Search found 3150 matches

by Dave Saxton
Tue Oct 18, 2005 12:24 am
Forum: Hypothetical Naval Scenarios
Topic: Tirpitz instead of Scharnhorst in North Cape
Replies: 65
Views: 34507

The Germans seem to have been determined to complete the mission, regardless of the difficulties. They, having been repelled intially, attempted to re-engage the convoy at least twice more. Only after Group North determined through decoded radio intercepts, that DoY was moving in for the kill, did t...
by Dave Saxton
Tue Sep 20, 2005 1:52 am
Forum: Naval History (1922-1945)
Topic: Yamato's fuel situation-Nov 42?
Replies: 16
Views: 18467

I need to make a correction to my above post. During operation Sportpalst Tirpitz operated with three DD's, not two. All three DD's were detatched to Tromso to refuel on March 8th, or after two days at sea. Friedrich Ihn rejoined Tirpitz at sea at 0645 on March 9th. Assuming, Tirpitz started with a ...
by Dave Saxton
Sun Sep 18, 2005 5:57 pm
Forum: Naval History (1922-1945)
Topic: Yamato's fuel situation-Nov 42?
Replies: 16
Views: 18467

KGV was rated with a fuel consumption of .57 tons per mile at 16 knots. This is less than Yamato's rating 19 knots, but the rating is taken at 16 knots. The fuel consumption is probably about the same at 19 knots, or .75 tons/mile. I can't find any data on a KGV class fuel consumption at 27-28 knots...
by Dave Saxton
Sun Sep 18, 2005 5:23 pm
Forum: Naval History (1922-1945)
Topic: Yamato's fuel situation-Nov 42?
Replies: 16
Views: 18467

Thanks for the link Richard. I haven't seen that essay before. It's very interesting. I have found some fuel consumption data for Musashi. At 19 knots Musashi consumed .75 tons per mile. This actually looks to be outstanding fuel economy for a battleship, especially one as big. However, at 27 knots ...
by Dave Saxton
Wed Sep 14, 2005 3:09 am
Forum: Naval History (1922-1945)
Topic: Yamato's fuel situation-Nov 42?
Replies: 16
Views: 18467

Yamato's fuel situation-Nov 42?

Does anybody know anything about Yamato's fuel situation in the fall of 1942? I'm just thinking about why the worlds most powerful battleship at that time, sat out the whole Guadalcanal campaign. I know that the ship was built on the rational of the decisive battle doctrine, but this campaign was th...
by Dave Saxton
Wed Sep 07, 2005 9:21 pm
Forum: Hypothetical Naval Scenarios
Topic: Missouri and Wisconsin instead of POW and Repulse!
Replies: 5
Views: 3614

Re: Iowas instead of POW and Repulse

I wish the Brits had run into Kongo and Haruna. POW should have been able to handle them. It would have depended largely on the visabilty and sea conditions, ignoring the possible impact of Kondo's additional screening forces, and their long lance torpedoes, and just looking at a long range gun bat...
by Dave Saxton
Tue Sep 06, 2005 7:54 pm
Forum: Hypothetical Naval Scenarios
Topic: Missouri and Wisconsin instead of POW and Repulse!
Replies: 5
Views: 3614

I think the result is the same. The big problem is lack of air cover. Freindly fighters were essential in the face of determined, extensive, and prolonged air attack in the survival of surface ships by 1941. No matter the capabilties of the ships. RAF fighters were only 150 miles away, but nobody in...
by Dave Saxton
Mon May 23, 2005 2:35 am
Forum: Bismarck General Discussion
Topic: Bismarck construction flaws
Replies: 397
Views: 284347

........ . I can't help thinking they just eliminated one feature without regard for its relationship to the rest of the system. Such a mistake from an overworked and underqualified design bureau would not surprise me. Note that I am depending heavily on Breyer. Any thoughts? Does this make sense? ...
by Dave Saxton
Wed May 04, 2005 3:00 am
Forum: Naval Technology
Topic: Armor schemes: "All or nothing'' vs. ''Incremental"
Replies: 13
Views: 11672

One way to examine the various trade offs is to look at what the Royal Navy did with their later day designs. Nelson and Rodney incorporated all it's heavy guns into three turrets to shorten the citadel, and while the main armoured deck extended almost to the ships sides, the rather shallow sloped b...
by Dave Saxton
Wed Apr 27, 2005 12:53 am
Forum: Hypothetical Naval Scenarios
Topic: Tirpitz instead of Scharnhorst in North Cape
Replies: 65
Views: 34507

There are many variables that may effect a warships night fighting capabilty, beyond it's equipment. A case in point are the night battles fought between the USN and the IJN in the waters around Guadalcanal. The IJN didn't have radar and the USN did. Moreover, the USN probably had more advanced fire...
by Dave Saxton
Tue Apr 19, 2005 7:23 am
Forum: Hypothetical Naval Scenarios
Topic: Tirpitz instead of Scharnhorst in North Cape
Replies: 65
Views: 34507

It was all about the radars

Many people are not aware of just how apalling the weather conditions were. There was a force 10 gale blowing with huge seas. This was probably why Bey detached the destroyers. They just couldn't keep up. There were intermitant snow storms of great intensisity. Moreover, at those lattitudes, at that...
by Dave Saxton
Tue Apr 19, 2005 6:49 am
Forum: Hypothetical Naval Scenarios
Topic: Operation Rheinübung: Hypothetical Scenarios
Replies: 7
Views: 4953

Hypotheticals involving Tirpitz

While it's fun to speculate the possibilties had Tirpitz sailed, the most realistic involvement of Tirpitz, would have been if the operation had been postponed until the fall. Tirpitz was actually much less battle ready than Prince Of Wales was. Tirpitz didn't really start sea trials until March 194...
by Dave Saxton
Wed Apr 06, 2005 12:41 am
Forum: Naval Weapons
Topic: 1921 firing trials against Baden
Replies: 145
Views: 191302

Many compositions list only the most common elements. One analysis of KC I have seen, doesn't even mention the carbon. Most listings of HY don't mention the copper. One of the samples taken from Tirpitz indicates yet another variation on the theme. This plate is somewhat of a mystery as to where it ...
by Dave Saxton
Tue Apr 05, 2005 4:07 pm
Forum: Naval Weapons
Topic: 1921 firing trials against Baden
Replies: 145
Views: 191302

Re: Anecdotes About The Baden Trials

Hi Marty, What I'm commenting on is the fact that the British late teens early 20's cemented armour was found slightly superior to WWI Krupp KC, and probably implies that the British plate was very good. This seems more likely to me than the Krupp KC was much sub-par. Given no possible shortages as ...
by Dave Saxton
Mon Apr 04, 2005 3:50 pm
Forum: Naval Weapons
Topic: 1921 firing trials against Baden
Replies: 145
Views: 191302

What may be going on here, is that British steel is not being given it's due credit. The British have always produced armour plates (particularly cemented armour) of outstanding quality. I recall reading discussions about how British face hardened plates out performed contempory American Class A exa...