Experienced SH3 player, but new to SH4...

[Engel der Vernichtung]

I'd notices there were a lot of differences between the two games, but a few kind of stump me.

For example: Where's the detailed data on the sub types? If I'm offered an "upgrade", should I take it? What's this new sub do for me that the old one didn't? (granted, the upgrade offer doesn't actually tell me what the new sub will be, so that may be a bit moot... but I'd still like to be able to look it up afterwards. In SHIII I could comparison shop, but perhaps not in SHIV...)


Also... what are the substantial differences between the torpedo types? I see I can buy a Mk 23 torp for 100 renown... but all I get for it is the inability to get a longer range at a lower speed, or so it seems. Why would I want to buy this torpedo? (I can look up the canon torpedo types in Wiki (although I shouldn't *have* to), so I clearly want the Mk 14 ofver the Mk 10... but what's this Mk 23?)

Any assistance on this matter would be greatly appreciated. TIA!

[Ducimus]

RE sub types.

The sub types in SH4 are the ones used in the pacfic theater, however, they represent an evolution in design. Not all commands being offered are "upgrades".

Progressivly you could say, in order of evolution:

S class -> Porpoise -> Salmon -> Sargo -> Tambor-> Gar-> Gato-> Balao


This is a pretty good thread on it :
"An overview of U.S Subs used in SH4"
http://forums.ubi.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/6421019045/m/1941046945/p/1

[SteamWake]

Alot of your questions are answerd here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silent_Hunter_4:_Wolves_of_the_Pacific

By the way it seems to be comming along quite well. Alot of advancement since the last time I looked.

How cold I forget <sigh>

This is probably an even better source of info

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=108931

[Propy]

I was thinking about the torpedoes too...I have always used one type of torpedo. i mean why change it if it works. I have tried the small homing torpedo, but its not that fast and thus not very useble.

A quick question that you pros may be able to answer; is the amount of spare torpedoes on the boat historically correct? i mean did they have that many torpedoes with them?

[seafarer]

Fleet boats did indeed carry 22 (eg. Sargo class) or 24 torpedoes (Gato and models after that). No point having a big boat, with 10,000+ nm range and many weeks endurance if it could not carry the reloads to take advantage of the sea time. Actually, early fleet boats like the Sargo class carried 4 of their reloads externally, but that was discontinued in the war. So the game is incorrect for the wartime Sargo class, as they should only have 20, not 22 (that is there should be only 12 internal reloads, not 14, as modeled). Gato and up are correct at 10 in the tubes, and 14 reloads internally.

P.S. one of my favorite sites for US Sub information and pics:

http://www.navsource.org/archives/subidx.htm

[Propy]

Thanks for the answer and the link!

so its correct...I just thought that it sounded much when thinking on how big and heavy a torpedo is...

[sparkomatic]

awesome info!

[seafarer]

3,280lbs for a mark 14 (according to www.navweaps.com), so 24 of them would be just shy of 39.5 tons. So the overall weight doesn't seem much for a 1450-1570 ton submarine (heck, the complete fore and aft batteries weighed in at some 210 tons total).

As far as the weight of one, and having to heave one into position using tackle and pulley and muscle alone - yeah, that's dang heavy. But one or 24, the crew had to manhandle them each one at a time.

You need to tour a surviving fleet boat - go into the fore or aft torpedo room and try and imagine it during a reload - it's wild. The space just seems impossibly small.

Or then, tour the USS Texas and imagine having to man-handle 14 inch shells (about 1400lbs apiece) around (they would spray the magazine floors with fine oil, and use floor mounted capstans and rope to pull the shells around). Or imagine the engine gang doing an overhaul on a reciprocating steam engines with connecting rods the diameter of large tree trunks.

Men were men back then, I tells ya' - :arrgh!: None of this sissy-boy power tools stuff then.

[tomoose]

Realistically, a sub commander if re-assigned would get the boat given to him. He would be "offered" a new command which may or may not have been a new/upgraded boat. An officer would have to have a damn good reason to turn down a command as a refusal of a new command would have career implications etc.

So I guess to flip the original question around, would the U-boat skippers in real life get to pick and choose their boats as is permitted in the game, probably not (although I'm sure there were exceptions).:hmm:

Comments?

[Propy]

@tamoose

I agree with you. I dont think they were allowed to pick their command. I mean if it was an important and famous commander maybe. Just look at the 18th century, captains with much success were able to choose their closest commanders and maybe ship class.

I think that succesfull commander maybe would get a choice of available subs and may be the choice of bringing some of their officers with them.