Using Type VIIC tower models with Type VIIB?

[Kapteeni Rantala]

I have always found it annoying that you can't use Type VIIC tower models on Type VIIB, instead, the only different tower model choise for Type VIIB skippers later on is the ridiculous "two towers" configuration.

There is no real life technical limitation which would prevent Type VIIB U-boats from being equipped with later Type VIIC tower configurations, so I ask you; is there a mod which would allow me to use Type VIIC tower models on Type VIIB?

Here is a picture showing U-73 (the longest serving front boat of Type VIIB, sunk on 16 December, 1943) and U-561 in port in late 1942 -notice the tower. As you can see, Type VIIBs towers were upgraded.

http://image03.webshots.com/3/6/99/85/29969985MzvPbgbXHB_ph.jpghttp://www.cnw.mk.ua/weapons/navy/ww2/image/u73_561.jpg

Type VIIB is a fine boat I do not want to replace it just because heavier flak is good to have later on, but can't be equipped on Type VIIB because of game's current limitations.
http://image03.webshots.com/3/6/99/85/29969985MzvPbgbXHB_ph.jpg

[The Milkman]

yea i always wondered this myself...

[linerkiller]

If you have seen Das Boot very carefully, the U-96,like the firrst VIIC models, have the net cutter, the enlarged bridge in proximity of the decck gun and a plain deck at the bow ( Later boat used a slightly heightened bow (like in the game)). The only different thing was the after part of the conning tower.
A good thing could be use the hull of the VIIB for the VIIC and using the current VIIC hull to fit the VIIC/41 and VIIC/42 ( to see at least a visible difference:roll: )

http://victoryatseaonline.com/war/ww2/images/dasboot-3.jpg

note the plain deck
http://media.outnow.ch/Movies/Images/1981/Boot/dvd-film.ws/03.jpg (javascript:history.back();)

[Penelope_Grey]

you can use VIIC towers on the VIIB

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v324/Spider-Hulk/Penny/7ctoweron7b.jpg

Only thing is the radio cables don't line up properly and just look weird.... so you'd have to correct the cables for the towers... which in turn would result in weirdness on the VIIC boats... vicious circle.

The VIIB was a fine boat, but it was obsolete and that was why the VIIC came along.

[linerkiller]

Wow!!!
How?:D

[Penelope_Grey]

It looks wrong, but you can take a shortcut with the basic cfg.

Honestly though, not a good idea to tinker with the U-boats like that... you can make things very um... screwy if you do it wrong.

[linerkiller]

:up:
yes, i agree with you...the status quo is better, but if an experieced modder wants to help, is welcomed:yep:

[Kapteeni Rantala]

The VIIB was a fine boat, but it was obsolete and that was why the VIIC came along.

No, it had nothing to do with Type VIIB being "obsolete", Type VIIC was introduced in order to improve the performance of the already good design.

[linerkiller]

IB was slightly faster underwater, the VIIC slightly larger and capable of faster dives

[oscar19681]

I would love to see a mod to give the viib a viic conning tower. Could someon create one?

[Penelope_Grey]

The VIIB was a fine boat, but it was obsolete and that was why the VIIC came along.
No, it had nothing to do with Type VIIB being "obsolete", Type VIIC was introduced in order to improve the performance of the already good design.

I should have said the VIIB was made obsolete by the new VIIC design. However the pedantry aside, the Germans clearly saw and felt that there was room for improvement on the Type VII. :yep:

[XLjedi]

What about the addition of a snorkel? :hmm:

I'm thinkin, I don't really care about what flak config is available for a late war VIIB. I'm always divin away from the planes anyway.

Is the snorkel (OK, schnorkel, whatever) something that coud've been added to the VIIB historically? Regardless of whether or not it would even be possible in the game.

Really it's the faster dive times and snorkel that you need for later war success dontcha think? At least that was my main reason for droppin the B in favor of a C.

[Kapteeni Rantala]

Yes, snorkel could have been added to Type VIIB (really, there was no technical limitation that would have prevented addition of later things), and if memory serves, some of the surviving Type VIIBs used for training were added with snorkel.

[oscar19681]

Yeah but the question remains can there be mod for this thing.

[TheDarkWraith]

Yeah but the question remains can there be mod for this thing.

yes. ;)

[TheDarkWraith]

Type VIIb submarine enters Racerboy's top secret skunkworks facility. Placed in drydock on 10-16-07 @ 8:15pm for overhaul and retrofit (file editing). Changes made. VIIb released from dry dock and enters sea trials on 10-16-07 @ 8:19pm. Results: sea trials prove mod is a go for release.

Early war VIIb snorkel version:

http://dodownload.filefront.com/8815396//0b5c7a1080f93c948ee53f8dc18aed873e83548cd5965af167 ee25eabe729d330b9bad71f9c07173

:|\\

[linerkiller]

Faster than ever RB...but this mod only enables a snorkel in early war years?

[TheDarkWraith]

Faster than ever RB...but this mod only enables a snorkel in early war years?

it makes the snorkel available right from the start for the VIIb. You don't have to 'buy' it. Consider it standard equipment with this mod. It will be standard equipment all the way through 1945.

[linerkiller]

Very good!:D
But the main question is still unsolved...conning towers are moddable???
Maybe adding some new towers at all!
Ex...
http://uboat.net/technical/flak.htm

Note:
The first VII boats, were fitted with a connig tower similar to the VIIC one, but smaller and with the 20mm AA gun on the deck just behind the conning tower.

Another suggestion for a possible modding...when we take the command of a type IXC boat, we start with the conning tower IX2 ( the one with two light flaks ) and if we try to take the IX1 ( 1x20mm and 1x37mm ) the 37 mm one is missing:stare: ...Any chance to fix it?

[TheDarkWraith]

Very good!:D
But the main question is still unsolved...conning towers are moddable???

yes

Maybe adding some new towers at all!
Ex...
http://uboat.net/technical/flak.htm

yes. Get someone to design the 3D model of it and it can be added (will have to replace one of the exisiting ones though)

Note:
The first VII boats, were fitted with a connig tower similar to the VIIC one, but smaller and with the 20mm AA gun on the deck just behind the conning tower.

Another suggestion for a possible modding...when we take the command of a type IXC boat, we start with the conning tower IX2 ( the one with two light flaks ) and if we try to take the IX1 ( 1x20mm and 1x37mm ) the 37 mm one is missing:stare: ...Any chance to fix it?

yes



see above in yellow.

[linerkiller]

Very good...I have a photo wich show the connig tower of the VIIB in the early time of the war ( oct 1939 )
http://www.uboataces.com/photos/20057309514784961.jpg

[oscar19681]

You can clearly see thats a type VIIC Not a VIIB. A VIIB has a shorter tower and also the end of the conning tower is different. Check uboat.net to see what i mean. There is still no clarity if we can have a mod to have the VIIC tower on a VIIB hull can someone shed some light on this.

[TheDarkWraith]

You can clearly see thats a type VIIC Not a VIIB. A VIIB has a shorter tower and also the end of the conning tower is different. Check uboat.net to see what i mean. There is still no clarity if we can have a mod to have the VIIC tower on a VIIB hull can someone shed some light on this.

I don't see why it can't be done.

[linerkiller]

You can clearly see thats a type VIIC Not a VIIB. A VIIB has a shorter tower and also the end of the conning tower is different. Check uboat.net to see what i mean. There is still no clarity if we can have a mod to have the VIIC tower on a VIIB hull can someone shed some light on this.
http://www.uboataces.com/photos/20057309514784961.jpg
This photo was taken when U-47 ( VIIB ) returned to W.haven after the mission at Scapa Flow. the VIIB tower of the game was introduced in 1940

[oscar19681]

You can clearly see thats a type VIIC Not a VIIB. A VIIB has a shorter tower and also the end of the conning tower is different. Check uboat.net to see what i mean. There is still no clarity if we can have a mod to have the VIIC tower on a VIIB hull can someone shed some light on this.

I don't see why it can't be done.

I would say why wont someone start working on it.

[oscar19681]

You can clearly see thats a type VIIC Not a VIIB. A VIIB has a shorter tower and also the end of the conning tower is different. Check uboat.net to see what i mean. There is still no clarity if we can have a mod to have the VIIC tower on a VIIB hull can someone shed some light on this.
http://www.uboataces.com/photos/20057309514784961.jpg
This photo was taken when U-47 ( VIIB ) returned to W.haven after the mission at Scapa Flow. the VIIB tower of the game was introduced in 1940

Yeah ok but still the u-47 was a type VIIA. I got another picture here. of the u-47

http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/images/h97000/h97503.jpg

[Sailor Steve]

Yeah ok but still the u-47 was a type VIIA. I got another picture here. of the u-47

http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/images/h97000/h97503.jpg
I think you'll find U-47 was indeed a type VIIB
http://www.uboat.net/types/viib.htm
http://www.uboat.net/boats/u47.htm