At long last, the moment I've been waiting for...

[howler93]

I had nowhere else to go, no one else who would listen or even fathom what I was talking about, so I'll throw it out to you merry few of the forum.

After playing SH4 since release day, last night was monumental. I'm out on the USS Runner's 2nd patrol (TM,NSM, RSRD, ROW) and targets have been extremely hard to come by. I can't even remember the last Task Force I encountered. Nothing but fishing boats and a couple of pairs of destroyers. After patrolling around Truck for weeks, I'm about ready to make my own orders when, lo and behold, the SJ picks up a task force! After tracking, I move into position, slithering under 4 escorts to find a nice, fat, Shokaku Fleet Carrier! 5 of 6 fish hit home, and she slowly dipped under the waves.

Now the good part... still glowing from sinking the carrier, I continue patrolling the northwestern Truck area. Not 30 minutes later, the SJ picks up another contact....5 ships heading east at medium speed. Under cover of night, I move in to get a look. Four escorts were again protecting some valuable asset in the middle, but I couldn't get close enough for a visual. Again, I took the Runner down below the thermal layer and crept through the escort screen. When I came up to scope depth and took a peek, I nearly wept. There before me, well within good firing range, was the Yamoto, bathed in moonlight and looking every bit as fearsome as I imagined!!! In who knows how many patrols, this was the FIRST TIME I've even seen her! Now the sad part...I've only got 4 fish in the bow, and four in the rear...from what I understand, and especially with NSM classic installed, I think my chances of sending her to the bottom are scarce. Should I try for under-keel magnetic shots? Do I have a chance of wheeling around to bring my rear tubes to bear after letting the 4 up front go? Should I surface and sling insults at her? Any tips here would be nice. The weather's mostly clear with a full moon and I'm undetected- as far as I know. I think I should be able to get a nice 90 approach to within 700 yards or so.

Anyway, I HAD to share the joy with someone...and I thought my fellow skippers here might understand the elation I felt after searching for this ever-elusive target for so long...

Splice the Main Brace!

Howler :arrgh!:

[DavyJonesFootlocker]

You cheated! Yes, that's what you did! You used a Romulan Cloaking Device and Titanuim tipped torpedos!:yep:

I'm just jealous, that's all.

Btw you said we were a merry few? How absurd! 90% of us are drunk.:lol:

[howler93]

How absurd! 90% of us are drunk.
:rotfl:

Heh...it's nice to make someone else jealous from time to time... I was getting really tired of hearing ALL about our dear Yamoto from all the OTHER skippers! Sadly, after all this time, here she is and all I've really got is 4 fish...

[Capn_Sinky]

Not an expert here with mods, so please don't shoot me. But if the mods go for realism then a mag shot is not a good idea espically if there is any chop, you will get a premature detonation. It really depends on what type of fish you have on board.

If you are running MK18s then a 90 degree impact angle shot is ok. Get as close as you can and set depth to 15-20ft. Speed adj and mag set not avail on MK18.

If you are running MK 14s and it is prior to Sept 1943 you want a very shallow angle of impact (because of mkVI exploder issues) you want less than 45 degrees angle and you want the speed set to slow. Try not to set the depth too deep. They have a tendency to run 11-12 feet too deep. Set to contact only, mag exploder sucks, will either premature det, or if it runs too deep won't go off at all.

Now if it is Nov 43 and later (again depends on accuracy of mod) MK 14s have most of the bugs worked out (save for the mag issues) and will send Yamamoto to the happy hunting grounds.

I have managed to stop BBs before by aiming for the stern and messing up their running gear. That will give you some time to finish them off on your terms. May make it a waiting game for the DD's to leave but your patients will be rewarded.

Looks like a good one to keep for a while and try 100 different ways.

[Zayphod]

Looks like a good one to keep for a while and try 100 different ways.

And don't forget the screen shots!!!!!!!!!

[DavyJonesFootlocker]

Hey, Capn no matter if you're not an expert on mods, we'll still shoot you anyway!:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: Yabba-Dabba-Dooooooo!!!:yep:

[howler93]

You can bet I'll have the screenshot key on full-auto! I've never sailed with the external cam locked off, just in case I happened to encounter the ever-elusive Yamoto. Hopefully I'll be able to capture her with her ass high in the air! :yep: I've got the bottle of scotch all ready to go, just in case I actually sink her...or in case I don't ;)

Thanks for the encouragement, as well as the advice...

Cheers,
Howler :arrgh!:

[CaptainHaplo]

I am going to hope your using nsm4 - if so - keel shots are the way to go for damage. However, you run the risk of deep runners or prematures. Since you have 8 fish - you can definitely sink her if you get good hits with them all.

Remember with NSM you want to flood various compartments - fire a salvo off - maybe half or 1 degree spread if you are comfortable with it. I would manualy aim each shot if time permits. Get all 4 bow shots of as fast as possible - I would use high speed torps myself and at an approach angle so you have a good shot to hit her coming and going. Remember- slow speed torps will get spotted - especially if you set em shallow due to depth errors.

In other words, face her at an angle as she approaches. Walk your shots down her side as she steams close. Once she spots the torps or takes a hit she will accelerate and turn. You hit the gas and turn away so as she and you pass your stern is swinging into position. Slow and center the rudder, then fire your stern shots - do your best to get at least one hit under the magazines as well. This will take her down if you go contact - successful keel shots will doom her in 3 - maybe 4 hits at most if they are closely spaced.

Remember - with keel shots you want to hit the same spot every time - with contact shots you want to hit different areas. GOOD LUCK! :arrgh!:

[howler93]

So...I know all the buzz is about the expansion right now, but I've managed to experience one of those "gaming moments" that make gaming worthwhile. As I was saying, I finally find the Yamoto after more than a year. After many reloads (hey, I may never see her again) I managed to fire my 4 fish up front and my 4 stern tubes for 7 solid, spread hits...most of them set to about 35 ft depth. I evade the destroyers and end around for a dawn attack. 4 fish left. Many more attempts, tried max depth settings with magnetic exploders (which worked), minimum depth, different aiming points, you name it... After 11 fish pumped into the Yamoto, the only visual evidence of damage was that she was riding a few feet lower in the water! :damn:
I did get her to ram an escort as she began evasions once :up: And I did manage to kill a few sailors manning her guns...Anyway, as frustrating as it was, the Yamoto is definately now my white whale...I've got a few screenshots, but I must admit that I don't know how to post them here in the forum! So, to all who've managed to actually sink this beast...WELL done!

Howler :arrgh!:

[peabody]

That's cool. Most of the Task Forces I have seen have been blue line on my map, speeding away because I wasn't in the right place at the right time and in a position where there is no way to get ahead of them.

Keep trying, you'll figure it out sooner or later. Give me you coords and I'll bring you some more torps. :up: I tried the Yamato in "Quick missions" and it's almost like it's laughing at me. "What was that, did I hit a mosquito?"

Peabody

[howler93]

Give me you coords and I'll bring you some more torps. :up: I tried the Yamato in "Quick missions" and it's almost like it's laughing at me. "What was that, did I hit a mosquito?" :rotfl:

Completely! So, If you're in the area, bring 24 fresh torps to the Truck area...I'm about 400nm northwest. Much appreciated, peabody!

[badaboom]

Great story howler!!!:up: Good Luck!

[tonschk]

You can bet I'll have the screenshot key on full-auto! I've never sailed with the external cam locked off, just in case I happened to encounter the ever-elusive Yamoto. Hopefully ................................

Cheers,
Howler :arrgh!:

Is not YAMOTO , I Think is YAMATO

[peabody]

Give me you coords and I'll bring you some more torps. :up: I tried the Yamato in "Quick missions" and it's almost like it's laughing at me. "What was that, did I hit a mosquito?" :rotfl:

Completely! So, If you're in the area, bring 24 fresh torps to the Truck area...I'm about 400nm northwest. Much appreciated, peabody!
I filled out the requisition in triplicate, the expenditure has to be approved by Congress-they appointed a committee to look into it then it will go to the Pentagon they will pass it along to supply and I should be there is 6-8 wks. Can you tie a rope on the yamato until I get there? Or throw some bilge rats overboard once in a while and I will follow the trail.
First I need to find a map with Truk on it. :lol:

Peabody
Edit: ok, question, my avatar is an "A-ganger" what is that?

[JREX53]

peabody,

An "A ganger" is a machinist mate. He works on the mechanical side of the gear on the sub.

[Rockin Robbins]

You can shoot with gyros just over 90º. This implies that if you're on a parallel course you should be able to shoot both bow and stern tubes without changing the boat's heading if Yamato is abeam. At worst, you need only change heading slightly. Remember to distribute shots along the length of the target. I hate you!!!!!!!!!!!! Sink her or I'll hate you more.:rotfl:

[Rockin Robbins]

You can bet I'll have the screenshot key on full-auto! I've never sailed with the external cam locked off, just in case I happened to encounter the ever-elusive Yamoto. Hopefully ................................

Cheers,
Howler :arrgh!:
Is not YAMOTO , I Think is YAMATO

He can call it whatever he wants if he sinks it.:up:

[howler93]

He can call it whatever he wants if he sinks it.:up:

I'm tryin'!! She won't go down! 11 hits and she's not even limping! Perhaps if I spell her name correctly... Yamato, Yamato, Yamato... (tomato-tomato)

[peabody]

ON THE WAY BUDDY!!!
Hang in there Howler, I finally got those extra torpedos and I'm on my way.:up: I decided to bring along a few friends to help. And there is a lot more you can't see in the photo.

http://home.roadrunner.com/%7Epeabody/SH4/taskforceusa.jpg

I was sent to the Bismark sea to attack enemy merchants and ran into a task force. I said to myself, "I wonder if I got lucky and have the Yamato too" Up scope and all I see is a million ships with US flags and it was pitch black out (I had to lighten the photo) so I was lucky to see that. So I went along for a ride with them. Take about game immersion, ride beside one of the Aircraft Carriers and you realize how small your sub really is.
Peabody