Flak and tower questions from a newbie
 

Hiya guys

Even though I've used these forums for quite some time I never got around to posting - probably because I can mostly find the answer for whatever question I wanna ask somewhere in the forums.

I'm currently playing my second campaing ever - the first one started out at 0% realism, so after some time I wanted a game at 92% (I can't live without stabilizer view and my beloved event camera). :D

Today I got my first type XI boat, which brings us to my question: what are the advantages of the XI/2 tower? One heavy and one light flak gun sounds a lot cooler than two light ones. Does it affect my watch crew's chances of spotting a ship?

Hope one of you guys can help me.

Only the heavier gun is an advantage. The two 20mm flak guns are better for air defense IMO, but the 37mm gun can be used against lighter shipping. The single barrel 37mm isn't much good against aircraft IMO due to the low rate of fire. Different configs won't have any effect on spotting ability IMO. Anytime you have the guns manned your spotting ability is less than if you have the watch crew stationed.

More and more I'm thinking flak is useless. You might kill the airplane, but more than likely he will kill you.

Especially with any of the modded games.
When I see an airplane, I dive - unless doing so will put me on the shallows.

I guess if I was forced to fight on the surface, I would like the bigger gun. But really, how often is it impossible to dive? Most of the time it will be a big decoration.

I have 3 careers under my belt. In excess of 40 odd patrols so far total. Always used a mod. In the whole time i have been attacked, the most i have lost is my deck gun. Not even close to being sunk.

When I surfaced in New York harbour I lasted for 3 minutes before I was completely destroyed. The first air attack wiped out everyone on deck and damaged all the flak guns, the second attack killed me. I'm using the air power mod that came with the Harbour Traffic mod. Btw I knew I'd die when I surfaced, I just wanted to take pics of my boat in the harbour. They didn't give me much time to do so!

I'd say you've been lucky :D

Thanks for the info guys. It turned out that one mission later I could get the IX/3 tower and pack even more firepower.

Everyone keeps talking about mods - can anyone recommed any for me?

I have 4 Careers under my belt and sooner or later am guarenteed that am going to lose my elite flak crew it's happened 4 times before and am sure it's going to happen a 5th time (am in Jan 45)
I even got myself an IX/3 tower with 2x 2cm/c38 flak guns and 1 2cm/c38flak quad.
all that fire power means squat I genenerally now only open up on the B-24s that are hell bent on sinking me as soon as I leave the subpens.
Useing the Air mod that came with GW.

I have never even had to attempt to evade. Well, once i should have cos i lost the deck gun. Doh!

Usually my gunners are good enough to waste anything that dares show their faces to my guns.

And i am also using most of the gw mod.