Question conerning geck gun attacks

[John W. Hamm]

From time to time I read that some parts of ships are not as well protected and by placing a well aimed shot depending on the type of ship, you can sink them with ease, I use the newest verion of RFB.

The issue is I attacked a medium old freighter I had only 1 torpedo left so I took aim and hit at the rear of the ship near the prop, she took on a bit of water and isted according, and she even slowed a souple of knots.

So I was forced to surface and whip out the old deck gun I more than likely put about 82 shots (all I had left) all in the same place (waterline rear right by the propellers) and would you believe I didn't even put a dent in it !!! not one scratch hell I bet it didn't even bend a screw. needless to say no speed was ever lost. I just thought I might mention this

[UnderseaLcpl]

I have never experienced this repeated phenomenon of taking scores of shells to sink a ship but with some of the sinking mechanics mods I may not be aware of it could be possible.

Aiming for the stern is a bad idea for quick sinking. Aim for the bow, in my experience. It seems very much like their props drive them underwater in sometimes spectacular imitations of crash dives.

Also "the waterline" is a bit nebulous to me. I almost always aim for exactly where the hull and the water meet but I suspect that a shell can hit the water and pass through it to strike even lower. In calm seas if the holes you make don't go underwater at least fairly frequently, she will sink much more slowly.

[schurem]

Actually, with some practice, you should be able to consistently put shells into your target at two to three feet below the waterline.

Don't put all your shells in the same spot, but after about seven shots, shift your aim a bit. There's the bow to aim for, and another good target is her boiler room, below the funnel.

Good luck and have fun!

[Schroeder]

Odd that you mentioned that today. I was just about to look through the mod section to learn how to tweak the gunfiles myself after haveing that experience yesterday night:
I had a medium old frighter which I had already hit with 3 (!!!) MK10 torpedoes. It listed heavily but still refused to sink. No way I could finish her off with the deck gun.
Not one scratch after 50 rounds (!!!) most of them close to the waterline or (as intended) slightly below. No matter what ammo I used the hull wasn't breached.
And reloading times of almost 30sec per round seems a bit slow to me too.


I'm using RFB 031408 and NSM 4.0.

[Feltan]

In my opinion, RFB (which I use) nerfs deck guns to the point of almost uselessness. In stock, I believe they were too powerful -- but not terribly so.

In RFB, both the damage model and rate-of-fire needs to be bumped up. Historical testimonies simply can't be replicated at all. Sampans taking a couple of dozen 3 or 4 inch shots? Oh please -- they would enter Davey Jones Locker with one or two.

An unmolested medium frighter is a bit different. I can only recall one historical souce, and it took (IIRC) about 90 shots from the deck gun for a 1500 tonner. However, that was accomplished in about 15 minutes.

Regards,
Feltan

Originally Posted by Feltan

In my opinion, RFB (which I use) nerfs deck guns to the point of almost uselessness. In stock, I believe they were too powerful -- but not terribly so.

In RFB, both the damage model and rate-of-fire needs to be bumped up. Historical testimonies simply can't be replicated at all. Sampans taking a couple of dozen 3 or 4 inch shots? Oh please -- they would enter Davey Jones Locker with one or two.

An unmolested medium frighter is a bit different. I can only recall one historical souce, and it took (IIRC) about 90 shots from the deck gun for a 1500 tonner. However, that was accomplished in about 15 minutes.

Regards,
Feltan

The Deck Guns in Stock are too powerful. I play a roughly stock version (no RFB) and I've taken medium freighters out with between 30-45 shots, depending on where those shots landed.

To topic creator: As I said I play a roughly stock game, don't know if this applies towards RFB but I seem to have better luck with AP rounds below the water line 10-12 confirmed hits, then another10-12 HE rounds into the boiler or command deck.