VIIB vs IXC?

[Der Eisen-Wal]

Hi all,

I'm looking to transfering from Flotilla 1, it's Feb, 1942 and I'd like a chnage of scene. I've been patrolling the North Atlantic for too long.
I was wondering what would be a good ship to switch to, from the stats, the IXC is bigger, holds a few more crew, 8 more torps and dives 7 seconds later. However I'm not sure about the range. I would like to travel to New York and Capetown, and sink some big liners or BBs. i really don't want to waste any hard earned renown on something that only gives a marginal differnece. can the IXC make the trip comfortably or would it have to rely on electric most of the time? Is this a good switch at this time in the career timeline?

much thanks

[bigboywooly]

Well the official stats are

Technical information for type VIIB



Displacement:(tons)753 (sf) 857 (sm)1040 (total)
Length: (m)66,50 oa48,80 ph
Beam: (m)6,20 oa4,70 ph
Draught: (draft)4,74 m
Height:9,50 m
Power: (hp)3200 (sf) 750 (sm)
Speed:(knots)17,9 (sf) 8,0 (sm)
Range:(miles / knots)8700/10 (sf) 90/4 (sm)
Torpedoes:144/1 (bow / stern tubes)
Mines:26 TMA
Deck gun:88/45/220 rounds
Crew:44-48 men
Max depth:ca. 220 m(722 feet)
sm = submerged, sf = surfaced, ph = pressure hull,
oa = overall, hp = horsepower.


Technical information for type IXC



Displacement:(tons)1120 (sf) 1232 (sm)1540 (total)
Length: (m)76,76 oa58,75 ph
Beam: (m)6,76 oa4,40 ph
Draught: (draft)4,70 m
Height:9,40 m
Power: (hp)4400 (sf) 1000 (sm)
Speed:(knots)18,3 (sf) 7,3 (sm)
Range:(miles / knots)13450/10 (sf)63/4 (sm)
Torpedoes:22 4/2 (bow / stern tubes)
Mines:44 TMA
Deck gun:105/45/110 rounds
Crew:48-56 men
Max depth:ca. 230 m(755 feet)
sm = submerged, sf = surfaced, ph = pressure hull,
oa = overall, hp = horsepower.

I know from in the game that at about 6-7 kts the V11B has a range of about 25,000km and as the 1XC has a bigger fuel load you can safely make to the states no problem - take it steady you wont be far off in a V11B

[Ducimus]

Do you really want me to answer this question? :D
If you have a yearning to haunt the US east coast or carribean, your choice is clear.

As an aside id recommend d/l a mod that puts all subs stats at thier correct values, vanilla has quite a few mistakes and the diferences between subtypes wont be as pronounced as they should be.

[Der Eisen-Wal]

thanks for the replies.

I am definitely going to go download the GW and NYGM mods, to make the ports more lively... i've played 3 years with empty docks :( I played a mission with the XXI and it was so fast, too bad i have to wait until 44. so there are no real differences right?

[CCIP]

No, no, see Ducimius' post!

The VIIB and IXC couldn't be more different, they need different play styles. The IXC is a more sluggish boat, but does it ever make up for it in range! If you're planning to go anywhere further than the middle of the Atlantic, it shouldn't even be a question - you NEED a IX there.

Meanwhile, I think one day Ducimius and myself will have to have some sort of heavyweight U-boat showdown for the title of the most vocal and prolific Type IX fanatic in the SHIII world :88)

[CCIP]

By the way, 1942 is the time of "Operation Drumbeat", the most successful part of the war for U-boats - that being the slaughter of traffic along the North American coast and the Gulf of Mexico/Caribbean. This is when, historically, Type IX U-boats won their title to the most successful U-boat type - mostly through their ability to get to places where escorts are few and tankers are many :up:

[Ducimus]

so there are no real differences right?

Historically, theres quite a bit of difference. They're nowere even near being the similar.

To put it in SH3 terms, IXB has over the VIIB:

- More fuel, therego more range

- 7 more torpedo's. (edit: oops, IXC.... make that 8 more torpedo's)


- 1 additional stern tube, for a total of 2 stern torpedo tubes as well as the standard 4 in the bow. If you have a standard practice of using two torpedo's on mediem and large cargo/tanker's this is key as it makes your stern alot more deadly.

[Der Eisen-Wal]

I got the IXC... and transfered to the 10th. I spent about 11000 renown on the upgrades but i'm excited for my next patrol. gonna go to the carib and sink some liners :) what ports are good to frequent? i'll have GW and NYGM.

[Ducimus]

You wont see Liners. What you will see is a fair amount of T2 and T3 tankers, wit ha smattering of C2's and C3'. Next best thing :D

DB98 is a good stretch to patrol, thats off of Eastern florida coast, just west of the Bahammas.. If you can pinpoint the shippin lane you can sit there, sink tankers and be out of fish in about 5 days. Another good spot is the straights in between Cuba and Haiti. Waters north of , approaching to, trinidad isnt too bad. Its the destination for alot of shipping.
http://sprojects.mmi.mcgill.ca/tropmed/geography/caribbean/caribean-map.gif


If you have any form of harbor traffic mod installed, do pay a visit to curraco's deep water port.

If its early 42, get there and get your bag. After mid 42 the traffic in the caribean slow's down.

[andy_311]

You wont see Liners. What you will see is a fair amount of T2 and T3 tankers, wit ha smattering of C2's and C3'. Next best thing :D

DB98 is a good stretch to patrol, thats off of Eastern florida coast, just west of the Bahammas.. If you can pinpoint the shippin lane you can sit there, sink tankers and be out of fish in about 5 days. Another good spot is the straights in between Cuba and Haiti. Waters north of , approaching to, trinidad isnt too bad. Its the destination for alot of shipping.
http://sprojects.mmi.mcgill.ca/tropmed/geography/caribbean/caribean-map.gif


If you have any form of harbor traffic mod installed, do pay a visit to curraco's deep water port.

If its early 42, get there and get your bag. After mid 42 the traffic in the caribean slow's down.

I disagree I think after Mid 42 the carribean hots up.Go to ED98 NW of Port of Spain and park you boat in dead centre of the outlet all traffic going to Port of spain or leaving has to go through this passage including convoys I think the passage is only about 4miles wide.the down side its very shallow.
So when the ships start going down especially T2,T3,Liberty,Victory, etc there bows will petrude out of the water and the thing starts looking like a ships graveyard.:smug:

[tycho102]

I am very partial to AM-38, up to mid-1943, on the "stock" install.

It's reasonably close, just outside air coverage, and has a convoy passing by every ~50 hours. You're far enough out to run three or four end-arounds to finish up the big boats, and load externals for the next convoy. When the task forces sail up into the North Sea, their route passes about 700km east of you (i.e. easily interceptable).

It's been good hunting.

[Ducimus]

I disagree I think after Mid 42 the carribean hots up.Go

Depends on the mod really. I think most are using some varient of Unified campagin/HT/IC, and by default, the traffic spawn freqency is reduced sometime in late 42 or early 43. Traffic has a 20% to spawn every 24 to 48 hours. That 20% chance gets reduced to an 8% chance. It's a marked difference in 43 for sure.

[Der Eisen-Wal]

wow great hunting tips. much appreciated.

i'm wondering, do IXC's have snorkels?

[U-104]

:yep:

[Ducimus]

and if you go by default settings, you get a type 3 conning tower in 42 instead of 43 like the type 7's.(although personally i made my ix/3 tower in 43 and snorkel in 44 instead of 43, i have this death with planes i guess)

[robj250]

Need some advice. I just finished my 36th patrol in December 1942, using a fully upgraded VIIB. My base is St. Nazaire. Kinda got used to the VIIB and don't think I'll change for 1943. However, what torpedo would you recommend I load it with? Also, should I transfer to Lorient?

[Der Eisen-Wal]

Need some advice. I just finished my 36th patrol in December 1942, using a fully upgraded VIIB. My base is St. Nazaire. Kinda got used to the VIIB and don't think I'll change for 1943. However, what torpedo would you recommend I load it with? Also, should I transfer to Lorient?

depends on ur style. I was in your same position, not quite so many patrosl though. I got the new homing torps but they're useless to me since I usually raid harbours or convoys, unless you want to take on something going facter than 12knots they're useless. And if they're going 12+ knots they are probably BB or Destroyers. Frankly I prefer the Type I, since they're fast and I usually strike at night, or get close enough that they can't evade. I strike within 800m. I dislike Type II because they're too slow so i usually only keep 3 or 4 on board. you can change by going to your UBOAT page at base. Depends on your style. There's really no need to go to Lorient unless you want a IXB or IXC... my first patrol there posted me to Reykajvik... depends what areas you want to hunt.

[robj250]

depends on ur style. I was in your same position, not quite so many patrosl though. I got the new homing torps but they're useless to me since I usually raid harbours or convoys, unless you want to take on something going facter than 12knots they're useless. And if they're going 12+ knots they are probably BB or Destroyers. Frankly I prefer the Type I, since they're fast and I usually strike at night, or get close enough that they can't evade. I strike within 800m. I dislike Type II because they're too slow so i usually only keep 3 or 4 on board. you can change by going to your UBOAT page at base. Depends on your style. There's really no need to go to Lorient unless you want a IXB or IXC... my first patrol there posted me to Reykajvik... depends what areas you want to hunt.
So you like the G7a rather then the G7e? Would it be okay if I suck with U51 (VIIB) right to the end of the war? I also like raiding convoys and try to intercept them at night. See my website at http://spaces.msn.com/subguy2a/

[Engel der Vernichtung]

So you like the G7a rather then the G7e? Would it be okay if I suck with U51 (VIIB) right to the end of the war?

No, it's not OK; we need you to hit things. Herr Kaleun.

You can, however, *stick* with U51, if you like...:smug:

(sorry; I usually don't make fun of spelling mistakes or typos, but *that* one was just too tempting...)

[Ducimus]

Need some advice. I just finished my 36th patrol in December 1942, using a fully upgraded VIIB. My base is St. Nazaire. Kinda got used to the VIIB and don't think I'll change for 1943. However, what torpedo would you recommend I load it with? Also, should I transfer to Lorient?

I'd stick with the Type Ia' steamers. They're reliable throughout the war. In 43 you might consider adding some type IIIe's in to the mix. If your sticking with the VIIB, don't transfer to lorient. Theres two flolillas there, and both of them for the most part do long range patrols, and will most likely assign patrol grids that will challenge your VIIB's fuel capacity.

[robj250]

Okay, thanks a bunch guys. I'll stick with my fully upgraded VIIB, as I have no desire to go the the US coast or Caribbean. There are enough convoys around the North Atlantic. I like th G7a but maybe I'll stick in a couple G7e and stay in St. Nazaire. I really like hitting convoys during the night. I have never tried "decks awash". I remember "Run Silent, Run Deep" ;) and would try a bow shot if a DD starts coming my way and there is no way to avoid it. I keep a written and photographic record of all my patrols at http://spaces.msn.com/subguy2a/

[andy_311]

depends on ur style. I was in your same position, not quite so many patrosl though. I got the new homing torps but they're useless to me since I usually raid harbours or convoys, unless you want to take on something going facter than 12knots they're useless. And if they're going 12+ knots they are probably BB or Destroyers. Frankly I prefer the Type I, since they're fast and I usually strike at night, or get close enough that they can't evade. I strike within 800m. I dislike Type II because they're too slow so i usually only keep 3 or 4 on board. you can change by going to your UBOAT page at base. Depends on your style. There's really no need to go to Lorient unless you want a IXB or IXC... my first patrol there posted me to Reykajvik... depends what areas you want to hunt.

Disagree you can use Ge7e's on slower targets all my boats are armed with them from 43 onwards.Okay they will go for whatever you fire at them but they will alter course if something near them is make more noise. and they work on stationary Targets too.

[Khayman]

Disagree you can use Ge7e's on slower targets all my boats are armed with them from 43 onwards.Okay they will go for whatever you fire at them but they will alter course if something near them is make more noise. and they work on stationary Targets too.

I second that. I used one on a ship I'd already damaged. It was only going 2 or 3 knots but the torp homed in on it no problem.

[Der Eisen-Wal]

alright I'll give it another shot then:up: