Sniper297
10-28-07, 10:36 PM
Old thread on this from SH 3:
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=87780&highlight=distance+track
Discusses the most important part of getting into a good firing position. Fiddling with the chart tools in SH 4 I found a good way that don't involve charts and angle on the bow.
http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/3218/97037821mk1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
First thing I do is use the compass tool to draw a line thru the "tail" of the target to show where he's going, this is the target track.
http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/5816/49119593gc2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Next step, use the ruler to draw 0.5 Nm (1000 yards) lines at 90 degrees off the track.
http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/9290/26279662bk8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Compass again, draw a course line parallel to the track 1000 yards off the track.
http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/4553/34926631ht6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
This is where some people get confused - range to the target is not the same as distance to the target track. The uninitiated often run a "pursuit curve", pointing the bow at the target and adjusting heading to always point at the target. If you're fast enough you will meet that way, but Distance to the Track is the magic formula to get into ideal firing position every time.
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/2417/58430857dy5.jpg (http://imageshack.us/)
Arriving at my 1000 yard off track line, I turn to parallel the track so I stay 1000 yards away.
http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/271/26133313jc6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
When the target range is down to 2500 yards, I turn toward or away from the track. This being a stern shot, I turn away. When firing from both ends for a convoy:
1. Bow tubes first, turn in the opposite direction the targets are moving to swing the stern tubes at them, so the movement of the targets is going towards the zero gyro angle for the stern tubes instead of running away.
2. Stern tubes first, turn in the same direction the targets are moving, bow and targets swinging toward each other so you don't have to "chase" the zero angle.
http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/146/32380589gv7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Select tube or tubes, hit Q to open the outer doors. If you fire before opening the outer doors the crew will open them first, but then your gyro angle solution dies of old age. Opening the doors first ensures the gyro angle is up to date at the moment of firing.
http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/5217/73438628ai2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Kaboom.
(http://imageshack.us)
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=87780&highlight=distance+track
Discusses the most important part of getting into a good firing position. Fiddling with the chart tools in SH 4 I found a good way that don't involve charts and angle on the bow.
http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/3218/97037821mk1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
First thing I do is use the compass tool to draw a line thru the "tail" of the target to show where he's going, this is the target track.
http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/5816/49119593gc2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Next step, use the ruler to draw 0.5 Nm (1000 yards) lines at 90 degrees off the track.
http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/9290/26279662bk8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Compass again, draw a course line parallel to the track 1000 yards off the track.
http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/4553/34926631ht6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
This is where some people get confused - range to the target is not the same as distance to the target track. The uninitiated often run a "pursuit curve", pointing the bow at the target and adjusting heading to always point at the target. If you're fast enough you will meet that way, but Distance to the Track is the magic formula to get into ideal firing position every time.
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/2417/58430857dy5.jpg (http://imageshack.us/)
Arriving at my 1000 yard off track line, I turn to parallel the track so I stay 1000 yards away.
http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/271/26133313jc6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
When the target range is down to 2500 yards, I turn toward or away from the track. This being a stern shot, I turn away. When firing from both ends for a convoy:
1. Bow tubes first, turn in the opposite direction the targets are moving to swing the stern tubes at them, so the movement of the targets is going towards the zero gyro angle for the stern tubes instead of running away.
2. Stern tubes first, turn in the same direction the targets are moving, bow and targets swinging toward each other so you don't have to "chase" the zero angle.
http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/146/32380589gv7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Select tube or tubes, hit Q to open the outer doors. If you fire before opening the outer doors the crew will open them first, but then your gyro angle solution dies of old age. Opening the doors first ensures the gyro angle is up to date at the moment of firing.
http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/5217/73438628ai2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Kaboom.
(http://imageshack.us)