When should I load my external torpedoes
 

I try hard to do the best when it comes to realism in SH III.
Should I have my crews bring down torpedoes in rough weather?
I normaly do not until winds are seven miles below
Did the Skippers of WW II load them in bad weather?:hmm:

Your idea of wind speeds of maximum 7 sounds good. Perhaps it depends a little on the type of submarine you're driving too. Bigger types would be more steady at sea and perhaps allow for the external reserved to be used at bit stronger winds.

I don't think that they attempted to do this in bad weather though.

And late in the war they never got a full complement of torps with them cause they couldn't stay on the surface that long. So you can forget all the externals after lets say 1943/44

Load them at night and when noone is around you, i usually find a nice "quiet" spot such as a ford or a island to load my externals, but after 1943, kiss loading your externals good bye.

I Remeber loading my externals while i was chasing down a few unarmed cargo ships, but that was in early 1940. Usually in rough seas it would be hard to load externals, your putting a rather large tube down through a small opening on your deck and you have a little "crane" to assist you. I wouldnt want to explain to the Flottilla commander that i lost a torpedo by dropping it into the water

If you're shooting for realism, only reload externals in <7ms winds, always at full stop, and always during the day (seeing as it would be a pain to do it during the night).

If surprised while loading I'll have a house rule I have to stay at reasonable low speed for at least 5 mins, while my crew clears the crane and whatnot away before I can dive - which can make aircraft attacks quite a harrowing experience. If I'm forced under I also loose the torpedo, meaning I wont try to reload that torpedo at a later time.

About those Torpedoes
 

Thanks I never thought about going into a inlet to find calm water to load my torpedoes. And I will remember about 43
I will keep using 7 miles for now until I get my IX

Thanks to all. Gunther

There are programs that can be found on this site that will enable you to have a large stock pile of internal torpedos,, such as Wolfie's tweak Pak, just that you need to know the "password" to be able to achieve it.

My last patrol, I had to reload the externals and went to the coast of west Ireland. I thought I found a nice safe scenic and quiet spot so I let the crew go to work. My Flak guns were manned and ready just in case.

About half way through the process I was under attack from above. It was nasty. Managed to abort the loading and throw some lead at the unidentified flying ship. That bird was dropping some big **** at me!!!! Got lucky! No major damage...

Then the bird came back! Went with the full flank/hard turn surface maneuver and narrowly escaped with no damage. That bird **** was so close to my head I swear I had to duck...then I saw a real big splash right behind me! My Flak gunners were as bad as usual. How could they miss? Managed to make it to my patrol grid and finally headed to Spain for refuel and supply.

Drinking plenty of beer now that I'm back on land. Heading out on my fourth patrol soon....with plenty of beer. :up:

U-49 out.

Cheers

Close call
 

That was a close call Herr Kaleun! I will try to get to friendlier waters before I try that:up:
It also sound like you might be a writer like the Laughing Swordfish
Proist Herr Kapitain

While we're on the topic, does anyone have any pics of Uboats with external torps loaded? I've never seen one before and my searches on the net turn up empty.