Lately while playing I've noticed that alot of new CV drivers are having trouble with
subs, especially in GB and GB II. The subs seem to slip through either early on,
which is rare, or wait untill the DDs and FFs are all gone and decide to go hunting.
So, in the best interest of our "small" group of elite CV dudes, I give you my guide to
hunting subs from the air.

Step One: How many and what type planes?

First and foremost, this is a post for CV1 and CV2 drivers equipped with TBs and
recon planes. DBs are meant for big boats, so use them that way. Fighters can be
used as a recon replacement, but it is still reccomended that these be used for other
things, like shooting down bad guys. As for the torp bombers, it is reccomended that
you use either 3-4 planes. While four planes takes longer to load and takes up more
precious space on your flight deck, they deliver a better spread. If you decide to go
with three, it takes less time (and space) to ready a flight, but puts a dent in your
offensive punch.

Step Two: Find and Identify the sub

I know it sounds stupid, but this is the most important step to sub hunting. Just like
all other ship classes, the next class higher has its pros and cons. For example, its
easier to hit a higher class sub when they surface because of the shear amount of
exposed surface area and reduced manuverability (sorry for my spelling...).
However, lower level subs stay underwater for less time making them easier to keep
track of. SS1s and SS2s have lower DP, which makes them easiest to destroy with
one blow. It also pays to identify the nationality, because you can still lose planes to
sub AA. The tier identification also helps to choose which angle and distance to
attack from.

Step Three: pick an angle and distance to attack from

For subs, you generally want to start your attacks at a closer range than if you were
normally attacking a surface ship. This gives them less time to react to the situation
and depending on your luck, they may not have the air capacity to sink back into the
depths of the sea and therefore, making life alot harder. I still prefer to attack
slightly ahead and abreast of a sub, the same way I attack a normal ship.

Step Four: the torp run

I personally advise to release your torps earlier than you normally would, especially
if this sub has been above water for a long period of time. This greatly increases
your chances of getting multiple hits on the sub if it decides to submerge. Some
players, however, prefer to release closer, guaranteeing a hit if the sub stays above
water, but annhilating any hope of even RELEASING torps if the sub submerges. This
brings me to my next theory

**OPTIONAL**

IF/IN the event that the sub begins to submerge, rapidly start pressing the "."
button in hopes that the torps will release. BEWARE this DOES NOT always work!
If it doesnt, keep your recon bird(s) over a the last known area you saw the sub.
Using your creativity and ingenuity, send the rc plane in the general direction you
think the sub would go. This depends alot on what phase the battle is in. In the
beginning to middle phases, it is hopeless to stay attached to one sub. You still have
a job to do as a CV, so do it. In the later phases of the game, when it begins to
wind down to the last few boats, keep a good eye out around your ship or nearby
crippled/ damaged ships. These will be the most likely hit targets by the sub
provided it finds them. Some sub drivers use their brains and follow your planes
back to you, so the moment your 1st TB group lands, have another standing by or
immediatly ready another wave.

v1.1 edit < adding manual tactic-Ewort

As Ewort pointed out, you can also lower your planes to the lowest altitude and
send
them in the intended direction of attack. When they come within range of releasing
torps, hit the "." button. This is effective, though alittle tricky the first few times, if
the sub submerges.

This is my first post used to help anybody other than myself so your feedback is
crucial to any future ideas that I decide to put up here.