Short torpedo tutorial

gurudennis · 03-30-19, 03:06 AM

I noticed that many of the players (and even full crews) entering lobbies in Wolfpack have little understanding of how to aim and fire torpedoes for effect. Below is my attempt to provide a basic tutorial on TDC operation with specific steps that - if followed correctly - should lead to a solid hit on the intended target.

Once you've acquired the target and set up a torpedo run, preferably at periscope depth on a course that is roughly perpendicular to the target (a little ahead of the target would be ideal), it's time to get busy.

1. Ensure that 3 qualified players are manning the following stations:
- dive planes (to avoid accidentally surfacing or diving below periscope depth of 12-13 meters)
- torpedo computer (TDC)
- attack periscope (AP) - you are here

2. Align the AP with relative bearing 0 degrees (optional) and instruct the TDC operator to attach the TDC to AP by rotating the knob on the top-right into upward position.

3. Identify the target if not done already, and open its page in the manual (C key). Have the TDC operator enter the length of the ship (optional) and torpedo depth (ship draft minus 2 meters is a good rule of thumb).

4. Using the AP at maximum zoom (6x), count the number of notches (centiradians) from the waterline to the top of the tallest mast of the target. Use this value and the height of the ship's mast from the manual to determine distance to target by looking it up in the right-hand version of the distance table (C key). Have the TDC operator set the distance.

5. Slow down to under 2 knots (slow or dead slow speed)

6. Line up the vertical post of the AP with the bow of the target ship and start the timer (T key). Once the ship's stern passes the vertical post, stop the timer (by pressing T again). Now, divide the length of the ship in meters by the clocked time in seconds, and multiply the result by 2. The resulting value is the target ship's speed in knots. Have the TDC operator enter the speed.

7. Estimate the angle on the bow, or AOB. This can be done by eye with some practice. Angle on the bow is the angle at which an observer on the target ship would see the attacking U-boat, if said observer wasn't oblivious to the U-boat's presence that is. For instance, if a ship is on a perpendicular course to the U-boat and passing left to right in the AP view, the angle on the bow is 90 degrees starboard. If the ship is closing with the U-boat from right to left at a steep angle, its angle on the bow could be for example 30 degrees port. With some practice, you can determine this value fairly reliably. Have the TDC operator enter this value when the vertical AP post is just fore of amidships of the target ship. Note that the AOB gets continually adjusted as you rotate the AP to account for perceived movement, so the TDC operator may need to adjust it whenever the AP operator calls out a new value manually.

8. Re-confirm all values (range, angle on the bow, speed) if necessary.

9. Place the vertical post of the AP on the target, just fore of midships. Have the TDC operator once again set the correct AOB (yes, really, it's that tedious because AOB is notoriously difficult to estimate accurately) and select a single torpedo tube (salvos and spreads are for cowards). Ask the TDC operator to confirm the angle of impact (top-left dial) and make sure that it roughly matches the expectation (it should be 5-15 degrees off the AOB to account for torpedo travel time, possibly plus or minus a multiple of 90 degrees to account for inverted viewpoint).

10. Press the spacebar to fire. Start the timer (press R to reset if necessary, then T) and have the TDC operator confirm the time to impact. Wait it out and enjoy the fireworks.

Bonus: Excel sheet for quick and precise distance and speed calculation.

With sufficient practice, the whole sequence can take mere tens of seconds. Make sure that you give yourself plenty of time on your torpedo runs by identifying the targets early and setting invariable parameters like speed early as well.

Good hunting!

Edit 1: Edited the wording to account for intended purpose of automatic AOB adjustment.
Edit 2: Corrected the error in speed calculation.
Edit 3: Added the bonus TDC Excel sheet.

03-30-19, 03:06 AM	#1
gurudennis Mate Join Date: Mar 2019 Posts: 55 Downloads: 2 Uploads: 0	Short torpedo tutorial I noticed that many of the players (and even full crews) entering lobbies in Wolfpack have little understanding of how to aim and fire torpedoes for effect. Below is my attempt to provide a basic tutorial on TDC operation with specific steps that - if followed correctly - should lead to a solid hit on the intended target. Once you've acquired the target and set up a torpedo run, preferably at periscope depth on a course that is roughly perpendicular to the target (a little ahead of the target would be ideal), it's time to get busy. 1. Ensure that 3 qualified players are manning the following stations: - dive planes (to avoid accidentally surfacing or diving below periscope depth of 12-13 meters) - torpedo computer (TDC) - attack periscope (AP) - you are here 2. Align the AP with relative bearing 0 degrees (optional) and instruct the TDC operator to attach the TDC to AP by rotating the knob on the top-right into upward position. 3. Identify the target if not done already, and open its page in the manual (C key). Have the TDC operator enter the length of the ship (optional) and torpedo depth (ship draft minus 2 meters is a good rule of thumb). 4. Using the AP at maximum zoom (6x), count the number of notches (centiradians) from the waterline to the top of the tallest mast of the target. Use this value and the height of the ship's mast from the manual to determine distance to target by looking it up in the right-hand version of the distance table (C key). Have the TDC operator set the distance. 5. Slow down to under 2 knots (slow or dead slow speed) 6. Line up the vertical post of the AP with the bow of the target ship and start the timer (T key). Once the ship's stern passes the vertical post, stop the timer (by pressing T again). Now, divide the length of the ship in meters by the clocked time in seconds, and multiply the result by 2. The resulting value is the target ship's speed in knots. Have the TDC operator enter the speed. 7. Estimate the angle on the bow, or AOB. This can be done by eye with some practice. Angle on the bow is the angle at which an observer on the target ship would see the attacking U-boat, if said observer wasn't oblivious to the U-boat's presence that is. For instance, if a ship is on a perpendicular course to the U-boat and passing left to right in the AP view, the angle on the bow is 90 degrees starboard. If the ship is closing with the U-boat from right to left at a steep angle, its angle on the bow could be for example 30 degrees port. With some practice, you can determine this value fairly reliably. Have the TDC operator enter this value when the vertical AP post is just fore of amidships of the target ship. Note that the AOB gets continually adjusted as you rotate the AP to account for perceived movement, so the TDC operator may need to adjust it whenever the AP operator calls out a new value manually. 8. Re-confirm all values (range, angle on the bow, speed) if necessary. 9. Place the vertical post of the AP on the target, just fore of midships. Have the TDC operator once again set the correct AOB (yes, really, it's that tedious because AOB is notoriously difficult to estimate accurately) and select a single torpedo tube (salvos and spreads are for cowards). Ask the TDC operator to confirm the angle of impact (top-left dial) and make sure that it roughly matches the expectation (it should be 5-15 degrees off the AOB to account for torpedo travel time, possibly plus or minus a multiple of 90 degrees to account for inverted viewpoint). 10. Press the spacebar to fire. Start the timer (press R to reset if necessary, then T) and have the TDC operator confirm the time to impact. Wait it out and enjoy the fireworks. Bonus: Excel sheet for quick and precise distance and speed calculation. With sufficient practice, the whole sequence can take mere tens of seconds. Make sure that you give yourself plenty of time on your torpedo runs by identifying the targets early and setting invariable parameters like speed early as well. Good hunting! Edit 1: Edited the wording to account for intended purpose of automatic AOB adjustment. Edit 2: Corrected the error in speed calculation. Edit 3: Added the bonus TDC Excel sheet. Last edited by gurudennis; 04-03-19 at 03:25 AM.