Easy AOB Mod

[Doenitz2008]

I just downloaded and installed this as per the directions in the readme file. What specifically does this mod do, and how can I tell if its working properly? Probably the answer to the first question is the answer to the second :)

[I'm goin' down]

Explaining the Aob mod takes some time. You have to know how to plot a target's course on the Nav Map. Easy Aob let's you enter the course into the TDC ship's dials.

First, set the range, aob and stadimetter on the attack dials (upper screen to the right) to match the target's course, speed and aspect ratio, and it will be reflected in the ships dials on the TDC ship screen (upper screen to the left). All of this is explained in the thread. I suggest you start there unless someone wants to give you a tutorial. It was runner up for the mod of the year a few years ago. Leaning the ins and outs of the markings on the TDC ship's dials takes time, but there is a lot of information there.

[Gerald]

:salute:

[Doenitz2008]

[QUOTE=I'm goin' down;1604786]Explaining the Aob mod takes some time. You have to know how to plot a target's course on the Nav Map. Easy Aob let's you enter the course into the TDC ship's dials.

Thanks for the tips. I have tried to find the original thread but can't could you please post a link?

Thanks

[I'm goin' down]

Go to the mods forum and look in Neal Stevens' sticky thread entitled "SH4 Popular Mods, Tools, Technical advice & Tactical tips." The Easy Aob mod is listed under popular mods. It is the first mod listed.

Note: Upper left screen is the TDC screen containing the ships' dials for your boat and the target. Upper right screen are three screens representing the Attack Dials. One of the Attack Dials is the Aob. In the stock game, when you adjust the Aob dial, the ships' dials DO NOt make a corresponding adjustment. Easy Aob resolves that issue, and when the mod is activated adjusting the Aob dial will make corresponding adjustments to ships' dials on the TDC if the PK is not activated. When the Aob is entered correctly and you have input range (aspect ratio) and speed, you turn on the PK. The TDC will track the target unless it happens to change speed or course. It will track the target even if your boat is in motion. You can confirm the TDC is tracking the boat by opening the Attack Screen.

This mod permits a captain to fire accurately at long range and at angles to the target other than those discussed in the Skippers Bag of Trick sticky thread in the main forum. To use the Easy Aob you have to know how plot a target's true course on the Nav Map using the compass tool, adjust the Aob dial accordingly, and observe the corresponding changes to the target's course on the ships' dials screen on the TDC. You have to understand the difference between relative course and true course. There is a lot of information of the ships' dials, such as the Aob of the target, the torpedo angle, the true and relative courses of your boat and the target, etc. Plan on spending some time to master the ship's dials screen as you get familiar with manual targeting. This mod enables and embodies the essence of manual targeting, the basics of which are explained in Hitman's tutorial entitled Manual Targeting at 100% Realism, which is a pdf worth sinking your teeth into if you don't have a clue as to what is going on. That is where I started. If you use the tutorial, I recommend playing a practice mission with the tutorial printed and on your desk so you can refer to it. You will have to do some elementary math, but by doing it you will understand the concept of aspect ratio and its role when calculating range, which is an important concept in manual targeting.

Also, if you are using the Dick O'Kane method for attacks, note that the TDC will, in a loose sense, track the target even though the PK is not activated. The TDC works to set a lead angle for a torpedo if you enter speed, range and Aob, even if the PK has not been activated. However, even though the TDC sets a lead angle, it can be distinquished from manual targeting in it will not track the target along its course unless the PK is activated. That is reason captain's set a firing point in the Dick O'Kane attack scenario, as the PK is not activated and consequently the TDC will not track a moving target, but it will establish a lead angle based upon your input of speed, Aob and range on the Attack Dials (i.e. assume there a target approaching from 300 degrees to your port side, so you calculate its speed at 8 knots, set up for a broadside shot, and set a firing point of 350 degrees. If you fire when the target crosses 35o degrees, the torpedoe and the target should rondevous around 358 to 360 degrees if the speed of the torpedoes is 45 kts. In this O'Kane scenario the TDC sets the lead angle, but does not track the target while it proceeds on its course.)

Caution!: Note, even if the PK is activated for use in classic manual targeting, if you measured a target's speed incorrectly; or the target changes speed or course after you have entered the data; or you set the Aob incorrectly; or you miscalculate range (aspect ratio), a shot may miss the target because the firing solution will be inacurrate. In short, there is always a chance your firing solution will be incorrect due to human error or due to the fact the target may unexpectedly change its course of speed after you have set up a good firing solution. You will understand all of this as you practice manual targeting. Use the Attak Map to check your firing solution, and you can follow the angle of the fired torpedoes on the Attack Map to verify your firing solution.

When you are familiar with O'kane and manual targeting things can always go awry (foobar.) I set up for an aft torpedo salve using O'kane. Everything was perfect in the set up. All my shot missed by a mile! What the hell happened? Elementary, my dear Watson. I fired my forward torpedoes instead of the aft ones! The torpedoes all heaed 180 degrees off course. Worse still, I fired all six torpedeos in the forward tubes. I did not sink many ships on that patrol! Lesson: don't overlook the small stuff. I can get you killed.

Come back in six months and tell us how you are doing!