New To Sub Sims

[cadaha]

Hi,

I've been lurking and getting great information about SH4 which I've only recently started playing.

I've played a lot of games but have finally found a home with Silent Hunter. It is a pity my laptop won't run SH5 or I would have bought that as well.

I'm ex RN (18 years service) and can definitely say that SH4 is what I've been missing with pc games.

I am on the UBM career and am using manual targeting which I love. The best part is detecting a ship, convoy or task force and setting up the attack then prosecuting the selected targets. I use map update but very rarely use external camera as I like the immersion of identifying the targets using the periscope (which I leave lowered as much as possible).

Here is an image of a convoy attack I carried out today. All three destroyed ships were part of the initial setup. I identified 2 that I wanted to take with the fwd tubes and one aft. I fired 2 at each of the targets passing in front and then rotated the periscope 180 to take out the last with 2 fish from the aft tubes.

http://www.carlhackman.com/images/sh4convoy2.jpg

The remaining 3 targets I destroyed using the gun.

I moved my patrol area south of Sri Lanka and came across a task force. 5 destroyers and one Attack Escort Carrier. I moved ahead of the group and set up a position 10 miles ahead. I crept forward at periscope depth, silent running and closed within 800 yds of the Carrier. I had basic information of course and speed from the passive sonar which I entered into the tdc. I updated as the group closed by using quick periscope raises (just enough to fine tune my solution). I fired 4 fish from the front tubes and dove to 240ft slinking away, silent running, at 1kt. I actually managed to get away without being pinged by the escorts (I used electronic fish which may have helped me confuse the escort as to the point of origin of the attack).

So far it has been a good day with 10 merchants (2 convoys) sunk and one Escort Carrier for 90,000 tons :)

Thanks to listening to my drivel, I hope to add patrol reports as I gain more experience with SH4.

[Dutchguy3129]

Welcome aboard Commander!

Great write up and great attack! You've come to the right part of the internet, there may only be a few of us but we do enjoy Subsims.

Currently playing an OM+OMEGU+DBSM soup on 16, September, 1939, in a type 2B. Was assign of of Norway, saw one Merchant, neutral. Scoot around the Thamas, but air cover was brutal. Just leaving Wilhelmshaven, the war is 18 days old and all I've seen is the bloody Royal Air force!

I'm having a blast.

[Aktungbby]

cadaha!:Kaleun_Salute:

[Jimbuna]

Welcome to SubSim cadaha :sunny:

[THEBERBSTER]

A Warm Welcome To The Subsim Community > cadaha
Subsim <> How To Donate <> See The Benefits <> Support The Community (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?p=2033119%23post2033119)

[fireftr18]

Welcome aboard Cadaha. :salute:

Sounds like you have everything under control. Don't be afraid to ask questions. We're all happy to help.

Since you have things under control and have plenty of free time. I someone to go clean the head in The Bilge. Wolferz keeps messing it up.

[cdrsubron7]

Welcome aboard, cadaha. Happy to have you aboard. :salute:

BTW, nice job on the convoy. Save some for us. :D :up:

[razark]

Another dang u-boater. :nope:

Come over to the Fleet Boats. More room, air conditioning, ten torpedo tubes, and more. We've even got the ice cream machine!

Join us. We don't bite! (Just ignore that guy up there with the teeth painted on the sub.)


Welcome to Subsim and SH4!

[cadaha]

Thanks for the welcome.

I've tried a few mods, mainly OM and FOTRS but had issues with saves crashing so I stuck with the vanilla game plus the range ring (which I love).

I'd love to see a British mod in the Atlantic theater and I would also love to see a mod for the cold war era in a Brit hunter killer sub which patrols the atlantic to take out soviet subs. It would be interesting to see a brit hunter killer against a soviet Akula as the both have similar roles.

Also a brit destroyer/frigate in a convoy picket role prosecuting subs would be great (I spent my career on anti sub Frigates so it would be a blast from the past :) )

I am loving this sim and it is definitely time wasting and absorbing, but time is something I have an abundance of now :)

[propbeanie]

You might be a bit interested in:
We Dive At Dawn download (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/downloads.php?do=file&id=3891) and Rel Thread (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=170639) (read all about it here)
which is one of the Bonus Mods they offer is you join the SubSim Navy. I'm waiting on my first retirement check, and I'm signing up. I've been eyeing me those bonus mods...

[cadaha]

You might be a bit interested in:
We Dive At Dawn download (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/downloads.php?do=file&id=3891) and Rel Thread (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=170639) (read all about it here)
which is one of the Bonus Mods they offer is you join the SubSim Navy. I'm waiting on my first retirement check, and I'm signing up. I've been eyeing me those bonus mods...

Thanks. When I get my naval pension I'll check it out. Has anyone got any experience with this mod and/or video footage etc?

[cadaha]

Finished the patrol on a high point. On the way back to base I managed to intercept 2 small convoys and wreak havoc.

Here the first convoy approaching as I set up my attack.
http://www.carlhackman.com/images/sh4002.jpg

T3 Tanker having a bad day. I only got credit for 4 of the units as a couple of Jap aircraft appeared and joined in on the attack as I surfaced to take out the remaining ships with the gun.
http://www.carlhackman.com/images/sh4003.jpg

Second convoy and again a very unhappy day for the T3 Tanker. I managed to sink two more of the convoy but the small tanker got away when I ran out of ammunition.
http://www.carlhackman.com/images/sh4004.jpg

Returned to base where I was awarded another medal, a promotion and a new shiny command.
http://www.carlhackman.com/images/sh4006.jpg

My running total after 5 patrols
http://www.carlhackman.com/images/sh4005.jpg

[max-peck]

Welcome aboard cadaha :salute:

I see you are now the proud new owner of a shiny new Type 21 :up:

[cadaha]

Welcome aboard cadaha :salute:

I see you are now the proud new owner of a shiny new Type 21 :up:

I am and I'm not that impressed to tell you the truth. Eats fuel and is a slippery sucker making it harder to position for attack also not sure if it is because I'm on patrol six but I seem to get detected a lot earlier so have had to abort more than one convoy attack due to Tribal Destroyers jumping on me very quickly even though I'm silent, periscope down etc.

I did get a lone Liberty Merchant though as I entered my patrol area :)
http://www.carlhackman.com/images/sh4007.jpg

Type 21 surfaced after sinking the Liberty
http://www.carlhackman.com/images/sh4008.jpg

[cadaha]

I've noticed a massive change in this patrol compared to the first 5. Every convoy is protected by one or more destroyers and they seem way overpowered compared to the first five patrols. Sitting quietly, even at almost max torpedo distance these escorts start pinging me as soon as they get within 3000 yds, meaning I have to break off the attack and go deep.

I'm not sure how to deal with them as they have no reason to know I'm there. I set up the attack way ahead of their arrival so as not to be detected. When I parallel their course I am over 7 miles away until I am about 10 miles ahead which should give me ample time to sit and wait.

[cadaha]

Finally had some success, but not without assistance.

I managed to set myself up for this attack and the Tribal Destroyer passed me without incident. I knew I had to keep my stern tubes as defence once I had launched my attack

http://www.carlhackman.com/images/sh4009.jpg

My two prime targets were a T3 Tanker and a Liberty Cargo. I fired two torpedoes at each target and destroyed the T3 immediately. The Liberty was disabled and dead in the water.

You can see the 4 fish running, the impact on both ships was almost simultaneous.
http://www.carlhackman.com/images/sh4010.jpg

Obviously this drew the attention of the Tribal Destroyer. Depth charges and pinging galore.
http://www.carlhackman.com/images/sh4011.jpg

As I had already anticipated trouble once my fish detonated I had called in assistance from the Auxiliary Cruiser to the south. I just had to stay alive until it arrived if I could.

http://www.carlhackman.com/images/sh4012.jpg

I went deep and followed a track to intercept the cruiser so that the Destroyer would be dragged along to meet its doom. The Cruiser arrived just in time and I blew ballast to arrive safely on the surface where I finished off the Liberty with one of the fish from my stern tubes.

Destroyer getting the business end of the Cruiser supporting me.
http://www.carlhackman.com/images/sh4013.jpg

I stayed alive and now have to allow my DC party to fix me up before I head off to seek more prey :)

[max-peck]

Nice work cadaha

I think what you are experiencing is the Allies getting exceptionally good at anti-submarine warfare as the war progressed

By 1943 they were absolutely top notch at it, and you may find it very difficult to survive beyond this point, even in a Type 21

But hey - good luck mate :up:

EDIT
Out of interest what is the date in your current career?
I have never played the U Boat missions in SH4, but your screenshots intrigue me.
I may just have to give it a go

[cadaha]

Nice work cadaha

I think what you are experiencing is the Allies getting exceptionally good at anti-submarine warfare as the war progressed

By 1943 they were absolutely top notch at it, and you may find it very difficult to survive beyond this point, even in a Type 21

But hey - good luck mate :up:

EDIT
Out of interest what is the date in your current career?
I have never played the U Boat missions in SH4, but your screenshots intrigue me.
I may just have to give it a go

Hi Max,

I didn't like the type 21 (possibly type XVIII) so went back to a save before the upgrade and stayed with older sub.

I'm at the moment in late 1943 which would explain the sudden ASW skill the allies have. I am noticing that the Tribal Destroyer is the beast at the moment and if I get a Clemson Destroyer as escort then I have more luck.

Currently I managed to put 2 fish intro a Liberty but missed with 2 against a T3 although I was trying long range shots to reduce detection. The Liberty is damaged but keeping up with the convoy. I have 2 fish left and once clear of the Clemson I may try and overhaul the convoy to finish off the Liberty Cargo. I have a Cruiser steaming towards my location which may get the Destroyer off my back and allow me to hunt down the convoy before it gets too far away.

I'm waiting to get my Mil pension so that I can see what the WDAD mod is like. I'd love to try a career as a Brit skipper :)

[Gerald]

Hi Cadaha! Welcome to SubSim and SH4.:salute:

[TheGreatElector]

I've noticed a massive change in this patrol compared to the first 5. Every convoy is protected by one or more destroyers and they seem way overpowered compared to the first five patrols. Sitting quietly, even at almost max torpedo distance these escorts start pinging me as soon as they get within 3000 yds, meaning I have to break off the attack and go deep.

I'm not sure how to deal with them as they have no reason to know I'm there. I set up the attack way ahead of their arrival so as not to be detected. When I parallel their course I am over 7 miles away until I am about 10 miles ahead which should give me ample time to sit and wait.

Welcome to subsim! :salute:

[cadaha]

Patrol 7 and the task is to take out a high value target. This one was guarded by three destroyers and a light cruiser, so after taking her out I went deep and slunk out of there. I am seeing the benefit of electric fish to confuse the escorts as to where the datum is. The ones escorting her started looking in completely the opposite side of the convoy to where I was.

The huge passenger liner having a bad time after taking 4 fish in her.

http://www.carlhackman.com/images/sh4014.jpg

I did have homing fish in my rear tubes and was hoping to grab an escort as I left the area, but these homing fish that use a ladder search pattern don't start the search until they reach 5km which makes them pretty useless for me. I'll probably stock up on the ones that go active after 400yds instead when I get home to see if they are better. The ones designed for taking out escorts sailed straight past the light cruiser without blinking as she was at around 4000 yds when they passed her.

Now to rack up some more tonnage on the journey back to base.

[cadaha]

I'm going to try OM again as I like the Atlantic Theater. I had problems with saved games before which is why I disabled the Mod but, after a clean reinstall and reading the posts about how to avoid crashes with Mega Mods, I'm going to give it another try. I'll try and run a, sort of, log about the patrols. I'll join the flotilla with the VII U-Boat as I like those (I didn't really get on with the IIB or IIC (slow and only 5 fish)).

I'm also going to add the 3000yd bearing plotter to the mod list as I prefer that plotter to the one in OM and I also prefer yds to metres (old school Navy Gunner ;) ) I know it isn't historically correct but I prefer to play that way. Maybe when I get more experienced I'll up the realism to KM and Mtrs. I always use limited fuel/O2/Battery life etc and Manual Targeting so I'm probably about half way there, realism wise. I keep contact updates and also external view (for screenshots) but keep event camera off.