60 Degrees?

[DigitalAura]

From the Sub Handbook in the sticky:

95. When attacking ships with low and medium speeds, at close range, it ballistically advantageous to fire at an angle of the target of 90, as errors estimating the position will in this case have the least effect, besides which the speed of the enemy can be most accurately gauged in this position. If the range is longer (over 1,000 m), and the target is traveling at a high rate of speed, an attempt should be made to launch the torpedo at a smaller angle, say, 60.

Can someone tell me why a smaller angle is recommended here?
And if the enemy is to port is that 60 degrees off the port or the starboard? :o

[Frederf]

Presumably a target that maneuvers after the shot will be more likely hit at 60°? Maybe it gives you a chance to fire again? I don't know, but I do know that 90° AOB isn't the best angle for errors in aim. Depending on the speed of the torpedo and target, it's actually more in the 100-110° range. There's a submarine manual that explains why exactly.

[RodBorza]

DA,

Man..I believe this is because of the torpedoes.
They had a LOT of problems with the Mk14, and one things that was fairly commom was that a torpedo hitting a target in an angle of 90º, would do a clang, but not a bang (the detonator would be set, but the explosives wouldn't go off).

If you wanna more info, please read thie very interesting article on the Wikipedia:

"In 7 out of 10 of these trials, firing mechanisms bent, jammed, and failed with the high inertia of a straight-on hit (the prewar ideal).[46] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_14_torpedo#cite_note-Blair.2C_p.438-45) A quick fix was to encourage "glancing" shots[47] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_14_torpedo#cite_note-Blair.2C_p.439-46) (which cut the number of duds in half)..."

See the link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_14_torpedo


Have fun..errr...Good Hunting, sailor!