Subsim Narwhal Contest - Mod is now available, see post #662

[soopaman2]

I would love to know where this sub ranks as far as "overall power rankings" as far as available US subs in game. (goodness that sounded silly, I'm such a literary dolt at times)

To me it kicks the stuff out of most the other subs available. But your opinions are wanted, being the willing to be educated type.

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by soopaman2

I would love to know where this sub ranks as far as "overall power rankings" as far as available US subs in game. (goodness that sounded silly, I'm such a literary dolt at times)

To me it kicks the stuff out of most the other subs available. But your opinions are wanted, being the willing to be educated type.

Are you referring to the real ones. They were prewar designs, built as submarine-cruisers, and the two 6" guns meant serious business. Once the war started it was realized that they were slow, unmaneuverable and slow to dive, and had very shallow service depths (200 feet) all three were relegated to supply duties. One was sunk anyway, and two survived the war.

[Hitman]

I would love to know where this sub ranks as far as "overall power rankings" as far as available US subs in game

The Narwhal was designed at a time when the US Navy still had not a clear idea of what really was required. On one hand, the doctrine of the traditional commercial raider that the germans had so well applied in WW1 was quite respected due to its practical results, and as such a big firepower when surfaced was required in order not to waste the precious torpedoes in merchants. On the other hand, the "fleet submarine" doctrine was slowly making its way, and called for fast surface ships that could scout ahead of the fleet and eventually torpedo big enemy ships from surfaced conditions.

The Narwhal (And several other inter-war designs) was another unsuccesful attempt to have both things: The size (Required for long range patrols) and surfaced firepower (6 inch guns, equivalent to a destroyer) was unmatched and gave the sub excellent commerce raiding abilities, but it was largely underpowered with unreliable engines and also maneuvered like a pig, which excluded it from scouting the fleet effectively. In the end, it was a big risk to raid armed merchants when surfaced, and it was a challenge to evade enemy escorts when submerged, so it was soon relegated to special missions. Read: minelaying, inserting spec op teams and eventually some surface gunning raid on coastal installantions.

I think that, when comparing it to the other subs in the game, it will be more or less on par with the S-Boats. It outclasses them by far in range and gun power, but when it comes to evading escorts and operating in shallow waters, the S-class has the upper hand. Honestly, under normal operational conditions, you probably have more chances of surviving in an S-class. The Narwhal calls for special ops and careful surface riding of lone enemy merchants outside their gunnery range. Your guns can get it from larger distances, but remember that a sub is a rather bad gunnery platform, so in real life it wasn't that clear either.

In the end, you gotta love these large, fat, pig beasts for what they are. It's entirely irrational, but so is pure love

[soopaman2]

So fat slow and strong. See Americans had that Obese stereotype even back then.

My love and luck with the thing stems from poorer ASW measures from the Japanese (in relation to the hell the Brits pour on your head at approx the same year) Then again I am simply comparing 2 games and not real life.

[soopaman2]

This kind speaks for itself. I had approached at periscope depth, sank one of the destroyers outright damaged another, as well as damaging 2 merchant vessels.

Frustrated and out of loaded torps, seeing one far away warship contact I surfaced. I assumed the other was sinking as it lost alot of speed.

Those deckguns absolutely massacred this convoy. That was done with 90% deckgun.

The damaged destroyer caught up and tried to ram. I turned as hard as I could and we scraped sides. In that time the guns (the bore on them things is unreal, I love America) had put massive gaping holes in it, It started to lose speed and slowly slinked under the waves. I will get that last merchant, hopefully before that destroyer (undamaged) catches up to me.

In terms of reality I can see its shortcomings, in terms of the game it is king of the hill.

[Sailor Steve]

The Americans weren't the only ones to attempt cruiser submarines. This is the French boat Surcouf.

[soopaman2]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

The Americans weren't the only ones to attempt cruiser submarines. This is the French boat Surcouf.

It is a wonderful ship but when I look at the gun mounting, I think of the battle between the Moniter and the Merrimack (civil war).

The Merrimack relied on broadsides and maneuvering as typical in the age of sail tactics. While the Moniter had a rotating turret. Even though they shot each other up for hours resulting in a draw, the turret was a better system.

That thing looks more like a warship than a sub. Then again the French do things with good intentions that turn out bad in foresight. (Maginot line, Chauchat machine gun)

Easy things to say as a monday morning quarterback I know. And I am not insulting the French. Your first lady is hot.

[fred8615]

Originally Posted by soopaman2

It is a wonderful ship but when I look at the gun mounting, I think of the battle between the Moniter and the Merrimack (civil war).

The Monitor and the what???

What is it with you Yankees y'all can't call that ship by it's proper name, the Virginia?

[soopaman2]

Originally Posted by fred8615

The Monitor and the what???

What is it with you Yankees y'all can't call that ship by it's proper name, the Virginia?

I didn't mean to offend a southern gentleman.

Both sides had different names for battles too, strange thing really how it persists today (north and south)

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by fred8615

The Monitor and the what???

What is it with you Yankees y'all can't call that ship by it's proper name, the Virginia?

Would the gentleman from Louisiana kindly take his seat? The gentleman from New Jersey still has the floor! AND PUT THAT CANE DOWN!

Seriously, I agree. I was born in Texas but raised in Cantafordya. I've been in Utah, which wasn't even a part of the country back then, for forty years. That said, my sentiments lie with everyone, and I agree - the ship was renamed Virginia, and to us historians and gamers Virginia she will always remain.

[endo]

is the narwhal download still donate download? or is any free option i would gladly donate if it didnt hates mbnet dunno why, i was trying to donate using mbnet and it hated the cc...
that is why i was asking if there is any free of charge

[soopaman2]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

Would the gentleman from Louisiana kindly take his seat? The gentleman from New Jersey still has the floor! AND PUT THAT CANE DOWN!

Seriously, I agree. I was born in Texas but raised in Cantafordya. I've been in Utah, which wasn't even a part of the country back then, for forty years. That said, my sentiments lie with everyone, and I agree - the ship was renamed Virginia, and to us historians and gamers Virginia she will always remain.

CSS Virginia it is!

[Sledgehammer427]

I think Neal made it free actually

[Kongo Otto]

So there is really no way to make it playable for RFB+RSRDC?

[Hitman]

Yes IIRC it is an open download now