The XXI is NOT a 'fantasy' sub, it really existed. Also, what isn't modelled in this sim is an ace U-boat commander's influence on Karl Donitz, pressing him to speed up introduction of the latest technology.
A captain can't perform miracles, but it's not beyond the realms of possibility that his efforts to influence BdU early on might have speeded up the introduction of the XXI by a few weeks.
I say:
Keep the XXI, but keep the limitations on it also, so the player can only start his first XXI patrol in April 1945. That means he should only have time for one patrol before the war ends.
The XXI is a wonderful in-game reward for those captains who struggle on frustrated as hell with their old deathtrap Type VII's and Type IX's throughout 1943 and 1944. I'm telling you, without the XXI to look forward to and motivate me, I wouldn't even bother playing a late war career, it's too frustrating.
Remember, the Type XXIII (the XXI's baby brother) isn't in the game, so compensating for that by allowing the XXI to make one war patrol isn't stretching realism too far.
If you want to eliminate a 'fantasy' sub from RUB 1.43, then eliminate the Type VIIC/42, which was never even built!
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