Is "compressed air" cosmetic?

[LeeVanSpliff]

I've only ever used compressed air to blow ballast. If it has any other function I'm too much of a n00b to have figured it out!

I think the CO2 doubles for oxygen for the sailors (the more CO2, the less oxygen)

[raymond6751]

Correct. Compressed air is used to blow water out of the tanks to surface. If you get damaged and are sinking, that might be the only way up. However, if you are badly damaged, you might have to blow and blow.

When the compressed is gone, you are in BIG trouble. The WW2 subs didn't have oxygen for the crew in containers. That is why you see in the movies so much sweat and angst if they are under too long.

Air for the crew came from surfacing, opening hatches, and running the fans and diesel blower.

[Arclight]

I think in RL compressed air was also used to launch torps out of the tubes and to force water out of the ballast tanks, maybe even more. AFAIK, as stated above, in SH4 it is only used for "emergency blow".

[Orion2012]

Originally Posted by Arclight

I think in RL compressed air was also used to launch torps out of the tubes and to force water out of the ballast tanks, maybe even more. AFAIK, as stated above, in SH4 it is only used for "emergency blow".

I don't think it was ever used to launch torpedoes during WW2. Most of the WW2 Torpedos were the Wet-Heater. Injecting a flammable substance into the combustion chamber, and then cooling the combustion chamber with salt water. Some were Lead-Acid batteries which didn't leave a wake, but required constant maintenance and even some experiments with hydrogen-peroxide torpedoes.

Now if only someone had invented the supercavitation torpedo in 1940....the war may have ended totally different....

[Mush Martin]

Originally Posted by Orion2012

I don't think it was ever used to launch torpedoes during WW2. Most of the WW2 Torpedos were the Wet-Heater. Injecting a flammable substance into the combustion chamber, and then cooling the combustion chamber with salt water. Some were Lead-Acid batteries which didn't leave a wake, but required constant maintenance and even some experiments with hydrogen-peroxide torpedoes.

Now if only someone had invented the supercavitation torpedo in 1940....the war may have ended totally different....

Pphhh anyone can do that



but theres always another mind on the other side working up
a hydrofoil freighter.

lifes like that

I think you maybe misunderstand he meant compressed air to
initially launch the torpedo from its tube not compresssed
air to power the torpedo that goes way way back to when
I was a rookie.

[edit] I think compressed air is poorly labled in shiv

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by Orion2012

I don't think it was ever used to launch torpedoes during WW2. Most of the WW2 Torpedos were the Wet-Heater. Injecting a flammable substance into the combustion chamber, and then cooling the combustion chamber with salt water. Some were Lead-Acid batteries which didn't leave a wake, but required constant maintenance and even some experiments with hydrogen-peroxide torpedoes.

Now if only someone had invented the supercavitation torpedo in 1940....the war may have ended totally different....

Yes, compressed air was indeed used to launch the torpedoes. Wet-heater and battery describe the torpedo's propulsion system, but for those to operate the torpedo had to be ejected from the tube first. Compressed air was the preferred method.
http://www.maritime.org/fleetsub/air/chap2.htm#2A

[Arclight]

Yeah, I ment compressed air to get the fish out the tube, after which it's own propulsion would take over, but I guess that was already cleared up.

Thanks guys, don't even need to clarify my own posts any more. :rotfl:

How about waste disposal? Was compressed air used for the trash shute, or the toilets?

[SteamWake]

Originally Posted by Arclight

Yeah, I ment compressed air to get the fish out the tube, after which it's own propulsion would take over, but I guess that was already cleared up.

Thanks guys, don't even need to clarify my own posts any more. :rotfl:

How about waste disposal? Was compressed air used for the trash shute, or the toilets?

I beleive the trash was tossed over the side. Toilets.. dunno good question. How does one flush a toilet that is below the waterline?

[Seminole]

I've never yet encountered a situation in SH4 where compressed air became a critical survial issue. So..from that limited point of view I guess you could say that it is pretty much cosmetic. There always is enough compressed air for daily operations it seems.

I recall ,way back in AOTD, where compressed air was often a very critical issue when trying to beat the clock, effecting repairs, before time ran out. When the air gave out... then down into the depths your boat went.

It would have been nice to have that modeled in SH4.

[Diopos]

Originally Posted by Seminole

...
I recall ,way back in AOTD, where compressed air was often a very critical issue when trying to beat the clock, effecting repairs, before time ran out. When the air gave out... then down into the depths your boat went.

It would have been nice to have that modeled in SH4.

That's exactly why I asked!

So I gather the real question is was compressed air so important actually and were U-boats different from fleet boats in this aspect.

[Seminole]

I wouldn't think so....about there being a difference. Compressed air was vital for both in the real world.

It just that real world facts don't always get translated into the gaming world. Sometimes yes. sometimes no.

[Diopos]

Can't avoid commenting on how a DOSy gamlet (compared to modern monster sims) could give you more parameters to play around eh!

Anyway onwards with the patrol!
BTW I really enjoy the game and the excellent sunsets too!

Compressed air is something you never think about until you run out. Try to crash dvie and blow ballast a bunch of times and see if you can run out the air.