[REL] Manual AoB Calculator Mod

[CapnScurvy]

I always liked the ability to find the Angle on Bow through a handheld device. There was one made some time ago for SHIII, but I haven't seen it lately. So necessity being the mother of invention, I made up my own.





This calculator has three parts that allow for the target ship course heading, your boat's course heading, and your view-to-target bearing. Once set, the angle on bow can be read and used to accurately input the Position Keeper in the game.

The tool can also be used to set up a future torpedo shot by using a predicted course heading and view-to-target bearing. If the target ship stays on course, the only variable is your boat's changing position. Plot in your future new course heading and view-to-target bearing and "swing to action". The AoB will be figured for you, and fire when your new heading is reached.

I revised this Calculator by reworking the dials for a better match up, plus put the downloaded pages into a PDF format that increases the clarity of the images. I removed the upper black Triangle for inputting the Sub's course heading due to a possible confusion with the smaller blue Arrow that does the same thing. There are three pages of revised instruction describing the parts of the calculator, and how to find angle on bow with the game play option of "Manual Targeting System" check marked. For those familiar with the calculator you may not wish to download the revised one. The PDF can be downloaded at the following site:


http://files.filefront.com/AoB+Calcu.../fileinfo.html



CapnScurvy

[joea]

Great so many modders here!!!

[CapnScurvy]

When your retired you have time on your hands, and thoughts rattling in the brain.

[Old Dog]

Thank you Capn

I just retired from a job where the folks I got to associate with were both smart and generous with their knowledge.
What a great combination !
The modders here fit that mold too.

Thanks again,

Old Dog

[Von Hinten]

Very handy to have around when I'll finally start doing things the real way and go for manual patrols.

Thanks.

[Hitman]

Your tool is superb, but it never ceases to amaze me how people always try to find the AOB once they have the target's course when historically exactly the opposite was done . Trained spotters watched the target and made estimates on the AOB, with the only purpose of getting an estimate to the course, not the opposite

Anyway, since your tool also works backwards -from an AOB you can get an estimate of the course- it is helpful to plot course and calculate intercept points and manouvers. As in real life was done

[davejb]

Thanks for the AOB calculator, it's easier than mentally drawing triangles in the early hours of the morning

[CapnScurvy]

Your right Hitman, in real life target sightings, the AoB was determined by pure experitise. The well trained observer could do well in sighting direction of travel as well as range to target with just binoculars.

In the game though, the 2D effect of looking at a flat monitor, that is simulating a 3D image, causes one to lose the ability to preceive depth. It's like losing sight in one eye, you can still see images, but depth is difficult to master. This makes in-game sightings by visual observation difficult as well.

But, as you know, if you want to set the game for maximum realism, checkmark ON "No map contact update", "No weapon officer assistance" in the Gameplay Settings and make your own sightings and notations on the Nav Map.

For you newbies, to use the AoB Calculator with the maxium gameplay difficulity:
(It would be best if your sub is stopped or at least on a steady course)

First, find your sub's course heading (found at the TOP of the Compass in the Quick Controls Panel of the game) and turn the middle Compass Dial of the Calculator to match the black triangle of the outer (Blue) ring.

Second, site the target ship with the periscope; TBT; or binoculars. Take the view-to-target bearing (the degree numbers found along the top of the device), and find the same bearing along the outer most part (the Blue ring) of the Calculator. With this bearing number in front of you, turn the inner most Target AoB Dial to what you believe to be how the ship appears from your original sighting. The target ship's approximate course heading will be in front of the black arrow of the inner Target AoB Dial.

[Sailor Steve]

Looks cool! Great job.

[DCOg]

Wonderful - thank you for the great work!

DCOg

[Radtgaeb]

I'm sorry, my printer is being retarded. May I have some dimensions please?

[Schultzy]

quality tool! Thank you.

[CapnScurvy]

Hi Radtgaeb, the pictures will print onto a plain 8.5x11 inch sheet of card stock paper. What dimensions do you need? Are they too small, too large, can't get them to print at all? Does the small pop up box appear over the picture, with the printer icon in it? If it dosn't, perhaps your operating system (Windows etc.) needs to have a default setting changed.

The .jpeg format will usually produce an accurate reproduction once they are scaled for the internet. That was done when I put them on the site.

[Radtgaeb]

They just wouldn't print in proper proportion. Each one was exactly the same size as the other ones. It doesn't matter now, beacause I just fudged the sizes a bit with Photoshop and printed them off. Thanks anyway!

This is going to be a great help to me (both for SH4 and GWX). Thanks!

[Camaero]

Thats strange... I had to adjust the sizes in photoship myself. The two bases were turning out much larger than 8.5" x 11".

This is really cool though, I have mine all made. Now I just have to figure out how to use it, and i'm good to go!