Torpedo miss, and I can't understand why

[BarjackU977]

Edit: I got so used to SH4 already that I forgot to click on the final V to validate all the input data and send them altogether from the notepad to the TDC... I though that, like in SH4, individual input already sent my data into the TDC, but that's wrong! Took so long to realize that :oops:
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Hello,

I'm attacking a large convoy of small merchants in line formation quite near UK north east coast. There are 3 DDs, but it's deep night, with a light fog, and heavy wind (thus rough sea), so I can easy sneak into the convoy and get in good position for an attack.

I'm getting very near the merchants, identifying them quite easily, because small merchants can hardly be mistaken for another ship. Their maximum speed is 9 knots, according to the recognition manual.
The convoy was radio reported to run at 7 knots. Using the 3 mins rule, I get between 7 and 8 knots.

Because it's rough sea, I set my torps to contact mode, and to run at a depth between 1 and 2 m. I also wait to have a good angle on bow, since contact mode require the torp to hit at a 90°.
I even fire from quite close at the targets: from 300 to 800 meters!
I'm usually getting good results, but here, I tried a thousand times, reloading the save game, but I can never hit them. I even tried different target speeds, different torp depths. But not a single hit!

From the torp trails at start, I'd say there is a chance they miss the target because actual speed is higher... But I can't check because I run at 100% realism.

I can't understand what's wrong. But I'm getting paranoid, because it's the first attack since I installed SH3 commander (I used GWX alone, until now, without SH3 commander), and I wonder if something could have been wrong because of SH3 commander. Yet, I took care to install GWX config files, and hardly believe it could be that.

Any advice, or similar experience?

[TarJak]

2 things; 1st the depth seems to be an odd choice in high seas. 1-2m will see the torp skipping through the waves with a high chance of a premature detonation. I'd try running them a little deeper, say 4-5m and see if that makes any difference.

2nd where on the target are you aiming? If you fire to far forward or aft you may get misses by passing either in front or behind the target.

I'd like to see a screenie of your F6 screen to see where the torpedo is aimed compared to where the target is. At the ranges you are talking about you should find it difficult to miss. Have you also tried using a higher estimated target speed just in case?

[BarjackU977]

I aim for the middle (defaul location when you lock target).

I tried a target speed up to 10 knots and missed, but small merchants shouldn't be able to go that fast anyway.

I'll try a deeper top depth. But the deeperI set it, the more chances the angle at impact will not allow the torp to explode, right?

I never experienced a prematue detonation when my torps are set to contact mode.

[papa_smurf]

I'd agree with TarJak and set your torps to a deeper death, and aim for just infront of the bridge - I find this is very succesfull and sink with just one hit.

[Brag]

Try a 3 salvo shot and see which torpedo and watch which torpedo hits. That will give you an indication of what are you doing wrong.

The choice of shallow depth in rough water will definetely throw your aim off.

[TarJak]

I'd give it a go with the external camera on until you understand what is happening. Then you can switch it off knowing that you've conquered that demon.

[BarjackU977]

I happened to hit by luck, with a torp depth of 3 meters. But I could not reproduce.

I cant enable cameras, though, since Im in the middle of a patrol.

[BarjackU977]

I think I'll give up with this convoy.

I've spotted one swallow torp dead stopped a bit further, probably because, as you said, waves were an obstacle. And deep torps don't seem to detonate. Probably because the angle is bad when a torp in contact mode is "too deep" and hit the hull of the ship... But I'm not even sure, because some of my torps have hit another ship than the one I was hitting.

Yet, again, even the speed sestimation tool gave me results between 6 and 10. And like you said, at that distance, torps meet the target in a very short time, less than half a minute.

Wind speed is 15 m/s... It's frustrating not to hit what I aim after 3 hours of tests.

[Puster Bill]

Just a thought, but maybe you should re-verify your AOB settings, especially the difference between starboard AOB and port AOB: If the target has a starboard AOB, but you enter it as a port AOB, then you will miss to stern, and vice versa.

If the target is off your port bow, and heading towards you, the AOB is starboard. If the target is off your starboard bow, and heading towards you, the AOB is port. If the target is heading away from you, reverse those AOB's.

[BarjackU977]

Thanks for the suggestion. But I'm sure about the AOB, as the convoy is clearly coming in my direction, from my right. And the AOB is increasing to meet the 90°. And with the 3 minutes positions plotted on the navigation map, I have a clear indea of the convoy direction, and can check the AOB.
It will remain a mistery for me, a frustrating one.