RUb 1.43 and Flak gun effective range

Pablo · 09-06-05, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joea

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pablo

Hi!

The Oerlikon 20mm cannon (used on naval vessels) had an effective range of about 1000 yards. This weapon is in the same class (barrel length, muzzle velocity, and fire control) as the 20mm AA used on U-boats, so 1000 yards looks right for those systems. AA using 37mm cannons would have a somewhat greater effective range.

As a reference, check out the After Action Report of USS Enterprise for the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands (October 1942) here, where the commander asks for an increase in the 1000 yard effective range of 20mm cannon to better help deal with dive bomber attacks.

Pablo

Ummm Pablo, I doubt the u-boats were a very effective AA platform and in no way comparable to a large warship like a CV or a BB with dozens of light AA. They were not stable, had no fire control (for the 37mm) and as I said lacked the numbers. I managed to down a Swordfish with the nerfed RuB AA guns but would not try to take on a Catalina.

Hi!

I believe you are correct that U-boats were not an effective AA platform compared to surface ships, and that this was due in part to the limited number of AA weapons available; however, I am making a distinction between "effective range" and "overall effectiveness."

While a ship is generally a more stable gun platform, it's not clear to me that is true while ships are avoiding air attack - given that SH3 U-boat guns can't be operated in rough seas. As it happens, the Enterprise gunnery officer noted in his report on the Battle of the Eastern Solomons (August, 1942) (here) noted:

- the 20mm gunners were using local control and tracer ammunition (just as SH3 U-boats do)
- target deflection was next to nothing (the attackers were coming straight at them) which resulted in very accurate fire. This is generally the case in SH3, where the aircraft come straight at you.
- the ship was shaken violently by hits and near-misses.

The Enterprise commander also notes (here) the ship was the ship was making radical maneuvers (speed >27 knots, with maximum rudder) to throw off the aim of the enemy dive bombers while the 20mm guns were firing. It is under the above conditions that the effective range of 20mm Oerlikons was judged to be about 1,000 yards; I should point out that radical maneuvers at maximum speed are a good way to throw off the aim of enemy aircraft in SH3 as well.

The difference is, as you pointed out, that a capital ship has lots of 20mm (and other caliber weapons) going, as well as supporting fire from other ships in the fleet, while the U-boat has just a few 20mm and maybe a 37mm gun. I think Jace's Airpower mod (included in RUb) makes aircarft more suitably resistant to the effects of 20mm cannon fire so that I personally use default settings for the Academy, but when I'm playing a campaign I try to dive rather than fight it out on the surface. If I'm damaged, it's back to the surface for a fight to the finish.

Pablo