Torpedo salvos and point of aim.

[Phobus]

Torpedo salvo and point of aim.

Can anyone answer this question please?

When firing a salvo of torpedoes do the second, third and fourth torps. diverge to the port/left or the stbd./right?

I ask because it obviously makes a difference to the point of aim on the target. For example; if the torps. go to port/left and the target is presenting a port aspect then the point of aim ought to be towards the stern as the torps. will then track forward. If the torps. diverge to stbd/right then the point of aim ought to be towards the bows to allow the torps to track aft. The reverse is the case if the target is presenting its stbd/right side.

If it is argued that one should aim at the middle of the target then it has to be accepted that one or more of the torpedoes will possibly/probably miss.

[Paul Riley]

Phobus,

I think you are quite right.When firing a salvo dont forget the distance they will split apart in relation to the spread angle you choose.
About the actual spread,say you fired tubes 1,2,3,tube one will spread to the left,2 down the middle (or your point of aim),and 3 will spread to the right.
Do you also know how to target multiple ship parts with your spread?.If not then follow this-
If you want to hit the funnel section and one of the fore masts,or even the bow to shear it off,unlock the scope,place the crosshair over the funnel section,record the bearing number,then move the scope to the front mast or whatever else you want to hit,record that bearing,and work out the difference between the two,this then is your spread angle.

Is this helpful to you?

[Pepe le Moko]

When you fire a salvo with say a 2° spread, then you'll have one torpedo go 1° to the left of the impact point, or rather the spot your scope is pointing at and another torpedo 1° to the right.

[Kubryk]

Your aiming point is a center.

2 torpedoes salvo - first goes x degrees to the left, second x degrees to the right of aiming point

3 torpedoes - first goes x degrees to the left, second to the aiming point, third x degrees to the right

4 torpedoes - first goes y degrees to the left, second x degrees to the left, third x degrees to the right, fourth y degrees to the right

All degrees are calculated from the aiming point (center).

So - in a salvo of two torpedoes aiming below the stack of C2 means that (well, it depends on choosen angle and distance to target) you're not going to hit target under the stack, and one torpedo is likely to miss going behind the target.

Disclaimer - since I don't use salvos, I took this data from Paul's magnificent tutorial and Pisces posts on this forum.

[Paul Riley]

Originally Posted by Kubryk

Paul's magnificent tutorial

Do I detect an air of sarcasm in the room? (only kidding really)
If you WERE serious then thanks for the compliment,yet im sure there are people in here that know far more than me about the complexities of salvo shooting.

[Phobus]

Thanks fir all the replies, it clears the air.

I have to say that I don't usually opt for salvos but was curious about the firing pattern. I prefer to use single tubes fired indivually.

I should be grateful to be pointed to 'how to target multiple ships'.

[Kubryk]

Originally Posted by Paul Riley

Do I detect an air of sarcasm in the room? (only kidding really)
If you WERE serious then thanks for the compliment,yet im sure there are people in here that know far more than me about the complexities of salvo shooting.

I meant Wazoo's Manual Plotting & Targeting Tutorial AKA Paul "Wazoo" Wasserman's tutorial. I have a trouble remembering his nick and surname so I refer to him as 'Paul'

Here's link, probably well known here: http://www.paulwasserman.net/SHIII/

[Paul Riley]

I printed Wazoo'a manual plotting tutorial a long time ago,and was certainly an eye opener.About 50 pages worth,I think.

[RoaldLarsen]

Originally Posted by Kubryk

Your aiming point is a center.

2 torpedoes salvo - first goes x degrees to the left, second x degrees to the right of aiming point

3 torpedoes - first goes x degrees to the left, second to the aiming point, third x degrees to the right

4 torpedoes - first goes y degrees to the left, second x degrees to the left, third x degrees to the right, fourth y degrees to the right

All degrees are calculated from the aiming point (center).

All true but it might be useful to mention how x and y are determined. If I am reading it correctly, Wazoo's tutorial says that for a two or three torpedo spread, x is 1/2 the spread angle input on the TDC.

For a four torpedo spread, he's a little less clear but it would seem that y = 2x and y = 1/3 the spread angle input in the TDC.

[Kubryk]

Originally Posted by RoaldLarsen

All true but it might be useful to mention how x and y are determined. If I am reading it correctly, Wazoo's tutorial says that for a two or three torpedo spread, x is 1/2 the spread angle input on the TDC.

Good point. I think that you're right with salvo of 2 & 3, where x equals 1/2 angle put into the TDC. If we take a spread of 2 angles, first torpedo would hit 1 degree to the left of the aiming point, and second 1 degree to the right.

Originally Posted by RoaldLarsen

For a four torpedo spread, he's a little less clear but it would seem that y = 2x and y = 1/3 the spread angle input in the TDC.

Paul wrote "4 torpedo salvo would divide the Spread Angle into four parts".

It seems logical that dividing would be done with equal steps, so distance in meters between each torpedo hit would be equal too.

So in a example of 8 degrees spread result would be as follows:
1 torpedo - 4,00 degrees to the left
2 torpedo - 1,33 degree to the left
3 torpedo - 1,33 degree to the right
4 torpedo - 4,00 degrees to the right

I'd be happy if someone with experience could confirm or contradict this.

I prefer to go with a Kretschmer's method, so one torpedo - one ship Unless there's a BB as a target, what never happpened to me. IMO in most cases it's still safe and saves ammo to use one torpedo and see results. If a ship isn't damaged we can still send him another eel.

I will start using salvos when I'm finally ready for dud torpedoes, and this moment is coming.

[RoaldLarsen]

Originally Posted by Kubryk

Paul wrote "4 torpedo salvo would divide the Spread Angle into four parts".

It seems logical that dividing would be done with equal steps, so distance in meters between each torpedo hit would be equal too.

So in a example of 8 degrees spread result would be as follows:
1 torpedo - 4,00 degrees to the left
2 torpedo - 1,33 degree to the left
3 torpedo - 1,33 degree to the right
4 torpedo - 4,00 degrees to the right

Yes, that is what I meant for a four fish spread. I was taking x as relative to y, not relative to the centre line. If one interprets x as offset from centre in a four torp pattern, then x = 3y.

[Phobus]

Thanks everyone for most informative and interesting replies.