Moving and Shooting

[Biggen]

Originally Posted by Pisces

After you make a course change, then the AOB setting is not valid anymore. If you turn onto a leading course (ahead of his bow), then the bearing he is shown at moves away from the bow since you want to keep looking at it. The AOB get's updated because of the bearing change when set to auto-update mode. You'll see that the AOB get's updated to a smaller number, but in the view it still has the same angle. (assuming the turn didn't take too long for him to get that much closer) Smaller AOB angle means also less leading angle by the torpedo due to the math-formula behind it. Hence it lags behind.

After every leading turn, and getting him back in view, you need to increase the AOB setting (away from the bow) by the same amount as the course change.

After every lagging turn (you turn to his tail side), and getting him back in view, the resulting AOB is bigger, and needs to be reduced (towards the bow) by the same amout as the course change.

If the turn was large enough for you to need to set the pointer beyond 180 degrees on the other side then do so.

Still, moving forward while doing the speed measurement can seriously affect the results. But I understood you did the measurements while stationary. Speed from stationary measurements are good. Just remember that you need to do a last range measurement as that one is not updated and definately different after a course change and some time passing until firing. However as said, with zero gyro angle range doesn't matter. (If the AOB setting is correct in the first place. )

Apart from that, when you are allready behind him (AOB looks greater than 90 degrees) AND submerged then you'll never catch up with him. He's much faster on the surface than you are submerged. If you really need to stay in his front quarters, then put him on your 90/270 line, and keep it there constantly. That's the simplest way to come/keep ahead. But no garantuee of succes. He might still be too fast. Just continue until you are on the edge of visibility and then surface. Then with your much higher flank speed you should be able to get around him.

Wow, great information! It was probably me changing course AND an incorrect range that was throwing off my shots. I was thinking that AoB updates automatically, but it only updates automatically when turning the scope, NOT when turning the boat.

So as I understand it correctly, as long as the gyro angle is zero, range doesn't matter. Correct?

I always seem to be behind the target and trying to play catch-up for some reason. If this happens again, I'll try putting him on my 90/270, running out the edge, surfacing and then turning parallel to overtake him. That is a great idea.

I'm still trying to get a handle on AoB, but I must admit it I can never remember which way to turn the damn AoB dial when I figure out AoB. I typically have to look at my TDC map to determine if my shot will be behind or in front of the target. If it is behind, I know I turned the dial the wrong way.

As far as taking speed and heading of a target, I do do it from moving. Will this throw of my measurements as well? I use the 3:15 minute rule to determine speed. I like to use this instead of fixed line as I also get a rough approximation of the heading of the target when I make my second mark when 3:15 is up. This a bad idea?