What is the average range that a crew could spot an Airplane in RL?

GoldenRivet · 04-16-07, 05:40 PM

I read an account of a bomber pilot who figured that these subs were hearing the planes THEN seeing them.

So he went up above a scattered layer of clouds and would chop the power to idle and glide down to 500 to 1000 feet above the sea. during the glide his men would be looking for anything out of the ordinary.

One day, using this tactic his men spotted a U-boat during the glide. He was coming down at idle power straight down on them. With the crew's eyes scanning the horizon they neglected to see the aircraft almost directly above them until he throttled up to come out of the quiet gliding dive.

VROOOOM!!!!

im sure it scared the hell out of the watch crew as they looked up to see a medium twin engine aircraft larger than life thunder past their heads.

I believe the bombs delivered a direct impact and sank the sub.

had a similar event just about an hour ago in GWX. a small twin engine bomber - sorry didnt have time to get his license plate number - pulled off a nice sneak attack on us at dawn.

Full watch crew on deck. suddenly there are huge splashes straddling the U-boat blasting water skyward... followed by the sound of engines revving up... followed by the sound of my watch officer yelling "AIRCRAFT SPOTTED".

My heart started racing... after a couple of seconds of shock i snapped out of it and ordered a crash dive. the boat suffered only light damage.

04-16-07, 05:40 PM	#17
GoldenRivet Subsim Aviator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 8,729 Downloads: 146 Uploads: 0	I read an account of a bomber pilot who figured that these subs were hearing the planes THEN seeing them. So he went up above a scattered layer of clouds and would chop the power to idle and glide down to 500 to 1000 feet above the sea. during the glide his men would be looking for anything out of the ordinary. One day, using this tactic his men spotted a U-boat during the glide. He was coming down at idle power straight down on them. With the crew's eyes scanning the horizon they neglected to see the aircraft almost directly above them until he throttled up to come out of the quiet gliding dive. VROOOOM!!!! im sure it scared the hell out of the watch crew as they looked up to see a medium twin engine aircraft larger than life thunder past their heads. I believe the bombs delivered a direct impact and sank the sub. had a similar event just about an hour ago in GWX. a small twin engine bomber - sorry didnt have time to get his license plate number - pulled off a nice sneak attack on us at dawn. Full watch crew on deck. suddenly there are huge splashes straddling the U-boat blasting water skyward... followed by the sound of engines revving up... followed by the sound of my watch officer yelling "AIRCRAFT SPOTTED". My heart started racing... after a couple of seconds of shock i snapped out of it and ordered a crash dive. the boat suffered only light damage.