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zigging course
I played TM 3 re the boat to the south. I think I plotted its zigs pretty accurately. I drew a course line. I had not moved my boat at all during the tracking and left map contacts on to verify that I was in the ball park with the plots. By the time of the last plot, it was pulling away in an ENE direction at roughly 6,000 yds.
Then I got ambitious. Since the target will still SE of my position, I decided to head due west, thinking I could run parallel to its course, ultimately gettng ahead of it with the aim of sinking it about 20 miles away. That did not work, as I quickly (within 5 minutes) found out. Either that boat, or a potential target to the NE, spotted my sub and fired on it. When I checked the Nav Map re their respective positions, both had turned directly away from my new course. Both must have spotted my boat. The target to the south had changed course to due south. Catching it would have been next to impossible in the short term, plus my original course plot for that target was now useless. I gave up. But, I did do a reasonable job at plotting its zigging course per the tutorial. It was good practice to plot it. So, I am through with TM 3. TM 4 is going to be a bitch, as I have tried it twice with map contacts off. I will give it a couple more shots with map contacts off. If I fail, then I will turn map contacts on and try my skill. |
Here is some news
After a couple of hours of plotting I hit the slow tanker coming in from the NW in TM #4 with two torpedoes. This is the training mission mission where you cannot see the target due to fog and rain. I played with map contacts on. It was not easy, took a long time, and if the target had not been moving slowly I would have failed.
I experienced three problems. First, my plots for speed did not line up with my six or seven plots of the target's course (109 degrees.) They were not drastically off. Second, I calculated the target speed at 4 kts. I would be interested to know if that is correct. I find it difficult to trust the range reading for my second speed plot, because I spent time sending the plot to the TDC, which added time before I laid the plot down on the Nav Map. I do not know how to figure in the extra time, so I just went by the 3 minute rule, which is when I read the second range and bearing. I probably should have added 15 seconds but that would have reduced the target's speed below 4 kts. and it did not seem like a good idea. I adjusted the range when the target was close via sonar. The third problem almost did me in. I plotted range and bearing on both speed plots, and sent them to the TDC. As has been explained in other posts, that means the target's course must be reentered. Because the target was around 2,000 yds. when I transmitted the range and bearing for these plots to the TDC, its Aob began to change rapidly as it approached firing range. As a result, the Target Course dial on the 3D TDC began to rotate quickly, and I could not hold it in position to reset the course precisely to 109 degrees. I ended up getting the course set close enough as it turned out. The situation created a little angst. I fired 6 shots at 1,000 yds. with a spread on all but two torpedoes. I had two hits. I tried to capture the second contact via a screenshot, but failed. Other than the explosions, I never got a visual on the target. Tough mod to use when the target is obscured. |
TM No. 3, part two - time for a beer!
I just finished the second part of TM No. 4 (the cation says TM No. 3, but it is incorrect). This is the attack on the tanker coming from the north east in the fog and rain. I plotted its course as 219 degree, and speed at 10 kts.
I thought I was too close to the course line again, but my speed plots indicated otherwise. I fired six torpedoes. Four contacts-- after what seemed an eternity (probably 30 seconds). Two missed shots. The sonar man did not announce the hits, but I saw the water splashing at a distance despite the rain, and heard two muffled explosions. I played this mission with map contacts disabled. I think I am getting the hang of the 3D TDC and JC's tutorial. It hasn't been a joy ride, but 4 for 6 makes me believe I am on the right track. Quite an interesting mod. A real advance over the sonar only attack from the Werner Sobe tutorial. I did not use sonar on this attack run. I did not have time. I got my final solution input when the target was around 1800 yds. to port. I set up for a broadside and fired torpedoes when the Aob reading on the TDC on the periscope screen indicated the target was at 80 degrees. I had a 1/2 degree torpedo spread right and left. Again I had to struggle getting the course input after the final readings due to the close proximity of the target. I simply did not have time to plot the speed readings earlier, as I had to repeat my speed calculations as I made an error that first time, and that cost me valuable time (6 minutes +). There is a definite risk in waiting to transmit the final readings of range and bearing to the TDC. If the target is close to the firing point it become very difficult to input the correct course to the TDC because the target's Aob is changing with rapidity (in plain English, the Target Course dial begins rotate rapidly as the target's Aob changes, thus making it damn near impossible to line up the two triangles on the Target Course dial with any projected (i.e. "planned") course. Reason: By the time the triangles on the Target Course dial are in their appropriate position, the triangles and the Target Course dial have rotated out of that position because the Aob of the target is rapidly changing!). This makes it difficult to capture the true course on the Target Course dial on the 3D TDC and transmit it to the TDC via the stadimeter. I was lucky in that regard. If the target were at a range of 2,500 yds. or more, I probably would not have experienced a problem, as the Aob would have been adjusting to the target's course more slowly. [Sheesh! that is a hard concept to express in print.] It is a nuance that Nisgeis is probably appreciates already, and possibly JC as well. Until I saw it happening and had time to think about it, I had no idea it could factor into attack planning. Just to be sure, as to the third part of this TM (No. 4), does it only involve a plotting exercise of the zigging course? The introduction to the mission states the objective is to sink all the targets. I think it would be impossible to sink the third target, because it closes quite quickly, and with no visual contact, one would have to be very proficient with the mod, plus have a degree of luck to get the shots off with any accuracy, let alone hit or sink it. If the mission is to sink the target, I will probably pass -- too tough. I have one more TM left. It is the TDC training mission. I have tried it twice. The first time I did something wrong, and the target sailed off in a direction I did not expect. It quickly disappeared over the horizon!! The second time my shots missed aft of the target. I did not measure range with the stadimeter range tool on the second attempt. I set range via sonar as the target closed. I must have made a minor error as it appeared that course and speed were input properly. I fired at 1350 yds. and at an Aob of 82 degress. This TM should be easier than the others, and I should have probably tackled it first. I will figure it out tomorrow, hopefully. Then I can take my new skills into a career, and stop with the questions. |
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Hello Again.
Not entirely relevant to training, but given this mod was a integral part of the last 6 hours of SH i've played i thought i'd share. The weather conditions were poor with strong wind's, Fog and heavily overcast clouds. Visibility was probably 800 or so yards for the majority of the chase and way less for the finale. Playing TMO 2.0 With RSRDC, i just started a patrol from Fremantle in late '43. Heading north, my Patrol area was just past the Formosa straight, so i slipped past java towards my Objective. Early morning; my Radar operator called to me. Initially concerned it was a plane, a few minutes of sneaking closer revealed a 5 ship group shaped like a cross. Not like any merchant convoy i'd seen, i began plotting their course. My suspicions were confirmed when i plotted a 18 Knot speed. I immediately went ahead flank in order to keep up with the group and what followed was the most intense chase and pursuit i've ever undertaken in SH. Clearing the straight near Java, i was positioned east of the convoy, something that would come back to haunt me. Due to the heavy wave action, the convoy was moving at a sober pace and my Balao was forcing through at between 16 - 19 Knots. To complicate matters, i was about 10nm away or closer and one of the DD's kept hearing my prop's and coming to investigate, so i used the time to go under and listen on the Hydrophone to check my radar bearings etc, Final confirmation also came on target type after this first check as the prop noises were distinctly large warship and DD props. Kept going north along the east of Borneo and without warning the convoy turned North west, effectively losing the ground i had made up with my 1 knot advantage which was already stretched thin. Chasing the convoy along the coast, it again turned, this time towards Borneo. Checking my map, a base was marked, however the convoy was heading on a angle to the coast, rather than at the base. I guessed they would turn and head directly as they neared, a hypothesis that turned to be correct. I'd been fiddling with the TDC for the entire trip, but never had a small enough range to accurately plot a course considering i'd spent all this time just keeping up. Having predicted the course, i was now in a favorable firing position, or as favorable as i was going to get. So, i started plotting the course and with something of a shock realized the sun had set and i was now operating at night in fog. I couldn't see the front of my boat, let alone confirm things visually. This was an issue, because although i had done in training missions, I'd never really been 100% and was now using it against a real enemy. Not just a Merchant either. Anyway, i plotted my solution, got it accurate and sounded battle stations before running at the targets at flank speed. Sadly i hadn't anticipated a target of this Value and was running 3x MK14, 2XMK18 and a cutie to engage merchant shipping. With no spare tubes i couldn't unload the latter 3 and replace them with the more powerful Mark 14's, but life is like that. Once i was at 3900 yards i fired all tubes at spread angles of - 5, - 2, 0, + 2 + 5. The cutey i shot out to the side to take a DD on hopefully. Curious to see what i had been tracking, i went freecamera and looked. An Escort Carrier and a Fleet carrier, with my torps running at the big one. Sadly my solution had a 50 Yard range error i'd forgotten to correct for with extra spread and as i fired the torpedo's i realized in shallower water the waves had lessened, resulting in a small speed increase on the Convoy. All my torpedo's passed JUST astern, the +5 Spread literally just missed the rear of the big carrier. Hindsight is a bitch like that, if i'd just got out of the habit of trusting the accuracy of my visual solutions and put more spread on or noticed my sub had picked up a knot or 2 i would have scored hits. Still, IMMENSELY satisfying to know i understand the TDC well enough to plot a solution with it and even moreso to know my solution was accurate. I now grapple with the urge to load my previous night's save and send it to the bottom using illgained knowledge or to continue on my patrol since i intended to play dead as dead and not load saves on this one. What would you guys do? Also, big thanks to both Nisgeis and John Channing, both for the mod and the help you've provided. Took a while to get the hang of it but your tutorial was invaluable and the mod is priceless. |
TM No. 4,third target
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This mission is too advanced for me, at least at this stage. It was a good lesson though. I learned my limitations in using the mod. I will practice in TMO 2.0, and one day come back and try it again--after awhile. I am pretty much through with learning about the mod. I have a few tasks left. I have to figure out what some of the red dials signify on the 3D TDC, but I think they are explained in your posts. Also, I see two triangles sometimes on the A scope screen, but the dark one seem useless. I will see if that is explained as well, as I recall that it was. I recall a discussion about tying a digital readout of something to the program but forget what it was. That seemed like a good idea at the time. Those are my specific comments re the unit itself. My other comments litter this thread. You should be proud of this mod. The tutorial is good, too. The mod enhances the game and the skill of those that use it. Thanks for you patience while I learned how to use it.:salute: |
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If you can find a copy of "Shinano: The Sinking of Japan's Secret Supership" by Enright, Joseph F, and James W. Ryan (ISBN 0-312-97746-8) pick it up. It's a great read and parts of it are going to seem strangely familiar to you. JCC |
my life won't be complete
I am trying to figure out celestial navigation. Not only will I not see the enemy on radar with map contacts off, I won't see my boat either. That ought to be interesting. I am stocking up on supplies (extra beer and pretzels) in case I get lost. (p.s. I know nothing about celestial navigation, except I can identify orion's belt, the moon and the Big Dipper).
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Thanks for the book recommendation as well. I've read about the Shinano briefly, a book on the boat and her sinking would be great. |
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Once you find Polaris, Latitude is simple to figure with a sextant. For Longitude, you need a real accurate clock. . . . but I haven't quite figured that one out myself. Good Hunting |
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I'm so used to plotting a accurate visual solution i'd gotten into a habit of expecting impacts, so my spreads are usually fairly small. On reflection given my lack of concrete knowledge on the target i should have used a larger spread (Say -10, -5, 0, +5, +10). Still, i'll have a fiddle with that mod. Looks fantastic for dealing with some of the bigger warships. Thanks for the link :salute: |
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I somehow missed that one first time around. Very useful. I've always calculated my spread angles using the 'by guess and by golly' method, with somewhat mediocre results. I believe the real TDC could calculate spread angles for you, for a given target length? (Or 200 or 300% of the target length if one was unsure of ones solution). I'm sure I read you saying somewhere that it's not possible to put that into our TDC, so this chart is a very nice alternative. |
Don't make the spreads too wide, or you may have the target sail inbetween the torpedoes. If you can work out the angular width of the target, you can use that as a maximum spread between individual torpedoes.
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I haven't been playing SH(3 or 4) for a couple of months now, but ever since your 3D TDC mod came out, I've been feeling the urge growing again. I really want to give this mod a shot. Surely it can't be as difficult as it is made out to be. It does look like a challenge though. :) |
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