Search found 882 matches

by Bill Jurens
Fri Jan 07, 2022 9:49 pm
Forum: Bismarck General Discussion
Topic: Bismarck's TDS so abysmal?
Replies: 16
Views: 4974

Re: Bismarck's TDS so abysmal?

Depending, of course, on exactly where the hit(s) might have occurred,properly-operating magnetic exploders would have probably inflicted major damage to the the ship; the torpedo or mine then in effect 'goes around' the side protection system instead of attempting to defeat it directly. I would ant...
by Bill Jurens
Thu Jan 06, 2022 4:10 am
Forum: Bismarck General Discussion
Topic: Bismarck's TDS so abysmal?
Replies: 16
Views: 4974

Re: Bismarck's TDS so abysmal?

To Mssrs: Rico and Nilsson: By my measurement, the height of the 'gap' appears to be around 500 mm. The idea that the bilge keel might serve to 'screen' the side protection system is interesting, but I am not sure whether the advantages of having the torpedo detonate somewhat farther outboard might ...
by Bill Jurens
Mon Jan 03, 2022 8:11 pm
Forum: Bismarck General Discussion
Topic: Bismarck's TDS so abysmal?
Replies: 16
Views: 4974

Re: Bismarck's TDS so abysmal?

My thanks to Herr Nilsson for re-posting the previous correspondence on this. I must admit that I remain somewhat baffled as to exactly how this sort of apparent flaw actually made it through the construction process. There are three primary possiblilities: 1) That the designers of the ship just did...
by Bill Jurens
Sun Dec 19, 2021 1:59 am
Forum: Bismarck General Discussion
Topic: Distance from armor deck to top edge of the barbettes.
Replies: 27
Views: 4498

Re: Distance from armor deck to top edge of the barbettes.

A plausible hypothesis regarding barbette taper (??) It is fairly well accepted that Sharnhorst/Gneisenau were designed so that it would be possible to up-gun them from c.28 cm to 38cm after completion. In that regard, it might have been a good idea to install lower turret structures to handle the l...
by Bill Jurens
Fri Dec 17, 2021 1:42 am
Forum: Bismarck General Discussion
Topic: Distance from armor deck to top edge of the barbettes.
Replies: 27
Views: 4498

Re: Distance from armor deck to top edge of the barbettes.

If I might extend this a bit, I'd like a bit more feedback -- if anyone has any -- regarding the very slight taper of the barbettes. I can't see how the introduction of this very small taper -- which would have greatly complicated manufacture -- could have had any significant effect structurally, an...
by Bill Jurens
Mon Dec 13, 2021 6:22 pm
Forum: Bismarck General Discussion
Topic: Distance from armor deck to top edge of the barbettes.
Replies: 27
Views: 4498

Re: Distance from armor deck to top edge of the barbettes.

I have the same drawings as Mr. Zurbriggen, but unfortunately, my copies are not very legible either. I'd trust his estimates. The even dimension given in Brower seems, at least to me, a little off. There may be some ambiguity regarding the distance revolving around exactly how one defines the "...
by Bill Jurens
Mon Dec 06, 2021 8:45 pm
Forum: Bismarck General Discussion
Topic: Bismarck radar detector
Replies: 139
Views: 15234

Re: Bismarck radar detector

Yes. I wonder if Lütjens had been informed -- perhaps only by highly-secret 'word of mouth' -- that German intelligence had revealed that British radars (including aircraft radars) were capable of a certain performance -- e.g. a detection range exceeding 30 nautical miles -- and further that it was ...
by Bill Jurens
Sun Dec 05, 2021 12:24 am
Forum: Bismarck General Discussion
Topic: Bismarck radar detector
Replies: 139
Views: 15234

Re: Bismarck radar detector

I suppose, at the nub of it, lies the questions regarding how and why Bismarck was able to conclude that she was still being shadowed by -- i.e. was still being tracked by -- British units. Although a good deal has, appropriately, revolved around the supposed interception or detection of radar signa...
by Bill Jurens
Thu Dec 02, 2021 6:53 pm
Forum: Naval Technology
Topic: When it comes to warships, bigger is usually better.
Replies: 26
Views: 3467

Re: When it comes to warships, bigger is usually better.

There is an old aphorism in naval architecture, told to me (independently) by two very-well respected naval architects. "The advantage lies, in increasing size..." This has affected ship design since forever. It's 'baked into the cake'... Generally, the square/cube law results in ships get...
by Bill Jurens
Thu Nov 18, 2021 6:53 pm
Forum: Bismarck General Discussion
Topic: Range of Bismarck's guns
Replies: 17
Views: 5959

Re: Range of Bismarck's guns

You are correct, but the range difference is usually of practical insignificance, as one can easily adjust for ship motion effects by simply adjusting the angle of departure. At extreme ranges, when the angle of departure (at least in theory) approaches 45 degrees, it might be possible for this to m...
by Bill Jurens
Sun Nov 14, 2021 5:19 pm
Forum: Bismarck General Discussion
Topic: Range of Bismarck's guns
Replies: 17
Views: 5959

Re: Range of Bismarck's guns

Tactical issues indeed. So long as the firing ship is engaging off the beam or nearly so, getting a good solution on a target ship on any approaching constant course and speed -- which is the most likely case -- should be relatively straightforward. (the target ship usually remains on a steady cours...
by Bill Jurens
Fri Nov 12, 2021 4:26 pm
Forum: Bismarck General Discussion
Topic: Range of Bismarck's guns
Replies: 17
Views: 5959

Re: Range of Bismarck's guns

I'll take these figures as written, thought it's worth noting that it's generally quite difficult to hit an end-on target in a stern chase, much easier to hit a broadside target at the same range. So, had targets been broadside, hits at longer ranges might have been expected.

Bill Jurens
by Bill Jurens
Mon Nov 01, 2021 4:51 am
Forum: Bismarck General Discussion
Topic: Bismarck - 24 Hours to Doom
Replies: 8
Views: 3453

Re: Bismarck - 24 Hours to Doom

I haven't seen this particular treatment, but can certainly confirm that the historical accuracy of many of these recent 'documentaries' -- if one can dignify them as such in the first place -- is often abysmally low. One problem is that we are now entering a rather brief historical 'window' where m...
by Bill Jurens
Thu Oct 21, 2021 4:22 pm
Forum: Naval History (1922-1945)
Topic: Gun range for 8' British cruiser guns?
Replies: 57
Views: 9297

Re: Gun range for 8' British cruiser guns?

When track chart reconstruction is being attempted, two other factors -- especially in 'chases' should be kept in mind, particularly with respect to WWII technology. One is that visual interference by 'own smoke' can be of some consequence, particularly if firing directly astern or nearly so, insofa...
by Bill Jurens
Sun Oct 17, 2021 8:38 pm
Forum: Naval History (1922-1945)
Topic: Gun range for 8' British cruiser guns?
Replies: 57
Views: 9297

Re: Gun range for 8' British cruiser guns?

Kev D wrote on Sat Oct 16, 2021 10:21 am. I have inserted my own replies in italics between his quotes and questions... "First and foremost, thank your very much for your input, it is much appreciated!" You are more than welcome... "Re your above, given she lost all power upon the fat...