New to Type IX - Fuel Question
 

I'm finishing my first patrol in a IXC - left Lorient at A 1/3 for 8kts to the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay, then headed up to Long Island Sound. Did only one short spring at anything faster than 8kts to get away from a Clemson DD. However, half-way across the Atlantic headed home I find I barely have enough fuel. Was it common for IX's to have to refuel at some point during their patrol to the US/Caribbean?

If I remeber correctly in SH3 8 knots is the optimal speed for IXs. In reality IX boats used to spend a couple of weeks patroling before heading home. If the weather is good (i.e. you travel at 8 knots) and you don't need bursts of speed or to recharge batteries you can make it back with fuel. If you encounter loads of targets and you have to avoid DDs then there is a chance you will need to stop by one of the U-Tankers.

7-8 knots should get you there and back. In bad weather your speed will be reduced to about 6 kts.

I once found myself short of fuel and did a good part of the trip back submerged to stretch the fuel. I made it with the bunkers showing empty.

Thanks. By alternating between batteries and diesel, I had just enough to pull into Ferrol and get some fuel from the supply ship (Max Albrecht?). I was well past empty... guess the U-boat's fuel gage is like that on a car - "E" doesn't quite mean Empty just yet, but is there for people not smart enough to refuel before they get to "E"!

Are there refuel boats on SH3 Vanilla?

I could of done with one, couldnt find sweet FA.

No the U-Tankers exist in the Supermods (GW, NYGM, and GWX) and as a separate mod. In the original SH3 you cannot refuel at sea

In RL the IX would usually refuel from a milch cow or supply ship outward bound then refuel a type VII to enable that vessel to return home (Operation Drumbeat) scenario. :arrgh!:

Jimbuna,
Interesting - sounds like some pretty close coordination would be required... leading to radio transmissions... leading to Allied intercepts. However, I think I'll hit a milch cow either enroute or on the return trip to have more fuel to give me flexibility.

That's why almost all the Milch Cows were destroyed by the Allies during 1943 and the building programme for them was scrapped.

Radio transmissions were only ever permitted in extreme emercencies because the location co-ordinates were pre-determined at the beginning of the patrol.

In a IXB, at 8 knots, you can get a little over 20,000km from a full tank, little less if you are in rough weather.

You would be truly astounded to learn what the admiralty knew and
was able to do with it.
M

Maybe a bit ot, but I experienced some odd behaviour from my IXB, when I was sailing out from Lorient. Just outside Gibraltar I got a shock, realizing I used up more then 50% of the fuel, even though only doing 10 knots :huh: . I manged to get to one of the supply boats. After refueling in spain, the problem still occured, so I got back to base fo repairs. One more try, same problem. Then I realiezed that I had activated the Sabotage function in SH3 Commander...:shifty:

A question for you, more experineced "old dogs". Is it possible to repair that, or do I need to eighter turn of the funticon, (as I did, by the way) or change boat?

...and that ends my first post in this forum.....:sunny:

Run on 7-8 knots and youll get much further than on 10 knots. Because at about 225 rpm the diesels are at their most efficent

I'll expand on what has already been said.

Without the Engine upgrade - Set 7-8 Kts.
With the Engine upgrade - Set 9-10 kts.

It makes a difference.;) However, you can always check with your Nav Officer.