how to set the correct deep for torpedoes?

[itman]

I'm a bit frustrated about the torpedo-deep-settings. The game was in metrics-mode and the torps ready for impact. So, I'd open the ship-ID there's a value for draft. When setting up the torpedo I do set the desired deep with the weel on the left side. Example: draft of target 12.4m -> torp set at 10 m. When fired, this eel just run undert the target. Happens several times.

Next approach. I thought. "ok this is an american boat, so no need to stick to metrics" I've switched to inches and yards.

Setting up the next torpedo-run I see indeed different values for draft. Again I'm unable to setup the correct deep for impact. This one too runs just to deep for impact.

Did I miss something?

[Rockin Robbins]

Look deep into my crystal ball on the virtual table there, itman. OOOOOOOHHHH! The crystal ball is getting cloudy.....I see the year........1941......I see torpedoes.......I see you setting something on the left wheel.......looks like METRIC????? I must regain control. Other people's morality must not influence my judgment:doh:... Metric is really OK.....In the depths of hell!!!!!Sorry, I lost control there. Where was I.

Oh, yes, the crystal ball. You are setting the depth in your own, most metric way. It looks like the setting is.......just above the keel depth of the target..... I see the torpedo....being fired.....(nice shot by the way) and it.......slides harmlessly under the target. No boom. You must be grief-stricken, yes?

So where is your problem? MMMMMMM? Is it in the cursed metric system? Yes, but that is not the reason the torpedo missed.:rotfl:The problem is in time and space. The year is 1941. The stupid Americans have faithfully copied the captured German torpedo and made it work exactly as the Germans built it. Unfortunately, they have faithfully copied the defects already fixed by the Germans. Unfortunately, in their cheapness, they have tested the torpedoes in a way that hid the defects, without real warheads.

They tested with the warhead area just filled with water. At the end of the torpedo run, the torpedo blew out the water, the torpedo bobbed to the surface and the sub recovered the torpedo for another use. Cheap, yes? Unfortunately, real warheads are much heavier than water. Unfortunately, the German guidance system didn't provide sufficient control inputs to compensate for that weight and the torpedo usually ran about 10 feet too deep. Sorry, I choose to be metrically challenged. All conversions will have to be done by those under the compulsary metric curse...... Sorry, lost control again.

So, you set the depth 6 feet above the keel and it proceeded to run just as it was designed by the Germans at 4 feet under the keel. Now the crystal ball is showing the intelligent American desk commanders back at base. They are blaming YOU for being a lousy shot. Shouldn't have used the metric system they say. You didn't apply yourself during training they say. Perhaps they made a bad decision to put you in command of a submarine shooting all those terribly expensive torpedoes they say. They do not trust you.

You only command a dangerous submarine in a war zone, while they command a dangerous desk. Why they could get a splinter in the line of duty! Of course they know best. You should be ashamed to shoot so poorly.

(psssst! a word to the wise. If they want to treat you like a mushroom (obscure American joke) you treat them the same way. Until they get their (excrement deleted) in order, why don't you set the torpedoes to run on the surface. That's zero metric and decent measurement system so we don't have to fight about it. Then when it runs deep, it will hit the target. You can tell the smart desk warriors that you set the torpedoes normally and then some other poor sub captain can get in trouble like you just did. Don't tell anyone! You will be a genius.)

Have a fine, but not metric, day, sir.:up:

[itman]

Ah, thank you Sir! I've just left the metric-world for good.

Now, could you point me in the direction of the torpedo-testing-bureau? I'll have a serious word with those guys.

cheers

[Hylander_1314]

Just remember that the Admiral in charge of the Buereau of Ordinance is the idiot who thought up these wonderful eels.This was his pet project, so there could be nothing wrong with them right? Remember, he has the stars and bars on those shoulderboards on his uniform, so by rank alone, he knows more than you and me right? I mean really, we're just lowly light Leutenent Commanders who captain submersible boats in combat zones and risk our necks, and our crew's necks with our decisions under the pressure of life and death. So what the hell could we know compared to a peacetime admiral?

[SteamWake]

How do I set the correct depth for a torpedo

Answer; As shallow as you can. Theres something wrong with them I tell you ! :rotfl: :know:

[Soundman]

I pretty much agree with RR. Their may also be some variance between mods/patches, but I'm running TMO and I have good success setting them 7 feet above the draft. RR says 6, but I like to give a little more insurance. Like RR says, they tend to run around 10 feet deeper than the setting.

[itman]

Ok, thanks for all anwsers, I will take 7 feet into account.

Does this erratic behavoir improve over the course of the war?

Back in the HQ they send me from Pontius to Pilatus (proverb, not sure how to put it in english)

cheers

[Rockin Robbins]

Isn't it amazing. The Germans and the Americans with the same problem because the Americans copied the German torpedo so faithfully that they copied the defects too.:rotfl:

In this corner, representing the common man, weighing 132 million people, dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal, one man one vote, open government, of the people, by the people, for the people. He's the world's all-time good guy and shucks! People just like him. The United States of America.

In this corner, representing the will of one man, weighing 63 million people, dedicated to the superiority of the German Aryan race, believing in the rights of no man, interest in politics is evidence of a weak moral fiber, the citizen's only right is to obey, military organization, command and control, just do what you're told and keep your head down but most likely die a glorious (or not) death for the Fatherland, heck! People just hate him. Nazi Germany!

(OK, we handed both parties a defective torpedo.)

"Shut up and do what you're told" Germany fixes theirs in under a year. Why? Because the darn goose-steppers respected their front line sub captains and just automatically investigated and solved the problem! Respect: isn't that supposed to be a trademark of the good guys?:rotfl:

"The land of equal opportunity" United States gets all hierarchical and command-obsessed. The equal people at the top get a severe case of "do what you're told or get squished like a cockroach." Blame the little guy becomes the battle cry in the land of the free. Abuse of power in the bastion of democracy! Hey you! THEY're the Nazis.

Unfortunately, this contrast permeated the military organizations of both countries. The German land forces were equal to three times the effectiveness of similar American units. American generals quickly learned that without achieving a three to one numerical advantage, action in a particular area was futile. Soon that was a requirement for any attack but the most desperate. This is perhaps the supreme irony of the war.

In the middle of 1943, after over a year and a half of impotence, the US finally got their torpedoes in order and started sinking Japanese shipping instead of cursing at lousy torpedoes.

[SteamWake]

Isn't it amazing. The Germans and the Americans with the same problem because the Americans copied the German torpedo so faithfully that they copied the defects too.:rotfl:

In this corner, representing the common man, weighing 132 million people, dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal, one man one vote, open government, of the people, by the people, for the people. He's the world's all-time good guy and shucks! People just like him. The United States of America.

In this corner, representing the will of one man, weighing 63 million people, dedicated to the superiority of the German Aryan race, believing in the rights of no man, interest in politics is evidence of a weak moral fiber, the citizen's only right is to obey, military organization, command and control, just do what you're told and keep your head down but most likely die a glorious (or not) death for the Fatherland, heck! People just hate him. Nazi Germany!

(OK, we handed both parties a defective torpedo.)

"Shut up and do what you're told" Germany fixes theirs in under a year. Why? Because the darn goose-steppers respected their front line sub captains and just automatically investigated and solved the problem! Respect: isn't that supposed to be a trademark of the good guys?:rotfl:

"The land of equal opportunity" United States gets all hierarchical and command-obsessed. The equal people at the top get a severe case of "do what you're told or get squished like a cockroach." Blame the little guy becomes the battle cry in the land of the free. Abuse of power in the bastion of democracy! Hey you! THEY're the Nazis.

Unfortunately, this contrast permeated the military organizations of both countries. The German land forces were equal to three times the effectiveness of similar American units. American generals quickly learned that without achieving a three to one numerical advantage, action in a particular area was futile. Soon that was a requirement for any attack but the most desperate. This is perhaps the supreme irony of the war.

In the middle of 1943, after over a year and a half of impotence, the US finally got their torpedoes in order and started sinking Japanese shipping instead of cursing at lousy torpedoes.

Lets not forget the enterprising few American skippers whom against 'orders' disabled the magnetic contacts and set their torpedoes to run shallower than advised. ;)

[Rip]

Democracy doesn't extend into the military. Operational control of all the military machine was pretty much facist. Can't imagine a democratic military would fair very well.