New sub offered

[runningdeer]

Hi all.

I'm playing in an American career. Running TMO 1.6.3.

After a couple times out, they've offered me a new sub. In past playing experiences I jumped on the opportunity. But this time around I'm trying to immerse myself more into the game. Before I head back out on a new patrol I wanted know:

Currently I command a Narwal class sub. I like it mainly because it has 2 deck guns. I dont worry too much about fuel economy and stuff because my realism settings are set pretty easy still. Anyways, they are offering me a Gato class sub. If I remember right, it held more torpedo's. But outside of that I dont see whats better about it. As soon as I seen that it only had 1 deck gun, I came here, to ask if the GATo is a better sub. Is it tougher? Things like that.

I really found the double deck guns useful the last time out in my Narwal when I had to finish off a large convoy. I like having 2 deck guns!

Should I accept the new Gato?

Thanks for your time.

[Torplexed]

A lot depends on your playing style. Those two light cruiser deck guns on the Narwhal class are rather unique even for US subs. Great against not too heavily armed targets. Wonderful for shooting up harbors too. However, they are slooow divers and not too maneuverable underwater. I wouldn't want to go up against a heavy escort while submerged in a Narwhal.

The Gato would be the quicker, deeper diver and more nimble underwater. More tubes, more torpedoes. Nice AA armament topside too although I'd use it more on sampans than planes. Probably the better boat to have later in the war.

Sounds like the kind of decision that could be put off for a while you think about it if it's still early in the war. :cool:

[runningdeer]

Thanx Torplexed...

Yeah, its still early in the war, although I'm not sure of what date it is currently in my career, I know its relatively early because I started my career in the beginning, rather, as early as I could. To get the most out of this go-round with SH4. And have only gone out a couple times so far.

Based on what you said about the Gato's abilities, I think I'm going to accept it. I like the sounds of greater maneuverability and a better AA gun. I haven't had much luck when trying to stay surfaced to take on aircraft. I found its better to just dive. But I'd love to stay on the surface and bring some down.

Your reply was very helpful, and appreciated...thanx again. :ping:

P.S. How deep will the Gato go? (TMO 1.6.3).

[Gato76]

600 ft

[gimpy117]

well historically prolly more than 600...a Balao made it to 1020'

[runningdeer]

Nice! :o...

I was away from SH4 for a time, playing another PC title. I'm back with this latest TMO and using the terrific HUD mod by Capt. America. With the HUD mod I just click on that new icon he created taking me to the subs safe depth. And I think in my Narwal that is around 225ft...so...600ft sounds incredible.

I assume then that if I've stirred up some destroyers then 600ft is well safe from any depth charges?

Thanx for your time & reply.

P.S. she'll go down to 600ft.... 'in-game' ? Or is this in the really real world?

[Soundman]

Nice! :o...

I was away from SH4 for a time, playing another PC title. I'm back with this latest TMO and using the terrific HUD mod by Capt. America. With the HUD mod I just click on that new icon he created taking me to the subs safe depth. And I think in my Narwal that is around 225ft...so...600ft sounds incredible.

I assume then that if I've stirred up some destroyers then 600ft is well safe from any depth charges?

Thanx for your time & reply.

P.S. she'll go down to 600ft.... 'in-game' ? Or is this in the really real world?

Yes, I love that HUD mod. Very pleasing to the eye and the pull down map is fabulous.

[AVGWarhawk]

P.S. she'll go down to 600ft.... 'in-game' ? Or is this in the really real world?

Yes, in game she will go 600. You do take your crews life in your hands at this point. RL? Yes, 600 feet is obtainable. Safe? Not always. Some went that deep uncontrollably and perhaps even deeper. The depth needle bottoms out so beyond what can be read on the depth gauge is pure guessing. Those that have been to 350' that I have spoken with said it sounds like the steel is being tortured and the hull really begins to sing.

[GeoffBelding]

How do you get down to 600 feet? I know that you can click on the area underneath the depth gauge, and click on 450 feet, but how to get down the remaining 150 feet?
(apart from sinking!)

[Platapus]

P.S. How deep will the Gato go? (TMO 1.6.3).

A Gato will go only as deep as the bottom of the ocean. The important question is not how deep a submarine can go, but from what depth can a submarine surface again. :yeah: :D

[Sledgehammer427]

*ominous whump is heard outside SH427's window*
rightly said...rightly said!

[Torplexed]

How do you get down to 600 feet? I know that you can click on the area underneath the depth gauge, and click on 450 feet, but how to get down the remaining 150 feet?
(apart from sinking!)

I must confess I'm curious about that one myself. I've tried to order a further dive at 450 feet but all I get is a rise on the planes.

[Coolhand01]

I have a Balao right now(1/43). And my depth gauge only shows 450'. Where is this 600' depth gauge to be found?....CH:hmmm:

[Q3ark]

I have a Balao right now(1/43). And my depth gauge only shows 450'. Where is this 600' depth gauge to be found?....CH:hmmm:

If memory serves you have to use a menu button to do it. There isn't a keyboard shortcut for it. It's located in the first menu, the one with a symbol of a steering wheel on it to the left of the navigation menu, it orders a deep dive you can stop the dive at any time with the "A" key.

P.S. the "D" key in TMO takes you to test deapth for your boat, so if you are below test deapth you will rise up to it.

[Webster]

I have a Balao right now(1/43). And my depth gauge only shows 450'. Where is this 600' depth gauge to be found?....CH:hmmm:

use aanker's mod that calibrates all interior guages and his other mod also makes it so balao always has the 600' guage.

find it here: http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=146402

[Coolhand01]

I have a Balao right now(1/43). And my depth gauge only shows 450'. Where is this 600' depth gauge to be found?....CH:hmmm:
use aanker's mod that calibrates all interior guages and his other mod also makes it so balao always has the 600' guage.

find it here: http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=146402

My bad.:damn:. I failed to mention that I am running the latest RBF + RSRDC. That mod is for the stock sim. Thx anyway's.:salute:....CH

[Frame57]

The "Gato's" were the thin skinned boats. The Baleo's were the thick skinned ones and were much safer to take to 650 feet.

[runningdeer]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Coolhand01
I have a Balao right now(1/43). And my depth gauge only shows 450'. Where is this 600' depth gauge to be found?....CH:hmmm:


use aanker's mod that calibrates all interior guages and his other mod also makes it so balao always has the 600' guage.

find it here: http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=146402

A few questions please

-I am using a Balao too. I would like to have my depth gauge read 600'. Is there a MOD that will work with my TMO 1.6.3 and the (HUD MOD-from C.A.)?

-Also...I'm in my 3rd boat, current date is Apr. 18th, 1943. and I'm wondering if ever I'll get the option for 'decoys'? I've been in a Narwal & Gato before this one and no decoys yet. Do I need to stay in a sub longer to get certain upgrades?

-Time compression...I have a great system. Based in Pearl Harbor. When heading out west across the Pacific on a new patrol, I can compress time all the way up to like 7-8k range smoothly, then after completing the various objectives and having saved a few times...going back to Pearl my compression only goes smoothly at like 2k. So I'm wondering if there are ways for me to make it smoother on the way home.

Thanx for your time.

[Torplexed]

Also...I'm in my 3rd boat, well into my career, and wondering if ever I'll get the option for 'decoys'? I've been in a Narwal & Gato before this one and no decoys yet. Do I need to stay in a sub longer to get some upgrades?
I've always wondered about the rationale for decoys in SH4. As far as I know the USN never had an equivalent of the German Bold device. Yes, you can always pack wreckage and debris into the torpedo tubes and fire it out to spoof the escorts above, but that hardly requires an availability date. If anything it requires wreckage and debris.

[Q3ark]

I've always wondered about the rationale for decoys in SH4. As far as I know the USN never had an equivalent of the German Bold device. Yes, you can always pack wreckage and debris into the torpedo tubes and fire it out to spoof the escorts above, but that hardly requires an availability date. If anything it requires wreckage and debris.

I remember a section in the book Silent Victory, Admiral Lockwood had decoys fitted to some of his pearl harbour fleet boats towards the end of the war (he was a strong proponent of new technology, the cutie homing torpedo for example). Dunno if thay where ever used in actual combat conditions tho.

[runningdeer]

Q3ark Quote:
Originally Posted by Torplexed
I've always wondered about the rationale for decoys in SH4. As far as I know the USN never had an equivalent of the German Bold device. Yes, you can always pack wreckage and debris into the torpedo tubes and fire it out to spoof the escorts above, but that hardly requires an availability date. If anything it requires wreckage and debris.


I remember a section in the book Silent Victory, Admiral Lockwood had decoys fitted to some of his pearl harbour fleet boats towards the end of the war (he was a strong proponent of new technology, the cutie homing torpedo for example). Dunno if thay where ever used in actual combat conditions tho.
Well...the 'cutie' torpedo has been offered to me. But I don't think I have a use for that one. I'm still using the MK-14 (set to no duds in my career). Is the cutie good for something?

[Torplexed]

Well...the 'cutie' torpedo has been offered to me. But I don't think I have a use for that one. I'm still using the MK-14 (set to no duds in my career). Is the cutie good for something?
The cutie is a homing torpedo. It has a small warhead, true. But it's enough to disable the escort it homes on and leave it helpless to intervene while you knock off the merchants. :cool: It's another one of those devices that really didn't get into circulation until near the end of the war, but the game offers it sooner.

[runningdeer]

Ahhh ok. I've never used a homing torpedo. I think I'll take a couple with me next time out, thanx.

[gAiNiAc]

Folks!

For those of you wanting to dive deeper.....Just click the icon for "Set planes for deep dive" when you reach your desired depth just hit "a" and the boat trims up.

[runningdeer]

I suppose I'll find out when I'm out there next, but I'm wondering if I dive slow enough will the crew warn me that I'm too deep and will I have a chance to recover from it?

Well, I'm going to go test my crush depth in my Balao.:salute:

It would be cool though...to have a deeper depth meter.

[Coolhand01]

I have a Balao right now(1/43). And my depth gauge only shows 450'. Where is this 600' depth gauge to be found?....CH:hmmm:
use aanker's mod that calibrates all interior guages and his other mod also makes it so balao always has the 600' guage.

find it here: http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=146402
My bad.:damn:. I failed to mention that I am running the latest RBF + RSRDC. That mod is for the stock sim. Thx anyway's.:salute:....CH

I got this to work with RFB...Successful trim dive to 520'. Thx Webster for pointing me in the right direction.:yeah:....CH

[runningdeer]

I like the diving planes, steep dive command. I just hit A to trim out or whatever. Works great. Still be nice though if the depth meter read deeper.

But using the steep dive command has been fun...cuz the way I attack destroyers and convoy escorts is to go at them head-on, at flank speed. Then depending on the targets maneuverability I fire my torpedo's at high speed, from like 700-1500, depending on the circumstances. But anyways...now, right after I fire my torpedo, I go into a steep dive at flank speed, usually going right under them (while they sink:har:)l. (I don't know if that's the correct way to get em, but it works for me and is kinda fun).

So thanx for telling me about the steep dive icon, I never used it before...its fun to use, then leveling out at like 550ft. Works great.

[captgeo]

Folks!

For those of you wanting to dive deeper.....Just click the icon for "Set planes for deep dive" when you reach your desired depth just hit "a" and the boat trims up.


Are you talking about a MOD game or the stock game:06:.....I have never seen that option in the stock game.:06:

[runningdeer]

Well, I myself am using SH41.5 with TMO v1.6.3

if that helps...oh and so you know exactly where to look for the icon, click on command room - icon farthest on the right.

[captgeo]

I see, I do not run any MOD'S so far eg. TMO

thanks for the reply:up: