Thermal Layers

Finback · 02-09-07, 06:06 PM

I believe thermal layers are modelled in SH3 for the same reason StandingCow states.

Thermal Layers are Very Dynamic. Weather has a huge impact on where they are or if they exist at all. There can actually be multiple thermal layers in the same area (existing at certain depths of course). From my experience in SH3 (and i pre-ordered and still play it a lot) is that the Dev Team may have even modelled the "Afternoon Effect". The afternoon effect is a layer created right around periscope depth on very sunny days. The sun warms the surface of the water creating a very shallow layer. On afternoon attacks on bright days, I have sometimes gottn away undetected by staying at periscope depth and slinking away--even 1942 and later...

Layers work because the rapid temperature differential creates a dense Salinity layer. It's the layer of dense salt that reflects sound, not temperature itself.

StandingCow · 02-09-07, 06:17 PM

Adds a bit more importance to the weather report you get from your watch crew too.

Warm, sunny = low dive might be best.

Stormy = Dive deep and run silent.

Finback · 02-11-07, 12:11 AM

It works for me but not always and be fore-warded...when it doesn't work it means you've got an angry escort coming at you within sptting distance--not good when you're at periscope depth

. So--use this tactic at your own risk. Being responsible for more than the boat I'm skippering would just be more burden than I could bear

.

If you try it, let me know how it works for you!

High Voltage · 02-11-07, 01:15 AM

U-boaters were definitely aware of the thermocline and more than one has mad reference to ducking under it to escape detection. This was especially noticeable when the enemy was using ASDIC, as thermal layers sometimes completely blocked out "the pitter-patter of raindrops" on the ship's hull.

FYI for those not familiar, ASDIC was often reported as sounding like rain or gentle tapping.

I would be curious to get a definitive answer as to whether or not this feature does in fact exist in SH3...

Cheers,

jhelix70 · 02-14-07, 05:55 PM

Quote:

I would be curious to get a definitive answer as to whether or not this feature does in fact exist in SH3...

Even if they exist, you can't know that they are there without instrumentation. I'm not sure if Uboats were so equipped.

For US subs at least, they were (after a certain stage of the war) equipped with bathythermographs, simple devices to monitor water temperature outside the sub. So the skipper could actually be aware of a gradient and use it to hide under. This was in fact implemeted in SHI, so there is no excuse in my mind for it not being in SH4.

flintlock · 02-14-07, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhelix70

Even if they exist, you can't know that they are there without instrumentation. I'm not sure if Uboats were so equipped.

Although not an exact science and somewhat crude, a thermometor would tell them if they were inadvertently passing through one. There's a link contained in a post above to an audio interview with Jürgen Oesten, if you care to listen.

FUBAR295 · 02-14-07, 06:27 PM

All this reminds me of the thermal layer discussions when SH2 was out.

The technical aspects of thermal layers should be read by everyone so you get a good understanding on how the work. Heres the link:

http://uboat.net/articles/index.html?article=45

Good Hunting,
FUBAR

02-09-07, 06:06 PM	#1
Finback Electrician's Mate Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 138 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I believe thermal layers are modelled in SH3 for the same reason StandingCow states. Thermal Layers are Very Dynamic. Weather has a huge impact on where they are or if they exist at all. There can actually be multiple thermal layers in the same area (existing at certain depths of course). From my experience in SH3 (and i pre-ordered and still play it a lot) is that the Dev Team may have even modelled the "Afternoon Effect". The afternoon effect is a layer created right around periscope depth on very sunny days. The sun warms the surface of the water creating a very shallow layer. On afternoon attacks on bright days, I have sometimes gottn away undetected by staying at periscope depth and slinking away--even 1942 and later... Layers work because the rapid temperature differential creates a dense Salinity layer. It's the layer of dense salt that reflects sound, not temperature itself. __________________ Past Hatteras the convoys sail, It seems the Allies will prevail. Churchill and Franklin share a grin, They know who's gonna win this sim. Finback

02-09-07, 06:17 PM	#2
StandingCow Weps Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 355 Downloads: 17 Uploads: 0	Adds a bit more importance to the weather report you get from your watch crew too. Warm, sunny = low dive might be best. Stormy = Dive deep and run silent. __________________

02-11-07, 12:11 AM	#3
Finback Electrician's Mate Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 138 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	It works for me but not always and be fore-warded...when it doesn't work it means you've got an angry escort coming at you within sptting distance--not good when you're at periscope depth . So--use this tactic at your own risk. Being responsible for more than the boat I'm skippering would just be more burden than I could bear . If you try it, let me know how it works for you! __________________ Past Hatteras the convoys sail, It seems the Allies will prevail. Churchill and Franklin share a grin, They know who's gonna win this sim. Finback

02-11-07, 01:15 AM	#4
High Voltage Chief Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: U-33. Depth Charges...sinking.. Posts: 325 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	U-boaters were definitely aware of the thermocline and more than one has mad reference to ducking under it to escape detection. This was especially noticeable when the enemy was using ASDIC, as thermal layers sometimes completely blocked out "the pitter-patter of raindrops" on the ship's hull. FYI for those not familiar, ASDIC was often reported as sounding like rain or gentle tapping. I would be curious to get a definitive answer as to whether or not this feature does in fact exist in SH3... Cheers, __________________ The new-moon night is black as ink. Off Hatteras the tankers sink. While sadly Roosevelt counts the score-- Some fifty thousand tons--by MOHR

02-14-07, 06:27 PM	#7
FUBAR295 Krusty Krab Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Decks awash in the North Atlantic Posts: 1,450 Downloads: 493 Uploads: 0	All this reminds me of the thermal layer discussions when SH2 was out. The technical aspects of thermal layers should be read by everyone so you get a good understanding on how the work. Heres the link: http://uboat.net/articles/index.html?article=45 Good Hunting, FUBAR __________________ Good judgment comes from experience. Unfortunately, the experience usually comes from bad judgment.