first maneuvering target ship to have a 3500lb torpedo travelling at 50kts being wire-guided to pass two yards directly under our keel?

The next helpful report I heard was from Sonar..."high speed screws passing close overhead from the port bow, fading in the baffles, heading away off the starboard quarter." The weapon had apparently gone into a weaving search pattern with random depth changes, and the loss of guidance had not switched on active guidance sonar...thank you God.

The Test Director and I, with several others, found a quiet tavern in Nanaimo that night and we all had several calming beers.

Barkerov · 01-27-17, 08:21 PM

Bloody oath. I feel like I need a beer and I only read your story.

01-25-17, 11:38 PM	#1
J0313 Grey Wolf Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 887 Downloads: 1823 Uploads: 0	That sucks. That is called a circle runner. That was how the USS Tang was sunk and probably a few other Boats. And I am sure the U-boats had their share of them as well.

01-26-17, 02:25 PM	#4
propbeanie CTD - it's not just a job Join Date: May 2016 Location: One hour from Music City USA! Posts: 10,116 Downloads: 451 Uploads: 2	In the ten years I've been playing the game, I've had it happen three times that I can remember, and that I know of. Once in stock, on the surface, and I had no idea it could happen then. For the life of me, I couldn't figure out where that torpedo had come from. Saw it from the bridge, just couldn't believe the game had something else that could shoot one at me... Once in TMO, also on the surface, and while attempting to get out of it's way, I actually ran into the torpedo... I would have been best off staying where I was. And now once in Fall of the Rising Sun, Ultimate Edition, just a few weeks ago, at periscope depth, and I wasn't paying attention. I heard the screws myself, but I was intent on watching the torp impact the ship I'd shot it at... Instead, it "impacted" my periscope. I was using the "proximity fuse", and it "proximated" just above me... I had a heck of a time getting the sinking under control, finally getting leveled off at about 3 and a quarter. Survived it, only to get slammed by every DD within an hour's travel time of where I was... I think there probably was like 6 of 'em up there, taking turns at dropping cans on me... Nothing like the detonation of your own torpedo to give your position away... I could have sworn though, that the crew used to warn you of a torpedo coming at you, but maybe I'm thinking of a different game... __________________ "...and bollocks to the naysayers" - Jimbuna

01-26-17, 03:40 PM	#5
cdrsubron7 Sink'em All Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Naperville, IL Posts: 2,150 Downloads: 305 Uploads: 1	I've had circular runs after a torpedo leaves the tubes many a time. On one occasion I was hit in the bow by the torpedo. I was never more happy to here those immortal words "Torpedo is a dud, Sir" __________________ Head Deep and Keep'em Astern" - LtCDR Samuel D Dealy SHIV Guide \| Imperial Japanese Navy \| US Submarines

01-26-17, 04:53 PM	#6
propbeanie CTD - it's not just a job Join Date: May 2016 Location: One hour from Music City USA! Posts: 10,116 Downloads: 451 Uploads: 2	... - that one that got me in TMO? I'd had a run of six torps in a row just before that that had been duds... not the one that got me, of course... __________________ "...and bollocks to the naysayers" - Jimbuna

01-27-17, 06:06 PM	#7
CaptBones The Old Man Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Rockton, IL Posts: 281 Downloads: 208 Uploads: 0	Many thanks all... Good to know it wasn't a bug or some other random fault in the program. I guess I'm now surprised that I haven't seen it before and more often, although it might explain one or two other unexplained "misses" way back when; I just didn't think to look on the attack plot on those occasions. But, it also reminded me of a real-world incident. Acting as a target for MK-48 torpedo tests on the underwater range in the Straits of Georgia at Nanaimo, BC, we were "advised" by the test firing barge, using underwater phone ("Gertrude") that the barge had "lost contact" with the weapon and they recommended we sound collision alarm and set Material Condition Zebra. Oh really, did they think we hadn't already done that in anticipation of being the first maneuvering target ship to have a 3500lb torpedo travelling at 50kts being wire-guided to pass two yards directly under our keel? The next helpful report I heard was from Sonar..."high speed screws passing close overhead from the port bow, fading in the baffles, heading away off the starboard quarter." The weapon had apparently gone into a weaving search pattern with random depth changes, and the loss of guidance had not switched on active guidance sonar...thank you God. The Test Director and I, with several others, found a quiet tavern in Nanaimo that night and we all had several calming beers.

01-26-17, 06:59 AM	#2
Barkerov Soundman Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Australia Posts: 147 Downloads: 42 Uploads: 0	Yeah the Germans had their torpedoes veer wildly off course too. I seem to remember a story similar to the one you described where the boat was saved only by the ineffective detonators

01-27-17, 08:21 PM	#8
Barkerov Soundman Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Australia Posts: 147 Downloads: 42 Uploads: 0	Bloody oath. I feel like I need a beer and I only read your story.

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