Problems and disadvantages with electric torpedoes (the early ones)

Paul Riley · 05-14-09, 10:20 AM

Earlier today I had my first engagement of my current patrol.It was a lone merchant heading east from US towards Britain.I was in the AL sector,about midway,and it was very dark.As electric torpedoes were the first in the tubes I had no option but to use them.I decided a close range submerged shot of about 500m would be my attack,and so I proceeded on my intercept run,as I was already ahead of him.One hour later he appears as scheduled and I prepared my torps.Speed was set to 7,range 5-600m,depth 3,impact pistol.I waited until he was at a bearing of just over 10deg in the PS and let fire.I don't really like to do this,but I watched its progress on the torpedo plan screen and lowered my scope.I watched in horror as the torpedo passed behind him,yet only slightly.
I was very disappointed with the torpedo's performance,and this was the first time I have really used these tortoise sticks,apparently for good reason.I much prefer the speed of the steam torps.
I immediately swung the boat round and headed north until on the edge of visibility,ready for another attack,only this time with the deck gun

, i'll pop up in front of him and give him a warm welcome.
Can someone work out what went wrong with this shot?.My initial judgement was the poor speed,and maybe I waited too late to fire?,maybe it should have been released at about 20deg?Do we need to fire sooner to compensate for the slow speed?

If someone can provide me some info on optimal firing angles on when to release torps at certain ranges,especially the tortoise sticks,that would be great.

(I cant wait until the ETorps become faster like the steam ones)

Cheers guys

Synthfg · 05-14-09, 10:49 AM

Did you forget to open the torpedo doors (Q) as this can delay your shot causing you to miss

onelifecrisis · 05-14-09, 11:20 AM

Anything could have caused that shot to go wrong... anything except the electric eel! Electric torps are excellent, consistent performers in SH3. They don't get spotted by the enemy (the gas torps do) and the extended TTI is actually very useful as it allows more time to fire additional eels or to start your evasive manouvers before the first eel hits its target. Also, there's a stock bug on multi-speed torpedos which sometimes prevents the selected torpedo speed from being used in the TDC calculations (resulting in a miss) but that bug doesn't affect electric eels because they only have one speed setting.

mookiemookie · 05-14-09, 11:36 AM

The problem was definitely with your solution and not the torpedo, as the TDC calculates based on the speed setting of the torpedo.

BulSoldier · 05-14-09, 12:55 PM

Indeed electic torpedoes are much more realiable.The only advantage is the steam torps is near 50% greater speed and range over the electric aals.

Paul Riley · 05-14-09, 01:40 PM

The tube doors were open,I do this on my final leg into position before the target arrives.
Speed was confirmed previously as 7kts,and so I am expecting the TDC setting to also be correct.
I am convinced it must have been the firing angle of only 10deg.I think I should have released the torp earlier.I have fired perfect steam torps at 10deg bang on,yet this one passed just by his stern.
Do you agree the firing angle may be to blame?This of course is 10deg from perpendicular facing of the target.
Real gutted about that waste

05-14-09, 10:20 AM	#1
Paul Riley Ocean Warrior Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Sheffield, England Posts: 2,679 Downloads: 165 Uploads: 0	Problems and disadvantages with electric torpedoes (the early ones) Earlier today I had my first engagement of my current patrol.It was a lone merchant heading east from US towards Britain.I was in the AL sector,about midway,and it was very dark.As electric torpedoes were the first in the tubes I had no option but to use them.I decided a close range submerged shot of about 500m would be my attack,and so I proceeded on my intercept run,as I was already ahead of him.One hour later he appears as scheduled and I prepared my torps.Speed was set to 7,range 5-600m,depth 3,impact pistol.I waited until he was at a bearing of just over 10deg in the PS and let fire.I don't really like to do this,but I watched its progress on the torpedo plan screen and lowered my scope.I watched in horror as the torpedo passed behind him,yet only slightly. I was very disappointed with the torpedo's performance,and this was the first time I have really used these tortoise sticks,apparently for good reason.I much prefer the speed of the steam torps. I immediately swung the boat round and headed north until on the edge of visibility,ready for another attack,only this time with the deck gun , i'll pop up in front of him and give him a warm welcome. Can someone work out what went wrong with this shot?.My initial judgement was the poor speed,and maybe I waited too late to fire?,maybe it should have been released at about 20deg?Do we need to fire sooner to compensate for the slow speed? If someone can provide me some info on optimal firing angles on when to release torps at certain ranges,especially the tortoise sticks,that would be great. (I cant wait until the ETorps become faster like the steam ones) Cheers guys __________________ Best Patrol: 10 merchants + HMS Nelson for 68.056 Tonnes Last edited by Paul Riley; 05-14-09 at 01:43 PM.

05-14-09, 11:20 AM	#3
onelifecrisis Maverick Modder Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: England Posts: 3,895 Downloads: 65 Uploads: 3	Anything could have caused that shot to go wrong... anything except the electric eel! Electric torps are excellent, consistent performers in SH3. They don't get spotted by the enemy (the gas torps do) and the extended TTI is actually very useful as it allows more time to fire additional eels or to start your evasive manouvers before the first eel hits its target. Also, there's a stock bug on multi-speed torpedos which sometimes prevents the selected torpedo speed from being used in the TDC calculations (resulting in a miss) but that bug doesn't affect electric eels because they only have one speed setting. __________________ Freedom of speech - priceless. For everything else there's Mastercard.

05-14-09, 11:36 AM	#4
mookiemookie Navy Seal Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 9,404 Downloads: 105 Uploads: 1	The problem was definitely with your solution and not the torpedo, as the TDC calculates based on the speed setting of the torpedo. __________________ They don’t think it be like it is, but it do. Want more U-boat Kaleun portraits for your SH3 Commander Profiles? Download the SH3 Commander Portrait Pack here.

05-14-09, 12:55 PM	#5
BulSoldier Samurai Navy Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Burgas/Bulgaria Posts: 550 Downloads: 40 Uploads: 0	Indeed electic torpedoes are much more realiable.The only advantage is the steam torps is near 50% greater speed and range over the electric aals. __________________ By the hour !

05-14-09, 01:40 PM	#6
Paul Riley Ocean Warrior Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Sheffield, England Posts: 2,679 Downloads: 165 Uploads: 0	The tube doors were open,I do this on my final leg into position before the target arrives. Speed was confirmed previously as 7kts,and so I am expecting the TDC setting to also be correct. I am convinced it must have been the firing angle of only 10deg.I think I should have released the torp earlier.I have fired perfect steam torps at 10deg bang on,yet this one passed just by his stern. Do you agree the firing angle may be to blame?This of course is 10deg from perpendicular facing of the target. Real gutted about that waste __________________ Best Patrol: 10 merchants + HMS Nelson for 68.056 Tonnes

05-14-09, 10:49 AM	#2
Synthfg Sparky Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 154 Downloads: 64 Uploads: 0	Did you forget to open the torpedo doors (Q) as this can delay your shot causing you to miss