[Pisces]

Originally Posted by Seminole

Is that really true?..or is it just something that is supposed to be accepted without question?....:hmm:


I plot for a minute and a half..two minutes...three minutes or even ten minutes...the end result is almost always the same...and I have done a lot of calculations these past few months.

Then ...just for argument's sake... lets say you do a precisely accurate time plot. What can you actually do with the number that will make a big in game difference? The TDC only accepts whole numbers (enter a 8.5 and it shows up as a 9.0)...so what becomes of your 8.477 knots per hour uber accurate speed calculation? My experience is that it doen't matter much as long as the speed estimate is within round ball park numbers. You can enter in a 8...a 8.5..or a 9....chances are your torpedoes will hit home provided your other plots are within reason....and you aren't firing from thousands of yards away...

In regards to the TDC you probably mean the 2 numbers on the left panel? I was thinking more like setting the speed dial inbetween the marks. They don't snap to whole numbers, do they? And you're right, if you fire close it's not going to be such a big deal. But if you're at couple of kyards distance, OR probably more likely... fire at a fast warship it might matter.

I'll explain why longer time is more accurate than short. First there is allways uncertainty in your plots. Range may be a bit off (even if you're good at it) and bearing may be a degree off too. Especially considering a degree is 350 yards wide at 20kyards range. Double that for 2 positions and the distance inbetween begins to lack confidence.

Now let's say you have a target doing 6.5 knot's on average, but you don't know that yet while you plot positions for the next 3 minutes. Let's assume for a moment they are the true target positions, not from periscope sightings. In 3 minutes the distance between the plots measures up to be about 700 yards. (Hmm, did I say something about confidence??? If it were periscope sightings it would have been lost in the uncertainty, depending on the range they were from) Or 600 depending on how good you place the measuring line. Suggesting a speed between 6 or 7 knots. Right, but that's about a 15% difference. Meaning the torpedo lead can also be off that much. If you wait until you made a plot at the 12th minute (4 intervals of 3 minutes) the target should be at 2600 yards. That 's a distincty different measure than 2800 yards, which would be what you expect if the 7 knot was right. Or the same, 2400 yards if your 6 knots was right. Waiting a bit longer can get you an extra decimal, but a quarter knot would do enough. Knots to a thousandth is rediculous, even I know that.

But calmness during plotting is far more important than speed accuracy. Dinsdale/Bernard allready has impecable timing in showing up. No need for you to help him.