OK folks - the game does not like changing the Observation periscope, but we do have a way around the issue, sort-of... but first some questions about this:
Option 1: Keep it as-is. I like it when the Observation Periscope fails on 1st Jan 1945
Option 2: Make a cloned conn "upgrade" that might add the new ST Periscope, and then allow an add-on ST Radar that displays on the NavMap only (you do have to 'qualify' for a new conn).
Option 3: Make a cloned conn "upgrade" for the boat (as in #2) and the ST Periscope, and then an UpgradePack for the ST that will eliminate the SJ antenna, but allows PPI and NavMap display (better for MapContacts "Off" people).
Option 4: Disable the ST across all boats except the Tench
As it stands in the current, and all previous versions of FotRSU, if you do a new start after 01 January, 1945, you will have ST Radar, but will lose the SJ antenna displaying on the boat, which looks weird to me, but you do have a functional SJ and ST radar that displays on the PPI and NavMap (if Map Contacts are "On"). However, if you are on patrol 31 December, 1944 to 01 January, 1945, with an existing boat that is eligible for ST Radar, the game's attempt to "Upgrade" your Observation (Night) Periscope to the ST Radar version, it will fail, and then the Observation Periscope ceases to function. Now, we could "pretend" that the motor failed on it, or a lift cable broke, or whatever, but there is no indication of a failure, other than you cannot go to the station. In some cases, the periscope will be unusable for the remainder of that career.
The first "fix" we came up with, making the ST Radar an "Add-on" instead of an upgrade, allows the SJ radar to remain on the boat, but you do have a somewhat functioning ST Radar when you raise the Observation Periscope - if we could get the ST Periscope to install - but the "display" for any radar blip indications are only on the NavMap, and will NOT display on the PPI station. This makes it basically unusable for those with NavMap contacts turned "Off"... the "key" to this functioning though, is getting the Observation Periscope to change to the ST Radar Periscope - which it will NOT DO, even in an "UpgradePack". Alternatively, we could make the ST Radar an upgrade, and then you will see the display on the PPI screen. However, since the game will only allow one and only one Surface Radar Antenna, the ST antenna will "kill" the SJ antenna, which will no longer display on the conn. How important is that to folks?
A "tested" version with a conning tower change does indeed allow a change of the Periscope shaft and head, which then allows a proper application of either an ST "add-on" (no PPI, but does display on the NavMap) or as an "upgrade" (displays on the PPI, but eliminates the SJ antenna).
So, how important is it to the users to "see" that SJ antenna, or how important is it to have it display on the NavMap only, or how important is the ST to you anyway? It did not make it to very many boats prior to the end of the war... Thanks
Well, apparently, a person cannot edit a "Poll" after a post goes "live" (5 minutes) oh well...