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 ;)

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 :)

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! :)

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.

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/7/1204/140...00/9679296.jpg

--Mike

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!:

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-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:

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!: