WWII Sonar Operators

Ok so here we go. For those of you who have not seen my new member post i am working on a World War 2 Simulator style video game. Im starting off with submarine warfare, and working my way up. As in im hoping to incorporate under water, above water, on land and in the air. All aspects possible for World War 2, even to include train supply movement.

Im currently working on the Submarine portion, and if it doesnt kill me ill proceed onto the next portion, ships. (Long time from now)

Im kind of hoping there are people who have a little experience real world with WW2 Era Sonar, or at least know more about it then I do.

Currently im building the U-boat Type VII/C (7C). Im looking for general information on possibly Sonar during that era in general, as well as maybe specifics on this type of boat.

Questions:

How far did sonar reach in the WW2 Era?

How reliable were the systems?

Are sonar pings heard by people inside the pinged boat with the naked ear like in the movies?

In the movies when a boat is being pinged inside it sounds like someone banging the side of the boat with a metal hammer, is that the case in real life as well?

Was sonar pinging Directional or omni directional? (in other words can you point the ping in the direction you want or did it go in all directions of the boat)

Checking depth under the keel of the boat, was that a separate sonar system? And if not, was the distance calculated by counting the seconds in between the signal send, and the signal lost?

These are just some general questions, if you guys have more information, maybe something you think i should know that i didnt ask thats important, or even tell me what some common movie misconceptions are. That would be extremely useful!

If you guys have diagrams, literature, video, sounds, or any type of media. That would be extremely useful. Thank you in advanced!

-Opp


Edit:
If its "legal" on this server, as time goes by and i build more content ill put up some posts for you guys to look at my content and possibly critique or cheer me on, or any type of feedback would be great. (If its "legal" meaning if its not allowed here PLEASE let me know! thank you!

 

Thank you for the swift response, the links are VERY tasty thank you for your help.

If you dont mind me asking, you seem to put some emphasis on being pinged in a ship being scary. Is this from personal experience? or video footage you have seen? if its video footage id love to see it!

 

After 9/11 there were worries about the possibility of scuba terrorists attaching explosives to our ships lying in harbor. To prevent this they began pinging the harbor at random intervals usually about 30 min to an hour. Unfortunately I was still berthed on board my ship at the time. So I'd be woken up several times a night by pinging.

 

awesome thank you very much for the insight on that! now... im aware that sonar pinging, during the WW2 era sounded MUCH different from our nuclear friendlies today. (im guessing a new pitch in sonar means further distance) but even with that being said. The sound waves would have to be pretty powerful, was it still like someone banging something metalic on the walls of the ship?

I know it seems im overly clarifying the same question, bu im trying to generate a sound based of description that ive never heard before... can be extremely tedious

 

WW2 ping. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yb18ldKjNoI

Yes it is. A high pitched wave of sound slamming into the metal sides of a ship sounds like you're inside a gong being hit with a hammer.

 

IF you weren't already aware of them you might find these sites useful:
http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WAMBR_ASW.htm
http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WRGER_09.htm
http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WAMUS_ASW.htm
http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/index_weapons.htm