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NorthBeach · 01-02-11, 01:21 AM

First and foremost, Armistead's advice to check out, and become familiar with the Bag of Tricks the best basic advice.

Unless you're fine-tuning your skills at perfecting all the different methods of making an Iron Reef, forget range all together (unless of course you plan on surfacing the boat and throwing a rock at the target and need to know how hard to throw it). That TDC critter will figure out a good angle to intercept the target using only bearing, AOB and speed. As long as you're within your torpedo's range, you're good (ignoring all the variables, e.g., target detects the torpedo, duds).

You can get target course and speed at the same time. As Razark said, use the 3 minute rule (or use the nomometer, if you get distracted, as I do. Often). ID where the target is and drop an "X" on it. Start your stopwatch. After 3 minutes drop an "X" where he is at that time. Draw a line extending from "X" to "X" (and further out). There's his course. Measure from "X" to "X". The distance divided by 100 is his speed. Enter his speed into the TDC and click TWICE on the red send button (I dunno why, someone has explained it somewhere).

Let's assume he's approaching with you on his port bow...

Set your boat up at roughly 90degs to his course (270, from his aspect), giving yourself enough distance to the target course so that your torpedoes will have enough distance to arm (about 450 yds, but you obviously don't have to be anywhere near that close). Enter AOB using 90 as your base, then backing off your lead angle (say 10degs for <15 kts) for 80degs. You can fine tune it by looking at the target course dial. Enter the AOB data by clicking TWICE (see above).

Drag the range dial to any range in the neighborhood of the range the target will be when he gets to the point of intercept (within 1000 yds or so. But even that doesn't matter). Point the scope up your aiming bearing (10degs relative, looking out the scope) and send to the TDC clicking, yes, you guessed it, TWICE on little red button. Drop the scope.

You should have figured out how long the target will take to approach firing range. So, giving yourself plenty of time to make adjustments, take another peek at him to check to see that he hasn't wandered off course. If he has, adjust accordingly.

Wait. When he's about 20degs off your relative bearing, raise the scope and wait for him to cross the wire. When the parts you want to have holes in them cross the wire, push the "make hole" button. Wait again. Hear explosions. Holler like a dope until the first mate comes into the room and calls you a "jackass".

Well, that's what happens in my control room...

01-02-11, 01:21 AM	#19
NorthBeach Torpedoman Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Francisco Posts: 112 Downloads: 216 Uploads: 0	First and foremost, Armistead's advice to check out, and become familiar with the Bag of Tricks the best basic advice. Unless you're fine-tuning your skills at perfecting all the different methods of making an Iron Reef, forget range all together (unless of course you plan on surfacing the boat and throwing a rock at the target and need to know how hard to throw it). That TDC critter will figure out a good angle to intercept the target using only bearing, AOB and speed. As long as you're within your torpedo's range, you're good (ignoring all the variables, e.g., target detects the torpedo, duds). You can get target course and speed at the same time. As Razark said, use the 3 minute rule (or use the nomometer, if you get distracted, as I do. Often). ID where the target is and drop an "X" on it. Start your stopwatch. After 3 minutes drop an "X" where he is at that time. Draw a line extending from "X" to "X" (and further out). There's his course. Measure from "X" to "X". The distance divided by 100 is his speed. Enter his speed into the TDC and click TWICE on the red send button (I dunno why, someone has explained it somewhere). Let's assume he's approaching with you on his port bow... Set your boat up at roughly 90degs to his course (270, from his aspect), giving yourself enough distance to the target course so that your torpedoes will have enough distance to arm (about 450 yds, but you obviously don't have to be anywhere near that close). Enter AOB using 90 as your base, then backing off your lead angle (say 10degs for <15 kts) for 80degs. You can fine tune it by looking at the target course dial. Enter the AOB data by clicking TWICE (see above). Drag the range dial to any range in the neighborhood of the range the target will be when he gets to the point of intercept (within 1000 yds or so. But even that doesn't matter). Point the scope up your aiming bearing (10degs relative, looking out the scope) and send to the TDC clicking, yes, you guessed it, TWICE on little red button. Drop the scope. You should have figured out how long the target will take to approach firing range. So, giving yourself plenty of time to make adjustments, take another peek at him to check to see that he hasn't wandered off course. If he has, adjust accordingly. Wait. When he's about 20degs off your relative bearing, raise the scope and wait for him to cross the wire. When the parts you want to have holes in them cross the wire, push the "make hole" button. Wait again. Hear explosions. Holler like a dope until the first mate comes into the room and calls you a "jackass". Well, that's what happens in my control room...