Search found 3150 matches

by Dave Saxton
Sun Jun 07, 2020 3:31 am
Forum: Hypothetical Naval Scenarios
Topic: Leyte gulf
Replies: 16
Views: 4228

Re: Leyte gulf

I’m taking a more historical perspective rather than assuming that US carriers do not exist. Instead since the hypothetical assumes Musashi is still available, I am taking it as Musashi isn’t sunk or significantly damaged by the carrier strikes. I think looking at the various angles from this basis ...
by Dave Saxton
Tue May 26, 2020 11:24 pm
Forum: Naval History (1922-1945)
Topic: Damage to German warships in Brest
Replies: 13
Views: 2831

Re: Damage to German warships in Brest

One book on the Atlantic Ports reports that Scharnhorst completed repairs by Nov, 1, 1941, by bringing in extra technicians from Germany and also the U-boat repair facilities at the Biscay ports. Another source specifically reads that the Gneisenau was declared fully operational in the OKM briefing ...
by Dave Saxton
Tue May 26, 2020 10:35 pm
Forum: Naval History (1922-1945)
Topic: Damage to German warships in Brest
Replies: 13
Views: 2831

Re: Damage to German warships in Brest

Schmalenbach included a drawing detailing the damage to PG in his Under 3 Flags book (pg142). The bomb hit just inboard of the intersection of the oberdeck and the side plating. A few inches outboard and it would have missed. A few feet inboard and the damage probably would not have been as signific...
by Dave Saxton
Tue May 26, 2020 4:00 pm
Forum: Naval Technology
Topic: Nagato protection
Replies: 38
Views: 8236

Re: Nagato protection

I also have primary documentation on ST52:

Tensile 53.3kg/mm^
Yield 37kg/mm^
Elongation: 32.4% (in what length is not given)
by Dave Saxton
Tue May 26, 2020 3:52 pm
Forum: Naval Technology
Topic: Nagato protection
Replies: 38
Views: 8236

Re: Nagato protection

I have primary documentation of the WW2 D steel mechanical properties.

D above 20 lbs thickness: Tensile: 74,000 psi, Yield: 66,000 psi, Elongation: in 8" 17% C content: 0.26%-0.36%
DW: Tensile: 70,000 pSI, Yield: 42,000 psi, Elongation in 8": 17%, C content: 0.23%
by Dave Saxton
Sun May 24, 2020 2:38 pm
Forum: Bismarck General Discussion
Topic: The Swordfish's Torpedo misses Bismarck
Replies: 17
Views: 4660

Re: The Swordfish's Torpedo misses Bismarck

It was not until September that attacks on the German warships were resumed with each quarter moon phase, obviously only at night. The attacks were much larger in scale with about 150 bombers per raid, and included more and more four engine heavy bombers carrying more and/or larger bombs. Moreover, ...
by Dave Saxton
Sun May 24, 2020 2:34 pm
Forum: Bismarck General Discussion
Topic: The Swordfish's Torpedo misses Bismarck
Replies: 17
Views: 4660

Re: The Swordfish's Torpedo misses Bismarck

July 23. The location of Scharnhorst had been confirmed by a recon flight on July 23 in La Pallice, 200 miles to the south. Scharnhorst was running machinery trials there. Some secondary sources claim that the scheduled night raid on Brest was moved to the next day to ensure hits in an attempt to si...
by Dave Saxton
Sun May 24, 2020 2:31 pm
Forum: Bismarck General Discussion
Topic: The Swordfish's Torpedo misses Bismarck
Replies: 17
Views: 4660

Re: The Swordfish's Torpedo misses Bismarck

The first raid against S&G occurred on the night of March 30/31. 109 bombers were sent. They scored no hits. Examination of the bomb fragments indicated the use of armor piercing bombs, leaving no question of the intentions. April raids on Brest: April 3/4 90 bombers. Target area not found. 3 lo...
by Dave Saxton
Sun May 24, 2020 2:28 pm
Forum: Bismarck General Discussion
Topic: The Swordfish's Torpedo misses Bismarck
Replies: 17
Views: 4660

Re: The Swordfish's Torpedo misses Bismarck

Regarding the question of how Bismarck may have fared in French Atlantic ports, and the capabilities during 1941 of RAF Bomber Command: During the last few years I have been interested in researching Bomber Command’s operations during 1941. I was surprised by some of the findings. The arrival of S&a...
by Dave Saxton
Wed Apr 15, 2020 4:19 pm
Forum: Naval History (1922-1945)
Topic: Updating the KGV class
Replies: 77
Views: 12030

Re: Updating the KGV class

Accounts of Prince of Wales operations in the tropics indicate that the KGV's were poorly suited for operations in such environments. They were not equipped with air conditioning and ventilation below decks was poor. In fact the crew engaged in unauthorized ventilation improvements which probably co...
by Dave Saxton
Tue Apr 07, 2020 4:11 pm
Forum: Naval History (1922-1945)
Topic: Updating the KGV class
Replies: 77
Views: 12030

Re: Updating the KGV class

Thanks to you both for the info, it makes interesting reading. I'm sorry that I have strayed way off topic here,perhaps it should go back to the 'Shell v Armour topic. But as we are here, I'm not sure at what range these tests were carried out, presumably as they were only aiming at a small piece o...
by Dave Saxton
Mon Apr 06, 2020 9:44 pm
Forum: Naval History (1922-1945)
Topic: Updating the KGV class
Replies: 77
Views: 12030

Re: Updating the KGV class

The obsolescence of the British and American battle fleets was driven by foreign developments of more powerful ships and aircraft. Hood's armor is good against Scharnhorst's 11 inch guns but overmatched by the Bismarck's 15 inch guns. I can't see how building 14 inch KGV's and NC's makes the Yamato...
by Dave Saxton
Sun Apr 05, 2020 8:39 pm
Forum: Naval History (1922-1945)
Topic: Updating the KGV class
Replies: 77
Views: 12030

Re: Updating the KGV class

None of the 35,000 ton treaty battleships were worth building in view of the international arms race in the late 1930s. The Japanese were expected to build 16 inch/46,000 ton ships to complement the Nagato class. The Italians already built 15 inch/40,000 ton ships. Then the Bismarck 15 inch/44,000 ...
by Dave Saxton
Sat Apr 04, 2020 3:37 pm
Forum: Naval History (1922-1945)
Topic: Updating the KGV class
Replies: 77
Views: 12030

Re: Updating the KGV class

As an aside, I also asked if the KG's had been built with 12 x!4" (and all working properly!) would they have been a match for most of the ships of other countries, except perhaps the Iowas and Yamatos? They didn't need 12- 14" guns to match up with contemporary battleships. They matched ...