Wednesday, July 17, 2019

Razzle Dazzle




7 comments:

  1. I don't see anything . . . oh, that's the point, I get it . . .

    ReplyDelete
  2. Back in the day, they used optical range finders to sight in the guns. The hope of razzle dazzle was that the enemy (German, Italian) rangefinder operators would not be able to measure the range accurately, and shots would miss (even more than they already missed).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I thought it was more about the timing of torpedo impacts - as I recall, once proximity type detonators came into being, as well as radar and sonar ranging, the whole purpose of dazzle was rendered obsolete. Crap, now I'm going to have to read up on it again!

      Delete
    2. It was to confuse the enemy's fire control as to the course and speed of the target, making the solution to the fire control problem much more difficult.
      It was found in the Pacific, that while these would work against surface ships, they really made ships stand out to aircraft, hence the USN standardizing on Measure 22, Navy Blue to the lowest point of the main deck sheer, Haze Gray above that, decks to be painted Deck Blue.
      http://www.shipcamouflage.com/measure_22_1945.htm

      Overall Navy Blue was found to be even more effective for disruption of the ships course and speed against aircraft, with the added benefit, that it was a single color, and extremely easy to do, made Measure 21 very popular.
      http://www.shipcamouflage.com/measure_21_1945.htm

      The Zebra Pattern on the Elco, was difficult to put on, and a real pain to maintain, so it was very short lived.

      Delete
    3. The MASSEY, DD-778, looks sharp in her Measure 32, doesn't she? factory Fresh paint!

      Delete