From V11b to 1Xc??

[Unterseeboot92]

Hi i have a small problem.. in my career in august 41, im operating U 51 which is a V11B should i switch to the 1Xc or try to save for an XX1??:06:
other post says that the 1x is a death trap in 42 and onwards any tips?

[Jaman]

The IX model has more torpedoes and range but being bigger it takes longer to dive which is very dangerous against enemy bombers in a time when they extend their range (1942 and 1943), the VII is more manoeuvrable and dive faster (the C model faster than the B model) but carry less torpedoes and less tubes (only 1 stern tube).

The XXI wont be avaliable till mid ´44 iirc.

[=FI=Ghost]

(the C model faster than the B model) but carry less torpedoes and less tubes (only 1 stern tube).

It's actually the other way around. VII B is a bit faster since it carried less torpedoes and was a bit smaller in size than VII C which was larger (due to increase in torpedo load and fuel capacity).

[Jaman]

It's actually the other way around. VII B is a bit faster since it carried less torpedoes and was a bit smaller in size than VII C which was larger (due to increase in torpedo load and fuel capacity).
I mean the C dives faster than the B.

[sharkbit]

Try 'em both. :)
Run alternating careers in different boats or flotillas. Right now I've been experimenting with that. I have a career in the Med with a VIIC and when I die or get pulled from sea duty, I resume a career in the Atlantic with a IXC. When I die or get pulled from sea duty in the Atlantic I go back to the Med.
I've read on these forums where people have different careers in each of the different flotillas and rotate through them.

At first, I couldn't wait till I could upgrade from a type VIIB to a IXB later in the war. When my career was ended due to realistic career lengths in SH3Commander, I started a new career in late '41 with a IXB. Of course, with the IX came patrols in distant lands-Freetown and off the coast of the US once they entered the conflict.
Initially, I loved patrolling off the US coast and in the Carribean(lots of lone tankers and plenty of sunshine and boat drinks :cool:) in a sub with a lot of torpedoes :yeah:.

After a couple of patrols like that though, I found myself missing my type VII. Some of those long patrols can get pretty boring and I thought I needed a change.

After taking a 3-4 month break from SH3, I started up a new career in the Med with a VIIC, which I have enjoyed. After getting sunk there, I resumed my Atlantic career in the IX. I recently lost that sub on the way to Freetown and have started a new career in the Med with the VII.

I'll probably continue alternating like that for a while and see how that goes.

My ultimate goal though is to experience the entire war. I play DiD but when I die or get pulled from sea duty, I start a new career from where the last one left off. The alternating flotillas is just a way to spice things up for a change.

I'm currently in Sept. '43 in the Med(just moved to Toulon) and it is April '43 in the Atlantic out of Lorient(looking forward to the spring sunshine while crossing the Bay of Biscay in May :sunny:).

[Pohl]

Like someone said above, using the IX is slower and heavier, altough you carry way more torpedoes the shells for her deck gun are limited to 110 only, the only good thing I find about the IX is she's the best anti-convoy sub out there until the XXI comes out (but dear god she's expensive), but only if you know what you are doing, it's to heavy to maneuver fast and it's max speed on a silent run is 2 knots, max speed submerged is 8 knots, and if you decide to go 150+m it will take good 10-15 minutes for her to go that deep, but after danger goes away you can surface and load your extra 8 torpedoes into her and try to reach the convoy again, to spend another 8 shots on it, VII is a sub for those that say, 1 torpedo 1 kill.

I recommend to get used to the VII then move into the first IX and notice the difference, best way to do so is in a multiplayer game or single mission, try both subs and see which one you like more.

[=FI=Ghost]

I mean the C dives faster than the B.

My mistake then, sorry..

[DaveU186]

'Acquire' a XXI early doors, and it'll see you through. :cool:

[Pohl]

I definitely say that what makes a U-boat a unstopable machine it's the technology inside her, I did got my hands on a XXI in 1939....but I had no hydrophones, radar or any worthy piece of technology to detect cargo ships, the result is I ended trying to dive in the middle of a 3-4 destroyer task force on their way to Norway, which used me as a sitting duck in those vital 25 seconds.

So next time I got the XXI enabled all the top tier tech in 1939 and I found that XXI lack the stern tubes, which are sometimes vital to get rid of annoying destroyers doing DC runs, which the IX has 2 stern tubes giving you a total of 4 shots to take down any annoying destroyers (I sank HMS Hood with 2 stern torpedos) If I was using the XXI I would had to order full ahead and hard to port to be on a weird angle and be able to torpedo it.

I think subs will "fit" in this order:

Slow and weak: Type II
Fast and maneuverable: Type VII
Heavy weapons: Type IX
Convoy killer: Type XXI

[Unterseeboot92]

Thanks everyone! i have now bought the IXc and is now heading for canada :salute: it´s a bit less manouverable than the VIIb and much bigger but i have already sunk a whale factory ship:) now i olny need to see how it can handle DC....( is coming head on a large convoy):06:
And for those who want a guraranted kill you should go to portland. outside the harbour there is always a large tanker and a large merchant, but do this in the night cos there are 1dd and trawlers and stuff but it´s quite easy to sink it and then sneak away...:arrgh!:

[Jimbuna]

If you want to increase your shell capacity to 250 (there are records of at least one Type IX carrying 377) there's a mod on my FF page.

[Sheldon]

I liked the IX specifically because it is such a good convoy hunter. All those internal torpedoes PLUS all the externals. But, yeah, the first time you do a crash dive in it you feel like time has stood still because it is so slow to submerge.

The first time I traded up to a IX my mission was to patrol of the eastern edge of the Caribbean islands! If not for alternating with batteries and diesel I doubt I would have made it home. It was VEERRYY close.

[Unterseeboot92]

Damn... i have never been in a place with so many convoys... outside canada and halifax (GWX3) i encountered at least five convoys in 4 days!:D first 1 sunk 2 modern tankers then on my way back to base i encountered a new convoy and i the middle of it the HMS aquantia(?)
fired of a salvo of 4 eels and to torps took in the bow ( i had real luck):yeah: so of to canada hunt convoys cos there are lots of them there!!!:D

[Pohl]

I liked the IX specifically because it is such a good convoy hunter. All those internal torpedoes PLUS all the externals. But, yeah, the first time you do a crash dive in it you feel like time has stood still because it is so slow to submerge.

The first time I traded up to a IX my mission was to patrol of the eastern edge of the Caribbean islands! If not for alternating with batteries and diesel I doubt I would have made it home. It was VEERRYY close.

Little tip I read on a site, when crash diving send all your crew to torpedo compartmet (front of the boat) and leave the back empty, this way the weight will make you down more easily by simply physics :arrgh!:

[Kpt. Weyprecht]

Little tip I read on a site, when crash diving send all your crew to torpedo compartmet (front of the boat) and leave the back empty, this way the weight will make you down more easily by simply physics :arrgh!:

I didn't know that was modelled in the sim. I have to try it out when I finally get my laptop back from repair. Anyway, I thought that was what you do when crying "ALAAAAARRMM!!!"?

[Pohl]

I didn't know that was modelled in the sim. I have to try it out when I finally get my laptop back from repair. Anyway, I thought that was what you do when crying "ALAAAAARRMM!!!"?

Nope and I have GWX 3, and even when you command crash dive, the crew remains where they are, so just move them manually all to the front or when you blow ballast get everyone in the back (stern room, electric engines & diesel engines) I'll check with clock on hand if there's any improvement.

[Jimbuna]

Damn... i have never been in a place with so many convoys... outside canada and halifax (GWX3) i encountered at least five convoys in 4 days!:D first 1 sunk 2 modern tankers then on my way back to base i encountered a new convoy and i the middle of it the HMS aquantia(?)
fired of a salvo of 4 eels and to torps took in the bow ( i had real luck):yeah: so of to canada hunt convoys cos there are lots of them there!!!:D

Halifax was one of the main formation points for convoys in the western Atlantic.....a real aladdins cave.

[Pohl]

Nope and I have GWX 3, and even when you command crash dive, the crew remains where they are, so just move them manually all to the front or when you blow ballast get everyone in the back (stern room, electric engines & diesel engines) I'll check with clock on hand if there's any improvement.

I can say that applying this tactic into the IXB get's you a total of 28-30 seconds to dive, that's 5-7 vital seconds that could save you, instead of hitting periscope depth (takes 35-40 seconds).

[meduza]

Little tip I read on a site, when crash diving send all your crew to torpedo compartmet (front of the boat) and leave the back empty, this way the weight will make you down more easily by simply physics :arrgh!:
Are you sure this is modeled in the game? I've never noticed any difference.
:hmmm:

[Pohl]

Are you sure this is modeled in the game? I've never noticed any difference.
:hmmm:

Well when you press C some crew automatic moves to the front, but only enough to get that room active, that's when you move the rest of the crew to the first 2 rooms and leave the back empty, it does works...and if not at least you get a more realistic feeling :arrgh!: