Pattern-Running Torpedo General Thread

Tabris · 02-25-24, 12:39 AM

Despite frequently sailing during 1943, it occurs to me that I haven't given much thought to how pattern-runners are used. Like most people, I generally just aim them at specific merchants in a convoy and figure the pattern-running gear might get us an undeserved hit if the intended target is missed, but it's the specific settings I'm unsure about.

Do you find one generally has more success running FATs with the convoy, or against it? Does the convoy's speed matter? i.e, should we run against the convoy if its speed is slow and with the convoy if its speed is fast? Is there ever a good reason to use the narrower pattern?

Has anyone had any luck shooting stern tube FATs defensively at attacking escorts? Apparently the FAT II was intended for this, but I can't imagine preferring it to a TV for that job.

With the LUT, has anyone found success shooting while directly underneath (and possibly parallel to) the convoy? In some writings about the XXI, I've seen it implied that this was the intended use of the LUT by that boat. Conceptually I like the idea, but the LUT is so time-consuming to program, it sounds stressful!

02-25-24, 12:39 AM	#1
Tabris Gunner Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Oregon, USA Posts: 98 Downloads: 171 Uploads: 0	Pattern-Running Torpedo General Thread Despite frequently sailing during 1943, it occurs to me that I haven't given much thought to how pattern-runners are used. Like most people, I generally just aim them at specific merchants in a convoy and figure the pattern-running gear might get us an undeserved hit if the intended target is missed, but it's the specific settings I'm unsure about. Do you find one generally has more success running FATs with the convoy, or against it? Does the convoy's speed matter? i.e, should we run against the convoy if its speed is slow and with the convoy if its speed is fast? Is there ever a good reason to use the narrower pattern? Has anyone had any luck shooting stern tube FATs defensively at attacking escorts? Apparently the FAT II was intended for this, but I can't imagine preferring it to a TV for that job. With the LUT, has anyone found success shooting while directly underneath (and possibly parallel to) the convoy? In some writings about the XXI, I've seen it implied that this was the intended use of the LUT by that boat. Conceptually I like the idea, but the LUT is so time-consuming to program, it sounds stressful!