Learning the ins and outs of American torpedoing.

[Snakeeyes]

Well guys, I've got my voice control program working, I've got my Trigger Maru, I've got my new PC, I've got my LBOv2 mod.

I'm currently on a shakedown learning cruise and learning some interesting things about my torpedoes.

Tell me, when do YOU activate your position tracker? I've found that my shots are best when I have a target on a steady course.

[Frederf]

I activate the PK when I have good confidence in my data and when the target isn't maneuvering around like mad. The sooner the better I say, you can always update it later. I've had an early PK generated solution and 20 minutes later the generated bearing and the actual bearing were SPOT ON. Talk about having a high confidence in your solution!

[XLjedi]

Never...

First I observe and plot the contact's true course.

Then I use the TDC to setup a 20° bearing (70° AoB) solution and as points of interest pass the aiming wire, I fire.

If you know target true course and speed it is possible to derive a perfect solution without having to guess at the AoB.

Don't need to turn on the PK at all, still using the TDC for a firing solution though, and I can easily fire spreads just like Dic O'Kane.

[AirborneTD]

I turn it on when setting up on my first contact of the patrol and never turn it back off. Works fine for me.

[Rockin Robbins]

The first is to use the position keeper normally. In that case I turn it on as soon as I have an identification, a range, bearing and speed estimate. As you refine your information the position keeper gets closer and closer to the real track. By checking out the attack map, you can compare the position keeper's prediction to the actual position of the target, keeping a check on your data. This is the analog to what tracking teams would be doing with their maneuvering board. Once they have confidence it's time to down-scope and jet over to the best spot for a shot, confident that when you get there, you'll still know exactly where the target is. In real life, the high speed positioning runs were done at about 100' so no wake was visible on the surface. When you get to your spot, you pop up the scope for one last peek, update the coords, down scope, fire torpedoes and celebrate.

The second method is positioning your boat at right angles to the course of the target. In this case you never turn the position keeper on. You set AOB to 0º, range to something unimportant (doesn't matter, use your favorite number!). You point your scope to bearing zero and press the send bearing/range button. The torpedo will now run in a straight line on bearing zero. The only thing you have to know is the course and speed of the target. Using gutted's chart, http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/show...9&postcount=66, showing fast and slow steam torpedos, you just read off the correct lead angle for your shot. Range to the target doesn't matter. Point your scope the correct number of degrees toward the target, for example, 8.5º to the left (bearing 351.5º) for a target coming from the left. When the first mast crosses the crosshairs, fire one. When the aft mast crosses the crosshairs, fire 2. Watch both hit exactly where you wanted. Celebrate!

Both methods work great! I think the more goodies you have in your bag of tricks the more successful you'll be. One advantage of the Dick O'Kane technique is that you can target multiple ships in the same convoy quickly without resetting anything but the speed. Twice now I've hit 2 ships in under 30 seconds that way. Really increases your tonnage scores. You also do not have to identify the target to hit it. And it's fun! Well, unless you're the target.