In the Data/Sea/
Specific_ship.cfg file you will find the "Mast=" parameter (it's in meters). This value does more than set/change the height of the mast found in the Recognition Manual. It is also used as the "base" figure in making the Stadimeter check with manual targeting. Unfortunately, the math is done internally (within the game engine) so the only "control" we have to the process is with the "Mast=" figure in this configuration file.
That's
where you change the height figure to make a correction for whatever changes you make to how the ship sits in the water. The point is
how much do you change this figure to make it right is a whole another thing. I've spent years in fixing this problem with the stock game (the mods
Ship Centered, Accuracy Fix;
Optical Targeting Correction well document the problems). When there's folks that want to simply change the "looks" or "action" of a ship model, they need to be aware that their modifications (well intended as they are) will throw off the manual targeting aspects of the game.
Your next question may be "How much do I change the "Mast=" figure to make it right?". Here's (in a nut shell) what I do. Using the "Mission Editor" take a sub and put several ships around the front half of the sub about 914 meters (1000 yards) at a 90 AoB. Put a check mark at the "Docked Ship" entry to keep them stationary. Save the "test mission" in the "Single Missions" folder of the game. Start the game with the options of realism set to 0, all options are unchecked, then start the test mission. Record the ships name and range found on the Position Keeper. The game set at the "automatic targeting" option will provide the exact distance between you and the target. Now, exit the mission this time check marking the "Manual Targeting" option and restarting the test mission. Use the stadimeter to check the distance of the same ships again, if your around 5 to 8 meters off consider your "on the money". Anything more and the "Mast=" figure of the ships .cfg file needs to be corrected for accurate manual targeting.
Sound simple? Try it for all 100 plus stock ships. Add RSRDC to the mix with his 50 plus more ships and you got a handful. Put OM, TMO, RFB into the equation, "See you next year!"
