Search found 382 matches

by pgollin
Sun Nov 19, 2023 8:24 pm
Forum: Naval Technology
Topic: Naval communications in WWII
Replies: 6
Views: 12674

Re: Naval communications in WWII

. The RN used "ordinary" land (sea) to air voice sets, but later used US supplied TBS sets. Various messages were coded/cyphered, ranging from simple card codes through daily codes and Typex and Typex/CCM (this was compatible with the US ECH Mark II). In addition lots of code names, code p...
by pgollin
Fri May 27, 2022 10:49 am
Forum: Bismarck General Discussion
Topic: Was the battleship Bismarck really the best of its time?
Replies: 220
Views: 60253

Re: Was the battleship Bismarck really the best of its time?

. Yet again. As everyone know, but for some reason seems to forget, there were NO, repeat NO, absolute measures of either shell "strength"/"penetration", or armour "strength"/"resistance". These were only really measured on a nation, by nation, basis of firing...
by pgollin
Fri Sep 03, 2021 9:04 am
Forum: Bismarck General Discussion
Topic: The so-called "GKdos100"
Replies: 12
Views: 4268

Re: The so-called "GKdos100"

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Thank-you, Jose
by pgollin
Fri Apr 23, 2021 12:07 pm
Forum: Bismarck General Discussion
Topic: Raumotters to the Rescue
Replies: 26
Views: 4249

Re: Raumotters to the Rescue

. Most (all ?) WW2 battleships had paravanes and cutters which they could stream to help protect themselves. Each navy used their own favoured system of deploying them. Examples are the "original" trawler-like way of streaming from the fo'c'sle, but due to the large draught of most battles...
by pgollin
Tue Apr 20, 2021 11:21 am
Forum: Bismarck General Discussion
Topic: bismark-after torpedo hit
Replies: 208
Views: 35826

Re: bismark-after torpedo hit

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A paravane is streamlined, which is not what is wanted. You need drag, which in those seas is a disaster for the towing rig.

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by pgollin
Mon Apr 19, 2021 10:59 am
Forum: Bismarck General Discussion
Topic: bismark-after torpedo hit
Replies: 208
Views: 35826

Re: bismark-after torpedo hit

. Paravanes (pairs) made the modernised British battleships and KGVs lose 1 to 2 knots depending on which set-up was used. The other (possibly) available minesweeping item available might be an otter board (used in some minesweping arrangements) but again this would have a very small effect. What ha...
by pgollin
Tue Apr 13, 2021 10:24 am
Forum: Bismarck General Discussion
Topic: bismark-after torpedo hit
Replies: 208
Views: 35826

Re: bismark-after torpedo hit

. The British (and presumably all other mariime nations) had properly designed ocean going tugs, however they were built for producing pull and manoeverably rather than speed. The real problem was the size of the seas and the strength/durability of the cables. Passing the cables would be difficult, ...
by pgollin
Mon Mar 22, 2021 1:31 pm
Forum: Naval Technology
Topic: Idiots guide to....
Replies: 13
Views: 3243

Re: Idiots guide to....

. Contrary to what many interested parties imply, in WW2 (and earlier) there was NO absolute measure of the properties of shell, versus armour (and vice versa). Yes there were acurate measures of metallurgy, hardnesses, etc... but these were not definitive as they were usually destructive and only s...
by pgollin
Sat Mar 06, 2021 9:55 am
Forum: Bismarck General Discussion
Topic: Bismarck's propulsion damage
Replies: 10
Views: 3082

Re: Bismarck's propulsion damage

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Excellent - I never knew that footage existed.

Thanks.

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by pgollin
Thu Mar 04, 2021 11:48 am
Forum: Bismarck General Discussion
Topic: Bismarck's propulsion damage
Replies: 10
Views: 3082

Re: Bismarck's propulsion damage

. Only a grain of truth in the story. ABC said in a letter that the rear placement of the "Queen Anne Mansions" led to a certain amount of windage. however that anyone with a knowledge of sailing a dinghy should be able to handle the ships. The poor handling "story" came about wh...
by pgollin
Wed Oct 21, 2020 3:26 pm
Forum: Naval History (1922-1945)
Topic: Bouncing bombs against ships
Replies: 7
Views: 2335

Re: Bouncing bombs against ships

. Highball was highly rated, after tests the RAF assessed them as twice as effective as torpedoes, and the aircraft attacked at a much higher speed. When 618 squadron was sent to the Far East they took three hooked photo-reconnaissance which were rated for multiple arrested landings and the Highball...
by pgollin
Mon Sep 21, 2020 12:15 pm
Forum: Naval Technology
Topic: Tonnage and Displacement
Replies: 16
Views: 19287

Re: Tonnage and Displacement

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And, just as a gentle reminder, the displacement will vary with the density of the water that the ship is floating in (see, for instance "plimsoll line")

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by pgollin
Thu May 14, 2020 9:50 am
Forum: Bismarck General Discussion
Topic: The Swordfish's Torpedo misses Bismarck
Replies: 17
Views: 4916

Re: The Swordfish's Torpedo misses Bismarck

Were the RN submarine patrols outside Brest at this time ? Would Bismarck go to Brest or Saint-Nazaire to repair the bow damage ? What destroyers were based in Portsmouth and Devonport that carried torpedoes and could attack ? Would Bletchley Park decode the instructions to Luftwaffe units to protec...
by pgollin
Sat Mar 14, 2020 11:14 am
Forum: Bismarck General Discussion
Topic: Clerical issues
Replies: 3
Views: 2061

Re: Clerical issues

. Needless to say Bill, I (at least, and I suspect many more) fully support you and am treating the above post as it deserves. Thanks for your attempts to keep the board balanced and working properly. ( I won't repeat this under either other of the two posts, but the same spirit applies. ) Good luck...
by pgollin
Sun Feb 16, 2020 4:01 pm
Forum: Bismarck General Discussion
Topic: A correct attribution for the "Flash Effect" photo?
Replies: 343
Views: 57663

Re: A correct attribution for the "Flash Effect" photo?

. ...... Still, no complete reconstruction can be built using your assumptions, due to other conflicting evidences. ..... . [/i] And that is the problem ! IF you ignore the facts then ; First, your claims will be ignored. Second, by ignoring facts you will be seen to be biased. Third, by making inf...