How They Really Did It

[Maky]

After downloading a few mods yesterday, I have lost my data notepad for ranging my targets. I am now attempting to figure out how to do it know. The mods I have downloaded havn't got much in the way of instructions. The data notepad has been replaced with a large 2 disk dial with a sort of needle on it.
I have allready seen this method somewhere before but I dont really want to use it unless it is the way the real U-Boat crew used to do it.
At the moment I cant get a range from my target as I cant click on the notepad to release the horizontal line on the periscope.
So I'm stuck.

Does anyone on here know the exact method used?
I dont want to learn this new method if the germans didnt use it and this mod is just a convenient method.

[Capt. Morgan]

Can you please tell us what mods you are using?

[Maky]

I am using loads of mods but the mod that I believe has altered the existance of the notepad is either....

ACM Reloaded for OLC 'Gold' MKII
ACM-GUI Reloaded -h.sie's Edition V1.15
Raptors Interface V2.0

I now have a tutorial I'm reading of how to find the range and angle on bow using a drop down dial that drops around the periscope.

I just want to know if this is the method used by the Germans or wether they used the horizontal line on the periscope that you use with the notepad method in un-modified GWX

[Sailor Steve]

Actually they had a split-image rangefinder similar to the one the Americans used. You can only get that with SH4.

[Maky]

I'm really suprised that the fanatics on here havn't made it available for SH3.

[Sailor Steve]

Have you looked at it? It's a work of art, probably hardcoded and no more feasible than the transparent water.

[CCIP]

Well, I don't think the engine currently supports that... perhaps with the new .exe mods, that could be accomplished.


Otherwise, you might not appreciate the difference immediately, but the cool thing about this type of targeting (as opposed to the traditional notepad) is that it allows you to to actually calculate AoB and speed (rather than estimate them, as with the notepad). That results in a big increase in accuracy, if you know how to use it right and learn some of the simple math behind targeting. It's definitely an increase in the workload, but IMO a much more elegant solution than the notepad.

It's not 'accurate' per se, but the rings do emulate real slide rules used in making attack calculations on U-boats. If you wanted to be really 'realistic' and use the methods used on U-boats, your best bet would be to build your own slide rules/wheels (if you dig around the forum, you can even find printable versions of these) and then enter data directly into the TDC. However arguably, the rings-around-the-periscope method is a fair compromise - makes you do the same calculations, keeps the same level of precision, but does it all without ever making you navigate from the attack scope screen.

[Maky]

I think I already have the wheels you speak of ready to print.
I downloaded them yesterday from this site I think part of a document and tutorial collection.
I don't think there much different with the one I'm using in game now.
I prefer these dials over the notepad method anyway so I'll stick with this.

Do you have a link to have a look at the work of art?