Noob torpedo firing question

helibobber · 02-14-09, 06:55 PM

To many this will sound like a dumb question but here goes.
When I scoot ahead of my target and position myself to get a perfect 90 degree shot (or as close to that as I can) I come to a full stop at periscope depth. Now when I can just see my target coming into my range I want to turn towards him in a way so as to reduce my sonar size if tracking a DD. As he moves say from my left to right I want my boat to pivot so I can maintain a direct line to his midship in order to fire a torpedo.
Well, since I'm not moving how can I pivot my boat using the rudders if there is no forward movement on my part? If I go ahead slow and turn my rudder then I can pivot but I start moving towards my target and that is what I don't want to do.
I haven't learned yet how to fire my torpedoes manually and must rely on using the automatic targeting mode. I guess I just want to be able to control my boat more finely.
Am I making sense?

GoldenRivet · 02-14-09, 06:57 PM

your rudders rely on water flowing past them in order to work.

if you are stopped... you rudders wont do anything for you.

the only way you can "pivot" as described would be to order ahead slow

DanFraser · 02-14-09, 06:58 PM

Think backwards...

Or just reverse

A Very Super Market · 02-14-09, 07:00 PM

Yeah, it's physically impossible to pivot on a point with a ship. Don't bother with a perfect 90 degree shot either, you don't need it.

helibobber · 02-14-09, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanFraser

Think backwards...

Or just reverse

Ah ha! I'll try it.

USAMP1980 · 02-16-09, 02:35 PM

If by 90 degrees you mean perfectly perpendicular to the target... it does help a good deal with the "Impact" settings.

When you have the target locked in through your periscope.. click on "Ship:" , this will read off the "draft" of the ship. This is how deep the ship typically sets under water, and nearly the optimal setting for "Magnetic" setting. I would add a hair to the draft. about .2 meters in calm water. Of course, the faster a ship is going the more it will bob. Naturally, rough seas make settings hit-or-miss.

First half of war:
I have learned to never trust the intial electric torpedoes.. T2s I believe. They had issues with the detonator, as well as holding their set depths. I have seen them slowly fall as they head towards their target, falling too deep by meters.
The steam torpedo is much better for magnetic or impact detonation, particularly on "fast". Yes, they leave a bubble trail.. but the enemy will hear the torpedoes and you in their hydrophones anyways.. not to mention SONAR.

Usually, if you divide the draft measurement by two.. it will give you the best impact depth setting, depending on the shape of the hull. I use the minimum "1 meters" for impact on destroyers.
It takes 300 meters for the detonator to arm on "impact" setting, and 400m for "magnetic". Remember, that is the distance the torpedo must travel, not the distance from your scope to the enemy. It helps a great deal to already have your doors open ( "Q" ). I have had a great deal of luck firing at destroyers, etc when they are closing on me at 0 and 180 degrees with the "draft" and "magnetic" setting.

That may have been off topic, but it may help.
Yeap.. you have to be moving to turn the boat... give it 1/4 power atleast.

02-14-09, 06:55 PM	#1
helibobber Watch Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: USA Posts: 30 Downloads: 50 Uploads: 0	Noob torpedo firing question To many this will sound like a dumb question but here goes. When I scoot ahead of my target and position myself to get a perfect 90 degree shot (or as close to that as I can) I come to a full stop at periscope depth. Now when I can just see my target coming into my range I want to turn towards him in a way so as to reduce my sonar size if tracking a DD. As he moves say from my left to right I want my boat to pivot so I can maintain a direct line to his midship in order to fire a torpedo. Well, since I'm not moving how can I pivot my boat using the rudders if there is no forward movement on my part? If I go ahead slow and turn my rudder then I can pivot but I start moving towards my target and that is what I don't want to do. I haven't learned yet how to fire my torpedoes manually and must rely on using the automatic targeting mode. I guess I just want to be able to control my boat more finely. Am I making sense?

02-14-09, 06:57 PM	#2
GoldenRivet Subsim Aviator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 8,726 Downloads: 146 Uploads: 0	your rudders rely on water flowing past them in order to work. if you are stopped... you rudders wont do anything for you. the only way you can "pivot" as described would be to order ahead slow __________________

02-14-09, 06:58 PM	#3
DanFraser Bosun Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 62 Downloads: 15 Uploads: 0	Think backwards... Or just reverse __________________ Q6600 2.4GHz @ 3.6GHz OC'ed 8192MB 800MHz DDR2 RAM Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R 8800GTS 320MB 2x 17" Proview Monitors Windows 7

02-14-09, 07:00 PM	#4
A Very Super Market The Old Man Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Deep in the Wild Canadian suburbs. Posts: 1,468 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Yeah, it's physically impossible to pivot on a point with a ship. Don't bother with a perfect 90 degree shot either, you don't need it. __________________ The entire German garrison of Vanviken, right here in your thread!

02-16-09, 02:35 PM	#6
USAMP1980 Watch Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 27 Downloads: 18 Uploads: 0	If by 90 degrees you mean perfectly perpendicular to the target... it does help a good deal with the "Impact" settings. When you have the target locked in through your periscope.. click on "Ship:" , this will read off the "draft" of the ship. This is how deep the ship typically sets under water, and nearly the optimal setting for "Magnetic" setting. I would add a hair to the draft. about .2 meters in calm water. Of course, the faster a ship is going the more it will bob. Naturally, rough seas make settings hit-or-miss. First half of war: I have learned to never trust the intial electric torpedoes.. T2s I believe. They had issues with the detonator, as well as holding their set depths. I have seen them slowly fall as they head towards their target, falling too deep by meters. The steam torpedo is much better for magnetic or impact detonation, particularly on "fast". Yes, they leave a bubble trail.. but the enemy will hear the torpedoes and you in their hydrophones anyways.. not to mention SONAR. Usually, if you divide the draft measurement by two.. it will give you the best impact depth setting, depending on the shape of the hull. I use the minimum "1 meters" for impact on destroyers. It takes 300 meters for the detonator to arm on "impact" setting, and 400m for "magnetic". Remember, that is the distance the torpedo must travel, not the distance from your scope to the enemy. It helps a great deal to already have your doors open ( "Q" ). I have had a great deal of luck firing at destroyers, etc when they are closing on me at 0 and 180 degrees with the "draft" and "magnetic" setting. That may have been off topic, but it may help. Yeap.. you have to be moving to turn the boat... give it 1/4 power atleast.