The four bearing method

[sublynx]

A long and link filled rant following (the idea: there's many ways of skinning the cat), don't bother reading if short of time - and I'm not trying to answer the question about Kuikueg's method as I don't use it myself.

I use a 2x3 bearing method that was described in a 1941 US Navy Maneuvering board manual. It's the same thing but executed a little bit differently. It takes first three bearings, then one makes a change of direction, and then take 3 new bearings. Here's the method described in a modern manual:

http://msi.nga.mil/MSISiteContent/St...RNM/310ch6.pdf

(Example 25: Course, speed and position derived from bearings only)

Here's a good and easy video clip on how to use a maneuvering board (part 1, numbers 2 and 3 are very useful as well):
https://vimeo.com/103997969

If someone would like to try using a maneuvering board in the game, it's possible by printing a maneuvering board on paper or using computerized options:

Maneuvering board usable with free 3D design program Sketchup:
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/down...o=file&id=3708

Maneuvering board modded into the map:
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/down...o=file&id=4228

A draggable maneuvering board for MaGui F (1024x768)
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/down...o=file&id=3675

A draggable maneuvering board for MaGui Widescreen SA (1360x768)
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/down...o=file&id=4598

The more I play the less I feel determining course, speed, and position by bearings only is really helpful. Perhaps determine course with three bearings, then get approximately in front of the ship, then use the constant bearing method in closing the distance.

Hitman GUI has an excellent two-page document in it, where Hitman describes how the U-boats actually approached the target. The methods are very simple, and very effective:
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=167126

What I am saying is that I feel that Kuikueg etc's methods are nice, fun (if one likes geometry), but not that efficient. They are time consuming and somewhat inaccurate even when you know what to do.

Understanding the basic submarine approach tactics simplifies the approach. Here's a link where Lieutenant Commander Bakos describes four different approach tactics, based on leading the target, lagging the target and pointing at the target:
http://calhoun.nps.edu/bitstream/han...pdf?sequence=1

Here's a site that gives really detailed info on both approaching a target, and attacking it with a torpedo: http://www.tvre.org/en/acquiring-torpedo-firing-data

The plot in that page, made by the British submarine HMS Venturer of the course of U 864 is an example of one needed to do to sink a submerged target that you have only heard in the sonar, and never seen. A sinking by bearings only.

Target approach and torpedo attacking can be made really complicated and mathematical, but in the game there's really no need for it. Simple methods are really effective. The more I play SH3 the more I realise that every player needs to develop a set of methods that work with their personalities. My guess is that's historically accurate as well. Probably the more theoretically oriented U-boat commanders and officers used different methods than the more practically oriented.

(End rant)