Struggling in the Storm!!

Bum · 06-23-06, 10:14 PM

Need some advice here. I'm using 100% manual TDC, I've got a convoy ahead of me in a major storm. Rain, waves, visibility is about 400m. Here's the problem: I get a sound check, I hear the bearing diverging around me port and starboard--I know the convoy is meeting me. I surface, with the TDC preset for a full bow salvo with 12degrees spread (makes no sense to try shooting 1 or two torps in these condition, not in full realistic mode). I have the ship ID book pulled up ready to select the target, get a lock, range, and AOB (speed set at 6 knots). As soon as a tanker or cargo ship appears ahead, I enter the data and fire the salvo. I've replayed the scenario 4 times--I get 2~3 hits, but almost every time the torps BONG off the side of the ship

Am I too close?? And if so, how the H*LL do I hit a target I cannot see until it gets too close?

Teddy Bear, Observer, Kpt Lehmann, Sailor Steve--someone please advise

HW3 · 06-23-06, 10:47 PM

Torpedo arming distance is 300m, and anything outside of a 60-120 degree hit is likely to deflect off the hull too.

Cpt.Thorne · 06-23-06, 10:52 PM

In poor visibility you might be too close when you actually spot the ship. The range where torpedo gets armed is 300m. If the impact is prior to running 300m the unarmed torp will just hit and plummet into the ocean floor.

Somewhere in her there was a thread about shooting at ships only using data gathered from hydrophones. This is easier with lone targets. ( I have seen a tutorial movie about it too but cannot remember if it was posted here or at ubi forum.

I usually just shadow the convoy untill the weather permits the attack. Might be frustrating in areas where you are close to enemy harbours and will most likely never get the chance to attack as it soon enter waters too dangerous to operate on. I remember shadowing (listening) a convoy for 2 weeks untill the horrible storm and low visibility went away. This was when returning from Caribbean. I attacked the convoy with last 5 remaining torps and was able to bag 2 fat Tankers close to Bay of Biscay. All worth while and was one of those SHIII memorable moments.
Hope this helps
Cpt.Thorne

BenG · 06-24-06, 04:18 AM

Bit of of a newbie question (but I am a newbie) have did you go about shadowing the convoy? Submerge and take not of location, surface and pursure? Chase the Convoy submerged??

Many Thanks

TreverSlyFox · 06-24-06, 05:07 AM

Actually, there are several possibilities here.

1. Not enough range for the torpedoes to arm.

2. You setting your torpedoes to run too deep and your hitting the curve of the hull which doesn't hit the detonator and deflects the torpedo.

3. In bad weather, though your setting the torpedo run depth right, the ship is bobbing up and down and it's just bad luck that your hitting when the ship is high in the water and you hitting the curve of the hull again. Though 4 times in a row seems more than bad luck.

Not enough range for the torpedo to arm (300 meters) seems the most likely canadate. Remember if your firing with only 300-350 meters between you and the ship, it's closing on you. By the time the torpedoes get to the ship it's closed the distance and the torpedoes haven't run the required 300 meters. Since it's bad weather and you may only be able to see the ship at 350-400 meters your in a tough spot.

You may want to change to Magnetic Detonator, shoot 1 meter deeper then the draft of the ship and wait until it's moving away from you so you know the torp has the range to arm. Though the Magnetic Detonator has problems here too. It may explode before it reachs the target, The ship might be high in the water when the torp passes under and be too deep to trigger, or the ship may be too low in the water and the torp hits it and it doesn't detonate.

Your other choice is to stay with the Impact Detonator, set your run depth to 1 meter and shoot as it's moving away from you. No matter what you do bad weather shooting with visability at 300-400 meters is risky business and it's 50% luck to get a good hit.

tbarak · 06-24-06, 10:39 PM

Yeah, a combination of what those guys said plus also probably factor in one or maybe two duds. Also there's a lot to be said for running the eels a bit deeper and using magnetic impact. Usually one to two feet under the keel works well.

06-23-06, 10:14 PM	#1
Bum Gunner Join Date: May 2006 Location: Death Valley Posts: 97 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Struggling in the Storm!! Need some advice here. I'm using 100% manual TDC, I've got a convoy ahead of me in a major storm. Rain, waves, visibility is about 400m. Here's the problem: I get a sound check, I hear the bearing diverging around me port and starboard--I know the convoy is meeting me. I surface, with the TDC preset for a full bow salvo with 12degrees spread (makes no sense to try shooting 1 or two torps in these condition, not in full realistic mode). I have the ship ID book pulled up ready to select the target, get a lock, range, and AOB (speed set at 6 knots). As soon as a tanker or cargo ship appears ahead, I enter the data and fire the salvo. I've replayed the scenario 4 times--I get 2~3 hits, but almost every time the torps BONG off the side of the ship Am I too close?? And if so, how the HLL do I hit a target I cannot see until it gets too close? Teddy Bear, Observer, Kpt Lehmann, Sailor Steve--someone please advise Last edited by Bum; 06-23-06 at 10:18 PM.*

06-23-06, 10:47 PM	#2
HW3 Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Gresham Oregon Posts: 6,574 Downloads: 458 Uploads: 0	Torpedo arming distance is 300m, and anything outside of a 60-120 degree hit is likely to deflect off the hull too. __________________ "Some ships are designed to sink...others require our assistance." Nathan Zelk

06-23-06, 10:52 PM	#3
Cpt.Thorne Torpedoman Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Helsinki, Finland Posts: 116 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	In poor visibility you might be too close when you actually spot the ship. The range where torpedo gets armed is 300m. If the impact is prior to running 300m the unarmed torp will just hit and plummet into the ocean floor. Somewhere in her there was a thread about shooting at ships only using data gathered from hydrophones. This is easier with lone targets. ( I have seen a tutorial movie about it too but cannot remember if it was posted here or at ubi forum. I usually just shadow the convoy untill the weather permits the attack. Might be frustrating in areas where you are close to enemy harbours and will most likely never get the chance to attack as it soon enter waters too dangerous to operate on. I remember shadowing (listening) a convoy for 2 weeks untill the horrible storm and low visibility went away. This was when returning from Caribbean. I attacked the convoy with last 5 remaining torps and was able to bag 2 fat Tankers close to Bay of Biscay. All worth while and was one of those SHIII memorable moments. Hope this helps Cpt.Thorne __________________

06-24-06, 04:18 AM	#4
BenG Watch Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 30 Downloads: 4 Uploads: 0	Bit of of a newbie question (but I am a newbie) have did you go about shadowing the convoy? Submerge and take not of location, surface and pursure? Chase the Convoy submerged?? Many Thanks __________________ -Ben Intel Dual Core @ 2.13 GHz (= 4.26 GHz (or so it is claimed!) 4 GB RAM (but due to 32-bit limitation I only get 3.074 GB) Windows Vista (a few compatability issues to begin with but works for me now)

06-24-06, 05:07 AM	#5
TreverSlyFox Bosun Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 65 Downloads: 2 Uploads: 0	Actually, there are several possibilities here. 1. Not enough range for the torpedoes to arm. 2. You setting your torpedoes to run too deep and your hitting the curve of the hull which doesn't hit the detonator and deflects the torpedo. 3. In bad weather, though your setting the torpedo run depth right, the ship is bobbing up and down and it's just bad luck that your hitting when the ship is high in the water and you hitting the curve of the hull again. Though 4 times in a row seems more than bad luck. Not enough range for the torpedo to arm (300 meters) seems the most likely canadate. Remember if your firing with only 300-350 meters between you and the ship, it's closing on you. By the time the torpedoes get to the ship it's closed the distance and the torpedoes haven't run the required 300 meters. Since it's bad weather and you may only be able to see the ship at 350-400 meters your in a tough spot. You may want to change to Magnetic Detonator, shoot 1 meter deeper then the draft of the ship and wait until it's moving away from you so you know the torp has the range to arm. Though the Magnetic Detonator has problems here too. It may explode before it reachs the target, The ship might be high in the water when the torp passes under and be too deep to trigger, or the ship may be too low in the water and the torp hits it and it doesn't detonate. Your other choice is to stay with the Impact Detonator, set your run depth to 1 meter and shoot as it's moving away from you. No matter what you do bad weather shooting with visability at 300-400 meters is risky business and it's 50% luck to get a good hit. __________________ Be polite, be courtious, be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet.

06-24-06, 10:39 PM	#6
tbarak Sparky Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 151 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Yeah, a combination of what those guys said plus also probably factor in one or maybe two duds. Also there's a lot to be said for running the eels a bit deeper and using magnetic impact. Usually one to two feet under the keel works well. Last edited by tbarak; 06-25-06 at 08:54 AM.