Shoot on periscope bearing?

[thesnowpig]

Hi. Sorry if this has been asked already. I searched but could not find it.
Is there a way on manual targeting to set the tdc to shoot on the periscope bearing? When I get inside a convoy it would be nice to be able to point and shoot quickly. I did figure out how to reset the tdc to shoot either on a 0, or a 180 bearing and then aim by maneuvering the boat but it would be nice to set the torpedo gyro to shoot down the periscope bearing. -thanks

[Flaxpants]

Yes you can, but not in the same way you would with a German TDC.

The Dick O'Kane method describes a way to do this, it involves turning off the TDC just before you fire, unlocking the periscope and then sending a new range/bearing from where you have your periscope aligned, generally from a point just in front of the target. You can then shoot as the target passes the crosshairs.

Of course, if your initial TDC data input is flawed then your torps are still going to miss.

[White Owl]

I'm still very much a newbie, but...

If I'm expecting to be in the middle of a convoy, or some other situation where my target ship will be very close and zig-zagging so I know carefully setting up the position keeper will be a whole lot more trouble than it's worth, then this works for me: I just set the TDC speed to zero, angle on the bow doesn't matter, range doesn't matter, point the periscope where I want the torpedo to go, hit the "send range and bearing" button, fine tune the angle in the torpedo settings if necessary, and finally fire the torpedo. It takes longer to type all that than it does to actually do it. Remember to re-aim the periscope and send range and bearing for each torpedo.

[Flaxpants]

I'm still very much a newbie, but...

If I'm expecting to be in the middle of a convoy, or some other situation where my target ship will be very close and zig-zagging so I know carefully setting up the position keeper will be a whole lot more trouble than it's worth, then this works for me: I just set the TDC speed to zero, angle on the bow doesn't matter, range doesn't matter, point the periscope where I want the torpedo to go, hit the "send range and bearing button", fine tune the angle in the torpedo settings if necessary, and finally fire the torpedo. It takes longer to type all that than it does to actually do it. Remember to re-aim the periscope and send range and bearing for each torpedo.

Yep, that can work too at short ranges, and as you say, send a range/bearing each time you fire. It's important to remember that unlike the German subs, the TDC is not slaved to the periscope, hence the need to continually send a new bearing.

[thesnowpig]

Thanks, I'll give it try. ... "slaved to the periscope" thats exactly what I was trying to ask but for the life of me couldn't find the vocabulary for. (Thanks again!)

[Daniel Prates]

If you want to shoot directly on your line of bearing, just set TDC speed to zero. I think it is the easiest way, the dial is just there and it takes only a click. The rest of the TDC inputed data will become irrelevant.

[Bubblehead1980]

American TDC works differently(and better but thats an argument for another time)

Anyway, the advantage the US TDC had was the PK or position keeper.You could literally enter the range, bearing, AOB and speed, drop the scope and let the target come to you and fire, as the PK keeps track of the changing picture.I've had to do this before when an escort came close would detect me if I didnt go deep but was not quite ready to shoot.I was in a Gato so went to 140 feet, waited two minutes then fired and my fish hit and the target was sunk., watched the picture unfold on the TDC(PK on) and when had the desired shot, I fired.

There are two ways to attack with US TDC.You can send a final bearing, fire, then use the spread knob to cover the target or you can fire individual shots(which is most accurate) but placing scope on desired point of impact, then hit the send range/bearing button.The latter method is more accurate for me and both methods are historically accurate.

There are other player created methods such as the O Kane etc that some swear by but I use the historical methods and they net much better results for me.A lot of trial and error, good luck.