What's your favorite U-boat?...and why?

[BaronVonSchnitzel]

I've commanded several types of boats in SHIII, and have my own opinions about which type is best. I think people in the forum would like to hear preferences about different types of subs, and why. Do you like small and stealthy, or do you prefer a large, sophisticated ship that can carry lots of eels?


Come on folks, whaddya think? :hmm:


Edit: I wanted an option for the Type XXI, but it wasn't included in the poll. (Don't know what happened.) I'd be interested in hearing comments about the XXI, as it's a sub I haven't tried yet.

[STAR 80]

I absolutely love the 1939 VIIB. No frills, no super XXI sub, just roughing it. The way it was. Granted I know the VIIC was the workhorse, but I am for some reason really drawn to the VIIB. And the 1939 boat, creepy maybe it was my past life kinda thing.

[Marhkimov]

You can guess what I voted for.


The TypeII has too few eels...
The TypeIX has too many eels...
The TypeVII feels just right...

Then the three bears returned home to find little red ri..... oh wait, wrong story... :lol:

[Average Joe]

They all work well with a 'vivid-crisp' looking black-tipped T1 :)

[Marhkimov]

They all work well with a 'vivid-crisp' looking black-tipped T1 :)

:up: :up: :up:

[Average Joe]

:up: :up: :up:

I was wondering if you might even see that post, which only took all of 60 seconds! :P

[Marhkimov]

Texturemen have very keen eyes. ;)

[Alyebard]

tipe VII, good times to crash dive, enough torps, enough operational range. :rock:

[Average Joe]

Come on folks, whaddya think? :hmm:

I still enjoy the VII-C the most. Although sometimes switching to VII-C/42 late in the war.

Others have posted how agile the V-II series boats are. I've tried them but not too seriously.

IX series (and XXI too) feel too wayyy too big for me, although the IX-series is nice for building-up renown early on in the battle.

[hakkikt]

The Type II.
Because:
- it best relates the feeling of "the sea is so vast, and this boat is so small", a feeling regularly described by U-Boat crew;
- every single torp counts;
- you are never tempted to slug it out on the surface with either escorts or aircraft.

Yes, I have yielded to temptation in every campaign so far and upgraded to a bigger boat; I have driven everything except IXDs, but looking back, it was always the Type II that gave me the creepiest U-Boat feeling.

[larsen]

My favorite is also the type VIIB, however I'm currently running a campaign in a IXD2 that started in January 43 and the immersion is awesome. Average patrol time 86 days, average number/tons of ships sunk 8/42372 and average hull integrity back to port 58%. I can tell you that in 43-44 you rarely try to attack convoys, most of the ships I sunk were alone or unescorted (happened to me twice in the Carribeans : 2 ships sailing together with no escort). Also, make sure you pack your rear tubes with lots of Falke/Zaunkönig torps !
Ooops, I think I went a little OT...
;)

[FERdeBOER]

Type VII. Fast, agile, small... hard... :up:

[Skubber]

I am drawn to the type IX boats like a moth to the flame.

That is to say, I love them, but they kill me every time.

Right now I am up to 18 patrols in a type VII-C, by far my best effort so far.

But I am sure I will go back to the nines ... someone stop me before it is too late!

[kiwi_2005]

I just love the look of the IXD2 boats. Beautiful boats. Actually i can't wait to get one of these in the campaign.

[wetwarev7]

I like the VII, but I allways get the IX, because of the extra eels. I just hate to see a ship get away.....
Oh! And the extra bunk room. My crew likes to take naps. :lol:

[BaronVonSchnitzel]

I agree with what most of you have said. I prefer the VII as well.

The II is just too small....makes me claustrophobic. Not enough torps to make a cruise worthwhile.

The IX is nice and large, but maybe too large. It's not nimble enough to quickly maneuver into a firing position.

[Walsung]

VII( and specially VIIB because it was my first sub :) ). Everything is well balanced, handling and capacity to turn, dive time, and firepower.

[Sulikate]

I'd say VII, because it carries a good number of fishes, has a reasonable surface speed, range, and is able to make sharp turns, that are very helpfull while dodging depth charges :arrgh!:

[coronas]

Type IX in the begining, I like the long range patrols....Type VII from middle until the end of the war..

[BaronVonSchnitzel]

The Type II.
Because:
- it best relates the feeling of "the sea is so vast, and this boat is so small", a feeling regularly described by U-Boat crew;
- every single torp counts;
- you are never tempted to slug it out on the surface with either escorts or aircraft.

Yes, I have yielded to temptation in every campaign so far and upgraded to a bigger boat; I have driven everything except IXDs, but looking back, it was always the Type II that gave me the creepiest U-Boat feeling.


I can appreciate what it must be like to drive the Type II, perhaps at higher realism settings. I'm just not that type of sub simmer (yet?) I don't play at terribly high realism settings. The VII is the best ship for me, for the same reasons that most people have mentioned.

[BaronVonSchnitzel]

I am drawn to the type IX boats like a moth to the flame.

That is to say, I love them, but they kill me every time.

Right now I am up to 18 patrols in a type VII-C, by far my best effort so far.

But I am sure I will go back to the nines ... someone stop me before it is too late!


Why do the IX's kill you?

[zombiewolf]

I like the II :|\ .
Its nice and cozy,I found a secret smoking area.I give the crew a contact buzz :up: :rotfl:

[zoso791]

My favortie is the tyep II becuase:
1. They're really hard to depthchage when you run silent.
2. You can sneak into any port because you only need less the 12 meters to dive.
3. every torpedo has to be used properly or you're out of luck

Jasiu lentowicz

[BaronVonSchnitzel]

I like the II :|\ .
Its nice and cozy,I found a secret smoking area.I give the crew a contact buzz :up: :rotfl:


Do you have to provision lots of chocolate, Cheetos and sweets for the munchies? :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

[snowsub]

I am drawn to the type IX boats like a moth to the flame.

That is to say, I love them, but they kill me every time.

Right now I am up to 18 patrols in a type VII-C, by far my best effort so far.

But I am sure I will go back to the nines ... someone stop me before it is too late!


Why do the IX's kill you?

cause they're sluggish and take ages to CD, by the time you get "Aircraft Spotted" call and you CD, your tower is just going into the water when you get bombed. but having decks awash improves the time to dive. I recommend it lol

Plus they turn worse than a truck and stand out like dogs b... to asdiic.

I've only had 1 time sofar using RUB where I've survived a air attack.

Personally I like the 7series, but currently most of my time is spent in a 9 :roll: :oops:

[BaronVonSchnitzel]

I am drawn to the type IX boats like a moth to the flame.

That is to say, I love them, but they kill me every time.

Right now I am up to 18 patrols in a type VII-C, by far my best effort so far.

But I am sure I will go back to the nines ... someone stop me before it is too late!

Why do the IX's kill you?

cause they're sluggish and take ages to CD, by the time you get "Aircraft Spotted" call and you CD, your tower is just going into the water when you get bombed. but having decks awash improves the time to dive. I recommend it lol

Plus they turn worse than a truck and stand out like dogs b... to asdiic.

I've only had 1 time sofar using RUB where I've survived a air attack.

Personally I like the 7series, but currently most of my time is spent in a 9 :roll: :oops:

OK... I do know what you mean. I just started a patrol in a IXC with the 10th flotilla. We'll see what happens.

[Kpt. Lehmann]

I like all of them exept the Type XXI... My favorite would be the VIIC just because it was the workhorse.

[BaronVonSchnitzel]

I like all of them exept the Type XXI... My favorite would be the VIIC just because it was the workhorse.


What didn't you like about the XXI? It's the only ship I haven't driven yet.

[harzfeld]

I like all of them exept the Type XXI... My favorite would be the VIIC just because it was the workhorse.


What didn't you like about the XXI? It's the only ship I haven't driven yet.

I am not fond of XXI either except for its speed underwater and stronger hull able to go deeper than other types to get away from destroyers easy. When I intercepted a convoy in XXI, I fired last torp at a tanker, the tanker stopped, all other ships moving away. Thats when I wished I had deck gun to take out that tanker. I also prefer to have rear torp bays like IIV or IX with homing/passive in case Im being chased by destroyers, XXI doesnt have rear which make it harder to keep destroyers off your back while attacking a convoy. Also XXI has problem with keeping at periscope depth even at snorkel. If XXI also has rear torp bays for taking out destroyers, and deck gun to take out remaining ships when Im out of torps, then I would play with it more. btw XXI is pretty sluggish at turning left/right.

[BaronVonSchnitzel]

Thanks, Harzfeld. That's kind of the impression I had about the XXI. I do like my deck guns.

[Walsung]

I still prefer the VIIB like i said but i must say after testing it, the XXI is an amazing sub. The only problem is that so few were commissioned and so late that using one at the period it becomes available in the stock game it's a little like playing at "What if" with history (but it is interesting anyway to do that on a game). Sub warfare changes totally from late 43 and the XXI is the only boat were you have a fair chance to survive and do something at almost equal odds. there are some things that you just can't do after 43 like using the deck gun for example (specially with a more realistic rate of fire) because it's the quicker way to have a fast death from the sky. Sailing surfaced or even snorkeling in day time the same thing.
What i noticed is that XXI has an amazing stealth capacity, you can creep on your target at a speed that would be flank ahead on another sub. Diving time and capacity, speed underwater, stealth, toughness, gives you just the edge you need to escape situations were you'll be dead your IXC. The torpedo reloading rate is really impressive and gives you really an extra punch.
For me, the turning capacity of the XXI are not a problem when you used already a IX type and neither the fact you don't have stern torpedo. On a campaign, when you install the fixes by Cdr Gibs and Jungman you can really enjoy your XXI specially playing on a realistic basis.

So what i just wanted to say it's that i don't really include the XXI on my prefered list for historical reasons (VIIB is my prefered in that point of view) but i must recognise that the XXI is an incredible sub, with you can do things and take risks you can't afford with any other sub in 44 or 45 ;)

[Cdre Gibs]

Type XXI all the way for me. Why - because its the only boat that has ½ a chance to survive when all others fail.

Speed

Distance

Depth

Loadout

Stealth

Plus I know many wont agree with this but turning. U can Start a High Speed turn, kill the engine and drift far away from any DD. And with the TIX G7es – Zaunkönig II and the TVII G7ut Loaded its always 1 torp, 1 kill.

Fun Boat is the Type VIIC UFlack for me. Give them AC some payback , 3 x 37mm duals is a great equalizer :)

[GUNTHERPOPE]

As a builder of model subs the VII whether A B C or whatever has gotta be the most classic sub ever, everyones idea of what a sub should look like, even Joe Public can recognise one! :)

[BaronVonSchnitzel]

I am drawn to the type IX boats like a moth to the flame.

That is to say, I love them, but they kill me every time.

Right now I am up to 18 patrols in a type VII-C, by far my best effort so far.

But I am sure I will go back to the nines ... someone stop me before it is too late!


Why do the IX's kill you?

cause they're sluggish and take ages to CD, by the time you get "Aircraft Spotted" call and you CD, your tower is just going into the water when you get bombed. but having decks awash improves the time to dive. I recommend it lol

Plus they turn worse than a truck and stand out like dogs b... to asdiic.

I've only had 1 time sofar using RUB where I've survived a air attack.

Personally I like the 7series, but currently most of my time is spent in a 9 :roll: :oops:

I agree with most of what you said, but as far as diving times (to periscope depth) I don't cruise on the surface at high TC with ANY boat later in the war. Those pesky airplanes...like mosquitos.

[Mike 'Red Ocktober' Hense]

i'm gonna go along with the TypeII guys... as far as SH is concerned...

i like the cramped feel of the interior... sorta gives the best impression out of all of em of being aboard a submarine...

in spite of the short range and short supply of torps, i enjoy crewing the IID the most out of all of em...

... too bad they didn't see fit to add the XXIII, the replacement for the TypeII in the short range, coastal defense/offense role...

http://a1204.g.akamai.net/7/1204/1401/05051813011/images.barnesandnoble.com/images/9670000/9679296.jpg

--Mike

[ICBM]

IXC fanboy here. :rock:

http://home.hetnet.nl/~wouter-himself/SH3/VIXC.jpg

Yeah they are big but carry so much torps and fuel that it's worth it a 100%. The boat only needs a skilled Kaleun
who is not going 'rambo' on convoys, using it like a PT-boat..
(A CrashDive hint, don't try to CD imidiatly, first hit flank and then CD when the speed is maxed, also, don't turn while CD'ing.)

Oh and btw, they look very impressive! Any IX Kaleun would agree with me that there is not much else that looks so awesome as seeing a IX plow tru the Atlantic storms.

So sum it up: IX boats are for Kaleuns with balls! :arrgh!:

[U-104]

Is that a picture of U-123? And I'm an IXC fan, too. My IXC U-101 got me all the way back home across the Atlantic on 2 percent hull integrity. :rock:

[U-104]

U-123
Type IXB
Laid down 15 Apr, 1939 AG Weser, Bremen
Commissioned 30 May, 1940 Kptlt. Karl-Heinz Moehle
Commanders 30 May, 1940 - 19 May, 1941 Kptlt. Karl-Heinz Moehle (Knights Cross)
19 May, 1941 - 31 Jul, 1942 Kptlt. Reinhard Hardegen (Knights Cross)
1 Aug, 1942 - 17 Jun, 1944 Oblt. Horst von Schroeter (Knights Cross)

Career 12 patrols 30 May, 1940 - 30 Sep, 1940 2. Flottille (training)
1 Oct, 1940 - 17 Jun, 1944 2. Flottille (front boat)
18 Jun, 1944 - 1 Aug, 1944 2. Flottille (Frontschulboot)

Successes 42 ships sunk for a total of 219.924 GRT
1 auxiliary warship sunk for a total of 3.209 GRT
1 warship sunk for a total of 683 tons
5 ships damaged for a total of 39.584 GRT
1 auxiliary warship damaged for a total of 13.984 GRT
Fate Taken out of service at Lorient, France 17 Jun 1944. Scuttled there 19 Aug 1944. Surrendered to France in 1945 and became the French submarine Blaison. Stricken 18 Aug 1959 as Q165.


U-123 was one of the most famous U-boats in the war. U-123 took part in the opening of the Paukenschlag (Drumbeat) operations in January 1942 and completed two very successful patrols on the US east coast.




Men lost from the boat
17 Nov, 1940
The U-123 lost a seaman overboard. [Mechanikergefreiter Fritz Pfeifer]

27 Mar, 1942
The American Q-ship Atik (Carolyn) and U-123 had a gunnery duel off the US east coast. One man from U-123 was fatally wounded in the action and died a few hours later, the Atik was sunk. [Fähnrich zur See Rudi Holzer]

7 Nov, 1943
The famous U-boat was attacked by a Mosquito aircraft from the 618 Squadron suffering 1 man dead and 2 wounded.

Related: For more info on such losses see - Men lost from U-boats -


(Taken from Uboat.net)

You have a very successful boat. :up:

[BaronVonSchnitzel]

Thanks ICBM!

I'm doing a IXC patrol now. The U-802 of the 10th flotilla. Killed me a coastal merchant last night. I'm just warming up, got lots of torps left and I'm planning on using them.


AARGH! :arrgh!: