When the TDC is broken . . .

[Sammy-rai]

I've noticed from looking at the sub damage menu that the TDC is a component which can be damaged.



1) But does anyone know if the TDC can be destroyed for the duration of a SH4 war patrol ?


2) And if 1) is true, would it be possible to continue the patrol, targeting ships using the Constant Bearing attack method ?
(see 'Sub Skipper's Bag of Tricks' sticky)



3) If 1) is not true, is it possible to mod SH4 so it could happen ? Would be interesting !! :yep:



4) Did it ever happen in real life that a sub out on a war patrol got its TDC knocked out of action but soldiered on, using alternative targeting methods ? And I don't mean using the targeting banjo or earlier derivatives.

[Bubblehead1980]

I've noticed from looking at the sub damage menu that the TDC is a component which can be damaged.



1) But does anyone know if the TDC can be destroyed for the duration of a SH4 war patrol ?


2) And if 1) is true, would it be possible to continue the patrol, targeting ships using the Constant Bearing attack method ?
(see 'Sub Skipper's Bag of Tricks' sticky)



3) If 1) is not true, is it possible to mod SH4 so it could happen ? Would be interesting !! :yep:



4) Did it ever happen in real life that a sub out on a war patrol got its TDC knocked out of action but soldiered on, using alternative targeting methods ? And I don't mean using the targeting banjo or earlier derivatives.


Yes, TDC can be damaged/destroyed to where it does not function properly. However, I believe stock and most mods have its hit points et set so high, its extremely rare. In TMO I lowered its hit points to 100 and armor to 0.0. From time to time, it does get damaged during depth charge attack. However, its rare if it impacts functionality. I recall on one occasion a close DC which wrecked the conning tower(damaged all equipment in tower, flooding, ) TDC was 97 percent damaged. When I tried to use the Position Keeper on the TDC, the dials would spin, make weird noises. I disengaged the PK and noticed dials still updated but the TDC was essentially non functional due to its most important part, the part which separated US TDC's from other nations, is the part the lost functionality.


Yes, can continue the patrol but player loses a important tool, but can fire using other methods.. I've never had TDC reach 100 percent damage so not sure how things would work then, if at all. I am sure can still fire without the TDC though. Basically, its like when I run a S boat career in 1941/1942, most S boats never had a TDC, a few got them in 1943, but most never did so I don't use the PK when shooting. I doubt you lose full functionality since in sim equipment damaged to 90 percent or great performs(or does not) at same level as 100. If TDC was listed listed as "destructible" but issue found with this when modding the damage model for subs is it can cause a CTD when certain items are changed to destructible.


TDC was, by design, one of the most durable pieces of equipment on the sub. They endured many intense depth charge attacks, the shaking, shock waves, bombs, heavy seas etc and still functioned. On a few occasions were heavily damaged but in most cases repaired at sea. I recall the USS Jack was off Tokyo Bay in 1943, a close aircraft bomb at periscope during attack on convoy caused serious damage, including some to TDC. Dials were blown off the TDC, some hanging by springs, gears attached to machine. Repairs were completed and functionality restored. Have read other accounts as well in memoirs by captains, crew, and in the patrol reports as well. Overall, very tough piece of equipment that rarely was knocked out for a entire patrol.

If TDC was knocked out, the only alternative firing method they used in real life, that I am aware of is using the "banjo", because torpedoes on gyros had to be preset before firing, unlike the TDC which was linked to torpedoes and updated gyros until moment of firing. In a pinch they would "shoot by eye" and guess, but US doctrine was built around the TDC, which rarely broke down.

[Sammy-rai]

OK, thanks. Hadn't expected to hear that the TDC was so rugged !