How do u obtain range with the TBT?

[breadcatcher101]

The manual states that "the TBT only simulates the measuring process by the usage of a moving line index", not going into much detail. I hardly ever used the TBT even back in auto-targeting but I am at a loss as to how it is done in the game.

What exactly is a "moving line index"? I thought it would be a line you would drag to the topmast but I if so I haven't figured out how to use it.

[Rockin Robbins]

While using the TBT you have the same TDC controls available with the periscope.



Here's the portion of the TDC on the right side of the screen. First you press the lower left button to bring up the range/bearing input section shown. Now with TBT pointed at the target and locked with the "L" key, you press the upper left button. That's the one that is not red.

You'll see your image in the TBT split into 2 superimposed images: the original image which doesn't move and a second partially transparent image, which you can move using your mouse in the TBT window. You want to move the waterline of the movable image down to touch the tallest masthead and left-click.

Then go back to the input portion shown above and press the red "send range/bearing to TDC" button. You've done it!

Only one more thing to do. Take your manual and use it start a campfire or prop up the short leg of a table.

[tomoose]

Breadcatcher;
take the manual and hang it next to your toilet bowl, it'll do more good there.

It sounds like you're used to the German range finder as opposed to the U.S. method. The U.S. method utilizes a second image of the target the bottom of which is placed on the top of the original image in order to calculate the range. The principle is the same but instead of using two horizontal lines as in the German method it's two images.

Hope this helps. If not, search under "using the TDC".

[tomoose]

Aw poop, RR beat me to it.

[breadcatcher101]

Thanks, guys. I don't think I locked the TBT onto the target as best as I can recall. I had ran into a Dutch tugboat and decided to use them as a target in a pratice surface attack--they hate that--when I noticed the problem.

It is true, I am more used to the German way, but I am starting to like the PK.

I appreciate you help.

breadcatcher

[Munchausen]

Originally Posted by breadcatcher101

Thanks, guys. I don't think I locked the TBT onto the target as best as I can recall.

You don't necessarily need to lock the TBT. Any time part of your target is in the crosshairs, you can take a range fix. But, if you haven't centered the crosshairs by locking the TBT, torpedo calculations will be made against wherever it was you had your crosshairs at the time you took the fix.

:hmm: I think you do need to be locked, though, to send mast height.

[Phaedrus]

How do I obtain range?


Not very well Breadcatcher... not very well.



This position keeper thing has got the better of me. I miss my old Sh III TDC when I could put a torpedo any where I wanted it...

[Rockin Robbins]

Phaedrus, the American TDC can do everything the German one can, plus some very neat tricks to boot! It's just a matter of adapting to the different machinery and not trying to insist that it work exactly the same way.

And it takes time because many of the things you do with the TDC are automatic. You need to take them out of automatic into manual to think about every step for awhile. It takes time.

But I can promise that learning the American TDC will make you a better U-Boat skipper, just as learning the German TDC will make you a better fleet boat skipper.

[breadcatcher101]

I got it to work, am getting the double image. I think the first time I didn't click it on or something. I use the scope anyhow. I can get a closer and don't have to be concerned about a shell hitting the boat.

[Rockin Robbins]

[Hitman]

Phaedrus, the American TDC can do everything the German one can, plus some very neat tricks to boot!

Except autoupdate with the current bearing of your optics in real time (You must continuously send bearing and range to update the current real position of the target, not the one predicted by the Position Keeper. Although if you have a good solution of course both will match and there is no need to autoupdate). I think that is what Phaedrus was missing and it is specially useful, specially when attacking several targets at a time. In the real US TDC that was solved becaiuse the instrument autoupdated for various targets at a time when told to do so, but in the game you can't