[TorpX]

Originally Posted by cbrown1790

Hi all,

I have read these forums, guides, watched the youtube videos but I STILL cannot grasp manual targeting.

I understand how to get the targets course and speed. I use the easy aob mod to figure out aob.

But the problems that I have is applying the methods that everyone seems to use with ease.

...

Ant help from you guys would be appreciated..

Part of the problem with this sort of thing is that different people use different styles and techniques, so it isn't possible to give a "one size fits all" answer.

I haven't used the easy Aob mod, but I'll try to give you a few general tips.

As far as sighting distances in daylight. I would assume I can be spotted from at least 6 nm. Keep in mind, escorts and naval vessels are more alert than merchants. At night there are so many variables it's hard to generalize. Also mods affect these things.

Usually, in daytime you will try to close submerged, and your limited speed and circumstances will determine the outcome. If you have doubts about being able to close the target's track, use a Normal Approach Course. (post 7)

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/show...light=Approach

With a NAC, you can intercept a target with a minimum of speed. If you cannot close the track with a NAC at your best speed, you must let it pass and do an "end-around", or let it go.

I wouldn't try using the stock game school mission (the one with a cruiser). It will not teach you anything worthwhile. I'm not sure what other missions there are available, but there must be some.

I am far away (I think), so I go deep at flank speed to get within 1nm of their project course. It seems like when I arrive at the intended spot, I go to periscope depth to look. All of a sudden these ships are doing circles. It gets so complicated, that I have problems tracking and setting up an approach.

If you are going flank in proximity to enemy ships, they almost certainly heard you. You should endevor to close the track, before they get there, then you can move the final few thousand yards at low speed.

I try for shots at 1,500 or 2,000 yds. Sometimes 3,000, but it really depends on circumstances. If you are having trouble and are unsure of your plotting data, try to get closer.

Sometimes the stern tubes line up better, but I get confused using those tubes....

I dont know if I need to think "reverse" since its the stern tubes.

You don't need to think in reverse with the stern tubes (at least not with the TDC). It was designed so that crews could launch torpedoes in rapidly changing situations, if need be.

Put speed, range, Aob, and bearing estimates into the TDC at each observation. All data is based on observations from the periscope of TBT of the sub, so you don't really have to overthink this aspect. The Position Keeper should be ON. Ideally, you will be checking the TDC generated info against your plot in between periscope observations, so you will know how well your approach is shaking out. Agreement between the TDC generated data and further observations will provide confidence that your firing data is correct. After that, you can launch whenever you consider the position to be optimal.

Don't expect to master manual targeting quickly. It takes some time. Experience in plotting the approach will help a lot.

I hope this helps.