MovieChat Forums > Down Periscope (1996) Discussion > Two Goofs that Aren't

Two Goofs that Aren't

posted 14 years ago by michaelnewman01
14 replies | jump to latest

--It is noted that the Balao-class submarine has four diesel engines vis the two diesels show in the engine room. However, fleet subs had two engine rooms, with two diesels in each compartment. Given that, according to my understanding, filming was done on the real fleet sub Pampanito, I'm pretty sure this isn't a credible goof.

--It is also noted that the Orlando disregards the diesel contact as a sub. While this isn't entirely worng, its important to remember that the Orlando was participating in a solely American exercise, and as a result would not have any reason to expect an American diesel.

As a side note, there are apparently several U.S.-made fleet subs still in operation with the Taiwanese Navy, nearly seventy years after being built. Now that's an enduring legacy.

"You feel the way the boat moves? The sunlight on your skin? That’s real. Life is wonderful."

[–] CGSailor 14 years ago

I put in a Delete Goof change to the "Only two diesels in the engine room " goof.
It's gone now.

They still have not accepted the goofs we hashed out on U-571

I joined the Navy to see the world, only to discover the world is 2/3 water!

[–] michaelnewman01 14 years ago

Knowing is half the battle, and anyone who read our discussion knows. As for the rest, if IMDB doesn't want to accept the analysis of two professionals, that's their problem.

"You feel the way the boat moves? The sunlight on your skin? That’s real. Life is wonderful."

[–] CGSailor 14 years ago

Yup, Knowing IS half the battle...
YOOOO JOE!!!

Wait!.. where the hell did THAT come from?!?

I joined the Navy to see the world, only to discover the world is 2/3 water!

[–] michaelnewman01 14 years ago

G.I. Joe was before my time, sadly. But now I know EVEN MORE.

"You feel the way the boat moves? The sunlight on your skin? That’s real. Life is wonderful."

[–] the_la_baker 11 years ago

Are you a current/former submarine sailor?

[–] CGSailor 11 years ago

Former SURFACE fleet sailor.
Served aboard Missile Cruisers (CG23 USS Halsey) and Carriers (CV63 USS Kitty Hawk).

I joined the Navy to see the world, only to discover the world is 2/3 water!

[–] the_la_baker 11 years ago

Nice.
My father was a Lt Cdr on the USS Long Beach during Vietnam.

[–] CGSailor 11 years ago

Saw Long Beach a few times. She was still in port when I reported to my first ship, just a couple of piers down. She decommed shortly afterwards.

I joined the Navy to see the world, only to discover the world is 2/3 water!

[–] theangryintern 11 years ago

Ahh, the *beep* Kitty! I went to Steam Plant Maintenance school with a couple guys who'd come off the Kitty Hawk.

[–] CGSailor 11 years ago

To the Battle Cat.

I joined the Navy to see the world, only to discover the world is 2/3 water!

[–] dln1700 13 years ago

I put an update in about a goof at the beginning as they're pulling into Norfolk which still hasn't been included.

Just after Dodge hits the golf ball saying "Get up there you miserable little puke." the Orlando skipper is talking to him from the rear of the sail, which is not possible as the only part of the sail where a person can actually stand is on the bridge and that is at the front of the sail.

[–] CGSailor 11 years ago

the Orlando skipper is talking to him from the rear of the sail, which is not possible as the only part of the sail where a person can actually stand is on the bridge and that is at the front of the sail.

Actually it is worse than that. It is quite obvious he is not even in the sail at all. It was a set. A facade. only one wall showing the side of the sail with the actors standing on a ledge behind it.

I joined the Navy to see the world, only to discover the world is 2/3 water!

[–] fskpilot 13 years ago

According to the tour guides on the USS Cod (SS-224, moored in Cleveland Harbor), there's also a so-called "dinky motor" on board to act as a backup in case the primary generator sets were unavailable, so technically, at least on a Gato-class fleet boat, there'[s five diesels.

When a loose cannon flogs a dead horse, there's the Devil to pay!

[–] CGSailor 13 years ago

It was the same for the Balao class as well. Hell, probably all the Fleet Types.

Even our Modern Nukes have an Emergency Diesel Generator for when the reactor is out.

In "Dick" O'Kane's biographical account of all five war patrols of USS Tang, he often remarks about putting three diesels on propulsion and letting the fourth...assisted by the Auxiliary Diesel, to struggle with topping off the battery charge, whenever they were in a hurry to get somewhere (like doing an end-run around a convoy)

I joined the Navy to see the world, only to discover the world is 2/3 water!