The Fletcher's secret weapon - the spud locker...

[RevRick]

History Channel just showed a program on the Fletcher class DDs. Of course, they won the entire SOPAC campaign by themselves, and without them the entire Pacific War would have been lost -- but the incident recorded earlier about a DD using potatos as a weapon was also reported. OBannion came across a IJN sub on the surface, evidently totally wasted on saki because they didn't even notice the OBannion until it was within potato range. When this secret weapon was employed, those Japanese sailors on the deck watch evidently thought they were some unique form of explosive device, and instead of manning their weapons, began to throw the tuberous missiles over the side, which allowed the DD to pull far enough away to allow other more plebian weapons to depress far enough to be used agains the Sub.

Now gents, how close does a tincan have to be to a target to have a problem because of being unable to depress it's guns far enough to bring them to bear?

[Mr.Frag]

Now gents, how close does a tincan have to be to a target to have a problem because of being unable to depress it's guns far enough to bring them to bear?

Depends on when it took place, the Fletcher class changed a fair bit over the years.

INITIAL 1942 ARMAMENT


Primary: 5 x 5-inch/38 cal. in five single mounts
Long-range anti-aircraft: 4 x 1.1-inch cannon in one quadruple mount
Short-range anti-aircraft: 6 to 13 x 20mm Oerlikon in single mounts
Torpedo Tubes: 10 x 21-inch in two quintuple mounts
ASW: 2 racks for 600-lb. charges; 6 “K”-guns


TYPICAL 1942–43 ARMAMENT


Primary: 5 x 5-inch/38 cal. in five single mounts
Long-range anti-aircraft: 4 x 40mm Bofors in two twin mounts
Short-range anti-aircraft: 6 to 13 x 20mm Oerlikon in single mounts
Torpedo Tubes: 10 x 21-inch in two quintuple mounts
ASW: 2 racks for 600-lb. charges; 6 “K”-guns


TYPICAL 1943–44 ARMAMENT


Primary: 5 x 5-inch/38 cal. in five single mounts
Long-range anti-aircraft: 10 x 40mm Bofors in five twin mounts
Short-range anti-aircraft: 7 x 20mm Oerlikon in single mounts
Torpedo Tubes: 10 x 21-inch in two quintuple mounts
ASW: 2 racks for 600-lb. charges; 6 “K”-guns


1945 REFIT


Primary: 5 x 5-inch/38 cal. in five single mounts
Long-range anti-aircraft: 14 x 40mm Bofors in three twin mounts and two quad mounts
Short-range anti-aircraft: 12 x 20mm Oerlikon in twin mounts
Torpedo Tubes: 5 x 21-inch in one quintuple mounts
ASW: 2 racks for 600-lb. charges; 6 “K”-guns


The 5 inchers being turret based could probably not depress more then 3 degrees, but the other guns would still be free to fire and a quad 40mm Bofors is really going to ruin your day if you are that close.

Here's a a good picture of her:

[Bobthehatchit]

Now gents, how close does a tincan have to be to a target to have a problem because of being unable to depress it's guns far enough to bring them to bear?

More importantly what is the max balistic range of a hand propelled potato?:D

WWII subs were not that large so i doubt they had much hull high above water level, the conning towers were not much over 2-3 meters high, if they were with in potato range they must have been prity dam close!

[Admiral DadMan]

Check out this thread:
Why is THIS STILL not MODELED!?!?!?!


The New UV/WitP weapon to be modelled:

Kartoffelfaust (lit. Potato Fist)


Or, even more literal:

Kartoffelspritzring (lit. Potato Thrower)

Range: 40ft (6M)
Penetration: Only through certain orifices
Effect: Laughable

[Nikademus]

no no no.....dont you have any flair for the dramatic?

I-27 hit by 40mm gun

Belt armor penetrated

Serious damage!

I-27 hit by 3in potato

Tower armor penetrated

***SPUDTACULAR EXPLOSIVE DAMAGE***

[LargeSlowTarget]

Originally posted by Admiral DadMan


Kartoffelspritzring (lit. Potato Thrower)

Kartoffelspritzring??? We are not talking about injection molding here!! Kartoffelwerfer is the word... but LOL nevertheless!

[Admiral DadMan]

Originally posted by LargeSlowTarget
Kartoffel spritzring ??? We are not talking about injection molding here!! Kartoffelwerfer is the word... but LOL nevertheless!

Leave it to us Naval types to give it a phallic meaning...

In German, spritzring is lit. spraying ring. I should have picked up on that...

[Admiral DadMan]

Originally posted by LargeSlowTarget
Kartoffelspritzring??? We are not talking about injection molding here!! Kartoffelwerfer is the word... but LOL nevertheless!

ƒ|ƒeƒg‚Ì“Š‚°‚é?l

Potato thrower in Japanese

[Admiral DadMan]

Originally posted by Admiral DadMan
ƒ|ƒeƒg‚Ì“Š‚°‚é?l

Potato thrower in Japanese

HMMM, not quite what I thought it would come out...

[Bobthehatchit]

Originally posted by Admiral DadMan
HMMM, not quite what I thought it would come out...

Nice try though

[LargeSlowTarget]

Originally posted by Admiral DadMan
Leave it to us Naval types to give it a phallic meaning...