In your post #63 range doesn't figure into the solution at all so moving backwards, forward or not at all should not affect your shot. Just shoot when the target crosses your shooting bearing (lead angle).
If your moving and hit the +/= key and the scope is anywere but 0° your boat will turn.
As long as your on the original "own ship" course line, range is no factor if more than 500 yd and less than the range of the torpedo. If you missed your boat may have been turning?????
If the target is off it's course line a little but parallel you should still hit, because range is not a factor.
The sound man's call of bearing is to MOT not the bow so it will be off and at close range could be 2 or 3°, also there is a lag time for the call to be made, this makes sound only shots more difficult. If the solution says 353° than that is where you point the scope and shoot at the part of the target you want to hit.
If you are missing it could well be that the target has seen the wakes and changed speed. With this or any shooting solution conditions play a big part, Clear sky and calm seas and even range effect every shot and must be taken into account.
Don't be too concerned about the angle you approach the target course line, it can be any angle you want 90, 75, or less(Cromwell is 45°). I use an angle of 60 to 70°. 90° gives you a little bit bigger target to shoot at nothing more.
Once I have a target course line, I pick a point on that line and use the nav. map way point plotting tool to set my approach angle. Put a way point right on the target course line and that is where you
torpedos will impact the target, your boat can be anywere on that line within range of the torpedo.
If I'm not sure about the exact angle I measure it with the protractor tool and adjust the way point till I get the desired AoB, that's AoB of the torpedo at impact. Once you have stabilized on that heading or course line you than can hit the +/= key to get your heading number (point the scope to 0° first) to enter into the solution tool. That is more accurate than trying to read it off the compass.
One good thing about using a way point is even if you are moving you will stay on the same course unless YOU change it.
This tool is nothing more than a simple and more accurate way to set up a vector analysis attack. No drawing of triangles etc.
It is very good for shooting at two targets using high and low speed torpedos.
IGD Try this: (best done under low visibility conditions or short range)
1) find a target and get it's speed and course line.
2) Put a way point on the target course line as I described above at a 65° AoB. And get within any range you wish to shoot at.
3) The target speed will equal your lead angle (shooting bearing.)
if you are shooting Mk.14 on high speed.
Ex: a 9k speed will = 9° lead angle for Mk.14 on high speed.
4) while you are waiting for the target set up your torpedos to
high speed, contact and 10 or so feet deep. Open the doors.
and be sure the PK is set to 0 speed, 0 AoB and 0 bearing.
a zero gyro angle shot. Do not turn the PK on.
5) Point the scope to 9° if the target is approaching from your right
351° if from the left.
6) Do nothing else!!!!! Except save the game.
7) Shoot as the fat parts cross the wire.
IF the target stays on the same course and speed you will hit it.
If the target changes speed or turns you may miss, this is true of any type firing solution.
Load up the save
input the target course heading (measure with the compase rose)
Input your course heading using the +/= key.
Input the target and torpedo speed . 9K and 46K
The solutiton will be almost exactly 9° or 351° If it's more than a half a degree off you did something wrong.
Target speed is the most critical data point, if the target course line or
your approach angle is a little off you will still hit. Target speed must be very close. That's one problem with the tool it only uses whole knots. Many ships in TMO travle at less than whole knots and at very long range it will make a differance.
Kind of a long winded answer, sorry if I got carried away.
Magic