Having problems with torpedos when switching targets

[waldopbarnstormer]

Hi, I am looking for help on a problem I keep having with my torpedos when I which targets when attacking a convoy with 100% difficulty.

Initially I set up my attack and get all of the necessary TDC data which I then input to the PK and hit the red tracking button, following a successful attack I then switch to my next target moving the periscope over the target ship and locking it, then I proceed to enter the data into the TDC for my new target which I then feed into the Pk. I then fire at my new target, however I have been fnding that my torpedos fly off at a strange angle, which appears to be targetting the ship I attacked first rather than my current target. I have looking through the forums for help on this but can only find advice on attacking single ships, can anyone point me in the right direction or where I am going wrong.

I think the prblem is that I am not clearing the data from the PK for the old target but I don'tknow how to set it up for my new target.

[Rockin Robbins]

Yes there are three parameters that need to be looked at when you switch targets: target speed, angle on the bow and range/bearing (both entered at the same time). All three of these need to be entered for the new target. Here's the problem with the PK left on.

Which new parameter are you going to enter first? If you enter the bearing/range first, the PK will immediately begin tracking the new target with the old target's course and speed. If that is the same you're ready to shoot and you will hit your target.

But if the new target's course is 30º off the old target's course, you will begin with the TDC targeting properly, but it's aiming point will follow the course and speed or your original target away from the ship. If you then enter the course and speed of the new target later, you will now be aiming at a point moving at the same course and speed as your target. But that point will not be on top of your target, it will most likely be ahead or behind, meaning you miss.

This is easily fixed by taking a new range/bearing observation. So you can see that the PK need not be turned off if you merely take the range/bearing observation last, after course and speed.

Assuming you are not a victim of the International Date Line bug (I am right now, testing the RSRD/TM combo and one problem is losing Ducimus' fix for that bug) you should always check the attack screen to verify that your aiming point is coincident with the target and moving with it. This was done in real life by targeting teams.

OK, ready to shoot. Sink 'em all!

[waldopbarnstormer]

Is it not possible to clear the memory of the targetting system so that I can start afresh with my next target? I know this takes longer but if I am targetting warships which don't tend to travel in nice straight line I am less likely to put in the wrong targetting information first.

Just to clarify once I have locked onto my 2nd target I must do the following in this order

first enter mast height of new target ship from recognition book.

2. Enter course into TDC.

3. Enter speed into TDC.

4. Enter range into TDC.

5. fire

[Rockin Robbins]

Is it not possible to clear the memory of the targetting system so that I can start afresh with my next target? I know this takes longer but if I am targetting warships which don't tend to travel in nice straight line I am less likely to put in the wrong targetting information first.

Just to clarify once I have locked onto my 2nd target I must do the following in this order

first enter mast height of new target ship from recognition book.

2. Enter course into TDC.

3. Enter speed into TDC.

4. Enter range into TDC.

5. fire

Yes, the TDC works just like a spreadsheet (great explanation for a SSII sub jockey). New data entered replaces existing data. Therefore clearing is not necessary. If you want to clear it anyway just press the red button twice to turn the PK off and on again. You should still confine yourself to the order I specified for the reasons in my first post.

[tomoose]

I had the exact same problem. Nice solution on target one, fire, unlock periscope tracking, lock on second target, adjust TDC data, fire, torpedoes go way off track, WTF!!!! LOL.

I've found that the PK will keep the original (i.e. first) target data regardless of what you do with the TDC for your next target (speed, range, AoB, periscope lock). The red 'button' on the PK needs to be switched "off" and "on" again to 'clear' it of the 'old' data. So once you unlock from your first target, also switch off the PK. Lock your next target then switch on the PK again (you'll know it's working when you see the sub and ship hull outlines in the PK 'swing' to their new data headings etc).

Hope this helps.
:up:

[Rockin Robbins]

Sometimes I wonder why I bother.

[ReallyDedPoet]

Nice tips here :yep::up:


RDP

[Rockin Robbins]

For those sitting on the sidelines saying "course? course? I don't see a course adjustment on my TDC," I better fill in the blank. When you set Angle on the Bow (AoB) it shows up on the dial on the left side of your periscope. You can read the AoB on the inside scale of the outer ring.

But the outside scale shows the actual course of the target. If you wish to make your life easy, you can begin by just guessing the AoB from visual observation. I'm assuming you've plotted the course of the target. Now look at the outside scale on that left-hand gauge and check the course there against the known course. Now you can tweak your setting until it actually indicates the proper course of the target. Now you have a really precise AoB!

I'll have to revisit and post screenies to make up for my poor verbal description here. Also WernerSobe covers this in his stickied thread's movies on attack tactics. I have found using the target's course to set AoB has increased my accuracy!:/\\x: