Manual Aiming of Torps

[Balimaar the Bass Fish]

So I am finally getting into working out torpedo solutions manually and am enjoying the challenge. I am noticing, however, that a number of my torps are missing by zooming past my target's stern.

This could result from any number of ways from my method so I'll post what I do here and hopefully someone can point out where the issue might be.

==FIND SPEED==
I do this one of two ways, it depends on if I have time for a solution I feel is more accurate.

(1) Do it the old "chronometer timing how long it takes for the ship to travel bow to stern"

This one I do if I have time:

(2) Place a marker on the map and start the chronometer. Run it for 3min 15 sec. Stop the chronometer and draw a line connecting the two markers. Divide by 100.23 gives the speed in knots.

==FIND COURSE==

I really dont trust the guesstimation involved in using the tool, so I use the map instead. I use the North/South lines and draw a line along it. Then using the markers from the FIND SPEED section I draw a line up to and slightly beyound the N/S line.

Then use the protractor to measure the angle. If the ship is heading W, I take the angle and do quick math (360-measurement) and that gives the course.

==FIND DISTANCE==

Draw a circle using the compass from the sub centre. Then draw a line from the target ship to the circle. Simple math at that point to calculate the distance ( CompassCircleDiameter - TargetDistanceToCircle ).

Then again its entirely possible that I am misidentifying the ship as well but I don't think I am.

Any pointers?

[Yuz]

Without even botter to raising periscope once! And from depth 15 to 20m...

Find speed:
I just click on the convoy mark when sonar guy alerts at first time. There is the convoy speed that is incredibly precise. Memorize it and use this value when you are attacking them.

Find course:
Same, i use the protractor. Again, i'ts amazing how sonar guy can tell me exacly where they are in the map.

Find distance:
Same, i draw a series or circles with the compass.

With this incredible sonar guy and satelite map... who needs a periscope?

[Davinci]

A lot of misses are the result of the ships slowing down once the alarm is sounded.

I usually fire the first torpedo at a target of seven knots, and then fire another one at six knots, followed by a third one at five knots all at the same target. This works fairly good with overlapping targets.

If, I sink three ships during a single patrol, I think that that is good. I hardly ever go for a single shot kill, unless the target is at 600 meters.

But, I hardly ever get that close. All of that to say that you didn't mention if the misses are due to the alarm being sounded.

[Dewgle]

Here's a trimmed down version (was 3 hours) of my TDC guide stream where I show a number of different methods for plotting targets using the vanilla manual torpedo system as well as the TDC mod.

I include some quick & easy ways of using the TDC but also more in-depth and historically accurate methods including tactics that assume you cannot see map icons.

TDC video guide with easy & historic methods

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1003657867

[Balimaar the Bass Fish]

Originally posted by Davinci:

But, I hardly ever get that close. All of that to say that you didn't mention if the misses are due to the alarm being sounded.

I'll have a look to be sure over my next couple shots but I can say for 100% certain that the alarm is not sounding when I am firing. Its possible, mind, that the alarm sounds enroute if they spot my torps.

I'll watch my next shots carefully and report back.

Originally posted by McDewgle:

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1003657867

Funny litely salted appears in your chat :) he is the one I learned most of my current technique from!

[Balimaar the Bass Fish]

And here we are. Footage of a real attempt :)

A close miss yet again (this time off the bow)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfF1RHPMCD0

[Davinci]

At 4:06 in your video you draw a line from your boat to the target, I always plot my boat to intercept the targets course, so that I can get the "Course Tool Thing" angle.

This is a quick picture: After setting up a NSEW line to verify 90° calculations.

Target is on a course of 74°

So, My "Course Tool Thing" will be set at 49° Port-Side.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2471195204

[Dewgle]

Why would you torture yourself with the vanilla course tool ;P

[Davinci]

Originally posted by McDewgle:

Why would you torture yourself with the vanilla course tool ;P

Understood.
But, I use it all of the time, so it does work in my game.

[Balimaar the Bass Fish]

I've noticed my issues arise as soon as I go beyond 3km. So I guess the solution for me is to get closer lol

Originally posted by Davinci:

At 4:06 in your video you draw a line from your boat to the target, I always plot my boat to intercept the targets course, so that I can get the "Course Tool Thing" angle.

This is a quick picture: After setting up a NSEW line to verify 90° calculations.

Target is on a course of 74°

So, My "Course Tool Thing" will be set at 49° Port-Side.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2471195204

Forgive me I am an idiot. Which ship there are you targeting?

[EmotionallyBroken]

If youre using the stadimeter to measure distance, maybe youre moving it too high? (its supposed to be waterline to highest mast).

[Dewgle]

Did my video help, Scarecrow?

[Davinci]

Originally posted by The Scarecrow:

Which ship there are you targeting?

I was not targeting any ship at that moment, only pointing out that the "Course Tool Thing" angle was 49° on any of the ships as long as they maintained their current course.

I didn't see in your video that you set yours to any value.

So, you never use that tool?

Also, at 4:06 you are drawing a line from your boat to the enemy ship, what is the purpose of that, are you measuring the distance?

[Balimaar the Bass Fish]

Originally posted by Davinci:

Originally posted by The Scarecrow:

Which ship there are you targeting?

I was not targeting any ship at that moment, only pointing out that the "Course Tool Thing" angle was 49° on any of the ships as long as they maintained their current course.

I didn't see in your video that you set yours to any value.

So, you never use that tool?

Also, at 4:06 you are drawing a line from your boat to the enemy ship, what is the purpose of that, are you measuring the distance?

Thanks mate.

I have never used the tool. Never really understood how and 99% of the vids I've seen so far have just said 'guess based on what you see'. I don't like guessing...

Ah yes at 4:06 I am measuring distance. That first line is so I have a point and direction to draw the line from. I draw the second line from the target ship to the edge of the circle I drew just before.

Then at that point its simple math (DiameterOfCompassCircle-Measurement = DistanceToUBoat)

EDIT:

Weirdly I just nailed 3 shots on 3 ships at an awkward approach angle using my method. 2 of the shots were just outside my 3km difficulty. So I guess it does work...

[Davinci]

Originally posted by The Scarecrow:

Weirdly I just nailed 3 shots on 3 ships at an awkward approach angle using my method. 2 of the shots were just outside my 3km difficulty. So I guess it does work...

If your method works, then continue using it, everyone does it slightly different.

Most, don't use the "Course Tool Thing", but I do in all of my calculations.

Using the picture that I posted above as an example.

The target ships are moving on a course of 74° since I am currently undetected.

I then plot a course so that my boat crosses over their course, and then use the protractor to get the "Course Tool thing" angle. Which is 49°.

Once the "Course Tool Thing" is entered, the targets course should still be at 74° in the Menu Box located at the bottom Left of the screen. If that number changes, the incorrect value was inputted in the "Course tool Thing".

That's the part that is sort of confusing!

[Balimaar the Bass Fish]

I might just be getting used to my process. Although I was stuck when I came across a convoy heading South by the coast of Africa where I bless the rains.

I had no idea what to do there. I just did the speed and distance calcs and let my boys do the angles.