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Hinrich Schwab · 01-08-12, 01:35 AM

Unmodded, there is only the Type IXD2 and the Type XVIII. There are a couple of threads that already address the Type XVIII, but since I just finished the German missions in 4 with the Type XVIII, I will give my assessment.

With the exception of diesel range, which the Type IXD2 excels hands-down over the Type XVIII, the Type XVIII is a superior boat, all around. Its standard diesel-electric performance is on par with a Type VIIC boat. It is capable of going much deeper than any other boat in the game. I tested the Type XVIII to 270 meters with no hull damage. The only reason she exceeded the depth gauge (260 meters) is that below 180 meters, the Walter Drive needs to be engaged to maintain depth. The Type XVIII starts with some of the best equipment in the game and what is not included can easily be added after a patrol. No need to worry about the shoddy METOX or the short time BOLD1 canisters. The Walter drive excels in rapid submerged approach from ~10-20km out and is just as good at rapid escapes in tandem with the BOLD launcher. Despite the fact that the Walter Turbines are extremely noisy in the hydrophone(Ahead Slow is 10knots@200rpm), I have yet to aggro any destroyers. Naturally, I dump a BOLD canister to distract them, but the noise of the Walter Drive did not deter them, regardless of speed. I will admit that my detection test is incomplete because I never let an escort close more than 3500m from my position.

The torpedo loading mechanism is the same as the Type XXI boat. six forward tubes, none aft. All with mechanical loading. Likewise, the torpedo loading is quieter and does not seem to attract aggro. Using the Walter Drive in tandem with batteries, when needed, the Type XVIII can dance through convoys and make the lives of the merchantmen and escorts utterly miserable simply because you have the speed to get away.

Historically, this boat never was completed. The Walter Drive looks spiffy on paper, but would have been way too expensive and problematic in practice. The drive relies on ~204 tons of 80% Hydrogen Peroxide solution. This is rocket fuel. While this boat would have been able to go fast enough to force escorts to ASDIC wash-out speed, any hit had potential to damage the fuel cells. High concentration Hydrogen Peroxide is very unstable, ludicrously corrosive and explodes if you look at it the wrong way. The sub would have been like a ship from Star Trek. Super fast, but one good hit in the engine or fuel tank and you blow yourself up. This was also one of many reasons that Germany preferred to complete development of the Type XXI.

In the game, I would quickly trade the range of the Type IXD2 for all of the other boons the Type XVIII has to offer. Submerged, the Type IXD2 is a pig. The Type XVIII is the opposite, which boosts your survival.

01-08-12, 01:35 AM	#2
Hinrich Schwab Grey Wolf Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 908 Downloads: 89 Uploads: 0	Unmodded, there is only the Type IXD2 and the Type XVIII. There are a couple of threads that already address the Type XVIII, but since I just finished the German missions in 4 with the Type XVIII, I will give my assessment. With the exception of diesel range, which the Type IXD2 excels hands-down over the Type XVIII, the Type XVIII is a superior boat, all around. Its standard diesel-electric performance is on par with a Type VIIC boat. It is capable of going much deeper than any other boat in the game. I tested the Type XVIII to 270 meters with no hull damage. The only reason she exceeded the depth gauge (260 meters) is that below 180 meters, the Walter Drive needs to be engaged to maintain depth. The Type XVIII starts with some of the best equipment in the game and what is not included can easily be added after a patrol. No need to worry about the shoddy METOX or the short time BOLD1 canisters. The Walter drive excels in rapid submerged approach from ~10-20km out and is just as good at rapid escapes in tandem with the BOLD launcher. Despite the fact that the Walter Turbines are extremely noisy in the hydrophone(Ahead Slow is 10knots@200rpm), I have yet to aggro any destroyers. Naturally, I dump a BOLD canister to distract them, but the noise of the Walter Drive did not deter them, regardless of speed. I will admit that my detection test is incomplete because I never let an escort close more than 3500m from my position. The torpedo loading mechanism is the same as the Type XXI boat. six forward tubes, none aft. All with mechanical loading. Likewise, the torpedo loading is quieter and does not seem to attract aggro. Using the Walter Drive in tandem with batteries, when needed, the Type XVIII can dance through convoys and make the lives of the merchantmen and escorts utterly miserable simply because you have the speed to get away. Historically, this boat never was completed. The Walter Drive looks spiffy on paper, but would have been way too expensive and problematic in practice. The drive relies on ~204 tons of 80% Hydrogen Peroxide solution. This is rocket fuel. While this boat would have been able to go fast enough to force escorts to ASDIC wash-out speed, any hit had potential to damage the fuel cells. High concentration Hydrogen Peroxide is very unstable, ludicrously corrosive and explodes if you look at it the wrong way. The sub would have been like a ship from Star Trek. Super fast, but one good hit in the engine or fuel tank and you blow yourself up. This was also one of many reasons that Germany preferred to complete development of the Type XXI. In the game, I would quickly trade the range of the Type IXD2 for all of the other boons the Type XVIII has to offer. Submerged, the Type IXD2 is a pig. The Type XVIII is the opposite, which boosts your survival.