Stories and Patrol Logs + Screenshots and Videos (merged)

[Hylander_1314]

Thanks Armistead! How's that envirornment mod comin' along? I like the pinks, oranges, and yellows you have goin' on in that one.

[Armistead]

Thanks Armistead! How's that envirornment mod comin' along? I like the pinks, oranges, and yellows you have goin' on in that one.

Still working on it when I get time. Still working on my waves and fog, but can't quite figure the waves, I like larger swells, but if I taper the wavetops, then I lose them, may just go back to the way they were. Several things need some mild tweaking, I like the more intense moon reflections on clouds, but need to darken them a tad, but the horizon is still fairly dark.

The bigger issue now is getting sensors/visuals and how they connect to fog, waves, lighting etc, to how I want it and still playing with the sub's damage zones. I myself want certain things easier for attack, but a more fragile sub. When I say easier, not really easier, just if you do things right you can pull off an attack and escape, if you make mistakes, you're in for a time.

Hopefully I can work on it this weekend. I do play with it, but still need adjustments and would want a few to test it before release, so I'll keep you in mind for that if you're interested.

[Hylander_1314]

Oh absolutely!

Even just the sky colors would be fine!

The thing I noticed with big stormy waves, is at the crest, they "blob" over, where there should be spray. I'm guessing it has to do with how the water and waves are created.

What would be cool, is to have hurricane / typhoon waves like in that old footage of I think Halsey's TF goin' up and down 50ft rollers! I saw it along time ago, and the flat top was being film from a cruiser or battleship as it went over the top, like it was a big rolling hill, and road down into the valley of the waves, and back up and over again.

There was chop, but it wasn't like what we have in the game. 10 to 15ft chop at most.

But we would have to have hurricane force winds too, to go with it. Would be pretty cool though!

[Armistead]

Yea, I thought so myself, but many have tried, you're just limited to value ranges in the game. If you pay attention even the stock waves have some blockiness to them, you just don't really notice it because of speed of water. You have several values with hundreds of possible settings each all connecting so it can be a trying pain to keep testing changes.

What I'm trying to do instead of large waves is larger rolling swells. Wind is limited, but with larger swells and changing the sound files you can make it sound like a hurricane, but wind speed is rather silly and limited in game.

[Hylander_1314]

Yeah, I kinda figured it was limited. Otherwise, it would have been figured out long ago.

Your swells are looking pretty good from the pics so far. Hope you can get them figured out so they work proper in the game!

[Armistead]

One of my first SS that I came acroos, think it was first carrier I sunk in game...edited for lightness it appears.

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2009-07-22_020539_156-1.jpg

[Hylander_1314]

Nice pic of the flat top goin' down!

My first carrier was on whim, I decided to plot my course to see if by chance I could intercept the Midway TF, after loading up TMO 1.7(?) I think it was. And low and behold, I did run across them!

I unloaded all 6 tubes, and had 3 strike a carrier, and one more hit one of the cruisers and the other 2 missed their marks, but that was because the ships slowed to like 7 or 8 knots and started turning.

I then spent the next 8 or 9 hours evading up to 10 destroyers bent on terminating my career.

[tonschk]

Very nice shot :DL Armistead

[eschemschnuz]

Dear Onkel Karl,

How are you? I am fine.

Thank you for the new (and unexpected) assignment. I will do my best.

Other than the fact that I sunk nearly 200,000 tons of enemy merchant shipping this last patrol, I can't really recall anything else particularly noteworthy, except that it was long - over two months. Again, I must register my protest against having to include South Africa as part of my patrol range. If that is your final word on the matter, then at the very least, please consider increasing our presence in the Indian Ocean. If your humble nephew can sink 200,000 in one patrol, just think what can be done with a dozen commanders infinitely more capable and experienced than myself!

The secret to any continued success is no secret at all: if Group Monsun is to operate at optimum capacity, we simply must have more boats over here.

Respectfully yours,
Eschem

PS: I fear that language may not be the only barrier between us and the Japanese. Every time there's a joint staff meeting to be had, their officials keep fiddling with their swords in front of us. Almost makes me glad to be out at sea. Almost.

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/picture.php?albumid=576&pictureid=5180 http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/picture.php?albumid=576&pictureid=5181

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/picture.php?albumid=576&pictureid=5182 http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/picture.php?albumid=576&pictureid=5183

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/picture.php?albumid=576&pictureid=5184

RTDS: 13
NCLU: 1

[Howard313]

http://img862.imageshack.us/img862/4466/patrol2screencap.jpg

Nothing too fancy here for now, just testing out the graphics of my new pc. It runs quite smooth and I am very satisfied with it's performance. :DL

Rather new to this game so I'll just snap em as I see em.

This one is from my second patrol en-route to my objective, I saw a pretty full moon out and decided to take a shot of it.

[eschemschnuz]

Dear Onkel Karl,

How are you? I am fine.

There have been rumours that plans to produce "Walter" have recently been scrapped. I believe this to be a mistake of unimaginable proportions. I have just recently returned from U-796's maiden patrol, and my men and I can testify first-hand: this is the best boat we've ever been on.

Yes, there was a huge learning curve, but most of it had to do with "un-learning" all the tricks of the trade that came with the Type VII's and Type IX's. If you wish, I could help write a new training manual for the Akademie. In not so many words, the Type XVIII will enable the u-boat to become hunters again. No more silent prayers in the deep and hearing that damn pinging - we can start chasing after the destroyers now!

Nevertheless, it's still the same old routine against the bees. Maybe we could start designing flying u-boats...

Respectfully yours,
Eschem

PS: I also heard that there is a new design in the works, and that it retains much of what "Walter" had. If it is even remotely close to the Type XVIII, there may yet be hope that we can end this war sooner rather than later.

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/picture.php?albumid=576&pictureid=5194 http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/picture.php?albumid=576&pictureid=5218

RTDS: 2
NCLU: 2

[eschemschnuz]

Dear Onkel Karl,

How are you? I am fine.

Went down to the southern Indian Ocean and wiped out an enemy convoy. I think I've developed a thirst for "zerstörer blood".

Also got the chance to try out the new 38 twin flaks. Can't complain.

If there's one bad thing I can think of about "Walter" right now, it's that destroyer tonnage is hardly anything to brag home about.

Respectfully yours,
Eschem

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/picture.php?albumid=576&pictureid=5199 http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/picture.php?albumid=576&pictureid=5200

RTDS: 2
NCLU: 0

[eschemschnuz]

Dear Onkel Karl,

How are you? I am fine.

Please do not be too angry with me. Allow me to explain myself.

It is quite evident from my last couple of letters that I have been gushing about how good "Walter" is. Well, this patrol I found out its weaknesses, and there are many. The fuel tank immediately comes to mind.

Naturally, I went out to sea believing I could prove the engineers wrong, got a rush of blood to the head and went after an enemy task force against explicit orders to focus on merchant shipping.

If nothing else, at least I'm beginning to understand why "Walter" was eventually scrapped. For the Type XVIII to function at its best, everything has to be inch-perfect. Not a dent, not a scratch, nothing. However, perfect patrol runs are rarely the case, and unfortunately, "Walter"'s ability to function in less than optimal conditions is severely compromised. Its recovery rate is agonizingly slow, and slow is not a good thing.

I sincerely apologize for being "over-the-top" in my enthusiasm for the Type XVIII. If possible, please convey my best wishes to everyone involved in the development of the new u-boat.

Respectfully yours,
Eschem

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/picture.php?albumid=576&pictureid=5206

RTDS: 2
NCLU: 4

[Hylander_1314]

Heading out from Midway to drop an agent in Guam,

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll37/Conrad_B/SH4Img2011-12-23_134040_566.jpg

Charging the batteries after spending the daylight hours beneath the waves,

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll37/Conrad_B/SH4Img2011-12-21_085021_567.jpg

[Ducimus]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7kIocrApHg

[USS Drum]

Mods: TMO 2.5

Patrol 1: USS Nautilus
I was given command of USS Nautilus operating out of Pearl in 41'
Our first mission was to insert in agent on some peninsula off in Japan...
As we leave the admirals cheer us on:
http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z480/silenthunter2/SH4Img2011-12-23_194118_497.jpg?t=1324708173
The band does the same:
http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z480/silenthunter2/SH4Img2011-12-23_194121_217.jpg?t=1324708235
We encounter the USS Nevada on the way out:
http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z480/silenthunter2/SH4Img2011-12-23_200159_217.jpg?t=1324708304
We then refit at Midway:
http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z480/silenthunter2/SH4Img2011-12-23_201344_998.jpg?t=1324708349
Then we head over to Empire waters and insert our agent friend:
http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z480/silenthunter2/SH4Img2011-12-23_202251_809.jpg?t=1324708422
On the way back we encounter a merchant of 6,000 tonnes:
http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z480/silenthunter2/SH4Img2011-12-23_203120_910.jpg?t=1324708531
We fire a salvo of four fish at it all bounced off the hull thank god we have those 2 5 inch guns:
http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z480/silenthunter2/SH4Img2011-12-23_203111_210.jpg?t=1324708598
http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z480/silenthunter2/SH4Img2011-12-23_203138_250.jpg?t=1324708680
On the way back I got bored so:
http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z480/silenthunter2/SH4Img2011-12-23_204619_781.jpg?t=1324708756
http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z480/silenthunter2/SH4Img2011-12-23_204625_461.jpg?t=1324708811
Dinsdale was in port at the time:
http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z480/silenthunter2/SH4Img2011-12-23_204457_731.jpg?t=1324708844
http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z480/silenthunter2/SH4Img2011-12-23_205313_602.jpg?t=1324708919
DINSDALE!!! how many times do I have to tell you not to park your sub in front of the entrance to the dock!!!
http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z480/silenthunter2/SH4Img2011-12-23_205320_312.jpg?t=1324708948
So that's the patrol we inserted a agent and sunk 6,000 tones.

[Hylander_1314]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7kIocrApHg

Looks good! Love the water! And the "fog" effects. I know it sucks with the bridge watch, but setting the option to have fog, also decreses the visibility of searchplanes finding you too. The downside,................... like the enemy, you can't see as far either. Makes it more challenging before SJ radar, but the hydrophones maore than make up for it. Especially once you get a basic idea of the direction of the intended victim(s).

Cloud reflections on the water are kickin'! Nice effect! Now I have to make the decision to wait until I finish my career in 2.2, as I just reinstalled 2 weeks ago to add 2.2. But the new effects on the water are very enticing.

Thanks Ducimus!

[eschemschnuz]

Dear Onkel Karl,

How are you? I am fine - somewhat.

Forgive my candour, but all this espionage business is getting tiresome. Don't we have people who do this as a full-time job?

Our nerves are all frayed, my crew and mine. Having to stay submerged, in shallow waters, in a giant of a tub, without any snorkel, for hours on end, and enter the enemy's harbour, AND remain undetected, can do that to you.

Even more perturbing for me personally is that I have been having no luck whatsoever in sinking capital ships of any kind recently. From what I can tell, it is only possible to attack them either head-on or get involved in a "rear-ender", because approaching from abeam is virtually useless - it's almost as if they can outrun the eels, even the Zaunkonigs. Do you know if other boats are having similar issues?

Respectfully yours,
Eschem

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/picture.php?albumid=576&pictureid=5208 http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/picture.php?albumid=576&pictureid=5210

RTDS: 2
NCLU: 1

[eschemschnuz]

Dear Onkel Karl,

How are you? I am fine - only just.

I was hoping to provide something for you and the U-boat arm to cheer about, what with losing our French bases and all. Unfortunately, the only good news I can impart is that we only just escaped being sawed in half by a ramming attempt.

In hindsight, maybe it would have been better if we had rendezvoused with our auxiliary cruisers off the Indian subcontinent and waited, rather than take on the task force early on. I originally reasoned that if we didn't cut the enemy off then, we would never cut them off in time before they reached their intended destination.

Oh, well - at least we now have more to commiserate about. Misery loves company.

Respectfully yours,
Eschem

RTDS: 1
NCLU: 1

[IonicRipper]

Just started a new career (1942) and the first mission they give me is to recon the Tokyo bay... Seriously? They're sending a brand new commander straight out of naval school to infiltrate one of the enemy's busiest harbor?

I took the mission and went in there thinking its a suicide mission and i'll just start another one if and when i get caught (no where to run in there, right.) Turns out i went in and out at periscope depth and at 2 knots without a hitch, even had the weather on my side long enough to pop up and recharge my batteries a bit.

My heart was racing throughout the whole 2 days i was in there (figuratively speaking, amen for TC.) Its been a while i had such sensations in any SH game.

[Sailor Steve]

The reality: Movies like Destination Tokyo aside, they never sent anyone to attempt to penetrate a major naval base, especially Tokyo. Chances of getting in were nil, of getting out even less. I assume you're playing the stock game? TMO and RFB both, as far as I know, fix assignments so they are more historical.

[IonicRipper]

Yes im playing the stock game.
Sure was challenging and a good test for patience though

[eschemschnuz]

Dear Onkel Karl,

How are you? I am fine.

Finally, a nice, quiet patrol to report for a change. Also, many thanks for the promotion.

However, I fear that regardless of how many ships we send to the bottom over here, it would not make any difference and the outcome is inevitable. The Americans are literally "hopping" their way to Tokyo, and from what I can tell, our Japanese hosts are embracing some sort of "death-wish". I sincerely hope something got lost in translation, but doom and gloom pervades all around, and it's hard to rise above all that. Hopefully, the new year will usher in better tidings.

Wishing you a happy and prosperous 1945,

Respectfully yours,
Eschem

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/picture.php?albumid=576&pictureid=5216 http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/picture.php?albumid=576&pictureid=5217

RTDS: 2
NCLU: 0

[Hylander_1314]

First time I got one in Japanese home waters! Usually I find them down around Borneo and the Celebes.

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll37/Conrad_B/SH4Img2011-12-30_221836_480.jpg

[steve_the_slim]

What sort of boat is that? That conning tower looks really odd.

[IonicRipper]

Three night shots...

http://i43.tinypic.com/2mmikas.jpg

http://i41.tinypic.com/qyhfr9.jpg

And my favorite (my new wallpaper)

http://i39.tinypic.com/219nnlz.jpg

[Hylander_1314]

What sort of boat is that? That conning tower looks really odd.

It's a pseudo Japanese sub, I think made from a Type IX Uboat.

[The Renegade]

I've got another post to make after this one, but FIRST I wanted to thank everyone for sharing their stories, patrols, beautiful pictures, and more, all with your very own style. I've seriously spent more than a few hours lost in a great submarine warfare novel, written ENTIRELY in this thread! Just goes to show what incredible experiences this game can create :ping:

Also! Mr. Eschemshnuz! THank you very much for your regular posts and updates, not sure if anyone had responded to those directly, but THANK you! They're fantastic and I love hearing from "zee German" side as well :up:

NOW! A quick introduction! I've been a bit more active lately after realizing that yes, I'll always come back to the Silent Hunter games. I have QUITE a bit of unfinished business with SH4! (I haven't even played all the boats in SH3! Or finished a campaign all the way to 1945!!) ANYwho, I never got any other boats in SH4 after the Porpoise or the Salmon, if that tells you anything. I guess I just took too long on patrols and got bored, or got unlucky with refits, or got distracted in real life. So you can IMAGINE my ah, UNCONTROLLABLE joy as I am finally awarded a Gar class boat in my current campaign. There's foaming at the mouth folks...

And what happens is probably THE most fun I've ever had in this game. I'm using TMO 2.5 with a small Convoy Route map mod, and um...YEP, I've just consulted the judges, and it's definitely the most incredible patrol I've had in SH4. RIGHT up there with my favorite times in the Atlantic. Wow. Felt like I was there...

The patrol started off quiet, but with ONE key difference! Instead of being ordered to go to the East China Sea in a friggin Porpoise, I am NOW sent to the Caroline Islands with my Gar, the USS Grenadier! It's a whole new hunting ground, and a whole new tale to go with it. I've gotta run, but I'll try to make a worthy post later, complete with a few pics. STAY TUNED!

[Ducimus]

The reality: Movies like Destination Tokyo aside, they never sent anyone to attempt to penetrate a major naval base, especially Tokyo. Chances of getting in were nil, of getting out even less. I assume you're playing the stock game? TMO and RFB both, as far as I know, fix assignments so they are more historical.

There's a couple of photo missions i haven't fixed in TMO. I should have fixed them last go around, but it slipped my mind.

[Sailor Steve]

There's a couple of photo missions i haven't fixed in TMO. I should have fixed them last go around, but it slipped my mind.
Not a problem. At least you tried, and while I haven't played TMO much, I'm betting it's far better than the stock missions. :sunny:

[WernherVonTrapp]

Just some SS of a German U-Boat I downed in the Formosa Strait. I got a message that one would be transiting the strait on a specific date. Never actually thought I run into it. Unfortunately, it was too dark to get really good SS:

http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b456/archangel501/db6a19db.jpg

http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b456/archangel501/a7db36f5.jpg

http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b456/archangel501/150401ea.jpg

http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b456/archangel501/aee3b48e.jpg

http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b456/archangel501/528be350.jpg

[CCIP]

That's not bad looking at all! :D

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/myspb2006/stuff/tm01.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/myspb2006/stuff/tm02.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/myspb2006/stuff/tm03.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/myspb2006/stuff/tm04.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/myspb2006/stuff/tm05.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/myspb2006/stuff/tm06.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/myspb2006/stuff/tm07.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/myspb2006/stuff/tm08.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/myspb2006/stuff/tm09.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/myspb2006/stuff/tm10.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/myspb2006/stuff/tm11.jpg

[Hylander_1314]

Nice lookin' screenies there guys!

I have yet to see a Uboat out there myself.

[eschemschnuz]

I've got another post to make after this one, but FIRST I wanted to thank everyone for sharing their stories, patrols, beautiful pictures, and more, all with your very own style. I've seriously spent more than a few hours lost in a great submarine warfare novel, written ENTIRELY in this thread! Just goes to show what incredible experiences this game can create :ping:

Also! Mr. Eschemshnuz! THank you very much for your regular posts and updates, not sure if anyone had responded to those directly, but THANK you! They're fantastic and I love hearing from "zee German" side as well :up:
...

Thank you for the kind words, Renegade. Always glad to entertain the troops. :salute:

It started out with me trying to do smart-aleck one-liners, but then it evolved into this imaginary tongue-in-cheek correspondence. Plus, it gives me a chance to brush up on my "letter-writing" skills - trolling comments on YouTube does not help one little bit! :O:

Carry on, Herr Kaleun!

[Ioannis]

Sorry if it was posted before, I found it when I was patrolling around the Luzon Strait. :arrgh!:

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/6766/sh4img1.jpg

http://img576.imageshack.us/img576/8036/sh4img2.jpg

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/408/sh4img1.jpg/

[CCIP]

The famous Flying Dutchman :D

Have never seen one in game, although I suspect RSRDC has simply omitted it (and I haven't played other campaigns for quite a while).

[Aviv]

Haha even with the ghost passengers! Creepy.. Great pics guys!

[Armistead]

The famous Flying Dutchman :D

Have never seen one in game, although I suspect RSRDC has simply omitted it (and I haven't played other campaigns for quite a while).

You would be correct.....Course you can always create a mission with the ME and use it, been awhile, but I think it's under the Dutch as a BB named "what is des"......Heck, you can create an entire fleet of them.

[Sailor Steve]

Sorry if it was posted before, I found it when I was patrolling around the Luzon Strait. :arrgh!:
WELCOME ABOARD! :sunny:

Yes, it's been posted many times in the last five years, but you're new and everybody's first time is special, so we forgive you. :rotfl2:

Sorry. You'll find us friendly enough overall, but some of us can't help teasing sometimes.

Well, me anyway. :oops:

[CCIP]

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/myspb2006/stuff/sh29.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/myspb2006/stuff/sh28.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/myspb2006/stuff/sh27.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/myspb2006/stuff/sh26.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/myspb2006/stuff/sh25.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/myspb2006/stuff/sh24.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/myspb2006/stuff/sh23.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/myspb2006/stuff/sh22.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/myspb2006/stuff/sh21.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/myspb2006/stuff/sh20.jpg

That bastard lived :stare:

[CCIP]

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/myspb2006/stuff/sh15.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/myspb2006/stuff/sh13.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/myspb2006/stuff/sh12.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/myspb2006/stuff/sh09.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/myspb2006/stuff/sh08.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/myspb2006/stuff/sh07.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/myspb2006/stuff/sh06.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/myspb2006/stuff/sh04.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/myspb2006/stuff/sh03.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/myspb2006/stuff/sh02.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/myspb2006/stuff/sh01.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/myspb2006/stuff/sh05.jpg

[IonicRipper]

http://i40.tinypic.com/2ut59xs.jpg

http://i40.tinypic.com/16h9j55.jpg

http://i44.tinypic.com/nyi745.jpg

How real does this look!
http://i44.tinypic.com/15rf4lh.jpg

[Sailor Steve]

That's not bad looking at all! :D
Some pretty awesome pics there yourself! :rock:

[CCIP]

This picture is brought to you in latest real-o-vision technology :D

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/myspb2006/stuff/game02.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/myspb2006/stuff/real02.jpg
(actual pic of Pampanito I took last year)

[eschemschnuz]

Dear Onkel Karl,

How are you? I am fine.

I have some good news and some bad news. The good news is that after many months, I managed to sink a warship again - an obsolete V&W destroyer to be sure, but beggars can hardly be choosers.

The bad news? That it's taken me this long. So much so that I'm beginning to think that my first few months with "Walter" was simply down to pure dumb luck. Since then, I've wasted more eels than I care to remember.

Oh well, at least I still have my health.

Respectfully yours,
Eschem

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/picture.php?albumid=576&pictureid=5289

RTDS: 2
NCLU: 0

[eschemschnuz]

Dear Onkel Karl,

How are you? I am fine.

Mother Nature - she's a funny old gal.

If I may be able to express an observation: I've noticed that next to the soldiers, scientists have been the busiest people in this war. Back in 1939 (such a long time ago it seems now!), our tactics and our strategies were reliant on where the sun sets, when the moon rises, how heavy the wind blows, how hard the rain comes down, how thick is the fog, etc., etc. Little by little, these scientists began chipping away at these age-old inconveniences. Now we can see and hear the enemy -and vice versa- without having to actually "see" or "hear". We now have newfangled inventions with funny names that do all that.

But every now and then, Mother Nature reveals herself in all her terrible glory, and there's nothing Man can do about it. Like during my last patrol. How else can I explain being able to sink a Dido and a Kent from less than 1000m, while on the surface, without being detected? In monsoon conditions, that's how.

Something tells me the final outcome will be decided less on what we do, and more on the favours of the gods.

There is one thing that both nature and the gods cannot help with, however, and that's to stop my penchant for wasting my eels. Seriously, I really need to work on target practice when I get back.

Respectfully yours,
Eschem

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/picture.php?albumid=576&pictureid=5288

RTDS: 13
NCLU: 0

[eschemschnuz]

Ballet Conservatory
82 Treuestrasse
Spandau, Germany

10 Jun 1945

Dear Onkel Karl,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and good spirits.

First off, may I offer my congratulations on your appointment as President of Germany.
Secondly, may I also offer my eternal gratitude to you for having the courage to end the madness.

I received the news at sea, sailing north past the Fremantle latitude.

Suffice to say, I did all that I could only really do. I brought my boys home.
And it is only because of them, that I can write these words to you: Ich lebe.

Who knows, we might even live long enough to cross each other's paths again.

Best Wishes,
Eschem


RTDS: 3
NCLU: 0
For further details regarding this "person of interest", please visit your local Allied Authorities and submit a formal request to the Archives (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/album.php?albumid=576).

[Watson]

Excellent

[V.C. Sniper]

Balaos are such beautiful submarines.

[WernherVonTrapp]

This picture is brought to you in latest real-o-vision technology :D

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/myspb2006/stuff/game02.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/myspb2006/stuff/real02.jpg
(actual pic of Pampanito I took last year)
That's an awesome picture comparison.:yeah: Was that planned or incidental? Either way, it's still very cool.:sunny:

[Dignan]

This picture is brought to you in latest real-o-vision technology :D

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/myspb2006/stuff/game02.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/myspb2006/stuff/real02.jpg
(actual pic of Pampanito I took last year)

Nice. What visual mods are you using here?

[gi_dan2987]

Date: 6MAR1943
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Game Version: SH41.5 RFB2.0
Patrols: 5
Commander, USS Silversides (Gato Class)
After Action Report regarding patrol from 5JAN2943-6MAR1943.

On 5 January my crew and I departed from Brisbane to conduct an agent insertion into Tsurusaki, Japan. My boat had been loaded out with 24 Mk10 torpedoes that we had brought with us from Pearl Harbor. We set course for the Coral Sea, and set cruise speed for 10 Knots.

After a few days underway in the Coral Sea, my radar man observed multiple contacts which appeared to be heading toward our direction. After a series of range and bearing readings I was able to determine the course of the unidentified convoy to be 190 and a speed of 11 knots. We slipped into position approximately 1200 yards from the proposed edge of the convoy. Once sonar contacts were suggesting medium range and bearings nearing zero, I raised the attack scope to ID the targets. I could clearly ID two carriers, the USS Wasp and the USS Hornet. I would assume this task force was returning from the recent engagements in the Solomons. I remained submerged so as to not spook friendly gunners into opening fire on my boat, and once the task force had passed I surfaced the boat and returned to course.

The next few weeks were spent sailing around the eastern side of the solomons, then turning NNW towards the Marianas and Guam. No contacts were sighted.

On 30 January, approximately 300 nautical miles due north of Rabaul, my radar man started seeing contacts. I set course to maintain contact with the unidentified radar signals, and determined it to be a convoy sailing course 220 @ 9 knots. I assumed position off the port side of the projected course line, submerged to periscope depth, and waited. Once sonar contact had been established, I made note of the bearings of the contacts combined with their course to figure the AOB. With this critical information in place, all I needed to do was verify the information continuously until the targets were within range to fire. Convoy maintained course and speed, and I selected three targets, two torpedoes each from the bow tubes. As my torpedo gyro reached zero, I went to my sonar man, found contact one, pinged, sent range and bearing, adjusted AOB for the course, and fired two with a one degree spread. I acquired and fired upon the other two targets in rapid succession using the same method as the first. Upon being discovered, I set new depth to test depth, and all ahead flank. At approximately 150 feet I ordered silent running, and it was at this time that I started hearing torpedo impacts. All six fish had hit their mark, and within 45 minutes all three targets were on their way to the bottom for a total of 15,000 tons. I ran silent for over 3 hours until clear of the area, surfaced, and returned to course.

On 12 February I encountered another convoy approximately 200 nautical miles SW of Guam, sailing 010 @ 9 knots. I set up and attacked this convoy using the same methods as before. I scored 4 of 6 torpedoes hit for 10,000 tons sunk.

On 15 February I encountered an IJN task force sailing 125 @ 13 knots approximately 100 nautical miles due west of the previous convoy. I set up and fired my remaining torpedoes for a total of 7,000 tons sunk.

On 20 February the watch crew spotted a single Japanese Hog Island Type A Freighter steaming 270. Having depleted all my torpedo stores, I ordered the deck gun to be manned and engage the freighter. After firing a total of 60 4/50 caliber shells, the freighter capitulated and dipped beneath the waves for an additional 6,000 tons. I sent a status report to ComSubPac at Brisbane, and decided to abort my mission to Tsurusaki due to lack of fuel and armament. We had been at sea for 45 days and made it as far as the Philippine Sea before beginning our return voyage.

20 February through 6 March was spent sailing our return course to Brisbane for refit. We encountered several enemy radar contacts north of Rabaul, but did not initiate any attacks due to complete lack of armament.

We arrived at Brisbane on 6MAR1943 with our agent, all hands, zero torpedoes, 50 gun shells remaining, and a grand total of 38,000 GRT confirmed on our books. All personnel have been granted a three week liberty in celebration while our boat undergoes refit and rearm.

END OF REPORT

[Armistead]

It's been awhile since I played in earnest, but have been playing the last week. I decided to not use RSRD and try TMO's traffic, while not historic as RSRD, has better zig patterns, speed and overall AI reaction. I decided to play a serious career, only base saves, 93%, no cams, contacts on.
I did go into TMO traffic and add about 16 extra ships, more traffic and tweaked the settings, some harder some just a tad easier.

I will say the second convoy attack was probably the longest and most difficult convoy attack I haveever played.

I started a career in 43, moved to Fremantle and decided to go through Java to the Palawan. I picked up a large convoy in overcast weather of nine merchants, 4 escorts, APR showed no escorts with radar. Water depth was only 89 ft. With TMO groups zigs about every 10nms, it was hard to set up. I had high winds, but didn't want to get caught in shallow water, so decided to track until dark, but a nice storm came in so I decided to slip in the convoy and take them out with the deckgun and 40 bofar.
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2012-01-30_230305_540.jpg

I came in the convoy and used the guns by radar, taking them out one at a time, while sonar tracked the escorts. I did make one mistake, one merchant ran up on me while I was on the deckgun shooting another and used it's machine guns and killed two men and 4 others health below 20. I used all my ammo and had to shoot one torp by radar to finish the last one off, sunk all 9 merchants and slipped out under the cover of the storm.
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2012-01-30_224307_072.jpg

I then headed towards Palawan, but some hours later ran into another large convoy. several escorts, one having radar. I was still in a heavy storm. I had no gun ammo, so decided to attack with torps by radar and sonar.

Several times I tried to set up, but the convoy zigged or I got picked up on radar and had to run or dive to lose radar contact and plot again. Having no cams on, I wasn't paying much attention to outside, mostly at the attack map, but did check weather which stayed stormy. Finally the group took a radical zig south. I got on the port flank some miles ahead and got picked up on radar, 3 escorts came hauling arse my way. The plan was when they got within a few miles to dive and then turn into the convoy at flank while the escorts searched where I once was. I was able
to stay 6000 yards from the escorts and with stormy seas wasn't worried about their sonar at that distance.

I came up to radar depth in the storm, the escorts were about 8000 yards behind me as planned searching where I dived. Water depth was now about 65ft. With a good storm, I figured I would set up, shoot and run away on the surface to deeper water, dive and use flank to haul off again if the escort radar got me. There was one escort way off on the other flank. I didn't load better SS's, this one is at the attack map and only shows the one lead merchant of the group, the others are barely off the screen. At radar depth, I had a fairly good fix on my first target, I would shoot at the others more guessing hoping overlap would get some hits.

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2012-01-30_232009_462.jpg

Mistake number two...I looked in the scope and was in one of those rare moments in game as weather changes. I was shocked to see light rain, clearer skies and ships...damn it. Weather transitions in game happen fast as you will notice. Now I couldn't get on the surface, the merchants would blow me out of the water and the escorts could probably see me and give chase and I'm stuck in 65ft of water, some deeper water a mile or so SE. Got lucky I got to scope depth instead of radar depth before the merchants saw me.

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2012-01-30_232425_025.jpg

So what to do. I still had high wind, so good rough seas, so I take my stad measurements, The 3 escorts were almost 5nms away still searching. I decided to shoot and turn and flank to deeper water. With the escorts far away, rough seas, I should be about to put enough space so they couldn't
find me when they returned. I set up, convoy has seen my scope, started mild zigs, I shoot at a longer range than I wanted all bow, turn all sterns hoping for hits. I sunk only two due to the zigs, but notice
in minutes how much more the weather has cleared.

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2012-01-30_233234_197.jpg

The following SS shows how it played out. I ran south. The escorts are NE of me now coming back to the convoy, one escort on my pointer. I was going to use flank and attack the escort from the port side as the group was going slow, but I was afraid the returning escorts would come over me heading back. Wasn't sure it they would go to the sinkings or return to the group, so I held back in 80 ft of water.

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2012-01-30_234814_681.jpg

Again, the group zigged headed east, like going in a big circle. Again, one radar ship, clear skies,and shallow water, what to do. Very hard to get in close, radar gets you, you dive, then have to use speed to get in shooting range, possibly they could hear you. Only fools attack in 60-80 ft of water.
I tracked, got a full battery charge and let dark roll in. Then another group appears on radar, it's a small TF. I thought about attacking it, but couldn't ID it yet. I got within 5nms of it and the groups escorts got me on radar and headed my way fast. I turned and ran and heard shell splashes, dived and stayed flank and was able to put enough distance, they started searching where I dived. It was one of TMO's sub killer groups containing 6 DD's. I bet they dropped 100 charges where they thought I was, but I had enough distance and heavy seas proably saved me. Finally I surfaced, by now lost the convoy on radar, but had them on sonar and went back to tracking.

I tracked them to attack in the deepest water, 120ft. After that it was shallow for another 100nms. I still had rough water. I would come bewteen the lead and starboard escort that was fairly far on the starboad side, with rough seas I should be able to get between them without being heard,
attack and escape with rough seas, risky, but either that or let it go.

Things looked good as the group approached, I then noticed another weather transition, wind was calming down....fast. I would click weather and every ten secs or so wind dropped another kt. I was too close to run away. Within two minutes winds went from 15 to 0....I knew I was probably dead. I kept my bow pointed at the lead escort at all times. He finally passed by me at about 1000 yards. How he didn't get me...don't know. Here is the setup, the group heading NE.

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2012-01-31_004209_993.jpg

I came up to scope depth. The lead escort you can see NE by sonar line, but not in scope view. Obvious other escorts close. I either traced wrong, but feel the group zigged again. I was too close and the merchants saw my scope and went evasive, but all I could do is shoot. I already heard
soft sonar pinging me from a distance.. I shot 10 torps, fast, had to guess somewhat. I got four duds that hit a ship that got close that I wasn't shooting at, the rest missed. I bungled the attack, now stuck
in 120 ft of water with 0 wind and 4 escorts coming, including one I ID'ed as the dreaded DE Matsu....I had played this probably 6 hours, no saves, I knew I was dead.

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2012-01-31_010252_306.jpg

Then something that has never happened happened. I was gonna come up and fight it out and try to sink one or two escorts and try to escape or dive again, but I had no gun ammo from the first convoy attack. All I could do is stay at 110 depth and helm and pour on speed. I can't explain this.
The escorts ping was fast and loud. They came from every direction, they dropped 100's of charges and not once did they get close. It almost seemed if they were doing circles around me, but no runs over me . Yea, I pulled every trick I knew, but never have I escaped 4 TMO escorts in shallow water with 0 wind, being pinged on fast scale. This went on for 3 hours playing in real time. I couldn't figure it.

I escaped with no damage and went back to base with a total of 11 merchants sunk for about 31K tons, most were small merchants. How we lived, I'll never understand it.

[Diopos]

Great read there Armistead!:up:
Only one question. Palawan is in/near the Phlipines right? Why the hell did you elect the route via Java Sea and not Celebes/Sulu Sea? You elected to advance and attack through a minefield sir!:yep:
Sure seems the andrenaline rush was compensation enough ...

.

[commandosolo2009]

Indeed. I wish I have the excitement you sea boys have now... Stuck with them flyboys and the hog and the shark... :shifty:

[Caustic]

I'm looking to contribute to this thread but I can't figure out how to remove the HUD from my screenshots without cropping the image.

[Armistead]

Great read there Armistead!:up:
Only one question. Palawan is in/near the Phlipines right? Why the hell did you elect the route via Java Sea and not Celebes/Sulu Sea? You elected to advance and attack through a minefield sir!:yep:
Sure seems the andrenaline rush was compensation enough ...

.

I haven't looked at TMO's minefield traffic, sure it's a lil different than RSRD, but I don't think many minefields exist in Java, never hit one there in years of playing either.

TMO and RSRD both use what I call the Palawan shipping lane for traffic, runs from Singy, west coast of Borneo up to the Palawan, just what I call it, but it's a great shipping lane.

[Kptlt. Neuerburg]

With SH4 press the ./Del button on the number pad that is on the right side of the keyboard to remove the HUD.

[Caustic]

With SH4 press the ./Del button on the number pad that is on the right side of the keyboard to remove the HUD.
Thanks, I'm surprised it's not listed in the manual or in the game's control options. It would be a good idea to add this information to the first post of this thread. I think it's necessary for good screenshots!

[Sailor Steve]

Thanks, I'm surprised it's not listed in the manual or in the game's control options. It would be a good idea to add this information to the first post of this thread. I think it's necessary for good screenshots!
Look inside your SH4 game folder. You'll find two files labeled 'SH4_Q-Ref_Card.

The one labeled 'Back' says "NumPad Del = Hide/Show Interface".

[Diopos]

I haven't looked at TMO's minefield traffic, sure it's a lil different than RSRD, but I don't think many minefields exist in Java, never hit one there in years of playing either.

TMO and RSRD both use what I call the Palawan shipping lane for traffic, runs from Singy, west coast of Borneo up to the Palawan, just what I call it, but it's a great shipping lane.

The "minefield" was just a figure of speach. As for "Palawan Shiping Lane" I wouldn't voluntarily operate in the shallows. If my fate is to go "down" let it be deep! :DL

.

[gi_dan2987]

The "minefield" was just a figure of speach. As for "Palawan Shiping Lane" I wouldn't voluntarily operate in the shallows. If my fate is to go "down" let it be deep! :DL.

Good point, I'm always iffy about attacking in shallows. I'll usually wait to intercept the convoy in deep water where I can get below the thermal layer and slip away silent.

[Armistead]

The "minefield" was just a figure of speach. As for "Palawan Shiping Lane" I wouldn't voluntarily operate in the shallows. If my fate is to go "down" let it be deep! :DL

.

Oh, I agree, but knowing you're basically blind to sonar in heavy seas in the game, it was worth the risk. I have no problem using storms as cover in shallows, what was so frustrating about the two attacks on the last convoy, first the skies cleared, then the last attack the water went dead calm in 10 seconds.

One of the reasons for the last attack was it was obvious the convoy was heading to a certain port, so I picked the deepest water of 120 ft, after that it was roughly 60 ft of water for the next 100 miles to port where the group would probably despawn...

One thing the game is missing in TMO and RSRD is much of the convoy traffic along the shallow coast of China and was heavily mined. These convoys almost hugged the coast line and used small islands an reefs as cover. Only a few sub captains had the balls to go after these, such as the famous sub "Barb" I put in a lot of China coastal traffic, minefields, more shore guns and coastal lights, so I enjoy the challange of hard attacks in shallow waters, but I always try to live and attack when it's smart.

[Caustic]

Anchored off Guadalcanal - August 1942
http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/1176/sh4guadalcanalaugust42.jpg

[WernherVonTrapp]

Aerial acrobatics.

http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b456/archangel501/SS%20Comps/015e0b91.jpg

http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b456/archangel501/SS%20Comps/50894843.jpg

http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b456/archangel501/fb10.jpg

[iambecomelife]

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/iambecomelife/MWSnap2012-02-0805_51_14.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/iambecomelife/MWSnap2012-02-0805_52_10.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/iambecomelife/MWSnap2012-02-0805_53_59.jpg

Old Man Lockwood's going to have my guts for a jump rope when we get back to Pearl. I say the helmsman did it. :nope:

[iambecomelife]

I've always disliked the stock Silent Hunter 4 fire effects and land textures. Screenshots of my experiments with new textures.

The fire alpha channel comes from "Trigger Maru" - everything else is my own work.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/iambecomelife/Trawler-land.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/iambecomelife/Untitled-4-27.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/iambecomelife/Untitled-5-25.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/iambecomelife/Untitled-7-22.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/iambecomelife/Untitled-6-25.jpg

[Armistead]

Like your thick black smoke, I've played with it and others, but mine is always too blocky and textures stack. Sometimes SS's make it show worse than it is and screws my FPS up, like to give yours a try if u have it seperate or can do so.

[bobdina]

awesome changes to the smoke. Any chance you plan on releasing what you've done as a mod? Asking because using the Jones mod enabler and unzipping files is the extent of my ability when it comes to computers.So there is nowayIcan do this manually . If not no worries and again really like what you've done.

[Caustic]

awesome changes to the smoke. Any chance you plan on releasing what you've done as a mod? Asking because using the Jones mod enabler and unzipping files is the extent of my ability when it comes to computers.So there is nowayIcan do this manually . If not no worries and again really like what you've done.
Indeed, this would make for a good mod, either integrated into another mega mod like TM or a standalone version. Hopefully, you will make a version for both.

[Caustic]

Old Man Lockwood's going to have my guts for a jump rope when we get back to Pearl. I say the helmsman did it. :nope:
What environmental mod are you using in these screenshots? It looks promising.

[iambecomelife]

My mod isn't ready yet because I need to fine-tune a few more things. I will try to release it this weekend.

The environmental effects are from the Trigger Maru mod.

[bobdina]

thank you very much for making this into a mod so computer illiterates like me can enjoy your work. Again thanks

[Caustic]

My mod isn't ready yet because I need to fine-tune a few more things. I will try to release it this weekend.

The environmental effects are from the Trigger Maru mod.
Another suggestion would be to add oil slicks, or something of that nature. The immersion factor would go way up.

[iambecomelife]

A bone in her teeth:

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/iambecomelife/Shark.jpg

"Zero the planes! Zero the planes!"

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/iambecomelife/Tats.jpg

Passage at sunset:

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/iambecomelife/Sunset.jpg

The archipelago:

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/iambecomelife/Pacific.jpg

[iambecomelife]

Azer's Torch:

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/iambecomelife/Oct.jpg

All alone:

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/iambecomelife/Lone.jpg

Fatal encounter:

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/iambecomelife/Fateful.jpg

The bitter end:

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/iambecomelife/Fisher.jpg

A full deck:

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/iambecomelife/Fulldeck.jpg

The Lieutenant:

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/iambecomelife/Lieutenant.jpg

Werewolves:

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/iambecomelife/Team.jpg

Heading home:

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/iambecomelife/Mattie.jpg

Waltzin' Matilda:

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/iambecomelife/Aussie.jpg

[Caustic]

How is your mod coming along iambecomelife? I hope you release something.

:salute:

[PacificWolf]

USS Silent Hunter (SS-426)
http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/2839/sh4img20120214171946609m.jpg

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/92/sh4img20120214172055515.jpg

http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/3250/sh4img20120214172127125.jpg

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/5585/sh4img20120214172208140.jpg

Exiting the harbor and bringing honour to USS Arizona.

[Howard313]

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/1318/myboat.png
Recharging batteries under cover of darkness deep in hostile waters

http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/5088/portattack.png
Retreating after successful port raid

http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/277/aircraft.png
Allied Torpedo Bomber

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/3383/scoutplanedestroyed.png
Allied Torpedo Bomber attempting crash dive maneuver

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/2551/bomberfail.png

http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/1339/deckgunattack.png

http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/4724/nightk.png
Edit: New ones

[gi_dan2987]

Ok so I was on patrol 500 nm east of Honshu, when out of nowhere, I took damage in the forward torpedo room. The torpedo room instantly flooded, but there was no damage to my hull. There was no explosion, nothing. As I started to affect repairs, my submarine immediately started plunging to the bottom quickly, as if it were a plane falling from the sky. However, my sub did not crush until I got to 3,500 feet. I don't know what happened, but I think I ran into a bug of some sort. Anybody got any suggestions?

[TorpX]

However, my sub did not crush until I got to 3,500 feet. I don't know what happened, but I think I ran into a bug of some sort. Anybody got any suggestions?

The reason your hull didn't "crush" until 3,500 ft. is that there is a time lag between getting killed and the game informing you of the bad news. It sounds like you hit a mine, or perhaps an airplane dopped something on you.

[gi_dan2987]

The reason your hull didn't "crush" until 3,500 ft. is that there is a time lag between getting killed and the game informing you of the bad news. It sounds like you hit a mine, or perhaps an airplane dopped something on you.


well I was only running at x1024 time compression... If it was a plane I would have heard an explosion, or the crew would have spotted the aircraft, you would think. This all occurred at night. It was silence, then it jumped to x8 TC and I got the flood of damage reports. Only the forward torpedo room flooded, but it still didn't show any hull damage. I don't know how mine encounters work in RFB 2.0, but that could be a possibility. I was about 500nm miles off Honshu... Did the Japs plant minefields out that far and in such deep of water?

[Armistead]

I've never heard of a sub making it past 1200 ft before the game ended, 3500ft doesn't make sense. Even with TMO the crush depth is around 700ft for a Tench, you go past that you're dead regardless, once the breaking up sounds play, it's over, you may keep going down, but it takes about 12 secs more before you die. The deepest I've got is about 1200 ft in a out of control dive hitting 14kts due to the angle....course I was dead when I past crush depth of 700. RFB has historic crush depths, do usually around 500ft for the best subs.

Just remember if you're in an out of control dive use all the speed you can and go in the opposite direction of the dive, simply if you're going down by the bow, flank reverse, by the stern flank ahead. Use the P key for scope depth instead of manual setting depth, for some reason that will bring you up better than manual, if that doesn't work, blow tanks.

Running at that compression at night your crew may not have spotted a plane or ship, did you have air and surface radar. I don't play RFB, but without surface radar with TMO, it's easy to get blasted and not know it.
Usually the game lags a lil if you're in TC, letting you know something is in your contact zone.

I know of no mods that put mines to hit you of the surface, but still I haven't checked every minefield in every mod, most don't because it would also take out surface ships.

[gi_dan2987]

I've never heard of a sub making it past 1200 ft before the game ended, 3500ft doesn't make sense. Even with TMO the crush depth is around 700ft for a Tench, you go past that you're dead regardless, once the breaking up sounds play, it's over, you may keep going down, but it takes about 12 secs more before you die. The deepest I've got is about 1200 ft in a out of control dive hitting 14kts due to the angle....course I was dead when I past crush depth of 700. RFB has historic crush depths, do usually around 500ft for the best subs.

Just remember if you're in an out of control dive use all the speed you can and go in the opposite direction of the dive, simply if you're going down by the bow, flank reverse, by the stern flank ahead. Use the P key for scope depth instead of manual setting depth, for some reason that will bring you up better than manual, if that doesn't work, blow tanks.

Running at that compression at night your crew may not have spotted a plane or ship, did you have air and surface radar. I don't play RFB, but without surface radar with TMO, it's easy to get blasted and not know it.
Usually the game lags a lil if you're in TC, letting you know something is in your contact zone.

I know of no mods that put mines to hit you of the surface, but still I haven't checked every minefield in every mod, most don't because it would also take out surface ships.

Just the way it plunged to the bottom, seemed to defy physics. I dunno. I guess I'll never know.

[donalddawkins]

i will add more detail to my story if people want to know what ships i sunk and where i sunk them.Right now im too exhausted to actually give the proper names and so my facts may be a bit squiffy

Basically, my simple sub was given the task of patrolling the south china sea for enemy shipping, however, my radio man intercepted a jap task force closing in on our current position. I radioed in to command who then tasked me with the destruction of the jap fleet.

I immediately drop my sub to periscope depth, but as the sea level was so shallow i was unable to maintain high amounts of stealth. When the fleet was directly upon us i knew that the sub chasers had a bead on our position. I quickly fired multiple torpedoes at the the closest carriers i could see. Though i managed to acheive a successfuly sinking of one carrier fully laden with air craft. The second one i had fired upon was still clinging onto life. Tilting to one side in a vain attempt to cling onto life it became apparent i need to fire another torp into it's hull. Evading both air assault, depth charges and machine gun fire, i managed to direct my aim onto the carrier, delivering a shocking blow into its rear propellors. With no momentum kepping it afloat it slowly drfted to the bottom.

at this stage i was willing to slink away back from where my patrol had come from but my lust for tonnage meant i carried on, after successfully sinking one more carrier i was feeling quite good about myself. crash:damn::damn: "we got flooding!" was what i heard next as finally a sub chaser got a direct hit onto my sub, instantly ripping apart my fore torpedo loading bay, wounding and killing numerous crewmen. Thinking quickly i raised my periscope and found another destroyer closing directly behind me. With wavering heart i fired all i had left in my aft torpedo's into that ship,ready to face the inneveitable.

Luck was on my side that day, i watched as each torpedo hit home and the ship blitz into oblivion. All was not over yet, both my fore torpedo hull was heavily damged as well as it's adjoining part of the sub (I believe it may have been the engineering compartment) I knew that if i could not repair the hull breaches, the rest of the sub would start to flood, before finally drowning all of us. i quickly switched to silent running and dropped to the sea floor (only about 100 feet deep!), both to "play dead" and because my submarine had started to titanic a bit (tilt upwards). Hoping to god no depth charges would destroy my sub i waited what seemed to be days)

nO CHharges came and slowly but surely the flooding subsided with time. My sub was in an awful state as it rose to the surface (i had waited for the enemy ships to have sodded off) and i realised that my sub couldnt move! most of it's engines were shattered and my torpedo room inoperable! i dove to periscope depth and found that my sub could move it's right propellor. Not questioning this stroke of luck i hobbled back (to soribaiaeu?) only to get an operational report saying to switch bases to freemantle, australia!!! Reserving what fuel and energy i had left, i slowly hobbled my way back to base.

i had set out to engage shipping in the china sea, instead finding myself attacking 16000 ton carriers and succeeding as well as downing sub chaser as well.

@- i believe the ship i sunk wasnt a sub chaser but maybe a fuki-something destroyer (i will check and print screen my log if you need the peoper names)

i could also give info on what sub i had as well if anyone nedds the info.

im trying to print screen my log but it keeps pasting my desktop background, any ideas on how to chane that-until then i will relate the ships sunk: KMSSKINPOSAN-KMSS BIYO-KMCSZINBU-KLSSHAKUSIKA-SCSUBCHASER

[Armistead]

Just the way it plunged to the bottom, seemed to defy physics. I dunno. I guess I'll never know.

3500 ft.......sounds like a bug, never heard that, seems more the speed you plunged was bugged, did u notice, in all my playing never hit more than 14-16 kts going down

[ddiplock]

Hey Armistead, what mods are you running to get those UI dials and that particular looking Periscope lense??

Cheers :D

[ddiplock]

Those screenies look awesome!! Have to ask though, how did you get a US flag flying on your submarine when you are surfaced? Its a very minor thing, but one I would love to have :P

[Armistead]

Hey Armistead, what mods are you running to get those UI dials and that particular looking Periscope lense??

Cheers :D

TMO for dials, Maxoptics mod for scope.

[ddiplock]

TMO for dials, Maxoptics mod for scope.


Ta very much.....got it installed now.....its amazing!!! It fills your entire screen and literally feels like you've got your eyes pressed into the scope, the water and such looks so close to the lense of the scope, the ships so big and juicy to sink ahahah :D

[Nicolas]

1943.
Recently given command of a new submarine, i applied for transfer to Brisbane.
Here the 'documentary video'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YD8oOedzJOs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Taqo6BjFqg

[Nicolas]

Video from my last patrol:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YD8oOedzJOs

[ddiplock]

1943.
Recently given command of a new submarine, i applied for transfer to Brisbane.
Here the 'documentary video'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YD8oOedzJOs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Taqo6BjFqg

Are you using just TMO 2.5 in these vids? Any RSRD mods with it Nick?? :)

[Nicolas]

Yes TMO 2.5 campaign alone.
Realistic setting, except for no stabilize view.

This is my mod list:
1_TriggerMaru_Overhaul_2-5
TMO_SubTextures_FooSkin
TDW_Ship_Plane_Fire_Damage_v1_3_SH4
TBT filter green TMO 1.9 and Stock
TMO_Alt_engineSounds
Mi fix TMO 2.5, tweaks i made.

[ddiplock]

Yes TMO 2.5 campaign alone.
Realistic setting, except for no stabilize view.

This is my mod list:
1_TriggerMaru_Overhaul_2-5
TMO_SubTextures_FooSkin
TDW_Ship_Plane_Fire_Damage_v1_3_SH4
TBT filter green TMO 1.9 and Stock
TMO_Alt_engineSounds
Mi fix TMO 2.5, tweaks i made.

Some cracking mods there, do you know where I can get the sub textures one?? Can't seem to find it on here anymore. :D I could get onto FooFighters website, but the download links for the skins don't seem to be active anymore :(

Thanks for the list skipper!! :up:

[TorpX]

I've never heard of a sub making it past 1200 ft before the game ended, 3500ft doesn't make sense. Even with TMO the crush depth is around 700ft for a Tench, you go past that you're dead regardless, once the breaking up sounds play, it's over, you may keep going down, but it takes about 12 secs more before you die. The deepest I've got is about 1200 ft in a out of control dive hitting 14kts due to the angle....course I was dead when I past crush depth of 700. RFB has historic crush depths, do usually around 500ft for the best subs.


You're right about the 3000 ft. not making sense. I just chalk it up to the games idea of "drama", for lack of a better word. I'm sure you are dead before the boat reaches 1000 ft.; you just don't know it yet. The 3,500 ft. figure is likely so large, due to his suffering heavy damage and flooding in the bow, and plunging like an anchor to the bottom. :arrgh!:

[gi_dan2987]

I've taken damage like that before, and never plunged that fast. I dunno what to think of it. It's done and over with now, so I'll just move on and start a new career :yeah:

[Stealhead]

Some shots from Operation Monsun

Death of a Soviet Submarine.

I am running in U-23 a type IID U-boat out of Constanza in the Black Sea.I got a report of an enemy vessel sailing west about 100KM from Sevastopol so I adjusted my course to try and intercept several hours later at around 0100 hours one of the watch reports a sighting at 290 deg. I look though my binocs but can see nothing it is a moonless night so I jump on UBT and can just barely see a very small vessel. As I turn to set up take closer look and set up my shot I see that it is a Soviet sub on the surface!There is no data in the manual for Soviet subs so this was a tricky attack but I could see that he was heading due west and running a zig-zag pattern.I put him at around 10 knots.I tried to time it so that the fish would hit the sub at the highest speed part of his zag and the point that was the best AOB I fired two fish when he was at 2000m but I did not feel good about the shots so I fired a third torpedo about 10 seconds after the second.I was not overly concerned about the fish getting spotted they where all electrics so no wakes and I knew that the sub was deaf to underwater sounds while surfaced.

The first two fish ran past their time and missed I should have set the speed lower to compensate for subs variation in speed at certain points in his zig-zag pattern as I am thinking this and expecting the third fish to miss it hits the sub right in the fore torpedo room destroying him almost instantly. Not bad for little type IID.


http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q527/datsun260zyojimbo/SH4Img2012-02-26_054225_787.jpg

http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q527/datsun260zyojimbo/SH4Img2012-02-26_054305_142.jpg


http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q527/datsun260zyojimbo/SH4Img2012-02-26_054423_396.jpg

[Armistead]

Video from my last patrol:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YD8oOedzJOs

nice:yeah:

[honus03]

Looking at all these screen shots makes me want to play again.

[steve_the_slim]

I have no idea where else to stick this, so I'm putting it here. A forum I lurk on is doing a let's play/roleplay of SH3. It's rather funny so far:

http://bbs.stardestroyer.net/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=153980

[Ruhisu]

Here is my first screenshot here:

By Dawn's Early Light
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l-JTcfTZVAM/T1X_DISZuoI/AAAAAAAAA8A/n0p_gFpwC1Y/s1600/sh4%2B2012-03-05%2B22-56-46-51.png

[Sailor Steve]

Very nice! :sunny:

[Ruhisu]

Big thanks :)


http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oJ1sDwCfoY4/T1Z4bHJj95I/AAAAAAAAA8Q/GgmgShzekMc/s1600/sh4%2B2012-03-06%2B16-28-25-07.png

[DrBeast]

Well I had never heard of siamese ships before... :o

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/717/sh4img20120308023218793.jpghttp://img717.imageshack.us/img717/3243/sh4img20120308023218793.jpg
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/717/sh4img20120308023218793.jpg/

[Ruhisu]

She is down sir!

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I9MDzEEYCPM/T1k4EifqyxI/AAAAAAAAA80/74WujXxN1Ec/s1600/sh4%2B2012-03-08%2B21-40-31-94.png

[Rooster]

December 1st, 1941
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
USS Starfish

Having assumed temporary command of the Starfish while Captain Russell is away on emergency leave in the states, moral is high and the boat is in good shape as we prepare for another training cruise.

Orders are for us to depart Pearl on December 4th and take up a course that will see head 144nm away. Once at our designated patrol area we will scuttle to the bottom and try and elude sonar training by the surface fleet. Orders call for a return to Pearl on 8th December.

Until we depart I am going to spend a calm evening visiting some of my favorite dives and catch some dancing.

[DC SH4 TJH]

Unmodded and unedited SH4 photos, I've taken on recent patrols:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-cVxLL06Sr7g/T1tDH7lhVPI/AAAAAAAAAOI/CKtT0qoacqw/s800/SH4Img%25402012-03-02_20.30.19_358.jpg


https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Jh4qiJ4pDYM/T1tDauX05WI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/byepIzsiVY4/s800/SH4Img%25402012-03-02_22.39.12_110.jpg


https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8SWEI8B2dRQ/T1tDnEghYYI/AAAAAAAAAOY/yNiPmj2VeKg/s800/SH4Img%25402012-03-02_22.39.40_931.jpg


https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QP6yKv4j7go/T1tDz5XjYII/AAAAAAAAAOg/b_befj4zp3o/s800/SH4Img%25402012-03-02_22.42.13_261.jpg


https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xF9SbBp3qtE/T1tEAXAaQGI/AAAAAAAAAOo/EeEyloZRPj0/s800/SH4Img%25402012-03-02_22.42.59_376.jpg


https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bGVVUBoxXGs/T1tHPyRx3GI/AAAAAAAAAQU/vUvz02yNiAA/s800/SH4Img%25402012-03-10_10.51.14_499.jpg


https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1HedLkUZ3-k/T1tHFrfs3_I/AAAAAAAAAQI/LJnvV9ZCrSc/s800/SH4Img%25402012-03-10_10.50.51_886.jpg


https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-u2DMP7Njbyk/T1tGv3BXILI/AAAAAAAAAP4/8zghFkjvmhk/s800/SH4Img%25402012-03-09_23.15.56_611.jpg


https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iAd3xjsK7BE/T1tG40sEfRI/AAAAAAAAAQA/lOU7hyIVC3o/s800/SH4Img%25402012-03-10_10.37.13_093.jpg


https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VQElublCBzo/T1tGkg4ja_I/AAAAAAAAAPw/kJHus1kPf3M/s800/SH4Img%25402012-03-09_23.05.51_434.jpg


https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8DBqVKOcq6g/T1tGSACPdsI/AAAAAAAAAPo/_FbbOQ2aucg/s800/SH4Img%25402012-03-09_22.08.03_504.jpg


https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-aKn7l86DJXE/T1tEllMPM1I/AAAAAAAAAOw/RL46FX4mvCA/s800/SH4Img%25402012-03-04_17.59.04_537.jpg


https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-XSCadV4757g/T1tExYA5UBI/AAAAAAAAAO4/YB5ODOz6OC8/s800/SH4Img%25402012-03-04_18.02.07_931.jpg


https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-JALX8qqvdHo/T1tFDdBpr9I/AAAAAAAAAPA/M5QZ6ILwjA4/s800/SH4Img%25402012-03-06_20.37.47_635.jpg


https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hcLPeYirGPQ/T1tFRaGztDI/AAAAAAAAAPI/TZzuzQeTcHk/s800/SH4Img%25402012-03-07_22.58.54_392.jpg


https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QA1LmQ-uGQA/T1tF0RjZyrI/AAAAAAAAAPg/3j_Bphh8GOc/s800/SH4Img%25402012-03-09_20.19.24_714.jpg


https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ikmIZwESSrI/T1tFbO-Ya4I/AAAAAAAAAPQ/xAaN7iTkGp4/s800/SH4Img%25402012-03-09_19.22.09_120.jpg


https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-VIJWcS2xMIo/T1tFufbHT0I/AAAAAAAAAPY/KLtjiaQEzhE/s800/SH4Img%25402012-03-09_20.19.18_034.jpg


https://picasaweb.google.com/107510034639134277376/SilentHunter4#5718226090040742866

[DrBeast]

Showing her battle scars.

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/3594/sh4img201203100647.jpg

[ddiplock]

A story that must be told:

Lieutenant Commander Pete J. Lockwell departed Manila on December 8th 1941 a day after Pearl Harbour, commanding the USS Seal. Their orders were to patrol north of Luzon near Convoy College and intercept and sink any Japanese ships attempting to invade Luzon, wherever they may be found.

Two days into the patrol the USS Seal encountered a Japanese Task Force and began maneuvering into position for a shot at an unidentified Heavy Crusier, despite their best efforts the Seal was detected by the escorts before any shots could be made, and Lockwell was forced to go deep to evade depth charges.

The next day the USS Seal again encountered another Japanese Task Force and this time was able to move into a more favourable firing position on a Kongo class battleship. Seal let loose four torpedos at the battleship from a range of some 2500 yards. All four hit, but only two detonated successfully. Despite this, the two torpedos that did hit, caused significant damage to the battleship causing it to list badly, however after being forced deep and returning to Periscope depth, there were no ships to be found. Later reports would confirm that the battleship was the Kongo herself and intercepts of Japanese communications confirmed that significant damage was caused by a torpedo attack from a US submarine but did not sink.

The next morning after a number of hours cruising on the surface, the USS Seal again encountered a third Japanese Task Force. With this many heavy Jap warships in close proximity, it was clear that they were support forces for the invasion of the Phillippines. Lockwell maneuvered Seal ahead of the Japanese Task Force, racing ahead at 20 knots and then pulling into their course and diving to Periscope depth.

Lockwell maneuvered Seal into position, identifying two Kongo class battleships in formation with the group. However, realising he had ordered the boat to dive too soon, Lockwell was forced to make a long range shot from some 3500yds on the lead Kongo in order to have any hope of having a chance at getting a hit. Again, Seal let loose four torpedos at the lead Kongo, of which were seen by the escorts, causing the group to take evasive maneuvers. However, Lockwell confirmed with visual sighting through his scope, that three torpedos successfully impacted and detonted on the lead Kongo, with the fourth torpedo missing.


The battleship began to list heavily and after a number of minutes, her engines failed her completely leaving her dead in the water. Seal went deep to evade depth charges, rigged for silent running, Lockwell was able to take the boat down and under the Kongo and come up the other side. After a number of hours of waiting, the Japanese decided to carry on steaming south, abandoning the wounded Kongo to her fate, alone and dead in the water.

As the sun began to lower, Lockwell maneuvered his boat round for a final finishing shot on the Kongo's port side. Another torpedo was fired, of which was a dud. A second torpedo was fired, again was a dud. By now, Lockwell was furious, he had a battleship helpless in his sights and was on the verge of being denied a kill by faulty torpedos. A third torpedo was fired which this time impacted and detonated, causing an explosion on the Kongo's upper deck. The flooding on the port side righted the battleship in the water, and she began to head down by the stern, finally rolling over and sinking. A final photograh taken from Seal's periscope shows the Kongo's screw's sticking out the water as she made her way down to the deep blue.


After only 4 days at sea, the USS Seal returned to Manila with her Periscopes raised in success, where confirmation of Japanese intercepts confirmed the sinking of a Kongo class battleship by an American submarine. This battleship was identified as the Battleship Hiei. Japanese Admirals were said to be furious at the loss of a battleship so early in the war.

For his efforts, Lieutenant Commander Pete J. Lockwell was awarded the Silver Star.

Had to tell this story guys, sorry if its a bit long, but I hope you all enjoy it as a light read. Also hope you like the screenies!! :D

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn27/Sisko85/SH4Img2012-03-11_165659_488.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn27/Sisko85/SH4Img2012-03-11_171457_227.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn27/Sisko85/SH4Img2012-03-11_172136_265.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn27/Sisko85/SH4Img2012-03-11_172249_663.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn27/Sisko85/SH4Img2012-03-11_172905_819.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn27/Sisko85/SH4Img2012-03-11_172940_490.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn27/Sisko85/SH4Img2012-03-11_173427_000.jpg

[Rooster]

Great patrol report and congrats to the skipper and crew of the Seal

[jtdude100]

hey guys.... my sub.... its in the air.... um...
http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/4369/flyingsup.jpg

http://img594.imageshack.us/img594/7236/flyingsub2.jpg

http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/7413/flyingsub3.jpg

by the way if you think this is fake... its not! its what happens when you get silent fire adn you go down to 1000ft and go ahead flank and blow ballast. yep. a flying sub. who woulda thought.

[Rooster]

USS Starfish
January 10th, 1942

After leaving Pearl received several reports of attacks and warships leaving the area and coming my way, military intelligence has proved as effective now as it was the days leading to 12-7-41. Several dispatches sending the Starfish chasing fleets with several hundred miles head start have been lost.

Our initial patrol was Honshu Island but we now sit safely at 160 feet depth off Yokuska. We have from this vantage point been able to use the waters depth as a hide during the day and as dusk arrives slip up to scope depth and slowly hunt our prey as we see fit.

The two merchants from earlier and the two warships taken over the last 72 hours have given us a moral boost and perhaps a swagger in our duties. The men have performed in a stellar manner and we’ve not even went to general quarters as of yet. We have hunted and taken as we saw fit with little to no challenge from the enemy.

I am unsure why this is; perhaps they do not suspect us to be this deep in their own back yard. If so it is the same self secure feeling that has left good men and machinery at the bottom of Pearl.

We are at 65% fuel and 6 torpedoes. Deck ammunition is plenty as we have not used it but for the two merchants ships.

My December 7th anger tells me to slip into Tokyo and leave Tojo a turd on his door step but the conservative side tells me that this is not my ship as Captain Russell is set to resume command duties when we arrive back at Pearl and that we lack the needed stores to take a true fight to them this deep into their backyard.

Plan to stand by this day and look for a prey tonight at before dawn slip back to Honshu for some light merchant hunting or back to Pearl for refit and resumption of command by Capt. Russell.

J. Ryan
X.O. (Acting Captain)
USS Starfish

[Able Brown]

jtdude100
hey guys.... my sub.... its in the air.... um...


Were your graphics settings on HIGH? :)

[cpinney]

Gentlemen,

Here is one of my videos from a while back.....I undertook a patrol in the South China Sea.....had quite a run of it.....great fun!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JU09DLcb1I&feature=g-upl&context=G2113cebAUAAAAAAAXAA

oldtimer49

[matti95]

Showing her battle scars.

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/3594/sh4img201203100647.jpg

That is one of the best screenshots ive seen :yeah:
Would be a nice wallpaper :up:

[yamatoforever]

DFW - Time

http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/5898/liner.jpg
http://img862.imageshack.us/img862/4425/clchina.jpg

Greetings
Molke2005

[cpinney]

Gentlemen,

I attacked the shipping in Mikuni harbor....I went to periscope depth when in sight of shore....immediately in shallow water. I crawled in towards the harbor....the water finally shelving to 6 feet below the keel.....Once inside I spotted seven ships, two of which were Gunboats. I took out the Gunboats first and then let the Merchants have it.....I holed all of them, all but two were on the bottom, those two burning. Lots of manuevering required to get a good firing angle on some of them....I had to come up so I had three feet or so exposed....just to clear the bottom. I surface to finish them with my deckgun.....came under accurate fire from an emplacement on shore or one of the ships still afloat.....submerged again and put one more on the bottom with a fish. I surfaced again and was lining up a target when air search radar picked up a fast mover coming straight in from the North. I turned, headed out.... submerged as fast as possible without bottoming out. After a bit I brought her up enough to raise the the air search antenna and found that the plane had turned out to sea... I'd about had it by then, turned back in, surfaced and slugged it out with that last Nip...took some damage but nothing critical...I put him down and beat it out of there.....seven down!
OT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JU09DLcb1I&feature=g-upl&context=G21b3294AUAAAAAAAZAA

[Saimons]

Nice:)

[Evil_onyx]

http://img862.imageshack.us/img862/4425/clchina.jpg


Ramming Speed, one of the more effective methods of sinking a ship.

[steve_the_slim]

DFW - Time
snip screenshots


What mod is this, and where can I get it?

[Stewmeat95]

Well I had never heard of siamese ships before... :o

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/717/sh4img20120308023218793.jpg
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/717/sh4img20120308023218793.jpg/

What mod are you using for the gauges and gui appearance? I like it.

[DrBeast]

What mod are you using for the gauges and gui appearance? I like it.

If memory serves, that's Oakgroove's Submarine Instruments, dating back to 2007, which I then customized by borrowing bits and pieces from other mods. The HUD in TMO 2.5 is an adaptation of Oakgroove's original, I think.

[Stewmeat95]

Ah, thanks for the insight.

[WernherVonTrapp]

Some historic battle actions:

Operation Ten-go:
http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b456/archangel501/c183a4ae.jpg

http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b456/archangel501/2b97856f.jpg

Intense night action off Guadalcanal:
http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b456/archangel501/fc59d57f.jpg

http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b456/archangel501/e01063b1.jpg
:D

[Peter Cremer]

:oops: My first attempt at posting anything anywhere in the last 25 years so if your PC blows up, at least you don't know where I am.

http://img801.imageshack.us/img801/7588/ouchk.jpg

I bet this will hurt!

[DrBeast]

Greeks...they're everywhere :88)

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/7981/sh4img20120403022741663.jpg

[Ewall007]

Drilling the gun crew...



http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/4008/sh4v1501.jpg
And more drills...
http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/4475/sh4v1502.jpg
And this is why, anyone for a hot-dog roast:D
http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/1152/sh4v1506.jpg
I love my crew, and my crew loves me :salute:

Ewall007
"Ranging Far, Sweeping Wide"
Quote from Victory at Sea 1955

[merc4ulfate]

I did this northwest of Bali last night.

I had about 225 feet of water under me at 2300. It was a convoy of two troop transports and two other merchant ships escorted by a destroyer, a ship that looked like a converted minesweeper turned sub chaser and two sub chasers. It is about mid 1942 or so.

I angled into the convoy heading 180. Their course was 250. The merchants were cruising two abreast two deep. I had homing torpedoes in tubes 1,2 and 7. I targeted the lead row farthest ship first. I sent two fast fish. I targeted the second row farthest ship with two fast fish. I targeted the lead row nearest ship with two homing fish. I turned 45 degrees to port to get my stern tubes ready.

I fired tube 7 at a closing sub chaser and went to 200 feet. The first merchant was hit twice and sank. The second was hit within 20 seconds of the first ship once and disabled the other being a dud. The two homing fish out of 1 and 2 hit the stern of one of the troop carriers and disabled it.

Stern 7 hit the sub chaser but only slowed it down and she left the area and went to the rear of the merchants. I closed within 100 yards of a disabled merchant and sat near her at the bottom waiting for reloads.

The destroyer dropped depth charges where they thought I was for a while. The converted mine sweeper one kept circling me and the disabled merchant dropping depth charges here and there. After a while the destroyer and sub chasers just slow or stopped all together and sat listening I assumed.

I came to the surface to see the merchant that had not been hit had circled back and was passing by. I fired as the converted sub chaser and merchant I was near fired at my periscope. I missed the ship and it took off again.

So at this point I had sunk one, disabled two and the fourth merchant, a troop transport, was coming in and out of the area. I thought this tactic was odd. They normally leave the area and do not circle back around. The only escort trouble was the converted one constantly but slowly circling me and the merchant and the other three sat north of my position listening.

The unhit merchant made a mistake and began sailing to close to my position and south east of me. I came to the surface set two fast fish at her and sank her near the original sinking of the first ship. I had my bow pointed north and decided to go back slow until I was far enough away from the disabled merchant that I could sent a fish to it and the one past it.

The converted escort found me a few times as I was backing out and although I did receive some damage I found it extremely interesting that my back slow pulled me away from their attacks. I almost felt that once they pinged me and got an idea of where I was that they ran their course and attack off where they though I would travel forward off the bow. Since I was back slow their attacks were not as successful. If I had been ahead slow they would have caused more damage.

I was nearing the two sunken ships. One had its bow up out of the water the other its stern. I was coming back to the surface to strike the disabled ships when I got a call from the sonar of a new contact 093 long range. A single merchant ship was now coming in the area. I estimated its course was going to bring it in close to the nearest disabled ship.

If I fire now and strike the disabled ships ... will it begin to zig zag causing me to waste fish if I miss? I decided not to fire and wait but this left me also in an avoidance mode while the converted escort kept looking for me. I came to the surface some time later after going ahead slow as to not be to far away. The new merchant was still traveling straight. I fired two fast fish at her at 3200 yards one fish at the nearest disabled ship and one at the farthest.

The neatest ship was hit first then came two hits on the new kid and finally one at the farthest cripple which sank quickly. I fired one more at the nearest ship to sink her and was about to fire another at new kid but she went down.

The next time the escort came around me and headed away I headed south and managed to get away from all of them with only minor damage while sinking 5 merchants.

I kissed the picture of Jane Russell squarely on the lips and headed to my room while the XO took us to the surface to head back to Exmouth Australia for reloads and more fuel.

http://crazywebsite.com/Free-Galleries-01/Girls/Photos_WWII_Vintage_Pinups/1940_Yank_Magazine_pin-up_Girl_Russell_Jane-6LGEX.jpg

[merc4ulfate]

TMO is the only mod

I did this northwest of Bali last night.

I had about 225 feet of water under me at 2300. It was a convoy of two troop transports and two other merchant ships escorted by a destroyer, a ship that looked like a converted minesweeper turned sub chaser and two sub chasers. It is about mid 1942 or so.

I angled into the convoy heading 180. Their course was 250. The merchants were cruising two abreast two deep. I had homing torpedoes in tubes 1,2 and 7. I targeted the lead row farthest ship first. I sent two fast fish. I targeted the second row farthest ship with two fast fish. I targeted the lead row nearest ship with two homing fish. I turned 45 degrees to port to get my stern tubes ready.

I fired tube 7 at a closing sub chaser and went to 200 feet. The first merchant was hit twice and sank. The second was hit within 20 seconds of the first ship once and disabled the other being a dud. The two homing fish out of 1 and 2 hit the stern of one of the troop carriers and disabled it.

Stern 7 hit the sub chaser but only slowed it down and she left the area and went to the rear of the merchants. I closed within 100 yards of a disabled merchant and sat near her at the bottom waiting for reloads.

The destroyer dropped depth charges where they thought I was for a while. The converted mine sweeper one kept circling me and the disabled merchant dropping depth charges here and there. After a while the destroyer and sub chasers just slow or stopped all together and sat listening I assumed.

I came to the surface to see the merchant that had not been hit had circled back and was passing by. I fired as the converted sub chaser and merchant I was near fired at my periscope. I missed the ship and it took off again.

So at this point I had sunk one, disabled two and the fourth merchant, a troop transport, was coming in and out of the area. I thought this tactic was odd. They normally leave the area and do not circle back around. The only escort trouble was the converted one constantly but slowly circling me and the merchant and the other three sat north of my position listening.

The unhit merchant made a mistake and began sailing to close to my position and south east of me. I came to the surface set two fast fish at her and sank her near the original sinking of the first ship. I had my bow pointed north and decided to go back slow until I was far enough away from the disabled merchant that I could sent a fish to it and the one past it.

The converted escort found me a few times as I was backing out and although I did receive some damage I found it extremely interesting that my back slow pulled me away from their attacks. I almost felt that once they pinged me and got an idea of where I was that they ran their course and attack off where they though I would travel forward off the bow. Since I was back slow their attacks were not as successful. If I had been ahead slow they would have caused more damage.

I was nearing the two sunken ships. One had its bow up out of the water the other its stern. I was coming back to the surface to strike the disabled ships when I got a call from the sonar of a new contact 093 long range. A single merchant ship was now coming in the area. I estimated its course was going to bring it in close to the nearest disabled ship.

If I fire now and strike the disabled ships ... will it begin to zig zag causing me to waste fish if I miss? I decided not to fire and wait but this left me also in an avoidance mode while the converted escort kept looking for me. I came to the surface some time later after going ahead slow as to not be to far away. The new merchant was still traveling straight. I fired two fast fish at her at 3200 yards one fish at the nearest disabled ship and one at the farthest.

The neatest ship was hit first then came two hits on the new kid and finally one at the farthest cripple which sank quickly. I fired one more at the nearest ship to sink her and was about to fire another at new kid but she went down.

The next time the escort came around me and headed away I headed south and managed to get away from all of them with only minor damage while sinking 5 merchants.

I kissed the picture of Jane Russell squarely on the lips and headed to my room while the XO took us to the surface to head back to Exmouth Australia for reloads and more fuel.

http://crazywebsite.com/Free-Galleries-01/Girls/Photos_WWII_Vintage_Pinups/1940_Yank_Magazine_pin-up_Girl_Russell_Jane-6LGEX.jpg

[MKalafatas]

SH 1.5
TMO/RSRDC [but may not have installed correctly. So far, I can't tell a difference].
KSMD sound mod (very cool, btw!)
Manual targeting
map contacts ON

Having read several patrol logs from apparent submarine aces, and feeling inadequate by comparison, I've decided to post one anyway --- thinking that, if nothing else, the mere memory of rookie foibles and discoveries, honestly recounted here, will amuse even the saltiest among you.

On the late afternoon of December 10th, S-38 left Cavite with six commandos, destined for a troop insertion mission just 40 miles from Manila. Cruising on the surface, we tuned the radio to Pearl Harbor news reports.

The troop insertion mission was benign, except that the submarine backed over the life raft. Mission complete, nonetheless.

With no specific patrol orders, we cruised north with our 12 Mark 10 torpedoes along the western shore of Luzon, hoping to intercept Japanese transports bound for that island. On the evening of December 11th, submerging for a sonar check about 20 miles due west of the northwest tip of Luzon, the sonar console lit up with two contacts, both with apparent high-speed screws, although neither contact was close enough to register with the sonar operator.

One contact was at compass 010; the other was at compass 270. After about 30 minutes of triangulation we determined that the contact at 010 was heading west, away from Luzon. The contact at 270 showed only a slight change in bearing to the south. Judging that the 270 contact must be inbound, we hit flank speed on the surface to intercept.

Since the range of sonar is about 10 miles at best, we expected visual confirmation within 45 minutes. But a full hour, alternately steaming on the surface at flank speed and submerging to check the target bearing, ultimately proved that this contact also was steaming away from Luzon. And we were not gaining on them.

We broke off the chase, and turned hard to starboard, again at flank speed, hoping to bounce the other (now inaudible) contact along its presumed westward track.

Arriving on that track around daybreak on the 11th, we submerged to locate them with sonar. But --- sonar was silent. They were gone. We were 0-for-2.

We set course at standard speed for the small islands just to the north of Luzon, with a mind to patrol the Straits. At about 1600 hours one of the lookouts rang out with a sighting. We were 15 miles NW of Luzon, and closed to determine the makeup of what appeared to be a large convoy --- possibly the original contact at compass 010.

The convoy consisted of 8 small passenger carriers, 3 Agano light cruisers, and 7 Akizuke destroyers. They were basically stationary. Surrounded by a tight cordon of escorts, the 8 transports and 3 light cruisers circled around in the middle at low speed. We determined to break in to the hen house.

With President Roosevelt's "date which will live in infamy!" speech echoing from the radio across the dark seas, we closed at low speed on the surface to within 4000 yards of the escorts. We submerged at silent running, below the thermal layer, and passed the braying circle of Akizukes without major incident.

As we inched our way into the throne room, we heard a symphony of sounds above: high-speed screws, the resonant low-speed whump-whump of merchant ships, collision alarms, battle station alarms. But we were not actively pinged.

When the time seemed right we selected Agano light cruisers on the recognition manual, prepared for battle with the stadimater monster, and rose silently to periscope depth.

Peering into the periscope, we saw ... a melee! Whirling, clanging, churning targets --- most of them too close to shoot ----our first thought was that targeting didn't matter. If I fired four fish with some moderate spread they were bound to hit something!

But yes, the range problem. An unarmed torpedo is just a butterfly's dream.

So then began a deadly saber dance. We lowered the periscope and moved to another location, and rose again. Same scene. Whirling targets, escorts all around, four of them within 3000 yards, some of them stalking and pinging. We moved again. And again.

We rose at different locations four separate times until I spied a good firing solution at two transports 1000 yards distant. With some urgency, and not having three spare minutes to calculate, I estimated their speed and angle-on-the-bow, and fired two fish.

Preparing to crash dive and egress, I happened to notice a stationary Agano, just 15 degrees off the starboard bow. While the first two fish were on their way, I turned hard to starboard to point the boat at the Agano. Setting speed at zero and AOB to 90 on the TDC, I simply pointed the boat like a pistol and fired tubes 3 and 4 at 11' of depth --- shallow enough to sink a transport should they miss the cruiser.

The first two fish, fired at transports, both missed. But as we were diving away we heard the satisfying rumble of two torpedo impacts on the cruiser.

With battery and oxygen issues, it was a temptation to egress the area --- but I thought it essential, having passed the escort screen into this sacred treasure room, to fire one more torpedo to sink the apparently-unsunk cruiser before we left.

We took more than 30 minutes to reload tube 1, but finally moved into position just 700 yards from, and perfectly abeam of, the crippled and burning Agano. While I was busy with the TDC, an undetected Akizuke --- burning, for some reason ---- flashed past, between the sub and the target, firing at our periscope. Fortunately, it missed. When the Akizuke cleared the firing range, we fired our valuable torpedo, and the blow was struck --- but still the Agano lived!

Nevertheless, it was time to leave.

Two hours later, with the crew refreshed and all tubes reloaded, we were on our way back to finish the job. Seven torpedoes remained. We crawled up to the by-now-abandoned Agano, the convoy and escorts having drifted about two or three nautical miles to the east.

We fired again. We hit again. And still she didn't sink! The target was so low in the water that it seemed the contents of a single beer bottle would flip her over. But ten minutes later, she still waddled defiantly. With purpose, we changed the depth setting from 11' to 14', and fired once more.

Finally the Rasputin Agano rolled over and died, with the contents of five Mark 10s in her belly.

With two hours of darkness and five torpedoes remaining, we circled the convoy on the surface, looking for a weak link in the escort shield. For the second time, we attempted to penetrate --- but this attempt was far more adventurous. We were pinged and depth-charged on our way in, destroying the deck gun but inflicting no bulkhead damage. At one point, with engines off, resting below the thermal layer, the heat was so intense from four stalking escorts that we ascended to just above the thermal layer to release a decoy, and then crashed away at flank speed.

Eventually, with dawn breaking, we rose to the surface within the target sanctuary. Another Agano was 600 yards in front, and not moving! The AOB was just 14 degrees but the range was so delicious that we had to take the chance. I punched in a 1-degree spread on either side, and fired three fish. The first was a dud. The other two missed --- probably by mere inches.

Sigh.... and now only two torpedoes remained. What will they say at Cavite?

We dived deep to reload one tube, and surfaced again with our final two fish. The saber dance ensued once more --- peeking, diving, moving, peeking again.

Finally we spied a couple of transports headed towards each other, presenting their beams. Without targeting, we pointed the boat and fired.
Two more misses. Ugh. Twelve torpedoes, only one light cruiser sunk. Surely a court-martial awaits me at Cavite.

We exited the area and surfaced to run away --- having less than 25% battery juice remaining. But alas, we were virtually cornered between the convoy and the shallow waters off the coast of Luzon. Airplanes circled. Another convoy with two Kongo battleships appeared --- probably the second contact from our sonar search two nights before.

It was impossible to maneuver. We simply rested away the daylight hours, surfacing only for oxygen, until finally the cloak of darkness arrived. We slinked away, with our reputations tarnished, our deck gun destroyed, our tail between our legs.

[2ndBestKiller]

I already postet this in the SH5 forums, but just in case some of you arent visiting this subforum, I just wanted you to show my new movie :)

It's done! :salute:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-naivDNl0D8&feature=plcp&context=C4c30b09VDvjVQa1PpcFPkc88ylViSD1PeapUIGuEm sPnIfL7kmKY%3D

Took me a few days, but i hope it was worth it.
The movie shows a sub thats ascending and preparing for an attack.
Hope you like it.


I also uploaded a few images taken from the movie, If you want any picture from the movie in a specific resolution PM me (with timecode), otherwise i might not see the request.



http://i41.tinypic.com/1j2q1i.jpg



http://i41.tinypic.com/24dreoy.jpg



http://i42.tinypic.com/33mwhl4.jpg



http://i40.tinypic.com/34h9aut.jpg

Any constructive criticism is encouraged

[magic452]

Good story. :yeah:

You'll get em all next time.

Magic

[Diopos]

The video is OK, the music is OK but the gyro angle on the torp is uhmmm ... large? :DL

:up:

.

[steve_the_slim]

I think he got a circle run.

[sidslotm]

http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/8040/lensflare.png

[cpinney]

I slipped into Truk Lagoon one stormy night.....and when the light came I laid waste to the Nips!

OT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwsOrOmebxg&feature=g-upl&context=G2a0b4f3AUAAAAAAAFAA

[sidslotm]

I slipped into Truk Lagoon one stormy night.....and when the light came I laid waste to the Nips!

OT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwsOrOmebxg&feature=g-upl&context=G2a0b4f3AUAAAAAAAFAA

nice video

[yamatoforever]

What mod is this, and where can I get it?

Addon U-Boat-Mission and mod Operation Monsun.
DFW is a blog with Silent Hunter IV, IL-2 Sturmovik & Armed Assault videos!
More informations here (http://darkfictionworld.wordpress.com/) or click my banner!

Greetings
Molke2005

[Diopos]

I slipped into Truk Lagoon one stormy night.....and when the light came I laid waste to the Nips!

OT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwsOrOmebxg&feature=g-upl&context=G2a0b4f3AUAAAAAAAFAA

:up::up:

.

[Armistead]

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2009-07-02_164141_953.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2009-12-02_023614_375.jpg

[WernherVonTrapp]

Love that first pic Armistead. Is that an "oil on canvass" effect? I have the same filter effect with Photoshop.:up: That second pic looks like the A-bomb was dropped in the BG.:03:

[Armistead]

Love that first pic Armistead. Is that an "oil on canvass" effect? I have the same filter effect with Photoshop.:up: That second pic looks like the A-bomb was dropped in the BG.:03:

Some old ones I found, but looks like it. The second a sunk ship in the background and then I rammed a lifeboat for another explosion and lined it up to make it look like one explosion.......

[Hene]

http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s385/Hene900/SH4/fog.jpg
The merchant's greatest fear.
http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s385/Hene900/SH4/sunsetsmall.jpg
Sailing off at the sunset (or was it sunrise, can't remember anymore.)

[Armistead]

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2004-01-14_010742_093.jpg
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2004-01-18_001415_187.jpg
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2004-01-18_011756_406.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2004-01-18_011526_500.jpg

[Nicolas]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIkcQ7vpUgE

[Hylander_1314]

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2004-01-14_010742_093.jpg
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2004-01-18_001415_187.jpg
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2004-01-18_011756_406.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2004-01-18_011526_500.jpg

Wow! Love the evening / morning colors! Any word yet on how your little mod is comin' along? Those colors are georgeous!

[Su]

Some Awesome pics in here

[Bubblehead1980]

TMO 2.5 RSRD.

Shokaku, heavily damaged by US SBD dive bombers at Battle of Santa Cruz Islands in October 1942.I had no part in this as the air raid arrived at same time I was setting up to shoot, the ships zigged way outside my S Boat's Mark 10 torpedo range, so I watched the show.As in RL, Shokaku survived but left heavily damaged.


http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/jstringr1685/SH4Img2012-05-13_220438_718.jpg
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/jstringr1685/SH4Img2012-05-13_220424_570.jpg
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/jstringr1685/SH4Img2012-05-13_220116_375.jpg
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/jstringr1685/SH4Img2012-05-13_215139_237.jpg
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/jstringr1685/SH4Img2012-05-13_214942_184.jpg
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/jstringr1685/SH4Img2012-05-13_214941_626.jpg
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/jstringr1685/SH4Img2012-05-13_211128_721.jpg
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/jstringr1685/SH4Img2012-05-13_211123_497.jpg

[Bubblehead1980]

June 19, 1944 Battle of the Philippine Sea.TMO RSRD

After tracking this TF since 0430 and having to hide while they launched their airraids just as I prepared to move in and fire(they zigged to do so and yes, planes spawned, never knew they would do it if player was around) I finally got inside the TF through the screen and got Taiho in my scope.After getting a decent plot and speed on her, I set up and fired six torpedoes, which lead to her demise.I took the screenshots, some are from the decks of a heavy cruiser 4500-5000 yards to her starboard I believe, you can see her smoke cloud and fireball in the distance after secondary explosions ripped her apart.The delayed explosions are always pretty nice.

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/jstringr1685/SH4Img2012-05-11_030024_840.jpg
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/jstringr1685/SH4Img2012-05-11_030021_438.jpg
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/jstringr1685/SH4Img2012-05-11_025954_654.jpg
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/jstringr1685/SH4Img2012-05-11_025942_450.jpg
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/jstringr1685/SH4Img2012-05-11_025901_778.jpg
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/jstringr1685/SH4Img2012-05-11_025535_381.jpg

[badger_ken]

great write-up, thanks for posting!

[iambecomelife]

Not a safe place for those lifeboats to be, considering the suction from that carrier. :nope:

[bdd458]

I'm still pretty new to the game, and I was doing the last training mission. I was surfacing, when to my surprise a Japanese Cruiser was heading on a collision course.

Let's just say we had a Burial at Sea.

[7499275]

I went bored one day and had this idea, I wonder if I could make a flying submarine.
So I went and edited the old S-18 class because I never use it.
Here is the results!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eoVo8ouvCo

and

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4YA1bdQmak
:arrgh!:

[Gus78]

gratz

[Hylander_1314]

I'm still pretty new to the game, and I was doing the last training mission. I was surfacing, when to my surprise a Japanese Cruiser was heading on a collision course.

Let's just say we had a Burial at Sea.

At least it was only training mission!

Before surfacing, always level off at 150ft, and listen to the hydrophones. then take her up to periscope depth, and scan 360 around the boat. Only then should you surface.

[19Herr_Rapp86]

Just set sail at 1x 3 days ago for my first patrol in a long time in the Pacific Theatre. Lieutenant Commander Rapp, in command of the USS Grampus Gar Class fleet boat. (SS-207) With whiz-wheel (Thank you Rockin' Robbins and CaptainScurrvy) and stop watch, and a copy of "Clear the Bridge" in hand I'm ready to carry out President Roosevelt's orders of unrestricted submarine warfare. I'm glad to be back sailing again. Glad to be back on the forums again too. I missed this place. Anyways, off topic there. I'm about 125 hours at ahead standard from my patrol position in the Marshall Islands archipelago. Hopefully I won't run into any pesky air cover from the Truk Atoll. During my time at sea, Roosevelt has made his famous day of infamy speech, two British battleships have been sunk by Japanese aircraft, and Germany and Italy have declared war on the United States. Things are really heating up in the world. I'm ready for action though, and my crew is anxious for our first encounter. I'll keep you posted as my patrol progresses, and hopefully have some exciting screens to post for everyone with some tactical knowledge to share as well. Happy Hunting
Lt. Cmdr. Rapp
USS Grampus SS-207

[MKalafatas]

Is it possible to copy/paste? When pasting an image my connection times out. I see the "insert image" icon, and it prompts for a URL. Do I need a Photobucket account to post images?

Thanks much.

[Hylander_1314]

Yeah, photobucket, image shack, any of those picture repositories will work.

[merc4ulfate]

:ping: I do not know what is wrong with me maybe I'm insane but I just do not use math.

I captain the SS-200 Thresher, a Tambor class, without a deck gun YUCK!!. I had been defying my patrol orders for the past few days and instead of Patrolling south of Davao Gulf I have been patrolling around Truk.

I made a few successful kills on merchants entering the lagoon :yeah: and had gone down to Tulagi to reload and resupply my boat with fuel. On the 22nd of December 1943 I received an OP message that there would be an IJN group of ships 180 miles NNW of Truk on the 24 of December 1943. It read there destination was believed to be Truk.

I sailed to an area 180 miles NNW of Truk. Since there was no other information I plotted my best guess and sat all stop with the radar running. At 1229 on the afternoon of the 24th radar picked up a group of three ships moving fast towards the SSE.

By watching their radar position I estimated their course at 165 degrees. Speed estimated at 20. I was sitting SE of their location.

The weather was not my friend ... Overcast with heavy fog, wind speed 11 coming out of 056 degrees with 4 foot swells. I headed south west in order to get closer and could tell already my best speed was going to be to slow to match and shadow until the weather cooperated.

Knowing the main targets will mostly sit between escorts or supporting ships I decided to attack on radar bearings alone. They could not see me even at 500 yards but I, at least, knew their locations by radar. Visibility was no more than the length of my boat ahead of me.

I angled in within around 500 yards of the lead ship at flank speed and slowed just a bit so the second ship could catch up faster with me. I am not as fluent in the game as some are so my thought was to turn the TBT on the bridge to 140. I set 3 stern fish to run fast depth 20. I under estimated my time between radar contact and fired when the ship was at 130 degrees. They all missed but as they were running I fired 4 more from the bow tubes and got four solid hits.

The fourth fish in the stern and the other two in the bow were homing fish and in the hopes that my four hits slowed them down I fired them as well. Two of the cuties hit my main target and one hit the trailing ship. I could tell by radar the trailing ship had been disabled, dead in the water.

What I could not believe was the fact that the center ship which had now been hit 6 times was sailing to starboard circling around and had not seemed to have lost much of her steam. I had no way of knowing what it was but I turned to port as I reloaded and at flank speed kept her within 1000 yards of me until I was reloaded. My next volley I increased my lead angle by 10 degrees and after a few misses I scored two more hits. I could see the explosions in the distance but still could not identify the ship in question.

Watching the radar for course and speed changes I noticed that the ship was slowing down greatly. The lead ship circled around looking for me but was always to far away to see anything especially with my course changes to keep up with my main target.

The target was now dead in the water. From the bridge I looked to try to see it. I was close enough to see the white flashing light from her bridge but I could not see the body through the fog. I set the bridge TBT right on the flashing light. I fired .... waiting .... wainting .... waiting ....

It had to miss. How could it?? ... I turned the TBT ten degrees to the port and fire again. Again another miss ... I sat and thought ... I had to be almost bow to bow with her or bow to her stern and the fish traveled on either side of her.

I went ahead slow and positioned myself 45 degrees from her and my previous position. ALL STOP!! I have two fish left and she has already taken 8 hits. This better work or I'll ram the damn thing. Fire 3 ... waiting ... wait- BOOM YES!! I was right FIRE 4 ... another hit and she began to explode like the 4th of July in December.

I could not resist cruising up to her as she now quickly sank and discovered one less YAMATO class Battleship!!

Sometimes sheer guts and a bit of Father Christmas luck is all that is needed. I also decided to thank Father Christmas for the fog ... I could not have done this if I had to submerge ... I was wrong ... the weather was my friend in deed this day. :ping:

Mark

[Armistead]

Great shots Bubblehead, those plane bombs can really do some damage.



http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2011-07-31_230744_157.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2004-02-05_034552_796.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2011-12-21_152206_500.jpg

Jap torpedo planes attack, lucky they missed.
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2004-02-02_093301_125.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2004-02-02_093651_171.jpg

[7499275]

Great shots Bubblehead, those plane bombs can really do some damage.



http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2011-07-31_230744_157.jpg





Jap torpedo planes attack, lucky they missed.




what mod are you using, or are you just awesome with photoshop?

[Armistead]

Raid on Japan, Going in

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2011-04-17_011938_687.jpg


Headed home to Saipan
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2011-04-17_014611_078.jpg

I like how the last one looks like waves receeding from the shoreline....but I have no idea what setup I was using here, old SS.

[Hylander_1314]

Man, those look good! Yeah the bottom pick with the surf looking wave is really neat looking!

[Sailor Steve]

Yep, all those Lancasters in American markings look...well, the graphics are nice anyway.
:rotfl2:

[Hylander_1314]

Notice the wing markings? Upside down.

Would love to make a B-29 for the game, but don't want to cause any issues.

[Armistead]

Notice the wing markings? Upside down.

Would love to make a B-29 for the game, but don't want to cause any issues.


Go ahead, it won't cause any issue, been needing someone to do it forever.

[Hylander_1314]

Discussed it in the Mods forum, and their is an issue about copyrights. And I don't wan to lose subsim, or cause Uncle Neal any controvesial issues with Boeing, or Martin, or Grumman, or Lockheed, North American Aviation.

Trust me, I would love to see Wildcats and SBDs, and TBDs in the early war, and then Hellcats, Corsairs, Helldivers, and B-25s, when they become available.

The other thing I run into, is setting the scale in Wings 3D. Got used to GMax making a Halberstadt CLII for OFF, and setting the scale for the model was a biggie and one of the first things you did, so the game would use the proper scale for the model.

Can't seem to figure out how to do that, and none of the modellers here have explained it out very well as to whether it has it in the program or not.

Otherwise, I would have a long time ago.

[Armistead]

So I got a lil carried away with values..
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2004-02-18_223533_625.jpg

Then after a few beers, I really went the wrong direction.

"Sir, depth 2 ft, Sir depth 150ft....."

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2004-02-18_232056_375.jpg

Least I think I found a way to tune some bigger waves....Haha

[Hylander_1314]

That last one looks more like it's sticking out of mountain glacier! Are you sure it really isn't Noah's Ark!?

[Armistead]

Hehe, could be the ark....

I do think I can sort of reverse what I did here and get swells instead of waves, but without a weather pattern connected to storms only I don't see they hold much value, too rough of a ride, possible sensor issues, etc.., but I'll try swells and tone them down and see....

Always hated large waves with blue skies.......

[Littica Marek]

Huh The day after tomorrow meets the perfect storm, Silent Hunter Edition!

[Sailor Steve]

To everyone: There is really no need to repost every picture just so you can make one comment, especially when yours is the very next post. It ties up bandwidth, costs Neal extra money and plays havock with slow internet connections. Please do not quote pictures unless there is a driving reason.

[Ducimus]

Somebody's been playing with the first two lines of the sim.cfg file. :O:

[Armistead]

Somebody's been playing with the first two lines of the sim.cfg file. :O:

No, hadn't touched the sim file yet, but may use it for some tweaking, I could never adjust the sim file to get good waves, maybe you can tell me how. Course, these are more tuned, trying to get swells, but somewhat realistic...Course a host of other issues would be involved to mod it and if and unless a wave file can connect to a storm weather pattern, who wants to see typhoon waves under clear blue skies.


http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2004-02-19_224731_750.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2004-02-19_223941_984.jpg
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2004-02-19_222957_453.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2004-02-19_230158_218.jpg
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2004-02-19_231306_390.jpg

[Ducimus]

No, hadn't touched the sim file yet, but may use it for some tweaking, I could never adjust the sim file to get good waves, maybe you can tell me how.

I used to have the URL for a java applet that demonstrated wave attuenation and amplitutde very well. It allowed you to input values and watch the resulting wave, but i can no longer find it. This is the best i can find at the moment.

http://zonalandeducation.com/mstm/physics/waves/partsOfAWave/waveParts.htm

Naturally, you can't rely on just the sim.cfg file. Getting it right is a combination of the scene.dat file and small incremental values in the sim.cfg file.


Course, these are more tuned, trying to get swells, but somewhat realistic...Course a host of other issues would be involved to mod i


Which is precisely why I left it alone. :O: A lot could be solved by getting the right combination of wave attuneation and amplutude along with the scene.dat settings, but it opens a huge can of worms. So much so, I've never really thought the benefit was worth the cost in man hours to solve all the associated issues.

[Armistead]

The big issue for me is....who want's typhoon waves under blue skies. It's ashame we can't connect wind/waves to storms, so you only see larger waves in storms. Be nice if we could add more wave patterns, but again unless they're somehow connected to storms...mute issue.

Also seems the game is coded to 15mps winds. I thought about dumping the 0 wind wave prop and just start with 5kt's , what ocean has 0 winds.., and work up, but it appears the game defaults back even if you set winds to 20 or more, not that it effects your waves per say.

Gonna tweak these down a tad and see if I can spread more distance between the swells. I guess I could tone them way down and just have a small swell mod, but would I like to see some large swells in a storm...ONLY

The last ones using the S boat slowed it down about 5kts, not too rough of a ride and sub doesn't go into submerge mode no more than before. Maybe a tad sim adjustment would help, but you can't really go far there.

Possible sensor issue on the visual end, guess waves should cut them down some, haven't looked at radar issues yet or how height would effect it.

Please someone figure how to connect higher wind patterns to storms only.

Been working on my env mod for a long time now, it wears me down with all the testing, shelf it, then back at it later.

[Ducimus]

what ocean has 0 winds..

One that has land on three sides. I've seen (at least I think I have seen) 0 winds on a cruise ship moving into Ensenada. it's REALLY weird looking. But I have to say, with two weeks at sea, at no other time did i see winds this low.
http://www.ducimus.net/hawaii/env/36.jpg
http://www.ducimus.net/hawaii/env/37.jpg

[Hylander_1314]

Wish we could get that orange peel effect, as those are the little ripples from surface breezes that look real cool when the sun reflects off them.

[Armistead]

Wish we could get that orange peel effect, as those are the little ripples from surface breezes that look real cool when the sun reflects off them.


You talking about a lil foam cap on the wave top? Explain, I'll see what I can do....I know WClear worked on it and had some great SS, but never finished it....

Course you may be talking about small wind patterns, sure you've tried RE, seems it had some high reflection and more or an orange peel to small winds.

[Hylander_1314]

No not foam, but more like Duci's top picture. Those little ripples created by surface winds that will kick up on a calm day, when there is little to no wind at all. It makes those tiny little ripples that, at the proper sun angle make silvery little flashes on the surface, that look cool, but if you look at them too long without sunglasses, will give you a terrible headache.

[yn0211181]

http://www.dotup.org/uploda/www.dotup.org3075281.jpg

[Char]

Oh Crap,it's a Burst Missile! Everyone get above Five Thousand Feet!

[7499275]

Oh Crap,it's a Burst Missile! Everyone get above Five Thousand Feet!

Haha a Ace Combat reference, and that is one massive AA weapon! :o

[Armistead]

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2004-03-02_224403_671.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2004-03-02_224519_234.jpg

[Char]

Having Fun in the S-Boats Armistead?

[Littica Marek]

My first set of Pic, mostly a Test, cant seem to get Del to work so the UI is still there but its a WIP

Cruising in a Morning Patrol
http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab100/Littica/SH4Img2012-06-28_112600_156.jpg
http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab100/Littica/SH4Img2012-06-28_112638_750.jpg

Contact Dead ahead!
http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab100/Littica/SH4Img2012-06-28_113002_125.jpg

Torpedo's away, Fish in the water!
http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab100/Littica/SH4Img2012-06-28_113238_937.jpg

[Hene]

Returning to brest after a boring patrol and I find this
http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s385/Hene900/SH4/Pic1.jpghttp://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s385/Hene900/SH4/Pic2.jpghttp://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s385/Hene900/SH4/Pic6.jpg
And a picture of the map so you can get an idea of the situation
http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s385/Hene900/SH4/Pic7.jpg
Somehow I was able to get to the subpen without being hit, just to crash into the other sub stationed there:har: luckily no one was injured.

[Littica Marek]

Ouch, now that is some fighter-bomber squadron Ganking

[boonie]

Just got the CMoH after only 3 patrol lol. And was offered to command the navy's first Gato. :D

1st Patrol:
found a battleship taskforce north of Luzon. sunk 2 kongo, 1 Takao. Found a coastal bombardment taskforce on the way home, killed 2 light cruiser and some destroyer. Went home and got the Navy Cross.

2nd Patrol:
Completed a few mission then on the 4th mission of the patrol bumped into a carrier task force north east of Formosa, sunk 2 escort carrier (17k ton each). With a bunch of other random kills my tonnage made them gave me another navy cross.

3rd patrol:
Completed 2 recon mission and 1 merchant hunting mission, took another merchant hunting mission but this time intel recon update showed a task force doing 18knot which is heading somewhat near my mission location, immediately abandom mission and chase after this group. Sunk 2 Ise + 1 Takao from this group in 2 separate attack. Came home and they gave me the Congressional Medal of Honor + new Gato.

mod: FOTRS with manual TDC, no duds.

[Hylander_1314]

Boonie, are you breaking radio silence while on patrol?!

Never never use that blasted radio except for listening to Fibber Mcgee and Molly, or Armed Forces Radio! Not recommended listening to Tokyo Rose either. Sending transmissions is a good way to get every Jap plane and destroyer from Tokyo to Truk heading your direction!

Honestly, I quit sending radio messages while in Empire waters. I ended up with planes harassin' me day and night until I got east of the International Dateline. Seriously. It sucked bigtime!

So anymore, I just go to the patrol area like the boats really did. Remain on station until the time is up, and the icon turns gray, and if nothing happens, I go lookin' for trouble where I know I will usually find it. With-in 30nms of a harbor entrance, and just wait. Something either is going to go passed me heading in, or I will tag them goin' out.

[boonie]

Boonie, are you breaking radio silence while on patrol?!

Never never use that blasted radio except for listening to Fibber Mcgee and Molly, or Armed Forces Radio! Not recommended listening to Tokyo Rose either. Sending transmissions is a good way to get every Jap plane and destroyer from Tokyo to Truk heading your direction!

Honestly, I quit sending radio messages while in Empire waters. I ended up with planes harassin' me day and night until I got east of the International Dateline. Seriously. It sucked bigtime!

So anymore, I just go to the patrol area like the boats really did. Remain on station until the time is up, and the icon turns gray, and if nothing happens, I go lookin' for trouble where I know I will usually find it. With-in 30nms of a harbor entrance, and just wait. Something either is going to go passed me heading in, or I will tag them goin' out.

I am not very familiar with where the big action is tbh. I do read about them but i usually just focus on what happened there and then, never really tried to remember what time it happened. Not sure if FOTRS have accurate historical battle scheduled in their campaign neither. What i depended on was the intel update on the nav map and in FOTRS they send those very very seldom. So i have to grind the missions they dish out. Most of the time was spent circling round and round around the patrol points with very little results while waiting for a worthwhile intel recon update.

[Hylander_1314]

Do you have a map with shipping lanes on them?

That is the best way to see where the enemy ships are more concentrated.

Was reading a post in another thread, and the comment said that for '42 hang around the Solomons. '43 the shipping lanes between Truk, Palau, and home islands. '44 the shipping lanes around Formosa, and '45 the Korean Straits. Those are the best hunting grounds for the time period.

I have to agree with what he said too, as I rarely go to the assigned patrol as the renown isn't much, and you are usually sent to a place where the action either isn't, or is very nominal.

Just remember with FOTRS, if you are out of Brisbane, and get the Solomons patrol area, I went to it once, and didn't stay. Sat there for 2 weeks in the area moving here and there even after the icon grayed out, and all I saw was fishing boats and sampans. Went south from there and patrolled the area halfway between the east entrance to Rabaul and the western Solomons, with a couple spins around the New Georgia Sound area, and back to the area Rabaul, and racked up a great destroyer string of kills. Sure.........., not a lot of tonnage, but it sure is fun playing chicken with tincans!

[boonie]

Do you have a map with shipping lanes on them?



Have looked up google and found some shipping route, they are sketchy (have nice curvy route lines that ignored all the myriads of islands), basically just give no useful info on where to find them. And i am not sure if said shipping lane is incorporated into FOTRS campaign anyway.

[WernherVonTrapp]

My first set of Pic, mostly a Test, cant seem to get Del to work so the UI is still there but its a WIP

Cruising in a Morning Patrol
http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b456/archangel501/Smileys/c2f4a58a.gif

Contact Dead ahead!
http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b456/archangel501/Smileys/c2f4a58a.gif

Torpedo's away, Fish in the water!
http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b456/archangel501/Smileys/c2f4a58a.gif
Try using the "Del" key on the Numbers Pad.:salute:

[Captain Sparrow]

Pearl Harbor
June 30, 1944
Office of RADM Lockwood

"So that's it. Your final orders are sealed and shall be delivered after refueling and re-provisioning at Midway...Under no circumstances shall you break radio silence until after the success of the mission. Your crew has had shore leave canceled and is currently readying Balao for immediate departure pending your briefing. General Donovan has flown here directly from Washington and will be in direct operational control of this mission from here on out."

My stomach kind of turned at that. Great. A general commanding a submarine... What have the brass been drinking? Hell, what was the General drinking? The man looked like a sleep deprived pitbull with a severe hangover, and was about to speak. This better be Good, or im going to need a drink before I get to the yard... Gen Donovan? I'd never heard of him.

"Capt Sparrow, time is of the essence so i'll spare the formalities. Im General William Donovan of the Office of Strategic Services, my friends call me Wild Bill, you may not."
Sh*t, I thought.
"We have got ourselves an opportunity here to deal a fatal death blow to the IJN. After the fish barrel shootout in the philippines sea, the japs have pulled all there remaining carrier forces for refit back to the homeland, and we are going to make them pay for that folly."
OK, he was rapidly gaining my attention...
"Your current orders, are to depart Pearl Harbor and proceed to Honshu and engage unrestricted submarine warfare against enemy merchant shipping. That is a cover story. You will stop at Midway for refueling, there, you will receive your final orders, not to be opened until 48 hours after departure. That is all. Good Luck."
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/jayspicsdude/harbor%20raid/orders.jpg

48 hours West of Midway...

I sat in my bunk with the letter in hand, still in disbelief... the officers were gathering in the wardroom, and it seemed there was an unusual amount of crew activity nearby... they always knew it seemed. There are no such things as secrets on submarines. But they would be unprepared for this... I was. But they would love it... I already did.

Kobe. The japs had ordered all the remaining capital ships and carriers back to base for refit and reorganization into a super battle group with the intentions of giving Bull Halsey and TF58 a sucidal run for there money.... a futile effort i thought... but the brass had bigger and better plans for Halsey, and couldnt afford to have him chasing glory and a decisive battle. And thats where Balao and our new boss from the OSS came into play. Somehow, OSS had intercepted encrypted IJN fleet communications, and had conveniently provided harbor charts with supposed up to date minefield locations, an estimated number of targets, and a full complement of shiny new mk-18 torpedoes, wakeless, with a shaped charge warhead to boot, and said, sink as many as you can.... almost to good to be true! Also, the Yard at Pearl had outfitted the boat with a new 5" gun... hardly much time for gunnery practice, but the gun crews were already practicing and had things about ranged in... the crew on the 5" was exceptional, having sunk several targets on previous patrols, and I had a high degree of confidence they would get the job done if needed. I headed for the wardroom with the appropriate charts. yes... this was going to be good. On the way, I leaned into the radio room, and ordered total EMCON. No radar, no status reports, nothing from now on. The japs must not suspect anything or they will blanket the area with so many planes and asw groups a sardine wouldnt be able to get into Osaka harbor...

Penetrating the harbor...
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/jayspicsdude/harbor%20raid/penetrating.jpg
9 hours of darkness. That was it. 4 hours to get in, 4 hours to get out, and 60 mins or less to execute the raid... if it took any longer, air cover will cut short any idea of a victory celebration. Weeks of studying harbor defenses and charts had paid off into a working battle plan that was crazy enough to actually work... skirt the deepwater minefields under the nose of shore batteries, then a daring high speed surface run in and out of the harbor, and a stealthy submerged attack and hopefully sink some serious IJN tonnage along the way. And the time had come. After a week of running submerged in daylight and running on the surface at night with no radar, Balao had managed to encroach upon the japanese coast undetected, narrowly avoiding contact with 2 surface ASW groups along the way. The first navigational radar fix in weeks had showed an unexpected element however, air patrols during twilight... ive allowed an extra 30 mins during the penetration and regress, and ill have to burn 40 mins of that time running submerged to avoid the air cover untill true darkness. pity... i needed the time. periscope death, ahead full...
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/jayspicsdude/harbor%20raid/sundown.jpg

... after successfully passing under the nose of the first batteries of shore guns, we surfaced for the next high speed leg and while performing a single sweep navigational fix, got a positive return on large target bearing 15 degrees. ALARM! Aircraft sighted!!!
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/jayspicsdude/harbor%20raid/surprise.jpg
Quickly diving to escape the air patrol, analysis of the radar data showed a large target creeping along at 3 knots at a course bearing due west that would bring it within range if it was target worthy.... but my orders were to attack capital ships only. well, it wont hurt to take a look, will it? Sonar: Follow nearest contact... after what seemed an eternity of tracking and closing in the range to 1500yds, the target slowly steamed west along the coast of the small island, then gradually turned 180 deg to a due east heading and began to cross our course track. by this point, sonar had positively identified steam turbine noise with multiple propellers from the target and had classified contact as a carrier. I sure hoped so... time to find out.. up scope!
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/jayspicsdude/harbor%20raid/carrier.jpg
And so it was, a big fat Shokaku Fleet Carrier... Closing in on 1300yds, i made the decision to engage. A carrier is just to valuable a target to pass by anyways, and unescorted, why, thats just a wet dream! I set up 2 fish in tubes 1 & 2 to explode at keel depth and aimed for the point directly underneath the forward air elevator... open outer doors, fire tubes 1 & 2! and the waiting... the eternity it takes for a fish to reach its target is unimaginable, the wondering, was the math on? was the depth right? will the fish run at the right depth? These problems had plagued Balao in the past, andfaulty torpedoes had denied us a crack at a heavy cruiser a few patrols back.... but it was not to be so this time. Torpedo Impact! Up Scope!
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/jayspicsdude/harbor%20raid/boom.jpg
The new mk-18's worked well, I thought. The boys in the office of naval ordinance had promised if one of these new fish hit a critical area, the target was doomed. Well. So far the fireball of exploding aviation fuel and ordinance seemed to confirm that! Now, back to the mission at hand... if that carrier got a message out before it went ka-boom, we were going to be in for a long night indeed. blow ballast, ahead flank.
After a quick sprint on the surface, we submerged to enter the harbor proper. The narrows were covered with gun emplacements, and, as pressed for time as I already was, it was just to risky to run them on the surface. 20 mins behind schedule already we surfaced under a full moon, and i cursed it. Because, 7000yds to the north was an Ashasio destroyer idling quietly, undetected by sonar. Before we could submerge, it fired star shells and we were sighted. Thinking quickly I ordered to general quarters and began ranging in the deck gun on the destroyer, as we were already spotted, i ordered sonar to ping the target to provide accurate range info, and opened fire. The first salvo overshot by 400yds, the second undershot by barely 100 yds.... on the third salvo, we struck the radio mast, and firing again quickly after lowering 100 yards, the expert chief sharpshooter manning the gun, scored a direct hit on the bridge of the destroyer! Now approaching 5000 yards and bearing 0, the destroyer veered off in an attempt to unmask its stern batteries, and i opened fire with a salvo aimed at the waterline, 5 rounds later, the destroyer was dead in the water and burning, all engine noise lost on sonar! The new 5" gun sure packs a nasty punch, if we make it back to port, that entire gun crew is getting a medal.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/jayspicsdude/harbor%20raid/deckguns.jpg
Back to the mission

We commenced the final highspeed run towards Kobe, west of the Osaka Yards without further incident, dodging one enemy gunboat along the way, and also had 2 merchant contacts pop up on sonar. However, merchants were not my concern tonight. Tonight, we were going for the heavies, and after already sending one carrier to the bottom, moral was high and the crew was bloodthirsty. Approaching the 10k yd mark to the target, and my submerge point for the attack run, we fired up our search radar to acquire target information, and we hit the jackpot!

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/jayspicsdude/harbor%20raid/kobe1.jpg

3 carriers, 2 battlewagons, and 2 heavy cruisers! Quickly marking there positions on the chart, I powered down the radar and began making plans for my attack run. So far, the absence of any searchlights or patrol craft gave me hope that the fleet was so far, unalerted to our presence. And it was important... besides the obvious fact of drawing fire from cruisers and battleships, an un alerted ship sinks faster... watertight doors are open, and most of the crew is off duty... and if I had a chance at sinking those BBs, i needed to make the first shot count. After analyzing the situation, i drew up my attack run and ordered silent running at periscope depth. No need to alert the escort moored alongside the carrier guarding the harbor entrance. As i approached my first firing point, i ordered all stop and coasted silently to a stop at a point where i was abeam of the two BBs. A quick peek with scope confirmed 2 Fuso-class battlewagons, one tied to the pier of the outer harbor, and one moored to the east. Balao was aligned with a bow shot range 1300yds for the BB at the pier, and a stern shot approx 1500yds for the one at mooring. Remembering my days at Annapolis, I recalled that the guns on surface ships got there powder from magazines located deep in the ships hull, directly below the main battery. I surmised if i fired my stern tubes first, let the fish run for ten seconds, then fired the bow tubes, well, Tojo would have one helluva fireworks show! carefully, I set up the shot and set the correct depth on all fish, making sure the new detonators were set for influence. fire tubes 7 and 8..........fire tubes 1 and 2!

All four fish struck there targets within 3 seconds! a few moments later with a quick sweep of the scope, i visually confirmed both targets exploded!
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/jayspicsdude/harbor%20raid/2for1.jpg
As the crew cheered to sound of secondary explosions rocking the hull, i ordered flank speed ahead. No need to be cautious now, as the enemy was no doubt fully alerted to our presence in the harbor, and i needed those tubes reloaded ASAP! as we raced into the northeast harbor entrance, barely submerged at 55 feet, I raised the scope to range in Balao's fourth victim for the night, a Takao-class heavy cruiser moored to north. Taking a calculated risk, I decided to fire just one fish at the Takao's main battery, in the hopes of enjoying the same success as with the battlewagons. fire tube 3! and... wow, those mk-18's are really working as advertised... we needed these back in '42!
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/jayspicsdude/harbor%20raid/boom-1.jpg

making the turn due west into the harbor interior, i raised the scope and sighted in on the next target, a Shokaku-class carrier tied to the pier to the north... fire tubes 4 and 5! again, carefully aimed at the forward air elevator and set to the proper depth.... torpedo impact!

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/jayspicsdude/harbor%20raid/boom-2.jpg

But Balao wasnt done yet... rounding the inner harbor and turning southwest, I aligned the bow abeam with the next target, another Hiryu-class carrier moored to the inner wall of the outer harbor. slowing to 4 knots, I carefully calculated the shot and fired at a point directly under the forward air elevator-
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/jayspicsdude/harbor%20raid/carrierkillshot.jpg
again, ensuring that the mk-18 was set to explode directly under the ships keel, where there was no armor plating and directly below the avation fuel storage tanks.... and torpedo impact! The hull of the boat rocked as secondary explosions rumbled across the harbor yet again:

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/jayspicsdude/harbor%20raid/carrierkillshotboom.jpg

turning 40 degrees starboard, i aligned the bow with a heavy cruiser moored on the pier by the lighthouse, and raised scope, and sure enough, there was a Takao-class heavy cruiser at full alert, searchlights sweeping the water, perhaps the very same cruiser that had escaped due to dud torpedoes a year before... not this time i thought! slowing to just 1 knot, i sighted the crosshairs in on the forward battery and carefully took bearings for the shot:
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/jayspicsdude/harbor%20raid/killshot.jpg
fire tube 6! and 90 seconds later, again the crew errupted, moral was at an all time high, for once again, Balao was nearly rocked out of the water by secondary explosions as the Takao blew herself sky high, adding to the already eerie glow of burning ships in the harbor.
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/jayspicsdude/harbor%20raid/killshotboom.jpg

I lowered my scope, awed by what i had just witnessed, the sight of so many ships burning, and tried not to think of the souls trapped inside. As we passed the northwestern entrance to the harbor, the sounds of echoing pounding resounded through the hull. I knew what they were... trapped Japanese seamen in watertight compartments, desperately trying to free themselves... I almost pitied them, but then i remembered Pearl Harbor, and steadied my resolve. There was another job to do, and it was the trickiest shot of all.

West southwest of the harbor entrance there was a Shokaku-class carrier at anchor with an Akizuki-class DD moored alongside. not taking any chances with the escort, i approached the target from the shallows to the rear, and at 1500 yards fired 2 fish into the Shokaku, and as before, there was a devastating explosion as the aviation tanks detonated into towers of flame. Heading due south, we passed out of range of the escort and prepared to surface for the high speed run back to open water and freedom.
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/jayspicsdude/harbor%20raid/fullnightsworth.jpg

Halfway to the narrows and freedom, we encountered a merchant on sonar directly approaching our course. Soon enough, lookouts sighted a large tanker approaching from the west, estimating its speed and course, it soon became obvious that we would be unable to avoid detection if we remained on the surface. Cursing, i looked at my watch, Balao was running out of darkness, and time. With the dawn, I was sure that patrol planes would darken the skies, and not long after them, subchasers and ASW groups would be crawling all over the coast, and I wanted to be in deep waters long before that happened. Suddenly, I had an idea.... borrowed from accounts i had read of german u-boat captains in the great war, we submerged and closed range untill the target was 900yds off the bow. Calling general quarters, i blew all ballast and Balao shot out of the water like an angry great white, as soon as decks were awash, the hatch was sprung and both 40mm AA fore and aft raked the bridge and deck guns of the tanker with high explosive rounds, effectiviely causing confusion to the point the enemy failed to return fire. The 5" gun was manned, and on my orders, loaded with anti aircraft shells, and soon began pumping these high explosive high velocity rounds into the tankers sides, it wasnt long at all before the ship was ablaze from stern to bow, i ordered ahead flank, and finished her off with 2 fish fired from tubes 9 and 10. racing across the harbor at 23 knots, we approached the narrows and I ordered the boat to periscope depth just in time to avoid the sun. staying at flank untill we cleared the harbor, i slowed to silent running and began to plot my course back to Pearl, mentally making a note to have a bottle of champagne sent to old Wild Bill.

Balao succesfully navigated the narrows out of the harbor, but was caught in shallow water by a patrol craft, forced to retreat to avoid detection, she was spotted by an IJN search plane. The one plane quickly turned to many, and Balao was forced to flee to deeper waters where she struck a mine @ 125 feet of depth. Able to surface, she had suffered 93% hull damage, and had both periscopes, the TDS, the main deck gun, and the forward AA destroyed by the impact, along with 2 souls lost, and over 75% of the crew seriously injured. Also all batteries were destroyed during the flooding, and, unable to submerge, limping on the surface, the crew was able to repair enough of the damage to get underway for the long voyage back to Pearl. Shooting down an additional 3 IJN aircraft along the way, she was able to make it to Midway for repair then back to Pearl Harbor.

[DC SH4 TJH]

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rSoxzvOiJZ0/UAq4y2s0mLI/AAAAAAAAARk/fBPk_bIzyKY/s800/Untitled.png

[Armistead]

Nicely done DC.

[Sailor Steve]

cant seem to get Del to work
NumLock needs to be turned on.

[Armistead]

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2012-07-20_100718_820.jpg


http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2012-07-22_111913_546.jpg

[Caustic]

Sir, this is some quality screenshot; perhaps you would consider investing your time into environmental modding. I see that you are hard work with lighting and cloudscapes.

[Armistead]

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2012-07-24_022533_328.jpg



http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2012-07-24_014754_140.jpg




Daytime

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2012-07-24_020739_718.jpg

[A Hidden Soul]

Here's a Crimson Tide video I made.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWRarrX8d9Q&feature=player_embedded

[Armistead]

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2012-07-25_143907_140.jpg
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2012-07-24_224200_453.jpg
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2012-07-25_120121_625.jpg

[Caustic]

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/8343/sh4img201207250148.jpg

[DC SH4 TJH]

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DuXXujDdTn4/UBF0_FDDfbI/AAAAAAAAAR8/bUhOMyNAr0c/s800/HK%25201.pnghttps://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-kEGMf1KqnZg/UBF1AzYPkvI/AAAAAAAAASE/oZKqjtqc39w/s800/HK%25202.png

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-NXmCBYyqB-A/UBF067T7p4I/AAAAAAAAARs/ERcAzV5A12U/s800/KM%2520Tanker%25201.pnghttps://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-hyLnYo6SISw/UBF09gKNH0I/AAAAAAAAAR0/VzTg6Sp1oOs/s800/KM%2520Tanker%25202.png

[DC SH4 TJH]

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Ah9XXwTJx2Y/UBF1CaiVnjI/AAAAAAAAASM/JvwY7bxCl10/s800/Kongo%25201.png

[Sailor Steve]

Those are some nice shots! :rock:

[Armistead]

Good raid Sparrow, well told.

[Caustic]

http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/6004/sh4img20120808082926868.png

http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/7269/sh4img20120808083425986.png

http://img801.imageshack.us/img801/8318/sh4img20120808083555645.png

[Sailor Steve]

@ Caustic: The second and third shots are good. The first one is spectacular! I love how the bow is highlighted but the stern is lost in shadow. :rock:

[Shredd27]

Live by the Moon.
http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg221/scaled.php?server=221&filename=moonlive.jpg&res=landing
Die bye the Moon! :rock:
http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg571/scaled.php?server=571&filename=moondie.jpg&res=landing

[Kptlt. Neuerburg]

I havn't contributed to this thread in a long time. Then again I've not played SH4 in a long time until today that is. I caught this just outside of Manilia.
http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/564/sh420120808191330811.jpg

[Bawl]

Nice pics.:up:

[Shredd27]

Thought this was a cool shot,. thought you guys might think so too. :cool:
http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/9829/roughnight.jpg

[Caustic]

http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/646/sh4img201208160337.jpg

[xpirex]

50 ships on mission 14 without refitting... annihilated 4 entire fleets without so much as a scratch... Yawn..

http://oi50.tinypic.com/14wd6hz.jpg


http://oi48.tinypic.com/34ycrnn.jpg

[Hylander_1314]

Unlimited Ammo maybe or a modded loadout?

Maybe try adding the RSRD mod to reduce the shipping volume. Really makes it a challenge in the later war years when Japanese shipping became scarce and boats returned from patrol without having fired a torpedo.

[xpirex]

Not unlimited.. but I did have 1000 rounds of armour piercing shells just on that last mission. The rest of the game I have played completely straight.

I don't think I will continue the career mode though.. just way too repetitive for me. The enemy does exactly the same thing every single time.. so predictable. I can take on destroyers head on without even having to dive and although I'm still only on my second sub.. they all practically look and behave almost the same.

I'll try a few of the single missions as I don't want to deny myself the Yamoto, then Ill uninstall this game and try SH5..

[JonB]

I´m not much of a storyteller but the other day I ended up in a situation that I just had to share with you guys...


SS-202 / USS Trout
Tambor class
Middle of december 1942
Objective: Find and sink any enemy shipping.
Mod: TMO


After some cruising around and sporadic killing north of New Guinea I rearmed and refuled at the Salomon Island. For the first time in my SH4 career I sat course for Truk harbour, NNW of Solomon Islands. According to intel (the map) no subnets ought to be in the area so it felt temping to check the islands out.
Due to storm and heavy fog, I approached the islands with radar. I did a full lap around the Truk islands and couldn´t beleive the result. Not a single ship in the harbour but around the islands there were a total of 26 - 28 ships at anchor, devided into 4 or 5 groups. I marked all ships on my map and when the weather cleared towards the evening I did a full lap again, but this time coming from the outside going in towards each of the ship groups, going into periscope depth when closing, looking, going back out and then on to the next group. My route reminded of a star on the map and it took well into the second day to complete it.

All groups consisted of merchants except one group that was a Taskforce. The choice of what to attack wasn´t hard to make. In the middle of the taskforce I saw one ship bigger then the rest, called Yamato. I checked the recognissionmanual and the first ship in the book was the Yamato. It said about 62.000 ton.... 62.000 TONS??!!!! Holy sh*t, I have stumbled opon the biggest ship in the book!

I couldn´t restrain myself so I decided to attack right away. I regrouped in order to take out the Yamato first. You all know the drill; Battlestations, open the tubes, setting the torpedos according to the target and so on. I went with 4 torps on direct hit low on the starboard side followed up by two magnetic underneath her. All hit (since I cant take the frustrations of the duds I had disabled that :oops:) so I awated any actions from the taskforce but nothing happened. Dont know why but I guess they have a long startup time. So I sail pass the Yamato in periscopedepth and finishes her off with my 4 stern torpedos to her portside. :rock:


Since the rest of the taskforce were just sitting there I also managed to take out 1 Takao at 15.000 tons, 1 Mogamo at 9500 tons and 3 Kuma Lights at 5100 tons each.

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p171/Jonbeee/sh42012-08-1918-30-28-81.jpg


We didnt make it back home in time for christmas but we got the sailors ashore two hours before new years eve so it was a happy ending ;)

All in all during that patrol, I had killed of 17 merchants and 6 navalboats at a total of 214.000 tons. My best patrol in SH4 history.

Ay you salty dogs! :arrgh!:

[fireftr18]

It sounds like you're still running stock. Try the supermods. I run TMO and RSDC. They make the enemy AI much better and not so predictable. It really adds to the game.

[Armistead]

Yea, load TMO and try taking on a DD on the surface, for that matter a armed merchant....You may last 30 seconds..

Stock is nothing more than an arcade game.

[xpirex]

I have had the whole TMO mod installed the entire time... it's not so hard to confuse the destroyers into coming strait for you.. then as I speed towards them leaving only a narrow profile they miss me while I can quite easily pick them off with the deck gun alone.. it's really not that difficult.

[A Hidden Soul]

Here's a couple I had.

http://i45.tinypic.com/f535ud.jpg
http://i45.tinypic.com/2euius9.jpg
http://i45.tinypic.com/350t5le.jpg

[grottski]

So I finally started my first career in SH4 after messing around in the sub school to get the hang of the controls. I started from the wars start in a Porpoise Class at 71% realism (manual targeting, limited O2, fuel, battery and some others). The mods I'm running are NavMap Make Over, Improved Stock Environment v3, and a skin for my sub (USS Tarpon), I can't wait until my gold copy gets here so I can try out TMO and RSRD, but until then...:salute:

I wish I figured out how to remove the HUD before this shot, oh well...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/Maverick1/Screenshots/SH4Img24-8-2010_2014_418.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/Maverick1/Screenshots/SH4Img24-8-2010_20021_696.jpg

My first successful torpedo attack (Luzon Straights)!!! RockinRobin is my hero for posting the tutorial on the "Dick O'Kane Method!" :up: Not my first hit with a torpedo but definitely my first kill with them.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/Maverick1/Screenshots/SH4Img25-8-2010_193412_781.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/Maverick1/Screenshots/SH4Img25-8-2010_193251_739.jpg

The USS Tarpon sailing away from the carnage in the Luzon Straights... :arrgh!:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/Maverick1/Screenshots/SH4Img25-8-2010_19356_653.jpg

First Patrol down, 8 ships 55682 tons, 1 AM62 Zero

[Crazychip]

I had an incident the other day that I found rather funny.
I have been playing SH4 for a few weeks now and up until recently with absolutely no realism. So a week ago I decided to start getting more real and decided to start with manual targeting. Watched the videos, read the guides and went on patrol. Had a few misses and some good hits, but overall a nice tonnage. Then I found the Dick O'Kane method..... Jaw-On-Floor.

I read up on the method and excited I went back out on patrol. Found a nice big merchant, did the math lined up 90deg and got 10k tonnage easily. Sweet.. I was super excited with the success I had gotten. So I am cruising along on the surface in the twilight hours when suddenly... Radar contact.
A Task force bearing almost 90deg into my course. I had yet to attempt an attack on this kind of target, and was a bit hesitant to try. Pumped up from my previous kill I decided to go for it. Not much of a course correction was necessary and soon I was waiting at periscope depth directly in their path. I knew from the radar contact that their was at least four aircraft carriers and I had chooses the first one. I was watching the sound contacts for the leading destroyer..... it passed me. I was not detected.. I could feel the adrenalin. This would be the firs time I tried for such a big target. "Up Attack Periscope" Looking down bearing 345. The carrier came into view, merely 900 meters ahead. "Fire tube 1", ...tube 2, 3, 4 ,5 ,6. Leave nothing to chance here.

Torpedo Impact!
2, 3, 4
Destroyed!

Wait, what did you just say?
Friendly Unit Destroyed....
*Facepalm*

Lessons to be learned from this always look at the flag....

[BigWalleye]

Crazychip, I sympathize! Been playing the Silent Service, but decided to give the ATO a try. Installed OM/OMEGU. AWESOME mod! First war patrol, cruising the Nodrsee in U-47 in SEP39 on my way to patrol the Western Approaches. Fat passenger/cargo, book says 9000t. Nailed it! Watching through the scope as it sank. T'was then I saw the Swedish flag! Uff da!

Lesson to be learned indeed!

[Armistead]

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2012-07-25_170232_625.jpg



http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2012-07-24_011930_843.jpg

[Hylander_1314]

Man! That is just gorgeous Armistead! You gotta release that env. mod of yours!

[Rilder]

Searching for downed friendly pilots radar reported a flight of planes coming in, not really willing and risk losing any leads on possible pilots I elected to stay on the surface. They came in low and my AA opened up causing one of the Kates to steer off course right into one of his friends, causing this to happen:

http://i.imgur.com/aFRD7.jpg

[fireftr18]

Nice:Kaleun_Cheers:

[Death2allofu]

Some nice shots gentlemen....

[TwinStackPete379]

latest s-18 skin. A little historical, a little fun.




http://i878.photobucket.com/albums/ab342/Tigershark496/s-39_2_zps63e7564a.png

http://i878.photobucket.com/albums/ab342/Tigershark496/s-39_zps79350343.png

[TwinStackPete379]

50 ships on mission 14 without refitting... annihilated 4 entire fleets without so much as a scratch... Yawn..

http://oi50.tinypic.com/14wd6hz.jpg


http://oi48.tinypic.com/34ycrnn.jpg

Load up TMO 2.5, you'll stop yawning and wake up.

[Vasri]

Only recently got SH4, and have only dipped my toes into the Pacific so far, but this is the story of my first patrol...

Captain's Log
S-37
December 18, 1941

On patrol in Celebes Sea, have yet to sight any enemy ships since leaving Cavite, Manila last week. Though this is my first command, the S-37 is a good boat; with a good crew as well.

December 19, 1941
1040 hours
Radio message reports a "small convoy" not far outside our patrol area. Though no mention was made of their number, I have ordered flank speed to an area along their current course, with luck, we'll be able to catch them. The crew is anxious to give the Japanese some payback for Pearl.

1525 hours
The convoy has finally moved within sonar range, but has changed course. I feel a little foolish, as they are now moving towards our assigned patrol area. We have altered course and are moving to intercept. My sonarman counts two ships, a destroyer and a large merchant.

2125
The convoy is now within visual range. I've identified the merchant vessel as a Huge European Liner, but it has two destroyer escorts instead of one, an Asashio, and another I can't see clearly enough to identify.

2315
We managed to close the distance without being detected, and have fired all four of our torpedoes into the liner. It clearly isn't long for this world, but now the destroyers are turning and coming for us. I've ordered the diving officer to make our depth three hundred feet. Let us hope that they run out of depth charges before we run out of luck.

0135
Hydrophones damaged, both periscopes damaged, batteries damaged, pumps damaged and we're taking in water in the engine room and the torpedo room. Depth is passing four hundred, and the hull groans under the strain. No choice but to blow the ballast pray.

0200
Blowing the ballast slowed our descent slightly, but we're still sinking. As we passed five hundred feet, I brought out a couple of bottles of scotch from my personal stash and have begun passing them around. One last drink for dead men.

[magic452]

Welcome to the boat mate. :salute:

Good story, been there and done that. :/\\!!

This won't be the last time for you either. :o

Magic

[Arael]

June 13th, 1942.
Location: the Celebes Sea.
Weather: Driving rain, heavy fog, 15 m/s winds, 10 foot swells.
Submarine: Sargo class USS Sculpin
Mods: TMO and RSRD

I was chasing a merchant sound contact through the storm to try and keep with it until the storm abated. We were keeping pace with the sound contact when my sonar man detected another contact, a single warship. I did some calculating, and figured the warship was traveling at about 15 knots. I thought about it for a few moments, then decided to chase the warship, as something traveling that fast while alone had to be important. I turned the sub around, rang up ahead full, and started plowing towards an intercept.

I managed to get a ways ahead of the warship and turned for a forward shot. Using the active sonar and what I knew of his speed and bearing, I computed a solution and fired a spread of 3 torpedoes. All missed. Well, I wasn't about to take that, so I surfaced, chased him down again, and fired another couple torpedoes from the rear tubes. Missed again.

Convinced I had something good, I proceeded to chase that sound contact clear across the Celebes sea on the surface. The storm abated after about 14 hours, but there was still quite a fog bank. At one point we actually ended up ahead of the sound contact, which was pulling up from our rear.
http://i.imgur.com/0cJFnl.jpg (http://imgur.com/0cJFn)
http://i.imgur.com/80Kq3l.jpg (http://imgur.com/80Kq3)

Oh, crap. I rang up flank speed and turned us a gradual path out of the sound contact's path. After we got out of the way, I slowed us down and brought us alongside the sound contact.

http://i.imgur.com/NlPhll.jpg (http://imgur.com/NlPhl)

I was able to identify the contact as a 5500 tonner type light cruiser, probably a Kuma. Fortunately, the enemy was just as blind as my crew, who didn't see that huge form sitting in the fog a mere 600 yards away.

I dropped the Sculpin back onto the Kuma's tail and followed him until he stopped and dropped anchor near Tarakan Island. Finally, a chance. I submerged and maneuvered until I was close enough for a positive identification and a "ship spotted" from my crew. Which turned out to be about 200 yards. I then retreated and set up for a stern shot from 600 yards. I fired 3 of my 4 tubes, as the last one had a mark 10 torpedo in it and I wanted a uniform salvo.

With the target not moving and the sub being a mere 600 yards away at a 90 degree angle to the ship, it was an easy shot. I fired the torpedoes in such a way that even if they tried to evade the salvo by ringing up flank or back emergency, they'd still get hit. A single torpedo hit and detonated directly underneath their aft torpedo battery. A massive explosion enveloped the ship. The cruiser took off like a startled deer, but lost engine power quickly. I was maneuvering for a finishing strike when the sonar man heard sounds of the ship sinking. Adding 5500 tons to the board.

Honestly, that was probably the stupidest thing I've done in-game until this point. Didn't remain the stupidest thing I've done in-game for long, though.

This is what my map looked like after the chase. I kept track of the cruiser's course by that looooong line, so it gives a vivid indicator of how far I chased that cruiser.

http://i.imgur.com/FHqHSl.jpg (http://imgur.com/FHqHS)

I was curious as to what ship I sunk, so I looked at all the 5500 tonner's TROMs on www.combinedfleet.com. Apparantly I sunk the Nagara-class light cruiser Kinu, which historically stopped at Tarakan on June 11th to refuel.

[AndytotheD]

USS Permit captains log
December 10th 1941 13:40 hours

Our permit was just held down for 45 minutes by a pair of Japanese destroyers. We had made contact with a Japanese task force, consisting of a heavy cruiser, type unknown as of yet and a few merchant men headed for the Phillipines.
We reported the contact and were ordered to attack and sink the cruiser at ALL costs. The destroyers held us down long enough for the cruiser and its charges to escape. Nevertheless, come night fall we will surface, chase and destroy the cruiser.

[AndytotheD]

Hell in Lingayen Gulf

Captain's diary
December 12th 1941 20:10

Task force sighted!
2 cruisers spotted and identified.
1 type Mogami and ont Takao class heavy cruiser.
3 destroyers and a few merchants are following and providing escort.

Will comply with COMSUBPAC's orders and will sink the Takao.

[desertstriker]

a short clip of my modified deck gun
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3-mOcw_sXAhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3-mOcw_sXA (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3-mOcw_sXA)

[corsair15]

USS Officer (SSN 688 class submarine)
January 1942
Pacific Ocean
North of Midway
178°E Long. 31°N Lat. (Approximately)


First I want to start out by explaining what the USS Officer was. Basically, I ran a skeleton crew of officers only with no damage control team, or watch officers. After all, running the Los Angeles mod on 13% realism is pretty much the real deal in modern submarines. Contacts on your computers screen, etc. I ran the submarine with as little crew as possible on the first run. Went into Yokosuka Harbor, and sank some cruisers, patrolled my assigned area, and returned to base.

Patrol 2:
This patrol I decided to go ahead and add a full crew to my submarine. Departed base sometime in January (I can't remember the date). My patrol orders were to transport an agent of friendly intelligence and facilitate his insertion into Tsurusaki Harbor. Of course, this was kids stuff and I managed to successfully insert the agent. At the time though, I was aiming to get the Submarine Service Medal, so I was trying to limit my tonnage to about 20,000. (PS, if anyone knows what the criteria is for all of the medals I would really love to read it. I always sink 50,000 tons or more each mission, regardless of the realism setting, so I was limiting my tonnage to gain the other medals.)

So I finish sinking about 24,000 tons of shipping, and I headed back to base. On my way back to pearl, I was just north of Midway, and I picked up a Sonar contact, I went to the surface and switched to surface search radar and picked up a huge task force. At this latitude and longitude and the date being January of 42, I figured it was a Friendly Task Force. I almost let it go, but decided I would go take a look to just to be sure. There was a thunderstorm at the time so I couldn't see anything. I got about 500 yards from a destroyer on the Task Force's port defense screen (Task force heading 285 toward Japan), and much to my dismay, that particular destroyer was Japanese. I took two shells and had about 19% hull damage. I crash dived and got behind the task force. There were three Shokaku carriers in the TF and one Kongo, and I sank each one individually with near zero visibility. After sinking the capital ships, I decided to use my last three torpedoes on the Mogami heavy cruisers that were escorting the TF. It was nearly daybreak and I had decent visibility after having followed the TF all night. I sank the first two successfully without problem. I swung around 180 degrees to sink the trailing Mogami, fired my last torpedo, and sank the ship.


After that I set dive planes for full dive, and increased to Flank Speed (35kts.) Where I screwed up, was traveling underneath the Mogami. I didn't figure it was a big deal. I sank it at about 800yards range, and got the indication "Enemy Unit Destroyed." I thought it was safe to travel underneath, completely un-aware I was about to meet certain death.

I hear explosions above my head from the command room. The Mogami is exploding. "WE'RE TAKING DAMAGE SIR!" "PRESSURE HULL HEAVILY DAMAGED" "RADAR DAMAGED" "COMPRESSOR DAMAGED" "WE HAVE FLOODING SIR!" "F10!" Hull Damage: 78% "Blow Ballast!" I get to the surface and the storm has magically disappeared, and three destroyers are closing on me like angry hornets who just had their nest incinerated. "Dive Dive Dive!" I dove without taking any hits. Unfortunately for me though, the submarine's hull had taken too much damage." "WE HAVE HEAVY FLOODING SIR!" I set depth for periscope depth, but the submarine was out of my control.

I put the engines in Back Emergency, and blew ballast yet again, but the submarine kept sinking and sinking until finally it stopped sinking at 1,656 feet. I was doomed. Oddly enough though, I made it about 20 more minutes. Finally the camera reverted to the Command Room, and everything fell apart. All is doom.

USS Officer is no more.

[Stewmeat95]

Much respect here for you veterans, never had a game challenged me this much.

Deployed from pearl, started a career in 1942 on 16 realism, as im still learning the ropes to sh4. I was given a mission to move to a chain of islands (the name escapes me right now) including Guam among others. After 43 hours of patrolling the area i found nothing, so after waiting for nightfall i decide a quick and hasty raid on Guam naval base. I got within 8000 m of the docks and suddenly heard a big bang and started to sink to the stern at a 30 degree angle. I blew ballast and yelled flank speed after ten minutes i surface, and in dismay see 6 merchants and about 4 fubi destroyers. I yell to my repair crew to get their ass in gear and also give the orders to man the deck guns. Several of the merchants and the DD's opened up and machine gun fire killed or wounded many of my deck crew. I turn and look to the stern and see a massive dd baring down on me, ready to ram me. I crash dive and as soon as the deck is under i begin to slip backwards again sinking at a 30 degree angle. I put the boat in flank speed and blow ballast, hoping for a miracle. The depth reports keep coming back and im just getting deeper and deeper, the boat finally ends up in a 60 degree angle falling to the floor at 6 knots, I was unable to recover and sunk in the bay of Guam that night.

(Does anyone know if there's mines at Guam? I had not sound contacts and was at periscope depth, with the scope down, at 2 knots with silent running on. Im not sure what hit me, it all happened so fast)

Good news is I saved as soon as i reached Guam so i get reload soon and try again

[Hene]

There I was, after seeing nothing for many weeks I now had come face to face with the full might of the enemy's naval power. Two of the finest vessels of all Britain, this was the chance of a lifetime. I immediately ordered flank ahead towards the enemy, hoping to catch them by surprise. As torpedoes would have been useless against these kinds of targets, I decided to attack with my deck gun, an act of bravery very few are capable of. With winds that could break a battleship in half we had both man and nature against us, but we were not going to give up.
Closing fast towards our targets, I decided to wait until the last moment to open fire, to not to reveal us to soon. Finally, FIRE! A fierce battle began. The enemy immediately started giving us heavy resistance, not helped by the enormous waves. My crew, fighting both the overwhelming power of the enemy and the highest winds ever seen by man, were after what seemed like hours able to give a final blow to the first of the two ships. Closing towards the second one she was still giving everything she had at me. Despite being almost thrown out of the boat every ten seconds by the swells, the crew finally gave the last strike, blowing the enemy ship right in half. We had won.
An act of courage which gave me the promotion to the rank of korvettenkapitän.

Heinrich von Bot
Captain of IX type U-something

Patrol nro. cannot remember

Ships sunk:
Steam trawler
Steam trawler
For the total of 660 tons

[Gilead Abyss]

:haha: :up:

I loved reading this gripping tale of courage, adversity, and triumph!
Truly a story to tell your wide-eyed grandchildren by the fireside; maybe the best fish(y) story I've heard.

:rotfl2: at the mission debrief summary

Well done, Captain, and good hunting!

[Hene]

"According to the information we have acquired from the british, korvettenkapitän Heinrich von Bot, commander of IXA type U-44 with total of 146.619 tonns of shipping sunk, has been captured on his 11th patrol sometime around September 1941. U-44 had left Lorient early in September to patrol an area west of Ireland. Shortly after getting to the patrol area the boat was intercepted by a single enemy plane. Because of the fog, by the time the plane was spotted it was too late to dive. Von Bot who was at the bridge when the attack happened, manned the AA gun himself in an attempt to save his boat from destruction, with poor results. The plane dropped two bombs which hit the rear compartment of the submarine, causing serious damage. Von Bot immediately ordered his men to leave the boat, but before everyone was out, the plane came in for another attack. Von Bot manned the AA gun again, this time distracting the enemy pilot enough for him to lose his aim and for the bombs to miss the U-boat. After having spent all of it's bombs, the plane left. Von Bot was able to get his men out of the U-boat in time, and U-44 sank with only three men who had been killed when the bombs hit. The crew of U-44 was later picked up by two British fishing boats, from which Heinrich von Bot supposedly tried to jump from into the sea six times, but was every time stopped by the crew of the ship. We have no information about the current location of von Bot or his crew."

1941 sure was a bad year for U-boat aces. :nope:

[Dive! Dive! Dive!]

(Technical problems may prohibit further story telling.)

Manila. December 1941.

USS Swordfish. A Sargo-class assigned to the Asiatic fleet. My boat is outfitted with the latest and best equipment. A top of the line deck gun, and an SD radar and twin AA gun.

My first mission is a bit of a disappointment. Instead of avenging our fallen friends, I'm taking supplies to the other side of the Phillipines. Everything is quiet the first few days, until we encounter a Jap merchant on the north coast. I pull up alongside and test the new deck gun. It works a charm.

After our success, we deliver the goods. Our boys will be fed tonight. But the news comes over the radio. Our new assignment, a patrol of the Luzon strait!

On the way, air activity was high. Search planes and bombers all over the sky. Occasional lulls exposed two merchants which were promptly sunk. But the Jap birds forced me down under again.

Next, we intercepted a convoy. 4 destroyers and and a large passenger liner.
I used several eels sinking the escorts before sending the liner down with one eel. Command tells us to return to base.

On the way back, scares from planes were common, but no danger. We returned to Manila were two medals awaited me.

Report:
4 Merchant/Transports
4 Warships

Casualtys:
2 wounded

Damage:
Minor

Completion time:
4 days

Status: Mission complete

[Hene]

Heinrich Richen, Commender of Type VIIC U-203. patrol 10 (I think, always forget to check)

Leaving La Spezia in January 7 1943 to patrol waters north of Algerian cost, after I reach the patrol area our reconnaissance plane informs me about a large enemy convoy. I intercept and stalk it until the sunset. Nicely enough the brits have the destroyers at the Atlantic and there isn't a single escort.
After it's gotten dark I set myself at a 90 degree angle for a surface night attack. Clear skies, wind 5m/s, quarter moon, the circumstances are perfect. After I'm close enough I set the data to the TDC, speed 9, AOB at 0 bearing 90, range somewhere around 2500. Then when I'm about to put the torpedoes to the fast setting I notice something, ALL THE LIGHTS ARE WHITE! I had for some reason put "Bernard" in charge of our torpedo loadouts and it seems that he had forgotten to get us new torpedoes after we had spent all on a similar convoy on our last patrol. ESC LOAD LAST_SAVE. I usually play DiD with no reloads but come on, I had no torpedoes so just this once okay? (well, actually its the third time during this career, got killed twice by turkish boats. They're supposed to be neutral! IT ISN'T FAIR!)
I load my boat with torpedoes and start again, setting myself for a 90 degree night surface attack also this time. after setting the TDC, I choose two of the ships in front coming closest to me as targets. Waiting for them to be on both sides of my 0 bearing I fire two torpedoes at each. Premature explosion miss dud miss. Just my luck. I decide to follow them until my tubes have reloaded.
After a while the tubes are ready. I set myself for a 90 degree attack (again) but the wind has risen to 12 m/s and targeting becomes somewhat difficult. I fire at three ships. As i have forgotten to put my detonators to impact most of the torps explode on the way, luckily enough I get one hit. The ships start doing all sorts of crazy manouvers. I wait for them to calm down and set myself for a third attack.
In position once again i pick two hog island freighters as my targets. I fire one torpedo at each, the last that i have. BOOM! first one hit right in the middle, stops dead in the water. Second one hit in the bow. After a while I get a message that I have sunk the second ship. As the first one is also pretty well underwater I turn my sub around and wait for the rearmost ships to come so I can use my stern torpedoes on them. Just before they come to torpedo range the first ship also sinks. As I check my logbook i see that I have actually sunk three ships, looks like that ship I hit earlier has also gone to the bottom.
I fire my torpedo at a merchant that is going in a pretty straight line. Miss. looks like the ships have slowed down a bit. Wait for the tube to reload and set speed on the TDC down a couple of knots. After reloading i fire at another ship. Also misses at the front. looks like they had slowed down more than I thought. With only my externals left I leave the convoy and return to La Spezia after only seven days with 16,458 tons of shipping sunk.
Could have done much better but at least I hit something.

[Arlo]

Discussed it in the Mods forum, and their is an issue about copyrights. And I don't wan to lose subsim, or cause Uncle Neal any controvesial issues with Boeing, or Martin, or Grumman, or Lockheed, North American Aviation.



Um. I'm not seeing a 'copyright enfringement issue' here. I don't believe Boeing B-29s being depicted in an online game are protected by 'copyright laws' anymore than General Dynamics Ohio class submarines are(n't). (Or Electric Boat Company Gatos, for that matter).

http://www.hitechcreations.com/

Even if they are badly depicted (though I'm sure the community would rather they not be) ... I wouldn't expect any sort of lawsuit that would negatively impact Neal (or anyone else) when it comes to replacing Lancasters with Superfortresses. I highly doubt the game had to negotiate with Avro.

[Armistead]

Um. I'm not seeing a 'copyright enfringement issue' here. I don't believe Boeing B-29s being depicted in an online game are protected by 'copyright laws' anymore than General Dynamics Ohio class submarines are(n't). (Or Electric Boat Company Gatos, for that matter).

http://www.hitechcreations.com/

Even if they are badly depicted (though I'm sure the community would rather they not be) ... I wouldn't expect any sort of lawsuit that would negatively impact Neal (or anyone else) when it comes to replacing Lancasters with Superfortresses. I highly doubt the game had to negotiate with Avro.

Well, it is a copyright issue..

[desertstriker]

Um. I'm not seeing a 'copyright enfringement issue' here. I don't believe Boeing B-29s being depicted in an online game are protected by 'copyright laws' anymore than General Dynamics Ohio class submarines are(n't). (Or Electric Boat Company Gatos, for that matter).

http://www.hitechcreations.com/

Even if they are badly depicted (though I'm sure the community would rather they not be) ... I wouldn't expect any sort of lawsuit that would negatively impact Neal (or anyone else) when it comes to replacing Lancasters with Superfortresses. I highly doubt the game had to negotiate with Avro.
alas copyrights are interpreted by the possible complainer and the courts. if there is even the slightest infringement it can cause trouble better to play safe then to poke the lion.