2. Depending where you start your career, you can start with a VIIb right away. (Wilhelmshaven in Sept 39 for instance)
3. As soon as a new base is opened, you can ask for transfer from the after mission screen when you make it back home.
4. Dec 23 upgrade is enabled using JSGME (Jonesoft's Generic Mods Enabler). Download the program, install it inside your SH3 directory. It opens a folder "Mods". Drop the update in there after unzipping, then run JSGME. It reads what is in the Mods folder and you use arrows in the middle to install or uninstall mods.
As it creates backup files, you can always easily revert to previous situation if you don't like a mod.
Hope this helps...
