[REL] 3D TDC and Radar Range Unit

[evrolicious2]

working on that now

[Bilge_Rat]

After taking the time to learn this, this is a really great mod, tracking ships on radar is really fun.

[Beardmoresam]

Hi guys

Having issues with my mouse wheel on the bearings for radar.
For one movement on the mouse wheel, my radar rotates [Edit - 2.8 deg]. So unless I am lucky enough for my target bearing to be a (multiple of 2.8) deg from the bearing the radar stopped sweeping at, I am unable to get accurate target bearings.

Any ideas?

Thanks, Sam

[Bilge_Rat]

for those who might not be aware of it, I wanted to bump what is IMHO the best mod ever made for this game.

In my current TMO campaign, jan. 44, tracking a single merchant at night, using radar alone and tracking plots on the Nav map, I have worked out target course and speed and confirmed that data in the TDC without even having to ID the target or use the stadimeter.

now comes the fun part.

[razark]

Originally Posted by Bilge_Rat

now comes the fun part.

Checking the log after you sank it to find out it was a Victory Ship?


This really is one of those mods that fundamentally changes how you play the game. If you haven't tried it, go for it.

[james_nix]

Man, I wish there was an OTC version. The TDC combined with the fixed cameras and omnimeter would really be great for no map contacts play.

[Bilge_Rat]

Turned out to be the "Akita Maru", 4,000 tons, on the Japan-Truk route. Sank it with 3 electric torps, bit of an overkill, but this is 1944. So nice not to have to worry about duds anymore.

Lucked out again, received a radio message of convoy headed my way, plotted an intercept course and now 13 hours later am tracking it on radar (see screenshot).

4 pips at 220 degrees, 25,000 yds.

Instructions on using the radar can be a bit confusing. I have worked out the following procedure:

1. on the PPI screen, use "focus" and "prec" mode to highlight the target, in this case the middle ship in the convoy;

2. switch to the A-screen, rotate the range wheel out to the estimated range until you see the pips, you now have the exact range in yds/nm on the left and the exact bearing on top.

..the only question now is do I risk a daylight periscope attack or wait until night and attack on the surface. choices, choices.

edit: decided to wait for a night attack, now positioned well ahead of the convoy, out of sight, tracking on radar. I am matching course/speed to get that out of the way.

You can use the A-scope to refine the solution. Match estimated course/speed with the target, (in my case a specific ship in the middle of the convoy), then watch if the range closes or opens up, and make the necessary adjustments. As others have pointed out, this mod is a mini-game in itself.

convoy course/speed: SSE 138 degrees, 11 knots.

to be continued...

[Kilo]

Is this mod compatible with TMO 2.5?

EDIT: Already answered.

[Bilge_Rat]

So now tracking the convoy and want to determine exact course and speed. Initial radio message was "convoy, course SSE, speed 11 kts", but there is usually a fudge factor.

First step to tracking a target is to use the NAV map. I start plotting data on to the map as soon as possible. I get the radar data: bearing and range, plot it on the map and then go back to the radar to check my solution. Initially this is done every 10 minutes. From the NAV map plots, I see a possible solution of course 138 SSE and speed 12 kts (see NAV 1 and 2).

I then mirror the exact course and speed in the sub (138 degrees, 12 kts) and check the solution. The radar does not budge over 20 minutes (see Radar Plot 2 and 3), so I know course and speed are good.

Data on the NAV map and the Radar confirm each other so you know the solution is good. Always better to have multiple data sources.

so now we know course and speed, which gives us AOB and speed, so 2 out of 3 data points needed for a firing solution. Radar will supply the range, but that is for later.

Now it's time to speed ahead and setup the interception.

to be continued.

[Hitman]

Good job Bilge Rat sink em all

Only thing missing for the perfect immersion is the maneuvering board overlay

[razark]

Originally Posted by Hitman

Only thing missing for the perfect immersion is the maneuvering board overlay

Overlay?

http://www.amazon.com/Maneuvering-Bo.../dp/B00OGOCFKO

From the description: "It is almost indispensable if you want to fire a torpedo and expect to get a hit."

[aanker]

I have these in jpg format that you can print out - ( #2 on a large printer), if you are interested:
#1:
DMA 5090
1275 x 1318 Pixels
Print size 21.6 x 22.3 cm; 8.5 x 8.8 inches
-
and a larger:
#2
DMA 5090
1939 x 2003 Pixels
Print size 32.8 x 33.9 cm; 12.9 x 13.4 inches
-
also a 124 page PDF for the 5090

Happy Hunting!

[Bilge_Rat]

so continuing my intercept, I sped south lost contact with the convoy at 30,000 yds and regained it 50 minutes later (radar plot 4).

Unfortunately it was not where I expected, so I spent the next hour plus re-tracking it to re-establish the new course/speed: 147 degrees, 8 knots (NAV 4).

I then moved to intercept, I was hoping to do a radar only attack, but that is difficult with a convoy. The pips are too grouped together on the PPI. The range is accurate (radar plot 5), but the bearing can be up to 2-3 degrees off.

Once the convoy gets close, things also move very fast, even when you pause liberally and I wound up doing a visual periscope attack. There were 2 escorts and 2 Nagara Maru types. Since I never totally trust the stadimeter and was a bit far for my taste, I decided to shoot a spread of 5 torps at one "Nagara".

Fortunately, since I had taken the time to plot course and speed by radar, I could plot the estimated course on the map (Nav 5) and use it as a sanity test. TDC also confirmed the solution was good.

It turned out was worried for nothing since all 5 hit (payday 1)(control room 1).

[Bilge_Rat]

after the last attack, I dove, escaped from the escort, resurfaced and took off again after the remaining "Marus". I wanted to see if I could do a real time radar only surface attack. Again, I took the time to plot course/speed by radar which gave me course: 178 degrees, speed: 8 knots.

so once AOB and speed have been plugged in, use radar to pick up the target (PPI 1), switch to A scope to obtain range (A scope 1), switch to TBT and as long as it is set to the range dial, inputting the range will send the radar range to the TDC (TBT 1).

Notice how the A scope gives the same bearing as the TBT. This is not always the case, but it works well as long as you use the actual visual bearing from the TBT. You will also notice that I do not bother to ID the target.

After that it is just a matter of updating the radar range periodically and comparing the TDC data to the target.

I wound up mishandling the approach and fired from too far away, around 3,500 yds (attack map 1 and 2, TBT 2). Fired a 5 torp spread, one hit (payday 2). Not perfect, but it does show the solution is good.

time to practice some more...

[gandyrail]

Am surprised that you did not patch and use the mini program which sends bearing as used in sonar So would not have to point scope
The range, OK, I have been searching for a way/how to do that with Radar - figured since surface ships had radar fire control, the boats would have had it to.

good job