How do you estimate range really quickly?

[tiger_tim_34]

Just been reading Run silent, run deep in which the skipper of an S-class sub keeps saying he popped up the 'scope, whizzed it around a couple of times and then called out "Range - mark!"

WTF..?

I had a brief dig around in the Search option but couldn't find any thread on this topic. Sincere apologies if I didn't look hard enough.

[Raptor1]

Well, You can always either ping the thing and hope that destroyer 3 feet next to it doesn't listen, Or you can use the weirdoscope thing with the mast height


I've seen plenty of movies/books where the Captain looks around with the Periscope and calls out the range immediatly, I have no idea what kind of supernatural ability they have...

[akdavis]

6G9. Operation of the stadimeter.

See Figure 6-9 which illustrates the following problem: Given a target vessel whose height from waterline to masthead is known to be 60 degrees feet, find the range. Starting with the periscope in high power and the stadimeter in the observing position, i.e., with the handwheel (12, Figure 4-24). turned counterclockwise to the limit of its travel, the target is brought approximately into the center of the field of view. The observer rotates the handwheel clockwise, causing the duplicate images of the target to separate, until the masthead in one image coincides with the waterline in the other. At this point the scale dials are as shown in the illustration, and the range (2,300 yards) is read on the range scale dial opposite the known height (60 feet) on the height scale dial. The stadimeter is then restored to the observing position by rotating the handwheel counterclockwise to the limit of its travel.
The following hints may be of value: a. Remember that the stadimeter measures only angles, and computes the range on the basis of the estimated height. Hence the range reading


Figure 6-9. Operation of the stadimeter for obtaining the range of an individual problem.

will be no more accurate than the estimate of the heights.
b. The dimension selected for this observation should be one which is known, or which can be estimated with fair accuracy. The reference points should, as far as possible, be definite, easy to see, and widely spaced. The masthead and waterline, for instance, while affording the greatest vertical dimension, might both be invisible at long range.
c. The stadimeter is graduated up to 11,000 yards Longer ranges may be obtained by remembering, that the angle subtended by 80 feet, for instance, at 20,000 yards, is the same as that subtended by 40 feet at 10,000 yards. Thus an object 80 feet high may be set up at the 40-foot line, and the range obtained multiplied by 2. d. The range scale dial is graduated for use with the periscope in high power. The stadimeter may also be used with the periscope in low power, by dividing the range, as read against the correct height of the object, by 4. In the case of high objects, the periscope should be placed in low power, and the object set up on the height scale dial at 1/4 its actual height. In this case the range reading will be correct.

So, observer obtains range (or estimates range) which is displayed on the indicator visible to the plot/TDC operator. Observer calls "mark" to associate this range with the current bearing of the optic (also visible to the plot/TDC). Target can now be plotted and information fed into the TDC. There is no need to call out numbers for range or bearing, as these are observable on the instruments visible to the interested parties.

Remember that none of the instruments visible to you while using the scope in game would be visible to the scope operator while looking through the optic in real life. You are, in a way, wearing several hats in game.

[Hylander_1314]

Practice, practice, practice.............

Once you get used to the incriments of the hashmarks, and know the ship type, you can get a fairly accurate guess as to the range of a particular target. knowing the ship type is the key. You have to memorize the ship I.D. book to get that good. But that's a lot of ships to memorize, considering all the other things we have to do in our daily routines.

[Raptor1]

Originally Posted by Hylander_1314

Practice, practice, practice.............

Once you get used to the incriments of the hashmarks, and know the ship type, you can get a fairly accurate guess as to the range of a particular target. knowing the ship type is the key. You have to memorize the ship I.D. book to get that good. But that's a lot of ships to memorize, considering all the other things we have to do in our daily routines.

It's only really hard with merchies, Warships are quite easy to recognize (especially the big ones)

[tomoose]

What usually works for me to quickly identify a merch at distance is looking at;
a. the smokestack - it's location on the hull and it's size/shape
b. the masts - shape, including rigging-shape/angle if visible

For example; if the ship clearly has the smokestack aft or rear end of the ship that narrows things down considerably and I'll quickly scan the ID book for those types of ships. If that smokestack is tall and skinny too then that narrows things down even better. You get the idea.

Occasionally I'll take a calculated guess at the type of merch (because it's too far away) just to get the TDC spun up and calculating so to speak and refine the info once I make a positive ID.

What makes things difficult for me is the sometimes "fluctuating" masts at distance (a function of the graphics being rendered I guess) and making sure the stadimeter is placed on the same spot at each reading. This is a problem at longer ranges and I'll get a speed reading of 18knots then a later reading will give a ridiculous speed of 40knots. I've learned to be patient, wait until the ship gets closer and the masts are more defined which permits better stadimeter readings. Additionally noting where the masts line up with the graduated marks on your periscope also help placing the stadimeter each time.

Clear as mud right!??

[steinbeck]

Hunt down RockinRobbins 'Dick O'Kane' videos and Werner Sobes videos. There is a whole bunch of stuff to learn about this sim!

steinbeck..

[Sailor Steve]

@ akdavis: source please? Not that I question something obviously from a good source, but some of us like to read it ourselves.

[seafarer]

Originally Posted by tiger_tim_34

Just been reading Run silent, run deep in which the skipper of an S-class sub keeps saying he popped up the 'scope, whizzed it around a couple of times and then called out "Range - mark!"

WTF..?

I had a brief dig around in the Search option but couldn't find any thread on this topic. Sincere apologies if I didn't look hard enough.

Keeping his eyes glued on the target, he'd align the cross hairs on the target, and adjust the stadimeter. Calling "range-mark" would mean the range was now ready to be read off the stadimeter, and the bearing off the bearing ring above the periscope eyepiece. These settings would be read by someone else, so the commander would never have to take his eyes off the target in the viewfinder.

Having a real crew is a big asset :p

[akdavis]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

@ akdavis: source please? Not that I question something obviously from a good source, but some of us like to read it ourselves.

Oops, it is from The Fleet Type Submarine Online: http://www.maritime.org/fleetsub/index.htm

[Rockin Robbins]

Originally Posted by steinbeck

Hunt down RockinRobbins 'Dick O'Kane' videos and Werner Sobes videos. There is a whole bunch of stuff to learn about this sim!

steinbeck..

http://hosted.filefront.com/RockinRobbins will get you into the whole treasure trove. Sorry I don't have any videos yet on conventional targeting.

The Dick O'Kane method doesn't care what the identity of your target is or how far away it is. You can eat your recognition manual and forget the stadimeter. And your shots will be more accurate than conventional targeting too!

[tiger_tim_34]

*Many* thanks for all your replies, guys and gals. Will get back to me practising and stop blaming the crew.