[jasondef]

The VIIC mainly has the advantage over the VIIB in that if you stick to the VIIC through later in the war, it becomes alot more upgradable with AA guns, and can be quite formidable in that respect. So if you do stay with a VII, get the VIIC as soon as you can.

If you want to go with the IX, I advise you hold out until the IXC is available (July '41, or Jan '41 w/Commander mod) rather than going with the IXB. This gives you huge range, and the ability to go just about anywhere. While the patrol grid assignments with the stock game won't have much variety, you'll be thankful for the IXC if you choose to customize your patrol grid assignments using SH3 Commander mod, as you will than have much more choices of where to go at your disposal; much more so than either VII or IXB.