stevep
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Post by stevep on Feb 10, 2019 17:36:26 GMT
That's another possible role although it needed a fairly high performance a/c to really threaten an airship and I'm doubtful that a seaplane, burdened by floats and also possibly having weight limitations for ease of winching and take off from a possibly rough sea would be that suitable. Possibly some higher performance AA guns. As it was the Germans tried to use them a lot to scout for the fleet but IIRC seem to have had very little success with them. They were a bit too vulnerable to rough weather and high winds making it difficult to keep to patrol routes reliably.
Looking at the German airships who are mention in the German orbat, those are not small once like L61 shown below who is also listed in the orbat, so instead could they to be used for bombing the home fleet. 
Possibly although hitting ships in motion at sea is difficult. OTL in WWII high level bombing even with far more capable a/c was fairly ineffective and it was largely dive and torpedo bombers that did the damage, neither of which is a role that the airships can perform. Also they must keep pretty high else even the relatively limited AA capacity of the fleet is likely to hit such large and relatively slow moving targets. Which considering the amount of hydrogen on board is likely to be fatal quickly.
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Feb 10, 2019 19:01:03 GMT
Looking at the German airships who are mention in the German orbat, those are not small once like L61 shown below who is also listed in the orbat, so instead could they to be used for bombing the home fleet. Possibly although hitting ships in motion at sea is difficult. OTL in WWII high level bombing even with far more capable a/c was fairly ineffective and it was largely dive and torpedo bombers that did the damage, neither of which is a role that the airships can perform. Also they must keep pretty high else even the relatively limited AA capacity of the fleet is likely to hit such large and relatively slow moving targets. Which considering the amount of hydrogen on board is likely to be fatal quickly.
Wait, i never knew that, i toughed AA onboard ships became common later on. |
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stevep
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Post by stevep on Feb 10, 2019 23:18:55 GMT
Possibly although hitting ships in motion at sea is difficult. OTL in WWII high level bombing even with far more capable a/c was fairly ineffective and it was largely dive and torpedo bombers that did the damage, neither of which is a role that the airships can perform. Also they must keep pretty high else even the relatively limited AA capacity of the fleet is likely to hit such large and relatively slow moving targets. Which considering the amount of hydrogen on board is likely to be fatal quickly.
Wait, i never knew that, i toughed AA onboard ships became common later on.
Its still fairly light but it started appearing in WWI.
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Feb 11, 2019 16:21:17 GMT
Wait, i never knew that, i toughed AA onboard ships became common later on. Its still fairly light but it started appearing in WWI.
Interesting, i would like to know which AA guns they used. |
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stevep
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Post by stevep on Feb 12, 2019 12:36:39 GMT
Its still fairly light but it started appearing in WWI.
Interesting, i would like to know which AA guns they used.
Well the Queen Elizabeth class BBs which were laid down in 1912 had two 3" AA guns. Checking for the slightly later Revenge and Renown classes they had the same. Not a lot but if they can range the large and slow airships - would need to check on the gun's performance - it could quickly be lethal for the latter. Just checked and the slightly earlier Iron Duke class also had the same AA armament. Note this was before WWI saw a dramatic development of a/c so by 1918 you probably had some more capacity.
The newest US ships I think were involved, the New Yorks, laid down in 1911 don't have any specific AA guns when 1st constructed.
Steve
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Feb 12, 2019 14:06:00 GMT
Interesting, i would like to know which AA guns they used. Well the Queen Elizabeth class BBs which were laid down in 1912 had two 3" AA guns. Checking for the slightly later Revenge and Renown classes they had the same. Not a lot but if they can range the large and slow airships - would need to check on the gun's performance - it could quickly be lethal for the latter. Just checked and the slightly earlier Iron Duke class also had the same AA armament. Note this was before WWI saw a dramatic development of a/c so by 1918 you probably had some more capacity. The newest US ships I think were involved, the New Yorks, laid down in 1911 don't have any specific AA guns when 1st constructed. Steve
Doubt those German airship will come into range of those AA, they only need to spot them, do whe know if they had wireless telegram to send message to the HSF. |
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stevep
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Post by stevep on Feb 12, 2019 14:23:44 GMT
Well the Queen Elizabeth class BBs which were laid down in 1912 had two 3" AA guns. Checking for the slightly later Revenge and Renown classes they had the same. Not a lot but if they can range the large and slow airships - would need to check on the gun's performance - it could quickly be lethal for the latter. Just checked and the slightly earlier Iron Duke class also had the same AA armament. Note this was before WWI saw a dramatic development of a/c so by 1918 you probably had some more capacity. The newest US ships I think were involved, the New Yorks, laid down in 1911 don't have any specific AA guns when 1st constructed. Steve
Doubt those German airship will come into range of those AA, they only need to spot them, do whe know if they had wireless telegram to send message to the HSF.
If their bombing they would need to. For just spotting yes they can keep their distance, although since the GF is large they have to avoid a substantial area. They would have radios and given their size probably pretty powerful ones and could be used to report a fleet. This presumes they find it as if in cloudy conditions even something as huge as the GF could be missed by individual airships. This could be useful for the Germans but they were unsuccessful in 1916 at Jutland. Not sure how many airships Germany had available in 1918. Would have had more production but also possibly larger losses as the air defence made bombing Britain more dangerous and as allied advances on land and developments of a/c could put more airship bases into range of allied attacks.
If they can get a sighting of the fleet and aren't spotted themselves that would give the Germans an edge in avoiding the GF or of trying to get into an advantageous position if they are desperate enough to seek a battle. Most noticeably by trying to cross the GF's T. However even if this was successful it wouldn't ensure a decisive advantage and they would still have to get in position and avoid being detected by scouting forces who would be working ahead of the fleets in both cases.
If the GF, guided by radio interceptions and operating from Rosyth gets between the Germans and their bases they might not get stopped until the fleets encounter each other as the airships and subs will be looking too far north. However this could also mean a night encounter, which is likely to be fairly indecisive.
Plenty of ways things could develop and an airship spotting the GF and reporting it to the HSF would give them an edge but doubtful if enough on its own to give them a big enough advantage to win with so much against them.
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Feb 12, 2019 16:24:08 GMT
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stevep
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Post by stevep on Feb 12, 2019 17:55:32 GMT
I wouldn't know. It may be it made more sense for all the destroyers with the GF to be British and the US ones to probably be committed to convoy escort duty? Just a guess but the only thing that comes to mind.
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Feb 12, 2019 18:14:02 GMT
I wouldn't know. It may be it made more sense for all the destroyers with the GF to be British and the US ones to probably be committed to convoy escort duty? Just a guess but the only thing that comes to mind.
Think you are right. |
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