[TorpX]

Originally Posted by Searaven

Which brings me to some questions for you veterans out there. One, is there any reliable way to measure angle on bow without a verified course for the target? If I have its course, I will simply match its angle with its course on the instrument. Otherwise, it's basically rough guesswork, and oftentimes I find I can't decide if it's slightly angled away or toward my boat.

Visual estimate was probably the most common technique. (O'Kane practiced this with ship models in between patrols.) It is possible to calculate AoB using the aspect ratio, though. As you noticed, estimating it at long range is difficult.

Also, are there any tips for the hydrophone? When radar becomes available, I can plot accurate courses, but even then when I dive down in front of the convoy, I need to use the hydrophone bearings to determine when the destroyers have passed out in front. I basically keep the group of ships at 90* or 270* bearing off of my boat with forward or backward motor for as long as possible until their distance becomes constant.

I wouldn't rely too much on the hydrophones. Mostly, subs would use periscope observations unless they were under attack or about to be attacked. Basically, you can stalk or attack at P/S depth, but below that, you are just hiding.

On that note, I also couldn't find the hydrophone's range listed anywhere. If I barely start picking up a contact on the hydrophone, how far can I assume it is? When the sonarman says "long range," how far out is this? How about "medium range?"

Hydrophone range depends on equipment, sea conditions and how noisy your target is. The inability to ascertain range is why P/S observations were necessary.

With respect to manual targeting, is there a certain amount of time I should wait in between stadimeter measurements in order for the crew to give me a reliable speed and course readout? Also, should I keep the position keeper running as I'm making all of my inputs, or only after I've completed all of the necessary inputs for the solution? Is the PK necessary if my boat is not moving?

I would plot the targets course myself, instead of using the speed button. It is not very accurate. If you want to use it though, I would space observations at at least 3 min. Keep the PK on, nothing is gained by turning it off.

Happy Hunting!