Torpedo Options

[TheRoadTrain]

Does changing between magnetic/inpact selection on your torpedo increase its chance when in stormy weather to actually impact the target instead of exploding on its way to the target?
Also which is best for inflicting most damage, going under the ships hull or straight into the side?
Cause ive noticed on some of the bigger merchants it sometimes takes 1 eel to drop them and the smaller merchants takes 2

Thanks people

[Pisces]

I'm not sure if magnetics are more vulnerable for bad weather while still on their way. (premature explosions) But in bad weather the target bobs up and down on the waves, making it possible to leap over the magnetic torpedo passing underneath. Torpedo's with pistol setting might have similar problems where the torpedo hits the curved part of the hull causing a dud. Therefore aim shallow with pistols if there are severe waves.

[Captain Nemo]

I never use magnetics in rough weather as they tend to explode prematurely or completely miss the target. The weather has to be relatively calm before I even consider their use.

Nemo

[Jimbuna]

I always use impacts set at a shallow setting in stormy weather.

[Sailor Steve]

It's too bad the real kaleuns didn't have that option. There was no switch that let you select one or the other, or at least not until 1944. Disabling the magnetic pistol required removing it from the torpedo, a process that took at least an hour. Once the order was given in 1940 to remove them they were all removed, and not replaced until the new version came out late in 1943.

[Jimbuna]

Very true....but the game is a lesser PITA

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

It's too bad the real kaleuns didn't have that option. There was no switch that let you select one or the other, or at least not until 1944. Disabling the magnetic pistol required removing it from the torpedo, a process that took at least an hour. Once the order was given in 1940 to remove them they were all removed, and not replaced until the new version came out late in 1943.

Wow, I didin't knew this. Where did you read about it ? Could you give me a link to the source ?

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

It's too bad the real kaleuns didn't have that option. There was no switch that let you select one or the other, or at least not until 1944. Disabling the magnetic pistol required removing it from the torpedo, a process that took at least an hour. Once the order was given in 1940 to remove them they were all removed, and not replaced until the new version came out late in 1943.

I must notice Sailor Steve spoke a nonsence on this topic If you ever read the document yourself Mister, you should know that in page 51 there is following text:

Back in Germany, the TI had in the meantime been working on a way to alter the torpedo
pistol so that it might be set for either AZ or MZ detonation. By the end of September, it had
come up with such a device, which was known as Schalterstellung A (Switch Setting A). The
introduction of the device to the fleet on October 2 came just in time, as it now made it possible
to carry out Dönitz***8217; previous orders that all boats were to fire using only the AZ setting. A new
directive to this effect was issued to the fleet.69 The downside to this order, however, was that
although it theoretically gave the German U-boats a way to switch to a more reliable detonation,
the resultant AZ induced explosion lacked the sheer destructive power of the MZ type. Hence
the Schalterstellung A was never considered by anyone to be a permanent fix to the torpedo
problem, but rather a temporary emergency measure to buy the TI some time in which to perfect
the MZ type, which had always been envisioned by the Marineleitung as being the primary
detonator system for the U-boat. In any event, from October 2 onwards boats equipped with

pistols using the Schalterstellung A option were to use only the AZ option until further notice.

So literrraly speaking this was very short period of time - The first MONTH of the war during which U-boats could not switch pistols AZ-MZ and vice versa

[TheRoadTrain]

Ok I will start using impact selection in the rough.. Is it normally best to aim at the Stern of the vessel to cripple it or is there better sweet spots to aim for?

[VONHARRIS]

I don't use magnetic pistols at all.
I hate the premature detonations , although - in game - they don't give you away.

As for the aim point:
If the target is small then I aim at the center.
For bigger targets I fire one at the center and one at the bow of the target.
For capital warhips it is a 4 bow shot from bow to stern.

[Jimbuna]

BE MORE AGgRESSIVE!!

[TheRoadTrain]

Yip right'o guys, thanks heaps for the advice
I might have to give the deck gun abit more of a work out aswell

In later years pre-mature magnetic pistol torpedo explosions greatly decreases. If the weather is calm it's a deadly drug for bigger ships

I usually like to brake a medium cargo apart this way, aiming the area just below the chimney

[TheRoadTrain]

Originally Posted by VONHARRIS

I don't use magnetic pistols at all.
I hate the premature detonations , although - in game - they don't give you away.

As for the aim point:
If the target is small then I aim at the center.
For bigger targets I fire one at the center and one at the bow of the target.
For capital warhips it is a 4 bow shot from bow to stern.

Ive been using impact pistol and setting the torpedo depth to about 2m and enjoying some great results in all kinds of weather, thanks for the advice.
When the TIII electric torpedo becomes available were the premature detonations solved?

[VONHARRIS]

Originally Posted by TheRoadTrain

Ive been using impact pistol and setting the torpedo depth to about 2m and enjoying some great results in all kinds of weather, thanks for the advice.
When the TIII electric torpedo becomes available were the premature detonations solved?

In R/L I think pretty much yes.
As for the game I don't know.
I have edited the basic.cfg as to all loads are TIs.
I have also added much more renown for aquiring a TIV or TV torpedo.
So if I want a homing torp I have to pay for it.