Naval History Forums

One thing that shouldn't be overlooked is that Richelieu is almost 20% longer than South Dakota so is a bigger target. With that considered, my database calculates that they are about equal defensively (Richelieu 4% better). However, offensively, South Dakota has a large advantage. Her shells are al...

The KGV had en echelon machinery distribution for better survivability. Listing from fore to aft, they had boilers, then turbines, more boilers, and finally more turbines. With this distribution, there was less chance that a single hit would take out all of the boilers or all of the turbines. Theref...

I have recently completed an animated map of these two interlocking convoy operations. I find that animated maps provide needed insights into complex actions; it is the only way that you can easily visualize the geometry of things happening simultaneously in both convoys. However, I have been unable...

The six U-boats were shipped by truck (with weights like engines removed) on the autobahn from Dresden on the Elbe River to Regensburg on the Danube, then sailed down the Danube to the Black Sea. The six were all Type IIB; numbers 9, 18,19, 20, 23 and 25. They operated seemingly without much result ...

That could be. The US Navy had little contact with the Luftwaffe. Some later Japanese planes like George and Frank were more rugged than previous planes but still not up to the standard of Thunderbolts, Corsairs, or Hellcats. I would, however, equate those Japanese planes' ruggedness with the Bf 109...

I'll have to find my more primary sources of reduced tracer use. Meanwhile, I have a question about one of your statements. You said "The mounting of guns in the wings was actually more limiting of range than anything else, as convergence was necessary to inflict maximum damage at the point of ...

tommy303 - Before discussing tracers, I should clarify two previous points. When pilots in open cockpits heard enemy gunfire, it wasn't the guns firing that they heard but rather the bullet breaking the sound barrier as it flew by. Also, don't confuse incendiary rounds with tracers, incendiaries wer...

It looks like my Soviet suggestion wasn't needed. However, I thought of a couple of other things that made WII aerial combat different. They probably aren't news to you but may be new to others who may read these posts. Because of the greater numbers, speed, and ranges, not only the identity of the ...

I'm not surprised that you were able to find a few classical WWI type duels but will be if you find very many others documented. Also, even if some exist, they may not be documented since, at longer ranges and without elaborate paint jobs to identify planes, you didn't know who you were fighting. I ...

I think that the main problem is that WWII didn't have dogfights in the WWI sense. In fact, pilots who persisted in attempting WWI type dogfights were soon dead pilots. The sheer number of planes were mentioned in other posts but, as important, was the difference in conditions. WWI combat was a much...

As far as I know, the fuel storage shouldn't have been a problem. The fuel is normal jet fuel which is kerosene. Kerosene is no where near as volatile as avgas, aviation gasoline for piston engines, for example. Of course, that limited volatility means that the effect of crashing into a target is le...

It depends on the ship. The warhead won't arm so any damage will be from the kinetic impact and any fire from unburned fuel. If the impact is to the target's center of mass and thus hits the target's side, the effect will probably be minimal. Even if it penetrates, the fire can probably be contained...

I plugged your forces into the battle evaluation functionality of my naval database. You didn't specify what two destroyers were with Sussex and Shropshire so I used two F class DDs. Since you said that the Ark Royal group would arrive later, I ignored them. I don't know what you used to decide how ...

synthesim - The procedure that you were describing of men being moved to port and then starboard to measure the angle of list resulting is a crude method of an inclination test. This is normally done with a very large water-filled cylinder, not a lot of men. The purpose is not to weigh the ship but ...

Thanks for the answers, guys. I was aware that the spent cartridges were dumped through a port under the turret overhang. I was also aware that, for small guns, they were just dumped on the deck. I have even seen photos of sailors sweeping a path through them for the ammo passers. However, I can't i...