Manual TDC - It rocks

cmdrk · 04-30-07, 04:54 PM

I'm at Midway on my way back to Pearl from my first patrol. The USS Pollack dropped off an agent on the Japanese mainland, then slowly moved south along the coast.

Slipped into a small, unguarded port and found a small freighter and old tanker. It was at night, on the surface. The freighter was at a dock at a bad angle. Using manual TDC, I sent two fish at her. One hit the dock, one hit the ship. It wasn't going down so two more fish away - same results, but putting her down. Bow tubes empty, so turned to fire my two stern tubes at the tanker anchored in the bay. An easy shot and she went down. Went to full speed to reach deep water before sunrise and before help came to bottle me in. On the way out sighted a warship to the south heading my way. I showed by back end racing to deep water, went under and slipped away.

Later, found a lone merchant and started tracking. Again at night and on the surface. Conducted an end around with dawn coming on. Slipped under and closed the track. Fired two fish at her at 1600 yds. They missed aft as the steam trail looked like it didn't have enough lead. After the long tracking, I thought I had all the factors down. Adjusted speed up 2 knots and fearing it was not enough aimed for the forward mast and bridge with two fish. Dang, missed ahead. Ahead flank and left full rudder. Another adjustment, and two stern tubes hit her. But wasn't sinking, but appeared stopped. After a reload, finished her off.

Then I looked at the log. I had miss identified the last merchant. It wasn't just the speed that was off, but the range. It was a 20 foot mast height difference. The TDC on the long track synced well enough I thought, but I figure the range error introduced a speed error which seemed to correct what I saw with the TDC's position keeper.

After that, I only had 1 fish left and headed east. Then a Japanese tin can was coming at me. Down we went to PD, made a quick assessment and felt I could get off a shot. She was coming on fast, a snap fire shot went away and it hit just aft of the tin can's stack. She slowed, but headed away trailing smoke and flames. It was a satifying hit, but I wish it were two.

I find manual a lot more fun and involving. First time out wasn't too bad - 3 ships for 10k and a damaged DD with 16 torpedoes.

04-30-07, 04:54 PM	#8
cmdrk Planesman Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 184 Downloads: 3 Uploads: 0	I'm at Midway on my way back to Pearl from my first patrol. The USS Pollack dropped off an agent on the Japanese mainland, then slowly moved south along the coast. Slipped into a small, unguarded port and found a small freighter and old tanker. It was at night, on the surface. The freighter was at a dock at a bad angle. Using manual TDC, I sent two fish at her. One hit the dock, one hit the ship. It wasn't going down so two more fish away - same results, but putting her down. Bow tubes empty, so turned to fire my two stern tubes at the tanker anchored in the bay. An easy shot and she went down. Went to full speed to reach deep water before sunrise and before help came to bottle me in. On the way out sighted a warship to the south heading my way. I showed by back end racing to deep water, went under and slipped away. Later, found a lone merchant and started tracking. Again at night and on the surface. Conducted an end around with dawn coming on. Slipped under and closed the track. Fired two fish at her at 1600 yds. They missed aft as the steam trail looked like it didn't have enough lead. After the long tracking, I thought I had all the factors down. Adjusted speed up 2 knots and fearing it was not enough aimed for the forward mast and bridge with two fish. Dang, missed ahead. Ahead flank and left full rudder. Another adjustment, and two stern tubes hit her. But wasn't sinking, but appeared stopped. After a reload, finished her off. Then I looked at the log. I had miss identified the last merchant. It wasn't just the speed that was off, but the range. It was a 20 foot mast height difference. The TDC on the long track synced well enough I thought, but I figure the range error introduced a speed error which seemed to correct what I saw with the TDC's position keeper. After that, I only had 1 fish left and headed east. Then a Japanese tin can was coming at me. Down we went to PD, made a quick assessment and felt I could get off a shot. She was coming on fast, a snap fire shot went away and it hit just aft of the tin can's stack. She slowed, but headed away trailing smoke and flames. It was a satifying hit, but I wish it were two. I find manual a lot more fun and involving. First time out wasn't too bad - 3 ships for 10k and a damaged DD with 16 torpedoes.