Struggling with attacking a zigzag task force

[jldjs]

First attack on a task force where capital ships are zigzagging. I prefer Dick O'Kane method or vector analysis, but this situation I'm chasing and the CV is zigzagging, as I approach at an AoB of about 145 deg. I'm looking for tips on how to setup the shoot on a zigzagiing target.

[Bosje]

what i always do is treat a zigzagging target like it's sailing on a straight course, the Position Keeper can be your friend.

pick a ship and plot his course like you normally would, it helps if you know their original course already (they started zigzagging when you got close but you were plotting before the zigzag)

place marks across the path on 3 minute intervals like you normally would, enter the given speed in the TDC. warships going 15 knots, turning left and right, may translate to a speed of 9 knots along a fixed track.

as long as they are zigzagging rougly on their original course, you can fire a spread with good results, it's just that the TDC says speed 9 while the ships themselves are doing 15 knots.
if they are not zigzagging along a fixed course but rather turning about all over the place... wait for one of them to zag straight into your sights.

get lucky, get close, eyeball it, spread out your shots
or: use the zigzag as an advantage to get ahead. they are now effectively slowed down so you can use your surface speed to get into a good position ahead of them. (specially at night)

hope that was clear

[raymond6751]

The zig zag is also most likely on a fixed time or distance per zig.

By that I mean you can predict when the turn will happen by observation.

Once you have their base course figured, you just get ahead and parallel them waiting for the predicted zig in your direction.

It take a lot longer, but a kill will be that much more satisfying.

[Rockin Robbins]

You have the advantage that your victims are very long ships. Two things make your solution more error tolerant: closing the distance for the shot and large size of target. Doing both makes your job a lot easier.

Your main problem is that your target's high speed reduces your ability to achieve a good firing point. You'll likely only get one chance. The pull out and try an end around. If they hit the jets and go to 20 knots that won't work too well until they slow down to their normal cruise of 10 knots.