Long missions question

[Nangleator]

In a IX for the first time, and the American coast is starting to look doable. I have some questions, though.

Is it advisable to attempt a great circle route, or are straight lines across the map the way to go? Also, what's the most efficient speed for a IX? I experienced some bad moments when bombers spotted me and I had to dive in a VII. I've heard the IX is slower to dive. Just how scary is it when lookouts spot your IX?

My first mission (stock game) is way down Africa, near Ivory Coast. America isn't in the war yet, so I'm taking the mission and the points. But it's BORING down here.

[A Very Super Market]

I advise you get GWX 3.0 (As will most people on this forum :P) Sub fuel is increased so you can use straight lines without using more than normal fuel. The SH3 map doesn't take into account the spherical Earth at all, so great circles are just as pointless.

As for IXs, one of them (I don't use them) has the same dive time as the VIIB, but the others have significantly longer times. The longest is the IXD2 with 42 seconds. This will get you killed in late war in GWX, though stock may be alright. But remember that you are a bigger sub in general.

[Nangleator]

I advise you get GWX 3.0
Thanks for the info, although I already tried that great upgrade. The game's bootup time went from about 4 minutes from Windows to patrol to upwards of 20 minutes. External views were a slideshow.

I'll download it when I buy a new system.

[piri_reis]

Assigned to 10th Flotilla in Lorient (Gwx3), with a IX-C to patrol CA76! Thats around Norfolk and New York :ping:
Currently heading straight west at engine 2/3s. Efficiency is important, my navigator gives me 34000km of range with this speed. Good enough..
Emergency dive drills were around 50 seconds for a 17m depth, that's when the stern is almost in the water. Still very vulnerable IMHO, so I say a minute at least.
We got the biscay cross so relatively aware of approaching planes. Stayed surfaced at our first warning, battled it out with a Wellington, managing to down it, but I got the message, never will push my luck again.. Certainly dive if I have the time..

[Wreford-Brown]

I've got a fuel efficiency mod that replaces your 'Ahead Slow' (#2 key) with the most fuel efficient speed for your U-boat and it works for all types. If your not using GWX 3.0 then you can get it from the GWX 2 folder from my FF page.

More details are at the thread below my signature.