Quote:
Originally Posted by NorthBeach
One of the things I took to heart as I have been lurking, for the most part, for the past couple of years, it the importance of getting course and speed of the target down as precisely as possible. The more solid the data, the more solid the solution. 
Armistead- Switching between methods isn't really as hard as it sounds. Hundreds of reps imprint the aob/range & bearing changes that need to be made in the TDC. One thing that helps is, long ago, I figured out the lead angles for targets running at 6kts to 30kts for both fast (46kts) and slow (31kts) torp speeds. Printed them out, laminated them, and keep it nearby. That said, the Pacific is full of unexpended metal tubes sitting on the bottom with my name on them. 
RR- The reason I set up for convoys and TFs using Cromwell is YOU! You clued me into the End Around. It didn't take a wedgie from the Admiral to figure out the advantages of being on the opposite side of the convoy as the escorts. I figured if I could get the first volley off with my boat already pointed half way toward the rear of the convoy, I can beat feet to rear that much faster. |
Not so sure about that. Seems to me it would be hard to do an OKane attack, then next ship a Cromwell, the next Vector. For one you're in the edge of the TF, next you would have to pull off each attack before the first torp hit. No way you could go to your map and set up the different angles in that brief matter of seconds. The only way I see possible is to eyeball each attack, and then from whatever bearing, subtract to get your AOB and fire.
Not sure what you mean by figuring out lead angles. I assume you mean the standard lead angles used in OKane/Cromwell based on if a ship is going fast or slow, probably the little chart RR has long had for each attack. I don't see how that has any bearing on pulling off these 3 methods basically at the same time. As stated the only possible way I see is to set a new bearing , probably wouldn't put you on a 90 or 45 degree line, then set your AOB and try to shoot at 10-15 degrees in front of the bearing you set. Technically the maddness would work no matter what your approach is, but it wouldn't be a true OKane or Cromwell attack. Highly unlikely each ship would just fall in place that you could do one method after the other
Why these attack methods are sound, great for singles or small groups with just a few escorts, they can fix you along a path that may run you right in front of a DD.