title graphic

RADAR BULLETIN No. 5

(RADFIVE)

THE SURFACE PLOTTING MANUAL

 

UNITED STATES FLEET
HEADQUARTERS OF THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF


UNITED STATES FLEET
HEADQUARTERS OF THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF
NAVY DEPARTMENT
WASHINGTON 28, D.C.

15 November 1944

1. This publication, Surface Plotting Manual, is issued for the information and guidance of commissioned, warrant, and enlisted personnel to provide a standard basis of information relative to surface plotting in the United States Fleet.

2. This publication is CONFIDENTIAL [DECLASSIFIED], non-registered and shall be handled, stowed and transported as prescribed in Article 76, U. S. Navy Regulations, 1920. When no longer required for use it shall be destroyed by burning; no report of destruction 1s necessary.

3. While the classification of the publication is necessarily CONFIDENTIAL [DECLASSIFIED], Commanding Officers are urged to make certain that the book is available to all CIC and radar personnel whose duties require access to the information contained therein.

4. Requests for this publication shall be made to Headquarters, Commander in Chief, United States Fleet, (Readiness Division).

B.H. BIERI,
Deputy Chief of Staff.

--i--


DISTRIBUTION LIST FOR THE SURFACE PLOTTING MANUAL (RADFIVE)

Standard Navy Distribution List No. 26 (15 September 1944)

List 1 a(5), b(5), c(3), d(6), e(5), f (5), g(6), h(3), l(l), J(5), k-COTCLant Hdqtrs(500), COTCPac HdQtrs(500) only.

List 2 d-l(2), e(2), f (2), g(2), h(2) , m(2) , n(2), q (2) , u(2), w(2).

List 3 a(6), b(l), b-l(6)fc(l)less Coast Guard, c-1 (1), d(6), e (2), f (4), r-1 (1), g(2) , h(6), 1(6), 1 (6), k(3), 1 (2), m(2), o(l) , p(2), q(l), r(l) less Coast Guard, r-1 (1) , w(2), w-l(l), y(2), aa(2), bb(2), dd(l)less Coast Guard, fr(1)AF only, gg(l), 11 (2), JJ (2), kk(lj, ll(l), nn(2)only to PCE, PCF, (R) (less Coast Guard), pp(2), qq(2), rr(2), tt(2), uu(2).

Standard Navy Distribution List No. 28 (1 October 1944)

List 4 a(6), b(l), c(l), e(2), f (4), h(6), 1 (6), J (6), k(3), 1 (2), 1-1 (1)-p(2), q(l) , r (1), y(2) AM only, dd(l), ff(l) AR only, gg(l), 11 (2), kk(l), 11 (1) , nn(2) only to PCE, PCE (R), pp (2), qq (2), rr (2), uu (Z).

List 6 a(3), b(3).

List 7 g(50) USNA only.

List 8 n-1 Radar Op. Sch., Et. Lauderdale, Fla.(300): Tactical Radar Sen.,

Hollywood, Fla. (300): Nav. Radar Tr. Sch., NAS, St. Simons Island, Ga. (200); Radar Op. Sen., Point Loma, San Diego, Calif.(300); n-10 Pac. Flt. Radar Center, Navy #91, FPO, S. F., Calif. (500).

List 11 Chnn., Gen. Board (1); BuAero (5); BuPers (12); CNO (10); BuOrd (5); BuShips (5); USMC(l); USCG(IO).

Special Addressees:

Comdt. Army & Navy Staff College (2); Radar Op. Sch., Cavalier Hotel, Virginia Beach, Va.(300); U.S. Army Air Forces(1); U.S. Army Ground Forces(1); Adjutant General, U.S. Army(l) , 0p-2O-Z(l).

NOTE: Numbers In parentheses Indicate number of copies sent to each addressee.

--ii--


TABLE OF CONTENTS

100 PREFACE
1000 INTRODUCTION
2000 THE NAVIGATIONAL PLOT
  2100 BASIC CONSIDERATIONS
    2110 Definitions
  2120 Navigation as it Applies to Surface Plotting
  2130 Dead Reckoning
  2140 Instruments and Accessories
  2200 DEAD RECKONING EQUIPMENT
  2210 Explanation
  2220 Pencil Carriage
  2230 Latitude and Longitude Dials
  2240 Latitude and Longitude Selector Switch
  2250 Component Tracking Switch
  2260 Clock Light Switch
  2270 Scales and Adjustments
  2280 Plotting Surfaces
  2300 PLOTTING ON THE DRT
  2310 Positioning the "Bug"
  2320 Orienting Parallel Motion Protractor to DRT
  2330 Developing own Ship's Track on DRT
  2340 Indicating Time
  2350 Plotting Bearings and Ranges with Parallel Motion Protractor
  2360 Symbols and Abbreviations
  2370 Data to be Recorded on Plots
  2380 Determining Courses and Speeds
  2390 Sample Plots
  2400 READINESS AND PRECAUTIONS
  2410 State of Readiness of the DRT at Sea
  2420 DRT Casualties
  2430 Reminders
  2440 Primary vs. Secondary Targets
3000 RELATIVE MOTION AND THE USE OF THE MANEUVERING BOARD
  3100 INTRODUCTION
  3200 RELATIVE MOVEMENT
  3300 THE MANEUVERING BOARD
  3310 The Relative Plot on the Maneuvering Board
  3320 The Vector Diagram
  3330 Scales
  3340 Illustrative Problems
  3350 The Torpedo Effective Range Indicator and its Use
  3360 Three Minute Thumb Rule for Determining Course and Speed
  3370 The Plastic Maneuvering Board
4000 SUMMARY PLOT
  4100 INTRODUCTION
  4200 UTILIZATION OF THE SUMMARY PLOT
  4300 TYPES OF PLOTS
  4400 INFORMATION TO BE PLOTTED
  4500 SOURCES OF INFORMATION
  4600 KEEPING THE PLOT
5000 THE PREPARATION OF CIC PROBLEMS FOR TRAINING
  5100 DRILL PROBLEMS
  5110 Arithmetic Problems
  5120 Dead Reckoning Problems
  5130 Surface Plotting Problems
  5140 Relative Movement and Maneuvering Board Problems
  5200 CIC TEAM PRACTICE PROBLEMS

--iii/iv--


PREFACE

  1. This Surface Plotting Manual is promulgated for the purpose of setting forth the plotting procedures, symbols, and techniques which will aid in standardizing the portrayal of the surface picture. In accomplishing this purpose you will find the background material, equipment, and aids necessary to the maintenance of the surface plot will be discussed in connection with the true and relative presentation.

    The manual is written on the assumption that its readers are entering an entirely unfamiliar field and consequently introduces the necessary material in a sequence which will be most beneficial for this category of individuals. Endeavor has been made to lead the prospective plotter through the logical succession of events and explain in simple language the problems to be met and methods of solution with the following objectives in mind:

    1. To acquaint the reader with the problem of surface plotting.

    2. To explain to the reader how to use the plotting equipment he will be furnished.

    3. To provide the reader with standard methods of plotting.

    4. To acquaint the reader with standard plotting symbols and abbreviations.

    5. To give the reader practice in laying out and completely labeling the tracks in order to present a clear understandable plot that will accurately portray the events that take place in the area within radar range of the ship.

    6. To provide the guides for sufficient practice in the above procedure to establish proficiency.

--v--



Transcribed and formatted by Larry Jewell & Patrick Clancey, HyperWar Foundation