Question about firing a "Spread" or "Fan Shot"

letterboy1 · 02-27-07, 09:50 PM

Hi,
how do you set up a spread or "fan shot?" I have begun searching these forums but ask if you wouldn't mind pointing me in the right direction. So far I understand that the idea is to make torpedos hit multiple parts of the target in order to increase compartmental flooding and speed up sinking. However, I'm not clear about the setting up part. Is there something that makes all torpedos fire at once or is it a matter of hitting the fire buttons for all selected torpedos in quick succession?

By the way, I use GWX 1.02 if it makes a difference. I normally use automatic firing but am looking at the added benefits of selecting some options manually.

Thanks!

02-27-07, 10:02 PM

The "T/S" switch on the torpedo fre control screen (F6) determines whether it's a tube or salvo shot; when you set it to S you will see multiple tubes selected, and the paths of the torps will appear on the display. Drop the degree spread to narrow the fan; the switch that selected the tube now selects which tubes you have selected. Hitting fire will fire all tubes you have selected.

Dantenoc · 02-27-07, 10:52 PM

The idea of the "spread" or "fan" shot is not to hit multiple parts of the ship (even though that is very likely to happen) but rather to fire several torps at once at slightly different directions in the hope that at least one of them hits. Tactical situations where this could come in handy are when you're firing solution data isn't trust worthy (like when you don't know the enemy's exact speed, for example).

If your intent is to target several "key" parts of the target at once, I suggest you go with the "firing one by one in rapid succesion" method, taking care to point each torp into the desired compartment (always remembering to open the tube doors).

Zero Niner · 02-27-07, 10:52 PM

What do you set the spread to, in terms of degrees? The default 5 (or was it 10) deg is too wide, some of the torps will miss. Even 1 deg spread may miss if you're trying a long range shot.

Any rules of thumb?

Keelbuster · 02-27-07, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zero Niner

What do you set the spread to, in terms of degrees? The default 5 (or was it 10) deg is too wide, some of the torps will miss. Even 1 deg spread may miss if you're trying a long range shot.

Any rules of thumb?

Yea - i've never trusted the salvo fire functionality. Rather, I fire my own spread firing the tubes one at a time, while moving the periscope crosshair along the target ship. If you want, aim a bit infront and behind the ship if you really have no idea how fast its going (like maybe a TF). This implicitly deals with the angle problem. I think this method is about as fast as a proper salvo because they fire in sequence anyway. Might not be as historical as you'd like though.

Kb

letterboy1 · 02-28-07, 12:59 AM

Wow, thanks for these replies!

Dantenoc · 02-28-07, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zero Niner

What do you set the spread to, in terms of degrees? The default 5 (or was it 10) deg is too wide, some of the torps will miss. Even 1 deg spread may miss if you're trying a long range shot.

Any rules of thumb?

you're missing the point... it doesn't matter if not all of them hit, the whole purpouse of the fan shot is to sacrifice all the other torpedoes in your fan shot as "misses" in exchange for insuring that the remaining one will hit.

How wide should you spread them? well, it depends on range to target and the length of your target. As you fire your fan shot, the torpedoes start very close to each other, but as they travel along, they start to "fan appart" (separate from each other, as they each follow their own course, as dictated by the angle that you chose). At the moment when they reach the target's range, they should be separated from each other by about ONE TARGET LENGTH. More than that you'll risk the target sliping by between two adjancent torpedoes, less than that and you won't be covering as wide an area as you could and you risk not hitting the target with any torps at all (assuming your firing solution was incorrect).

Turn on the "God's eye view" and play around with the setting while in the "f6" screen and you'll get the hang of it.

Eagle Eye · 02-28-07, 02:32 AM

I seldom use fan shots unless a target is zig zagging. If you want to fire multiple shots quickly at a target... decide how many fish to use, then switch to a salvo using that many fish, take note of the tubes selected in the salvo, open your doors then change to single fire, the doors opened for the salvo stay open just make sure you fire the correct tubes. This way you can fire in rapid succesion without having to wait for each torpedo door to open and you can aim each shot where you want it to go.

Zero Niner · 02-28-07, 04:55 AM

I see. So the concept of firing a spread is like a shot gun.
Thanks for clearing it up.
Too used to being a "sniper" if you know what I mean.

mookiemookie · 02-28-07, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zero Niner

What do you set the spread to, in terms of degrees? The default 5 (or was it 10) deg is too wide, some of the torps will miss. Even 1 deg spread may miss if you're trying a long range shot.

Any rules of thumb?

If you want all of your spread shots to hit the target ship, you need to find out how wide your target ship is in your periscope. Set your scope crosshair on the edge of the stern of the ship and remember the degree bearing shown (lets use 345 degrees as an example) then quickly move your scope crosshair to the very tip of the bow of the ship and notate that bearing (let's say it's 353 degrees)

There, now since 353 - 345 = 8, you should set your torpedo spread less than 8 degrees to ensure they all hit.

Heibges · 02-28-07, 01:13 PM

Fan Shooting is a great way to boost your realism also.

from the Uboat Commanders Handbook:

171. As far as the supply of torpedos allows, several shots, in the form of multiple discharges (double or three-fold discharges) should be directed against worthwhile targets, even at short range, and the data are not in doubt. In this case, all the torpedoes should hit the mark in order to ensure the annihilation of the enemy. This means that torpedoes should be fired at different parts of the target.

172. If the range is over 1,000m, or if there is uncertainty as regards aiming data (high speed of the enemy), several torpedoes (2,3, or 4) should be released on the "fan pattern". The idea is to make sure of ONE hit. It is better to score only one hit than to miss the target with each of several consecutive shots.

02-28-07, 01:47 PM

Right... I very rarely use the fan shot myself. One time I did, was when I was zeroing up on a T2, and the DD in front of the convoy was zeroing in on ME (1000m astern, and pinging me). I knew I'd only get one shot, so I let everything rip at that T2, and dove deep. As luck would have it, the very first torp blew the T2 sky-high, and that wasted the other torps

but hey, T2's a good kill in any event.

02-27-07, 09:50 PM	#1
letterboy1 Captain Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Columbus, GA, USA Posts: 525 Downloads: 89 Uploads: 0	Question about firing a "Spread" or "Fan Shot" Hi, how do you set up a spread or "fan shot?" I have begun searching these forums but ask if you wouldn't mind pointing me in the right direction. So far I understand that the idea is to make torpedos hit multiple parts of the target in order to increase compartmental flooding and speed up sinking. However, I'm not clear about the setting up part. Is there something that makes all torpedos fire at once or is it a matter of hitting the fire buttons for all selected torpedos in quick succession? By the way, I use GWX 1.02 if it makes a difference. I normally use automatic firing but am looking at the added benefits of selecting some options manually. Thanks! __________________ Asus P8 Z68 Deluxe MoBo Intel Core i7 @ 4.4 GHz 16 GB RAM EVGA GTX Titan Black 1.5 T-byte HDD Antec 1 KW True Power Quattro PS

02-27-07, 10:52 PM	#3
Dantenoc Captain Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ensenada, B.C., Mexico Posts: 504 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	The idea of the "spread" or "fan" shot is not to hit multiple parts of the ship (even though that is very likely to happen) but rather to fire several torps at once at slightly different directions in the hope that at least one of them hits. Tactical situations where this could come in handy are when you're firing solution data isn't trust worthy (like when you don't know the enemy's exact speed, for example). If your intent is to target several "key" parts of the target at once, I suggest you go with the "firing one by one in rapid succesion" method, taking care to point each torp into the desired compartment (always remembering to open the tube doors). __________________ Going to U-boot school : http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=88922 http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=90234 http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=88961 http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=97682

02-28-07, 12:59 AM	#6
letterboy1 Captain Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Columbus, GA, USA Posts: 525 Downloads: 89 Uploads: 0	Wow, thanks for these replies! __________________ Asus P8 Z68 Deluxe MoBo Intel Core i7 @ 4.4 GHz 16 GB RAM EVGA GTX Titan Black 1.5 T-byte HDD Antec 1 KW True Power Quattro PS

02-28-07, 01:13 PM	#11
Heibges Sea Lord Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: San Francisco, California Posts: 1,633 Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	Fan Shooting is a great way to boost your realism also. from the Uboat Commanders Handbook: 171. As far as the supply of torpedos allows, several shots, in the form of multiple discharges (double or three-fold discharges) should be directed against worthwhile targets, even at short range, and the data are not in doubt. In this case, all the torpedoes should hit the mark in order to ensure the annihilation of the enemy. This means that torpedoes should be fired at different parts of the target. 172. If the range is over 1,000m, or if there is uncertainty as regards aiming data (high speed of the enemy), several torpedoes (2,3, or 4) should be released on the "fan pattern". The idea is to make sure of ONE hit. It is better to score only one hit than to miss the target with each of several consecutive shots. __________________ U.Kdt.Hdb B. I. 28) This possibility of using the hydrophone to help in detecting surface ships should, however, be restricted to those cases where the submarine is unavoidably compelled to stay below the surface. http://www.hackworth.com/

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02-27-07, 10:02 PM	#2
Engel der Vernichtung Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	The "T/S" switch on the torpedo fre control screen (F6) determines whether it's a tube or salvo shot; when you set it to S you will see multiple tubes selected, and the paths of the torps will appear on the display. Drop the degree spread to narrow the fan; the switch that selected the tube now selects which tubes you have selected. Hitting fire will fire all tubes you have selected.

02-27-07, 10:52 PM	#4
Zero Niner Ace of the Deep Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,033 Downloads: 69 Uploads: 0	What do you set the spread to, in terms of degrees? The default 5 (or was it 10) deg is too wide, some of the torps will miss. Even 1 deg spread may miss if you're trying a long range shot. Any rules of thumb?

02-28-07, 02:32 AM	#8
Eagle Eye Bosun Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 63 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I seldom use fan shots unless a target is zig zagging. If you want to fire multiple shots quickly at a target... decide how many fish to use, then switch to a salvo using that many fish, take note of the tubes selected in the salvo, open your doors then change to single fire, the doors opened for the salvo stay open just make sure you fire the correct tubes. This way you can fire in rapid succesion without having to wait for each torpedo door to open and you can aim each shot where you want it to go.

02-28-07, 04:55 AM	#9
Zero Niner Ace of the Deep Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,033 Downloads: 69 Uploads: 0	I see. So the concept of firing a spread is like a shot gun. Thanks for clearing it up. Too used to being a "sniper" if you know what I mean.

02-28-07, 01:47 PM	#12
Engel der Vernichtung Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	Right... I very rarely use the fan shot myself. One time I did, was when I was zeroing up on a T2, and the DD in front of the convoy was zeroing in on ME (1000m astern, and pinging me). I knew I'd only get one shot, so I let everything rip at that T2, and dove deep. As luck would have it, the very first torp blew the T2 sky-high, and that wasted the other torps but hey, T2's a good kill in any event.