whats your favorite way to calculate speed?

[AVGWarhawk]

@Luke/Banquet


Good deal. I'm glad it helps in you solutions.

[Banquet]

Should the TDC be 'remembering' data for separate ships? I'm sure I read somewhere it would do this but all it remembers for me is the ship type.

I.e I have to input range, AOB, and speed for each ship and then if I point the periscope at another ship I had previously input this on - the data stays the same as the previous ship.. I was under the impression the TDC would remember AOB, speed and range for each ship I had input it for.. or did I get the wrong idea on this?

[AVGWarhawk]

Originally Posted by Banquet

Should the TDC be 'remembering' data for separate ships? I'm sure I read somewhere it would do this but all it remembers for me is the ship type.

I.e I have to input range, AOB, and speed for each ship and then if I point the periscope at another ship I had previously input this on - the data stays the same as the previous ship.. I was under the impression the TDC would remember AOB, speed and range for each ship I had input it for.. or did I get the wrong idea on this?

In all reality it should not remember as this was a mechanical type computer. Not much should change from ship to ship as they all kept same speed and heading in a convoy. Change AOB and distance is about it.

[PeriscopeDepth]

I think it just remembers ID. IRL, without multiple TDCs I don't see how a simple mechanical computer would remember multiple target speeds, AOB, and range.

Edit: You beat me to it once again Warhawk!

PD

[wahoo]

Originally Posted by mookiemookie

Cost me a heck of a lot of renown, but it works for me.

(Seriously, I'll have to try AVG's method...)

Hey Mookie,

Are you the same 'Mookie' as on DU????

Up Periscope!!!

Wahoo

Parche (DU)

[nattydread]

The magical stop-watch actually simulates the team work involved in taking distance and range bearings over time. Its the most efficient way of modeling that team interaction considering there is no way to do all that work silmultaneously as it was in real life. I'd love it if I could take a bearing and range reading and relay it to the crew and then start the watch, then after some time take another bearing and range reading and add it all together with the tim elapsed to get a good speed estimate.

What sucks is that they wont even allow you to pause and go to the map to plug all the info in. It just makes everything even more inaccurate...perhaps its a bit more frustrating because I use a S-boat so I lack the luxuary of speed to always set up for shots well in advance, I tend to always arrive with minimal time to spare.

[Banquet]

Thanks AVGWarhawk and PD.. I must have been mistaken.. what you say makes sense.

[Quillan]

Originally Posted by nattydread

What sucks is that they wont even allow you to pause and go to the map to plug all the info in. It just makes everything even more inaccurate...perhaps its a bit more frustrating because I use a S-boat so I lack the luxuary of speed to always set up for shots well in advance, I tend to always arrive with minimal time to spare.

Do some modification to the controls.cfg file and you can. One of the entries for each command is context; if you add 2 to the context entry you can do the command when the game is paused. Making the nav map context "1,2" will let you use the nav map while paused, so you can draw lines and circles, measure ranges, and so forth.

As for me, assuming I have the time, I prefer to plot the exact ship position, plot it again 3 minutes and 15 seconds later, then measure the distance between the two points. The distance in hundreds of meters is the speed in knots.

[Powerthighs]

While I understand all these ideas and how to use the TDC, what I have found challenging is being able to implement any of these methods and still have time for a shot. I can't imagine having a ship close enough to id, then having a full three minutes to calculate the speed (or having enough time to verify the accuracy of the PK settings), then finalizing the firing solution and getting off a few torpedos while the ship is still in optimal range.

It might be possible if you position yourself perfectly long before the convoy gets there, but I find that when I detect convoys visually, the DDs see me before I get close enough to be able get any kind of heading info on the convoy itself. If I'm submerged they don't see me but I don't have a chance at moving fast enough to get into position.

[Banquet]

Originally Posted by Powerthighs

While I understand all these ideas and how to use the TDC, what I have found challenging is being able to implement any of these methods and still have time for a shot. I can't imagine having a ship close enough to id, then having a full three minutes to calculate the speed (or having enough time to verify the accuracy of the PK settings), then finalizing the firing solution and getting off a few torpedos while the ship is still in optimal range.

It might be possible if you position yourself perfectly long before the convoy gets there, but I find that when I detect convoys visually, the DDs see me before I get close enough to be able get any kind of heading info on the convoy itself. If I'm submerged they don't see me but I don't have a chance at moving fast enough to get into position.

It is difficult.. I'm struggling too for the same reasons.. but one way around it is to make pass a periscope depth.. take a look at the general layout of the convoy, ship types, escorts and most importantly heading and speed of the convoy. Then increase distance.. come back to the surface and steam ahead of where you calculate (based on their heading and speed) they will be. You can then settle into a nice submerged position as they roll by. You should already have their speed, a good idea of AOB (set it for 90 degrees and hold fire till they hit that position) All you need to do is ID them again and get range.. Unless they change course.. in which case you're buggered! (been there, bought the T-shirt!)

[BlackSpot]

Originally Posted by nattydread

What sucks is that they wont even allow you to pause and go to the map to plug all the info in. It just makes everything even more inaccurate...perhaps its a bit more frustrating because I use a S-boat so I lack the luxuary of speed to always set up for shots well in advance, I tend to always arrive with minimal time to spare.

Ahh, but I think you can. Looking through the scope paused, unpause, press F3 to go to the charts, then pause again. I'm pretty sure you can now use the tools on the map whilst paused.

[duelen]

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

This is how I do it. I get distance and AOB. I then guess on the speed. I click the PK. If the PK shows AOB changing to fast as to what my scope is showing, I know my speed is off....either fast or slow depending how the AOB has changed since first input. I adjust the speed until the PK shows AOB not changing as I progress towards the target. In other words, if my PK AOB does not change I know I have the speed down to actual speed.


Another way to explain. If I show the AOB at 90 degrees. speed 8kts and feed this to the PK I watch actual scope and PK movements. If the AOB starts to move higher than 90 degrees yet my scope still shows me at 90 degrees then I know I have judged the speed to fast. I drop it a kt or two and watch it again. Once that AOB stays consistent with what I see I know my speed is correct.

That is how I do it anyway. I use the time piece to determine when dinner will be ready

are you looking at the top or bottom dial on the PK? not sure what they represent as I dont know how to check my calculations like osme of you are saying. I mostly look at the attack map

[AVGWarhawk]

Originally Posted by duelen

are you looking at the top or bottom dial on the PK? not sure what they represent as I dont know how to check my calculations like osme of you are saying. I mostly look at the attack map

I only use the attack map to get the track of the target and range. After that it is all scope or TBT. What you look at is the top dial. The top dial represents the AOB that you set. If the top picture starts to change compared to what you see in the scope/TBT then your speed calculation is off. If the AOB starts to change, adjust your input on the speed of target until that top picture representing AOB on the target does not change relative to what you see in the scope/TBT. This is the hardest to find but the most critical piece of the puzzle...IMHO. Do not fire until you are 1000-1500 yards away.

I just used this method and my two torpedos hit in the exact same spot. I started my target at 8kts(rough seas slow the targets). May AOB set started to move ahead of what it should have been. I adjusted speed on the TDC to 7kts. My AOB on the TDC looked and stayed just like I see from my scope. These observations took over 5 minutes. Constant change and updating until the PK is dead on to what is happening in my scope view. Once your are dead on, then sit back and wait for the moment. These calculations are slow and methodical. The race is not won by the swift in submarines. I was dead on at 7kts. The rest was just lessening the distance to 1000 yards and I let them fly. Two hit and one prematured. 7100 tons sunk Not the most scientific but it works.


When you are in the attack mode....slow yourself down and plan your work and work your plan. I get excited and want it all to happen fast but I have to slow myself down and take as many observations that I can without being spotted.

[AVGWarhawk]

Originally Posted by Powerthighs

While I understand all these ideas and how to use the TDC, what I have found challenging is being able to implement any of these methods and still have time for a shot. I can't imagine having a ship close enough to id, then having a full three minutes to calculate the speed (or having enough time to verify the accuracy of the PK settings), then finalizing the firing solution and getting off a few torpedos while the ship is still in optimal range.

It might be possible if you position yourself perfectly long before the convoy gets there, but I find that when I detect convoys visually, the DDs see me before I get close enough to be able get any kind of heading info on the convoy itself. If I'm submerged they don't see me but I don't have a chance at moving fast enough to get into position.

Sometimes you are just in a bad postion. As Banquet said, do an end round. Race ahead on the suface in the projected track and submerge. You are an ambush machine so let the convoy come at you. You will have plenty of time to pick your targets. Attempt to enter the convoy at the convoys 2 or 10 o'clock postion to avoid the DD. Once he has past you...your in and the convoy is yours to hit . As far as doing it all in three minutes...start you calculations as early as you can. The more time you have the more your mind draws what is occurring and making a big picture of it. It takes some practice but once you get that first hit and it was done all by your calculations, it is a wonderful feeling.

[duelen]

im sorry for so many questions

when you say you look in your periscope to compare to the top picture in the pk, are you talking about the bearing numbers or the picture of the boat? ITs probly simple but my mind is not graspinng it