Spotting distance

[faamecanic]

Hey guys.....

Just played the final Convoy Attack scenario (3 times) in the Naval Academy (I want to finish all the Exams for realism).

Man...this game is WAAAY more realistic than older versions of Silent Service.

My last try was my most succesful (but still Unsatisfactory). I was Abeam of the Small tanker at scenario start up. I shot 4 torps (set to Fast with M and I det). 2 hit.....1 dud...1 miss. Dam tanker didnt sink. 2 Destroyers after me. So i dove and ran silent/ slow for about 30 min as the destroyers looked for me.

By the time they left the convoy was WAAAY ahead, except for the Tanker I crippled earlier. She was listing to port bad and evidently had severe engine damage as she was falling behind the convoy.

I went to Periscope depth and shot my stern torp at her and she sank. I then proceded to plot an intercept for the convoy which was just black smudges on the horizon (10,000m out).

My problem was I was to afraid that I would give my position away if I stayed surfaced for too long. So I got within about 7000m and dove... then I had to go to bed to go to work (I had played this since 6pm and it was now 11pm)

My question is..... If you are plotting a parallel course to a convoy, with the hopes of catching up and passing them on the surface so you can later submerge and surprise them.... how far out should I be (especially when I get close to parallel and my broadside is visable to them) to keep from being seen?? Especially at dusk or daytime conditions?

Also what speed is safe in this situation. I needed to go 4 knts to keep up with them...and at least 8 knts (stnd speed/full speed with Batts charging).

Thanks guys...and boy I LOVE THIS GAME!

[Venge]

It is a combination of a few factors.
How fast is that convoy going (I have forgotten, or never even knew to check back then lol). How fast can you go? If you have a decent speed advantage, say, 3 or 4 knots then what I persoanally would do is plot the course of the convoy on the map so if you loose sight of them you at least know what track they are on, surface then go out and around it to one side or the other. Try to keep the convoy close enough to still see them, but not be seen by them. This can be tough, depends on the weather (fog etc) and how fast you are going (increases the chance of them seeing you the faster you go).
Get in front of them and go to periscope depth and run silent and let the lead escort go by. Pick the merchants off as they go by.

[faamecanic]

Yep...thats what I was trying to do. Unfortunately it was good weather and calm seas. And it was around 8pm dusk outside.

So in this example if I plotted a course (and I did) to run parallel around 8,000 meters out, running at Full on the the surface.... would I be safe from being spotted?

Guess its just trial and error.... I shouldnt be so lazy and ask and just do it myself and find out ;D

[Venge]

8000!!
Man, that should be tons!
Don't think I have ever been able to even spot any ships that far off. You will be fine at full speed I would think. Just be careful when you cut in, because then you in their front view and side on, it does not get worse than that. But still, if you can keep 8000 you should be sweet even at that.
There is a knack in figuring out how to turn back into the convoy path. You have to get used to judging how fast you can move submerged to make sure you get within firing distance before teh convoy has gone by. depened how close you cut it I guess. I always give myself lots of time.

[faamecanic]

My Noob'ishness is fading fast ;D I have a complete method for intercepts worked out and seems to work everytime. See the post about "more help needed" in the General forum if you want to know my method.

Basically I plot an intercpet (or if they are within the 8,000 meters I run parallel course), find where I can submerge and wait.... heh heh its like a tiger that crouches down before he pounces on his prey!

Of course Im still in EARLY 1940....so when the war really gets going Im sure that strategy will change due to escorts and ASDIC.....