Boy, am I dumb or what? - Page 2

YellowTailedNoob · 04-15-10, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McBeck

OK...one step at a time..

You spot a ship...do you have your tactics in place so you know how to position yourself?

Well, funny you should say that. Last night I was using SH4 on manual aim, on the Torpedo tutorial. By the time I had entered the info (I still cannot figure out how to find the catalog to identify the Japanese ship), and fired, I was well aft of the target with all 4 fish.

So, if I use the point and shoot (AKA cheating), I can hit the target. But actually entering the sim, not really, no. I usually cannot find any targets. Haven't yet figured out sonar, radar etc.

I'd appreciate hearing your instructions!

Thanks!
Chip

magic452 · 04-15-10, 05:54 AM

First off I use SH4 as an example. Never played 3 and haven't got 5 yet.
Double click the icon. When you get to the options screen set yourself easy options. No dud torpedoes, map contacts on, unlimited batteries and auto targeting on. The rest don't make too much difference. This is for the stock game.

Don't start a career but play one of the single missions, Hellcat is a good one to start as you have radar. Don't worry about completing the mission, you're playing this as a tutorial.

Go to an area like the Luzon strait and find a single target. Radar makes this easier. In the stock game there are plenty of targets in the strait, shouldn't have too much trouble finding one.
Set up a zigzag pattern and they will come to you.

Patrol the strait and work your way down towards Manila, stay about 15 to 20 miles off shore, your radar will pick up the targets at this range.
Patrol at 10 kt. on the surface but be prepared to dive if planes are picked up on radar.

Difference between and plane and ship is a plane will say "vary fast" when you click on the icon.
If you have limited fuel only travel at 10kt.

There is a shipping lane map posted some were,I'll see if I can find it.

Once you get a target on radar you will see a box with a tail, the tail will show the general heading of the ship. Mark an X on the box and start your stop watch. Wait 3 minutes and mark another X on the box, do this two or three times and you can get an accurate course of the target by drawing a line through all the X's. Measure the distance between the first two X's and you will get the target speed. 100 yard = 1 knot, 500 yd = 5 kt. 1000 yd =10 kt. You get the idea. Once you get this stuff save the game so you can try out different things. 3min 15 sec. for metric 100 meters = 1 kt. etc.

Remember I am using SH4, Fleetboats. Sh5 is complete different.
Once you have course and speed you can figure out where the ship is going and how soon it will get there. Stay on the surface and get far enough ahead to set up an approach to the ships course, you will want to be at least 10 miles ahead of the ship when on the surface. Use the ruler tool to measure the distance. Use flank speed if necessary.

Maneuver your boat so that you are about 1000 yd. off the target course and at about 90° angle or a little less. Go to periscope depth and wait for it to come to you. You are all set up for a good shot. This is the most important thing, as good set, up shooting is easy if you're in a good position.

Sonar will soon pick up the ship and you can follow it till it gets about 2500 yd. away. Put the scope up and identify the ship and lock on (L key)
Bring up the recognition manual (N key) and find the ship so you can set the torpedoes depth, for a big merchant about 17 feet is good. Set the depth on three fish and set them to high speed and contact pistols.
Open the torpedo doors. Q key

Save the game at this point so you can re-shoot if you miss.

With auto targeting when you get a green arrow pull the trigger. This will be about when the scope is about 15° before center (0°) for a 90° set up, and you will hit the middle of the target (MOT), unlock and aim at the forward mast and shoot again. If a big ship aim a third at the rear mast, she should go down.

If you're going to use manual targeting you already have the speed and the AoB, slightly less than 90°, so all you need is range and bearing.
You get this with the steadymeter.

Set speed on the right set of dials, the TDC, Click the speed button on the bottom right and set to whatever the 3 minute rule gave as speed. Click the red triangle to send to the TDC, the speed will show up on the left set of dials, the Position Keeper.

Next click o the AoB button the one in the center and turn the ship icon in the center to what the real ship looks like in the scope. You don't have to be perfect on this yet just close. Somewhat a little less than 90°. send this to the TDC with the red triangle. This takes some practice but you can get it very close in time.

Next click the range icon, on the left bottom and than click the left top icon to activate the Steadymeter. A ghost ship will appear above the real one and you lower it down to match the waterline of the ghost image to the top of the mast on the target. Click the mouse and you will get a range and bearing. Click the triangle again to send this to the TDC.

Turn on the position keeper with the red button, lower right.
Go to the attack map to check your firing solution.

You will see a white X and a line, the X is the torpedo impact point and the line will show the course the TDC has worked out for you. The X should be on the target icon and the line should march the course of the target.
The PK will follow the target and so you can see if you are off in some way, and you will be till you get some practice.
Adjust speed if the X moves ahead of or falls behind the target.
Adjust AoB if the white line doesn't match the ship icon.
Adjust the range if the X is off target. It's best to take a steadymeter reading just before firing. At 1000 yd. you don't have to be exactly on, very close is good enough.
The green line is the torpedo path to the target.

In stock you can adjust the gyro angle and see a second green line, it will move as you adjust gyro angle the (center dial on the PK) 1 or 2 degrees is enough to spread your torpedoes to hit different parts of the ship. Locked on the first will hit MOT, set gyro angle left 1 or 2 ° for the second shot and than right the same for the third.

This takes a bit of practice but you'll get it soon enough. That is why I suggested you save as soon as you get in a good position, so you can take some target practice.

As I said before this is for Fleetboats in SH4. Sh3 is some what similar but the periscope and TDC work a little differently in a u boat.
SH5 is complete different. You posted this in the SH5 thread but mentioned 3 and 4 so I went ahead and did the best I could for 4

As far as 5 is concerned I'd wait till they patch it and the modders have a chance to get things worked out. It will happen soon enough.
It's very pretty but game play is a bit "not so hot" IMO but there are lots of guys playing it and some serious modders working on it.

Give SH4 a try and you'll have a good time while you wait for 5 to get fixed.

Hope all this helps and good luck and good hunting which ever way you decide to go.

Magic

YellowTailedNoob · 04-15-10, 06:33 AM

Thanks Magic!

This is what I need. I'll be running it tonight once I get home from the "real world" work.

You mention the steadymeter. I am unfamiliar with that, but will find and learn it.

Thanks to this community. It seems you all remember being a noob. Aces, you guys!

Chip

Drifter · 04-15-10, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YellowTailedNoob

I am approaching Sub Sims like I do Flight Sims.

A submarine is not an airplane. It doesn't have wings.

BigBANGtheory · 04-15-10, 07:06 AM

What I did and I suggest you do, is get your sub into a nice position relative to a target and save the game.

Then go back to your save and experiment with different options and tactics to get used to how it behaves e.g. TDC on/off, fire on bearing, firing when AoB is less than 90 degrees, at 90 degrees and greater than 90 degrees.

You'll screw it up at first but then you'll notice things like how the dots should line up in the TAI and the yellow track line for the torp so you get and idea when you've done the AoB correctly.

Then you can start switching the aids off and the realism on as you see fit.

YellowTailedNoob · 04-15-10, 07:11 AM

Thanks - I've placed this on the agenda for tonight's cruise.

I will learn this sim, the right way.

Chip

Hanomag · 04-15-10, 08:10 AM

Hi YTN ..Welcome Aboard Herr Kaluen!!!

McBeck · 04-15-10, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YellowTailedNoob

Thanks - I've placed this on the agenda for tonight's cruise.

I will learn this sim, the right way.

Chip

Must suggestion is that you do not go for manual targeting to begin with, but use the simple mode. This way you can train your tactics and get a feel for the subs reaction to control.
Do you know how the simple mode works aka "connect the dots" ?

YellowTailedNoob · 04-15-10, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drifter

A submarine is not an airplane. It doesn't have wings.

I'll be damned... You're RIGHT!

No wonder I can't fly the damn thing...

Steeltrap · 04-16-10, 12:32 AM

You could argue dive planes are something like wings, but let's not.....

As for being 'stupid', you found this site, aren't afraid to ask questions AND admit what you don't know.

That's not stupid. You'll find this group pretty welcoming, although it's been a little narky with SH5's release.

Enjoy. I came here when SH2 was released and I've kept coming back (that's just over 9 years ago). There's NO other internet community about which I can say that.

When you'd like a break from learning, go check out the 'funny' threads in the differing SH-series threads. They're worth the price of admission alone!

Hang on, this place is free...

Cheers!

kylania · 04-16-10, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YellowTailedNoob

Thanks - I've placed this on the agenda for tonight's cruise.

I will learn this sim, the right way.

Chip

How'd the cruise end up?

Any better luck this time?

Nico09 · 04-16-10, 04:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YellowTailedNoob

Thanks - I've placed this on the agenda for tonight's cruise.

I will learn this sim, the right way.

Chip

I don't know where your from but In the UK that could mean something totally different

, but lets not go there shall we

YellowTailedNoob · 04-16-10, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steeltrap

You could argue dive planes are something like wings, but let's not.....

As for being 'stupid', you found this site, aren't afraid to ask questions AND admit what you don't know.

That's not stupid. You'll find this group pretty welcoming, although it's been a little narky with SH5's release.

Enjoy. I came here when SH2 was released and I've kept coming back (that's just over 9 years ago). There's NO other internet community about which I can say that.

When you'd like a break from learning, go check out the 'funny' threads in the differing SH-series threads. They're worth the price of admission alone!

Hang on, this place is free...

Cheers!

Thanks Mate. This is an extraordinary group, and I'm very fortunate to have found the community. You guys do realize how different you are, right?

I'm getting there!

cb

Sailor Steve · 04-16-10, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YellowTailedNoob

I'll be damned... You're RIGHT!

No wonder I can't fly the damn thing...

But don't let that stop you from trying.

One of my favorite stories is from the SH2-DC online days. One of the SH2 mods let the captain drive the boat like it was a plane. I objected on the grounds that SH2 alread gave the u-boat skippers too much of an advantage, and now they could race to periscope depth, use auto-targeting to throw out a spread of eels and be back at 200 meters before they even hit.

So one game the comm-bar showed a sub player cursing. What had happened was that he put his planes to full rise and started plotting something else. Like a plane the nose kept coming up until it was vertical, and then the game said everything had broken loose inside and he was dead!

7thSeal · 04-16-10, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YellowTailedNoob

I swear, before the lights went out, I heard a crew member say "Don't touch that! It will detonate a tor ..."

Touch it... its how I learn.

04-15-10, 05:54 AM	#17
magic452 Sea Lord Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Reno Nevada USA Posts: 1,860 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	First off I use SH4 as an example. Never played 3 and haven't got 5 yet. Double click the icon. When you get to the options screen set yourself easy options. No dud torpedoes, map contacts on, unlimited batteries and auto targeting on. The rest don't make too much difference. This is for the stock game. Don't start a career but play one of the single missions, Hellcat is a good one to start as you have radar. Don't worry about completing the mission, you're playing this as a tutorial. Go to an area like the Luzon strait and find a single target. Radar makes this easier. In the stock game there are plenty of targets in the strait, shouldn't have too much trouble finding one. Set up a zigzag pattern and they will come to you. Patrol the strait and work your way down towards Manila, stay about 15 to 20 miles off shore, your radar will pick up the targets at this range. Patrol at 10 kt. on the surface but be prepared to dive if planes are picked up on radar. Difference between and plane and ship is a plane will say "vary fast" when you click on the icon. If you have limited fuel only travel at 10kt. There is a shipping lane map posted some were,I'll see if I can find it. Once you get a target on radar you will see a box with a tail, the tail will show the general heading of the ship. Mark an X on the box and start your stop watch. Wait 3 minutes and mark another X on the box, do this two or three times and you can get an accurate course of the target by drawing a line through all the X's. Measure the distance between the first two X's and you will get the target speed. 100 yard = 1 knot, 500 yd = 5 kt. 1000 yd =10 kt. You get the idea. Once you get this stuff save the game so you can try out different things. 3min 15 sec. for metric 100 meters = 1 kt. etc. Remember I am using SH4, Fleetboats. Sh5 is complete different. Once you have course and speed you can figure out where the ship is going and how soon it will get there. Stay on the surface and get far enough ahead to set up an approach to the ships course, you will want to be at least 10 miles ahead of the ship when on the surface. Use the ruler tool to measure the distance. Use flank speed if necessary. Maneuver your boat so that you are about 1000 yd. off the target course and at about 90° angle or a little less. Go to periscope depth and wait for it to come to you. You are all set up for a good shot. This is the most important thing, as good set, up shooting is easy if you're in a good position. Sonar will soon pick up the ship and you can follow it till it gets about 2500 yd. away. Put the scope up and identify the ship and lock on (L key) Bring up the recognition manual (N key) and find the ship so you can set the torpedoes depth, for a big merchant about 17 feet is good. Set the depth on three fish and set them to high speed and contact pistols. Open the torpedo doors. Q key Save the game at this point so you can re-shoot if you miss. With auto targeting when you get a green arrow pull the trigger. This will be about when the scope is about 15° before center (0°) for a 90° set up, and you will hit the middle of the target (MOT), unlock and aim at the forward mast and shoot again. If a big ship aim a third at the rear mast, she should go down. If you're going to use manual targeting you already have the speed and the AoB, slightly less than 90°, so all you need is range and bearing. You get this with the steadymeter. Set speed on the right set of dials, the TDC, Click the speed button on the bottom right and set to whatever the 3 minute rule gave as speed. Click the red triangle to send to the TDC, the speed will show up on the left set of dials, the Position Keeper. Next click o the AoB button the one in the center and turn the ship icon in the center to what the real ship looks like in the scope. You don't have to be perfect on this yet just close. Somewhat a little less than 90°. send this to the TDC with the red triangle. This takes some practice but you can get it very close in time. Next click the range icon, on the left bottom and than click the left top icon to activate the Steadymeter. A ghost ship will appear above the real one and you lower it down to match the waterline of the ghost image to the top of the mast on the target. Click the mouse and you will get a range and bearing. Click the triangle again to send this to the TDC. Turn on the position keeper with the red button, lower right. Go to the attack map to check your firing solution. You will see a white X and a line, the X is the torpedo impact point and the line will show the course the TDC has worked out for you. The X should be on the target icon and the line should march the course of the target. The PK will follow the target and so you can see if you are off in some way, and you will be till you get some practice. Adjust speed if the X moves ahead of or falls behind the target. Adjust AoB if the white line doesn't match the ship icon. Adjust the range if the X is off target. It's best to take a steadymeter reading just before firing. At 1000 yd. you don't have to be exactly on, very close is good enough. The green line is the torpedo path to the target. In stock you can adjust the gyro angle and see a second green line, it will move as you adjust gyro angle the (center dial on the PK) 1 or 2 degrees is enough to spread your torpedoes to hit different parts of the ship. Locked on the first will hit MOT, set gyro angle left 1 or 2 ° for the second shot and than right the same for the third. This takes a bit of practice but you'll get it soon enough. That is why I suggested you save as soon as you get in a good position, so you can take some target practice. As I said before this is for Fleetboats in SH4. Sh3 is some what similar but the periscope and TDC work a little differently in a u boat. SH5 is complete different. You posted this in the SH5 thread but mentioned 3 and 4 so I went ahead and did the best I could for 4 As far as 5 is concerned I'd wait till they patch it and the modders have a chance to get things worked out. It will happen soon enough. It's very pretty but game play is a bit "not so hot" IMO but there are lots of guys playing it and some serious modders working on it. Give SH4 a try and you'll have a good time while you wait for 5 to get fixed. Hope all this helps and good luck and good hunting which ever way you decide to go. Magic __________________ Reported lost 11 Feb. 1942 Signature by depthtok33l

04-15-10, 08:10 AM	#22
Hanomag Grey Wolf Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: LI NY Posts: 964 Downloads: 13 Uploads: 0	Hi YTN ..Welcome Aboard Herr Kaluen!!! __________________ "Only if I can save first..."

04-15-10, 06:33 AM	#18
YellowTailedNoob Watch Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 15 Downloads: 78 Uploads: 0	Thanks Magic! This is what I need. I'll be running it tonight once I get home from the "real world" work. You mention the steadymeter. I am unfamiliar with that, but will find and learn it. Thanks to this community. It seems you all remember being a noob. Aces, you guys! Chip

04-15-10, 07:06 AM	#20
BigBANGtheory Officer Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: British Waters Posts: 243 Downloads: 98 Uploads: 0	What I did and I suggest you do, is get your sub into a nice position relative to a target and save the game. Then go back to your save and experiment with different options and tactics to get used to how it behaves e.g. TDC on/off, fire on bearing, firing when AoB is less than 90 degrees, at 90 degrees and greater than 90 degrees. You'll screw it up at first but then you'll notice things like how the dots should line up in the TAI and the yellow track line for the torp so you get and idea when you've done the AoB correctly. Then you can start switching the aids off and the realism on as you see fit.

04-15-10, 07:11 AM	#21
YellowTailedNoob Watch Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 15 Downloads: 78 Uploads: 0	Thanks - I've placed this on the agenda for tonight's cruise. I will learn this sim, the right way. Chip

04-16-10, 12:32 AM	#25
Steeltrap Grey Wolf Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 818 Downloads: 3 Uploads: 0	You could argue dive planes are something like wings, but let's not..... As for being 'stupid', you found this site, aren't afraid to ask questions AND admit what you don't know. That's not stupid. You'll find this group pretty welcoming, although it's been a little narky with SH5's release. Enjoy. I came here when SH2 was released and I've kept coming back (that's just over 9 years ago). There's NO other internet community about which I can say that. When you'd like a break from learning, go check out the 'funny' threads in the differing SH-series threads. They're worth the price of admission alone! Hang on, this place is free... Cheers!