Why do so many people like the primitive Type II???

[CV-707]

During my scan of the forums, I've noticed that many people seem to use the Type II as their major sub. Why? I mean it is after all the oldest sub in the game!!! Here in finland we have the prototype of the Type II, the CV-707 on display, I've been there hundreds of times and I just can't understand how people prefer it instead of the Type VII for example!!! Oh, and by the way, for more info on the CV-707 just click on the link in my signature :up:

[Dowly]

My guess would be it´s size. It´s harder to see. And it´s a more challenging to play with the II through the war. :)

[CV-707]

Challenging??? Almost impossible, you mean! :up:

[Syxx_Killer]

I like it because it is like a sports car. Good maneuverability, hard to see or hit, and dives quicker than anything. Also, having played the heck of the Type VII, IX, and XXI boats, it adds a new dimension to the game. You really have to be strategic in the way you place your torpedoes. You only get five. When I first played SHIII, I hated the Type II and was glad to get rid of it. Now, I think it is a fun little boat.

[Spaxspore]

I like it because it is like a sports car. Good maneuverability, hard to see or hit, and dives quicker than anything. Also, having played the heck of the Type VII, IX, and XXI boats, it adds a new dimension to the game. You really have to be strategic in the way you place your torpedoes. You only get five. When I first played SHIII, I hated the Type II and was glad to get rid of it. Now, I think it is a fun little boat.

Same here
IF u played the tar out of this game and want a challange, grab the II. Thats what am goin to do when i finish up my campaign

[eweber]

I like it because it is small. I hit Shift-F2 and can 'walk' around inside and even go the the caption's bunk.

I like sailing Black Sea missions with them too.....


;) ew

[PatAWilson]

I like to start in a Type II to "earn my stripes" so to speak. A couple of quick jaunts, sink a couple of ships to earn a Type VII, and then on with the rest of my career.

It's not at all impossible to sink things in a Type II. Both of my destroyer kills have come in this type. You're not going to come home with huge tonnage numbers, but you can certainly bring down a few.

Some further questions: does anybody prefer the Type VII C or the type VII C/41 to the VII B? I actualy think the B is a better boat with a higher top speed and submerged range. Same number of torpedoes. The Type VII C/42 is a major improvement with greatly enhanced dive depth and two extra fish, but I just don't see the advantage of the C and C/41 over the B.

[gdogghenrikson]

And it´s a more challenging to play with the II through the war.

more challanging?? dont you mean more easier?

[CV-707]

Easier? Are you CRAZY?
IMPOSSIBLE! :yep: :yep: :yep:

[Godalmighty83]

i would like easy, iam currently playing RUB 1.45 on 57% realism and havent sunk a ship in 3 patrols.....

[gdogghenrikson]

Easier? Are you CRAZY?
IMPOSSIBLE! :yep: :yep: :yep:

Why is it impossable?

[CV-707]

The type II is slow, without deckgun, bad flak gun, and not many reloads!!! It's range sucks and it's maximum dive depth, LOL !:roll: :roll: :roll:

[CCIP]

It dives quicker and is smaller. Those actually outweigh its' slowness and limited max depth, I believe - and, really, you don't need good flak if you can dive away in a snap. :hmm:

[gdogghenrikson]

It dives quicker and is smaller. Those actually outweigh its' slowness and limited max depth, I believe - and, really, you don't need good flak if you can dive away in a snap. :hmm:

well put

[H2OsKT]

I am starting a new career after colliding in a heavy fog with some DD. I lost a well seasoned crew and a VIIb. :dead: I was in the 1st Flotilla out of Brest at the time.

I decided to try the 7th Flotilla, 1939 and noticed that you get a better boat with the VIIb, but you have a less usefull crew. The VIIb comes with a medic and no sonar guy for some reason. Also, launching from Kiel is a real pain in order to get to any action.

If you take the IIA with the 1st Flotilla in 1939, you have relatively short mission distances and you start out with a Sonar guy, which is very very useful. I think the smaller boat is a lot easier to manage a crew with and as someone else indicated, you can put a couple patrols under your belt, rank up a bit and then take over the bigger boats for the longer tours. I only wish the Type II could have a real deck gun! :hmm:

[CV-707]

What good is a quick dive if the aircraft have time to bomb you???
After all, we all now how the lookout crew tells us that wewe been detected 2 seconds before the ship in question rams you!!! Same is for aircraft.

:|\ :|\ :|\ ~S~ :|\ :|\ :|\

[CCIP]

But you're a much smaller target to hit. Just compare it from this famous shot by Markhimov :hmm:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a172/hockeemaster/SH3%20misc/132ba5d6.jpg

I'd rather be bombed in a IIA than IXD, I think :doh:

[CV-707]

Well, thats true. But the allied aircraft had VERY accurate bombsights. Trust me, I have 5 years of flight and combat flightsimming behind me!
But of course, the Type II is smaller; and the chances for getting hit are also smaller. :know: :know: :know:

[Heibges]

Torpedo Allocation and Fuel Management were two of the most important skills for a kaluen to develop. No where are these more important than in the Type II.

[Kalach]

I love the type II :D
It's almost invisable at night - and day for that matter.
You have a excellent 25sec dive time, it's an impossibly small target to hit, its size proberly makes it harder to find by pinging.
It's the only sub in that fleet that can really be called stealthy :know:
Less torpedos means less kills, but also quicker, safer patrols.

I've only survived up to late '44 in a VIIC (and '42 in a IX :oops: ), but i'm only months away from surviving the war in my IID.

You also eventually get a larger tower (on the IID anyway) so it's not as crowded :D


What could you not like on the II's??

[P_Funk]

IIs are better cause aircraft arent that accurate. They often when Im being bombed in a VII or a IX miss by a fair amount of room. So a II is smaller and the margin for error in a successful hit are significantly more. That plus by the late war super heavy flak wasn't as omni-destructive as it might seem. With such a fast dive time that means that the bombers have to hit you on the first go. They miss you're already gone and a small little sub is harder to predict after its submerged. Stealth was always the submarine's trump card. It just wasn't designed to be an anti-aircraft platform. IIs represent the spirit of submarine strategy much more I believe.

Bah. End

[CV-707]

That's true, though.

[DAB]

I'd imagine there are plenty of situations where the Type II is preferable. Operations in the Baltic - the often forgotten Black Sea Campaign. Operations in the shallows off the British South Coast.

I can think of a few imaginary campaigns where a Type II would have had an advantage over a type VII. Operation Sealion, had it reached the actual invasion stage would have needed Submarines to blockade British Ports. I suspect a Type II-D would have been better for closing off Rosyth and Plymouth then a Type VII.

Especially if exposed to the Royal Navy Air Corp strikes and (the few surviving elements of...) the RAF

[Axlwolf]

Harbour raid and short patrol :D
It's one of my favorite boat (The other is the type IX)

[VonHelsching]

I agree with most of the comments posted. Type II is indeed stealthy. But the prospect of getting a brand new Type 7 with a shiny deck gun is very tempting...

One of my best missions though, was when I sneaked into Scapa Flow with my Type 2 and nailed a Revenge Battleship with a salvo of 3 torpedos.

[kiwi_2005]

I dont like the IIA boats, the RUB 1.45 mod in the campaign gave me 8 damn patrols in this boat!

i was so relieve when the VIIB showed up.

[CV-707]

Many of you have quoted to the fact of the Type II being smaller and so harder to hit by anti-sibmarine weapons. I fully agree with you on that point. But as it is smaller, it also is more vulnerable. Think of a Type IX for example. A well placed depth charge might do damage to it, but in most cases, not sink it though. The same depth charge placed near a Type II howewer, most probably would sink it! The same goes also for hedgehogs, gun rounds and bombs! The Type II is harder to hit, I agree. But it is also a LOT more vulnerable!

:|\ :|\ ~S~ :|\ :|\

[HMCS]

I have only been DC'ed once in a Type-II, and I think that the dugout canoe's maneuvrability saved my ass.

[TLAM Strike]

But you're a much smaller target to hit. Just compare it from this famous shot by Markhimov :hmm:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a172/hockeemaster/SH3%20misc/132ba5d6.jpg

I'd rather be bombed in a IIA than IXD, I think :doh:
You’re thinking about bombing in the wrong way. Yes you're smaller lengthwise but the beam of the II is only about half the beam of the VII at the tanks and nearly the same at the rest of the hull. When a ship is being bombed you put the attacking aircraft off you're beam so they have the smallest target to land their bombs on. The attacking aircraft has to aim at a smaller area (which is a problem if attacking with torpedoes) but the area they have to hit isn't much smaller, its very easy for a pilot to add a little rudder to make the bombs land on you.

[Caseck]

Never understood why they bothered with the TYPE XXI in SH3 when the TYPE XXIII (the advanced TYPE II with streamlined hull) actually DID do combat patrols and sinks stuff, and was generally considered much more successful.

[CB..]

Never understood why they bothered with the TYPE XXI in SH3 when the TYPE XXIII (the advanced TYPE II with streamlined hull) actually DID do combat patrols and sinks stuff, and was generally considered much more successful.

have-ing just looked it up i'd have to agree!
62 of this type had entered service by the end of the war--

9 seconds crash dive time--very handy--max submerged speed 12.5 knots
could cruise at 4 knots submerged for allmost two days

a coastal boat so less glamourous than a XXI but --far more relevant

[toryu]

Speaking for myself, and my 2 alter-ego captains, I have fond memories of the Type IIA and D. I started out Joachim Steiner in 1st Flotilla in a Type IIA. It's a very manouverable boat. No doubt about it. It can turn on a dime, and it dives quickly. It's like the ninja of the Uboat world. A ninja doesn't beat you to death - he stealthily assassinates you. Also, I loved the way in storms, the boat would rock all over the place. Seasick or what. I did jump at the chance to upgrade to the Type VII. More torpedoes, and a longer submerged range. Those were the big factors for me. The VII can still dive quite quickly. Especially compared to the Type IX. Oy.

I'm still making my way from Lorient down to Capetown in a Type IXC, as commanded by KL Karl Fischer. I've been at sea since Feb. 2nd 1942, I have 4500 kilometers to go, and it's March 8th. Which brings up another benefit of the Type II - you don't get assigned these ridiculous long patrols. I've endured calm weather and foul weather, and the big Type IX just ploughs its way along. It's very steady in bad weather. It's got a big two-stage gun platform, for 2 20mm zwilling emplacements. It's got more torpedoes than I can count. BUT...
It dives slow. 45 seconds to get down past 10 meters depth. And in 1942 that is very dangerous. I've been bounced by Catalinas and Sunderlands 4 times on this trip. There doesn't seem to be any way to avoid getting the rear deck plastered with bombs as I'm diving away. The Type II doesn't have that problem. It's too small, and too quick. The first time I was bounced I had flak and deck guns destroyed, and the radio knocked out. I stopped at Bordeaux that time for repairs. 2nd time, I just got some light repairs to the conning tower. 3d time I had some more light repairs to the conning tower and flak gun. 4th time... wellllllllllll I was distracted at the time.... I was running on the surface in calm seas because my wife distracted me and I didn't dive at dawn like I usually do. Stop playing that stupid computer game... so I had the flak guns destroyed, the diesel engines destroyed, flooding and 1 dead crew. He was in the diesel compartment at the time and got fried, I guess. The boat was slowly sinking, and bleeding oil (nice effect!) when I decided to dump that, and revert to the earlier save. Yes, yes I know, but I have my excuse.

So learn to love the Type II subs. Damned fine boat if you learn how to use it.

[Kalach]

Never understood why they bothered with the TYPE XXI in SH3 when the TYPE XXIII (the advanced TYPE II with streamlined hull) actually DID do combat patrols and sinks stuff, and was generally considered much more successful.

The modders are working out all the tricks of importing new models, perhaps oneday we will get the XXIII :)


Also, although the II's don't get the snorkel it's the only boat I feel safe on the surface with from '44. Day or night, its too hard to see, too hard to hit, and will dive quickly enough from anything :know:

Once I get my snorkel in the VII or IX we never see sunlight again ;)

[Ducimus]

But you're a much smaller target to hit. Just compare it from this famous shot by Markhimov :hmm:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a172/hockeemaster/SH3%20misc/132ba5d6.jpg

I'd rather be bombed in a IIA than IXD, I think :doh:


I have looked all over for a picture like that, and here i find it, in a seemingly unrelated thread :rofl:

[Sailor Steve]

I like the Type II just because it's cute.

[Fandango]

Because if you miss the target or in case of a not successful mission, you can always blame it to the boat and fell good about it. With a better boat you cannot do that...

[CV-707]

You've got me on your team, those of you who love the Type II. By the way, which is better, IIa or IId??? :|\ :|\ :|\

[CV-707]

Whoa! I had quite a strange experience in the Type II. And it's never happened in any other type, trust me! I was approaching a convoy from the bow, with an angle of about 45 degrees. I was on periscope depth, and as I closed in I ordered silent running. As there were two destroyers up front I decided to dive to 100m and stop the engines, quietly waiting for the destroyers to pass and the convoy to be above me. Well, the destroyers sure passed and I ordered periscope depth and still silent running with engines stopped. I popped up in the midst of the convoy, during a clear day without much waves. I sank two C2's, (incredible) and the destroyers headed directly for me. Howewer they did not know where I was, and so I ordered 126 meters dive (the bottom) and stopped engines. Peacefully resting on the seafloor I then waited hearing the destroyers over me. They didn't recognize me from the bottom. But as I used the free camera view to look at my boat, i got shocked noticing a huge bubble "fountain" coming from my boat and heading for the surface. My crew told me that "OXYGEN RESERVE DOWN TO 5%, CAPTAIN"! And no sign of damage at all!!! Just as if someone would have opened all the air walves! I had no choice but to surface, using my last eel to try and hit the destroyer. It certainly hit, and the destroyer sank. After that I hurried to my home port, trying to dive on the way, but always the same thing; on the surface oxygen reserves was 100%, but as soon as I dived the oxygen would start bubbling out of my boat at incredible speed. Well in port I used my renown to buy the IId, and that solved the problem. It's never happened before, and I just wonder what "it" was!!! Anybody able to help me???

~S~

:arrgh!: :|\ :arrgh!: :|\ :arrgh!:

Oh, and if you wonder where the other destroyer went, so do I!!! It disappeared!

[Spaxspore]

Whoa! I had quite a strange experience in the Type II. And it's never happened in any other type, trust me! I was approaching a convoy from the bow, with an angle of about 45 degrees. I was on periscope depth, and as I closed in I ordered silent running. As there were two destroyers up front I decided to dive to 100m and stop the engines, quietly waiting for the destroyers to pass and the convoy to be above me. Well, the destroyers sure passed and I ordered periscope depth and still silent running with engines stopped. I popped up in the midst of the convoy, during a clear day without much waves. I sank two C2's, (incredible) and the destroyers headed directly for me. Howewer they did not know where I was, and so I ordered 126 meters dive (the bottom) and stopped engines. Peacefully resting on the seafloor I then waited hearing the destroyers over me. They didn't recognize me from the bottom. But as I used the free camera view to look at my boat, i got shocked noticing a huge bubble "fountain" coming from my boat and heading for the surface. My crew told me that "OXYGEN RESERVE DOWN TO 5%, CAPTAIN"! And no sign of damage at all!!! Just as if someone would have opened all the air walves! I had no choice but to surface, using my last eel to try and hit the destroyer. It certainly hit, and the destroyer sank. After that I hurried to my home port, trying to dive on the way, but always the same thing; on the surface oxygen reserves was 100%, but as soon as I dived the oxygen would start bubbling out of my boat at incredible speed. Well in port I used my renown to buy the IId, and that solved the problem. It's never happened before, and I just wonder what "it" was!!! Anybody able to help me???

~S~

:arrgh!: :|\ :arrgh!: :|\ :arrgh!:

Oh, and if you wonder where the other destroyer went, so do I!!! It disappeared!


Very strange, am in late '39 and still using the IIa (IId doesnt seem to be aviable yet) and ive been submerged for over 48 game hours (i was sneaking past the straight of gibatier) and i had no problems with oxgen, but my batt was below 25% when i finally got out of the patrolers range.

[CV-707]

Strange indeed, I must say!

:huh: :huh: :huh: :huh: :huh: :huh:

[Marhkimov]

I don't use the Type II, but I must agree with Sailor Steve. I think he has a good point...

I like the Type II just because it's cute.
And it comes with a net cutter. Cute indeed! :D :D :D

[Spaxspore]

I don't use the Type II, but I must agree with Sailor Steve. I think he has a good point...

I like the Type II just because it's cute.
And it comes with a net cutter. Cute indeed! :D :D :D


Cute.. .to hell with that...


Its DEAD Sexy!!! :yep:

[CV-707]

Absolutely right (again), Spaxspore :up: :up: :up: :up: :up: :up:

[drEaPer]

I played both types. VII is neat, but its missing a deck gun. And the deck gun saved my day more than once in shallow waters (against patrol crafts), so I know that I defiantely dont wanna miss it.

[CV-707]

Well, the VII's deckgun has saved me too. But still I like the Type II more! :hmm: :hmm: :hmm:

[Kalach]

You've got me on your team, those of you who love the Type II. By the way, which is better, IIa or IId??? :|\ :|\ :|\

I like the IID much more, mostly because you actualy have some fuel onboard. No rowwing for a IID crew :D

[CV-707]

:cool: