Manual targetting problems

[Jethro13]

Hey there,

I'm having a hard time hitting ships while using the "Note Pad" methode of manual targetting.

Some torps miss the ship completely (I don't even see the ship in the pop up window following my torp) and some miss it by a few yards, mostly passing behind it.

Also, even at a dead stop the speed estimates I'm getting are totally different from one reading to the other, they range from 23 knots to 9 knots for the same ship (in this instance a C2 which I'm guessing should be moving at 8-9 knots...)

Here's another question, for my range estimates I find myself in really rough seas, how do I get a precise estimate when both her and I are bobbing up and down ?
Finally, can I manually change the settings that seem off to me using the Torpedo tagetting computer ? (or whatever it's called)

Any suggestions on how I could improve my hit rate will be appreciated...thanks !

[Morts]

for range in rough weather
use the UZO

and if you're playing GWX there are 2 charts showing speed
pull down the chart showing speed per minute and mark your target on the map
use the 5 minute on the speed chart
wait the 5 minutes
mark target again and take the ruler to measure distance
then you look on the speed chart and finds the one that is closest
and woop
speed

[von Zelda]

The notepad method at the periscope/uzo screens is not reliable and difficult to use at best. Just my opinion.

I've written several responces to similar questions over the last couple of days on this forum that are in a good deal of depth regarding Angle on the Bow, Speed, and Distance.

Simply put, you must plot the target's course, make time and distance measurements over a period of time. Once course is plotted and an estimate of speed is determined, you can determine the angle on the bow of your intercept course with that of the target's course. Input AOB into the notepad with the periscope/uzo at a zero bearing. As you aim the periscope/uzo at the target, the correct AOB will always be computed and submitted to the Target Data Computer. Now, enter the estimated speed directly into the TDC on the Attack Screen so that the torpedo offset angle will be computed by the TDC.

Distance is not critical to the TDC's computations. Distance only affects the stopwatch's time to impact when the torpedo is fired. That said, you want to estimate the distance at time of firing to the intercept point along the target's course. I usually estimate the distance at between 500 to 800 meters because that is the general distance I'd like to be in when I finally fire. And don't forget to open the outer doors prior to firing; unopened outer doors will cause a delay in firing and thus a miss.

Look for my other posts for more detail. Hope this is helpful. I use these methods to hit targets in excess of 5k meters.

[CaptainAsh]

I really don t know if there is a lot of player using the stock method to get torpedo solution.
Usualy, it s easyer and more effective to gather data by other means and put them directly into the computer. Still to do it you need to have activate the option who get the ships into the nav map.

Range : use the nav station to pick it... it s the simpliest way.
Speed : note the position A of the target at a time and then the position B of the target 3m15s later. Take the measure, it s the speed :D
If you re using GWX you also have a tool on nav to get the angle on bow.

Then, you can enter all the data into the the torpedo computer but I do prefer entering just the range and speed. Then, I go back to my aiming station, enter the angle of bow, open the hatch, aim, validate and then fire.

With only one target it s really efficient. And you keep a 100% realism setting. But if you don t use the ship tag on map option.

If you re not using this option then my method is first to get the range a first time and it s nearly impossible to me if I m not in calm ocean. Then mark the position on nav map... wait 3m15sec... get the range another time, mark the position... measure between the both of them. It s more realistic (but does not affect the realistic %) but really less efficient.

With the first technic I must have a 4 on 5 hits for single target.:arrgh!:
With the second I must be down to 1 on 3.:rotfl:

Then, the fun is with multiple target. I m a type VII fanatic so I have 4 torpedoes for my shot. I like to aim to 2 or 3 target at the same time in my convoy attack. The thing is, targets have the same speed and angle on bow so the only thing that change is that you have to input different range, re aim, re validate and fire.
As the speed stay the same, it s easy to select a first target, set a point on his heading where you gonna fire when he will reach it. Note the range.
Then, the distances between your first target and the other one are not gonna change, so mark the positions where the other targets are gonna be when the first will reach the shooting position. You got all the shooting position, note the ranges.
Open all hatchs...
Now you re ready to shoot 3 targets in 10 secondes :yep: .
First, set speed and angle on bow once and for all and wait the moment where your targets are reaching the shooting positions.
Then pick the target with the higher range. Lock on target, put range in computer, validate, shoot. (do not forget to validate from your aim station or the heading of the torpedo will be wrong)
Redo as long as you have target.:arrgh!:

Don t wait like a sitting duck, go deep and go slow, head for the oposite heading of the convoy, your hydro will tell you if you score :up:

This is the exciting part of the game for me actually :) usualy I m targetting 3 ships and scoring on 2 of them.

[Morts]

well the 3 minute 15 second way is a bit harder than just pulling down the speed by minute chart
then marking the target,waiting 5 minutes, marking the target again, then measuring the distance and final
look at the distance and compare it to the "speed by minute" and at the 5 minute

[CaptainAsh]

hehe I didn t notice the charts for weeks!
So I get used to the 3m15s technic ;)

[Heibges]

Speed: Use the Matching Speed Method. After determining the targets course, set the same course, and adjust your speed until the bearing with the target no longer changes.

AoB: Once you know the target course, determining AoB is easy.
1. If your are bow to bow AoB= 0°
2. If you are bow to stern (chasing target) AoB = 180°
3. If you are approaching your target at a 90° attack angle (not to be confused with 90° AoB) there is a defined relationship between AoB and Bearing. This is true if and only if you are approaching on a 90° attack angle.

On targets crossing your path moving right to left:
Bearing 45° = AoB 45° port
Bearing 000° = AoB 90° port

On targets crossing your path moving left to right
Bearing 315° = AoB 45° starboard
Bearing 000°= AoB 90° starboard

I almost never fire over Range 1000m, and I give 10° of lead on my shots, so I fire on bearing 10° (right to left targets) and bearing 350° (left to right targets) which will have AoB of 80°port and 80°starboard respectively.

Range: I use range estimation using the scale on the UZO and Attack Periscope and measure the length of my targets.

At 1200m
C2 Merchant = 6 Units long
C3 Merchant = 7 Units long

At 600m
C2 Merchant = 12 Units Long
C3 Merhcant = 14 Units Long

This is the MILS method, but I'm not sure if the scale on the Periscope and UZO and in MILS, but that is irrelevant anyway as long as the scale is consitant.

To summarize

1. You should have target course and speed analyzed when you are 10,000m from the target and before you plan your overhaul manuever.

2. You should know the AoB because you know the target course, and you have calculated your firing position.

3. Make a last minute correction for range, and Torpedoes Los!

[dertien]

Don't 'forget' or be too lazy to use the search function on this forum. This topic has been tackled again and again for quite some time now.

Maybe it should be made a sticky.

Read this if you want full control over your targeting method and score each time:

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=103593

Reece made a very good manual on targeting so did wazoo. Again, use the search method to find his manual. Its a zip file downloadable, and he has improved the very good Pato Bearing Overlay Tool.

have fun

XIII - 13 - Dertien