New to manual targeting..
 

Okay, I've read about it, looked at some tutorials and now I think I have the basic understanding and would like to try manual aiming, except for one question...

I'm really must apologize, but it's a really stupid question..

I put in the estimated speed, the Aob, and range. When I am looking through the periscope, when do I fire? At 0 deg or the lead angle?

I am under the impression that I don't need to use lead angle if I am using the TDC. Is this correct? And the lead angle calculator only works at 90 deg.

Thanks

No apology necessary we all have asked similar questions in the past. :yep:

There are many methods for getting a firing solution and seems like your getting them mixed up.

For a TDC/PK attack you input Speed, AoB and range/bearing into the TDC and send all to the position Keeper (PK) that is the set of dials on the left
On the bottom right of that panel is a button to turn on the PK. This will update the firing solution as the target moves so you can fire any time you have a good solution. With map contacts ON and if you have entered good data, looking at the attack map there will be a white X that will be right on or very close to the target and it will follow the target as it moves. If the X is off adjust your data till it's correct. As long as the X is on the target you can fire and should get a hit. You will want to be at a good AoB, something between 45° and 90°. I use 65 to 90°
OPEN THE TORPEDO DOORS FIRST, Q key.

Shooting using a lead angle is a different firing solution, constant bearing solutions. Dick O'Kane (90°), Cromwell (45°) vector analysis, any AoB.
You do not turn on the PK for any of them and with vector analysis you don't input any thing into the TDC unless you have used it for some other attack. These are zero gyro angle attacks so the torpedo shoots straight out the front and the lead angle is just that, you shoot when the target gets to that bearing angle.

The only stupid question is the one you don't ask, so feel free to ask away.:yeah:

With manual targeting it takes some practice but soon the light goes on and it gets very easy. Stick with it.

Magic

Thanks from me also, Magic! This is the question I always wondered, but were afraid to ask. Still planning to get on with manual targeting.

Thanks for the help! One more question...Which method was the most realistic way, using the TDC or lead angle approach?

The constant bearing methods (lead angle) described here were developed by various members of the forum and I don't know if any were used in the war.
Some of the history buffs here could answer that better than I.

For my money I would say that the TDC/PK is the most realistic.
Constant bearing is by far the most accurate.

Magic

TDC/PK is the historically accurate way to fire torpedos and to me, the easiest.Some have trouble with it and use other methods.The historical way works for me so I use it.

Learn them all over time, you'll find yourself in situations where you'll prefer one over the other. All the real skippers used some different methods or a combination of them.

O'Kane is my favorite by far. I mostly shoot by sonar, so it works great, plus good way to shoot in storms when you can't see.

Seconded. Have as many tricks in your bag as possible.

this

Reminds me of a stickied thread buried around here somewhere...:D

Okay I have been trying to sink the cruiser in sub school #3 using 90 degree approach and I keep missing ahead.


I use 12 kts as target speed, send it to the TDC, max out the range, select 10 degree lead angle, set the Aob to 080 (090 minus 10 deg lead angle). I open all doors and set speed to high.

My course is 000 and as the target crosses 350, I shoot EVERYTHING as the target passes from its bow to its stern. As I check the attack map, all of the torpedoes miss ahead.

What did I do wrong? Should I have shot as the target crossed 000 on the periscope instead of 350 or leave the Aob at 090?

Any suggestions? I was using O'Kane attack crib notes as reference.

Thanks

Have you put the periscope to 350 and then pushed the "send to TDC" button?

( I'm just a noob but I'm practicing the same thing ;) )

Yes, I set the periscope to 350 and sent the info to the tdc.

:hmmm: You didn't mention it but I assume the target is heading 090. Right?

Yes, the target is heading 090, in the begining anyways.... I did not check its course again, since I was rushing through the calculations before it had past. MAybe I need to re-check its course....

I take it you guys are practicing the tutorials by Rockin Robbins, the O'Kane 90 attack, ect..

You'll have it down soon enough if you watch his video's. He even has cards you can print out explaining each method until you get it down.

Sticky is at the top..."Skipper bad of tricks..ect...

Jep, that's the one! Very nice tutorial! Got the cards printed out as well.:yeah:

Yesterday almost got it right but stupid merchant suddenly felt the need to change it's course... :damn:

That is, because the cruiser runs at about 9 Knots, if i recall correctly. The O'Kane Method cancels out range, not speed. So getting the correct speed of the target is important.

Try to hit the Mogami with AOB set to 80, lead Angle 10 deg (Periscope at 350 deg.), and torps to "fast."

Open the outer doors well before firing and fire when the part that you want to hit crosses the hairline at 350 deg. in your Periscope.

The O'Kane Method is, at least for me, by far the easiest and the most successful.

Keep trying. It takes a bit of time. Took some for all of us to figure things out. But its quite rewarding when in the end, you sink ships the manual way. :03:

MAGIC452's reply included the following;
"With map contacts ON and if you have entered good data, looking at the attack map there will be a white X that will be right on or very close to the target and it will follow the target as it moves. If the X is off adjust your data till it's correct. As long as the X is on the target you can fire and should get a hit."

How do know how to adjust your data for the firing solution by the relationship of the "x" to the target? If "x" is behind does that mean the speed setting is off? Which way, too fast or too slow? Is the AoB off? Which way, too sharp or to shallow?

If the X is closer to your sub than the target, the range is short. If it's farther than the target, the range is long. The target and the X both have a line indicating the heading. If you get the AOB correct, they'll be pointing the same way (if you're really good, the X and heading will be right over the target). For speed, observe the X and the target. Remember where they are, relative to each other. Take another look after a few seconds. If the X is moving ahead, your speed estimate is too fast. If the X is falling behind the target, speed is to low.

If the X is nowhere near the target, moving in the wrong direction, you're using my method. It doesn't work too well.