Type VIIB is the Most Agile U-Boat

Hello all Kriegsmarine Kaleuns!

Dispite all Type VIIC promotions here at Subsim,I think,that old,reliable Type VIIB is the most agile submarine in Silent Hunter III.

I am viewing the obvious differences,how this U-Boat performs various sudden turns being submerged.It just maintains higher,really higher speed during those critical turns.

For example,when you make a sudden 35 degree right or left turn,keeping your engines in "Full Forward" mode you have really reasonable 7 knots speed in Type VIIB,even using a non-upgraded submarine with standard batteries.

Type VIIC,even with upgraded batteries drops it's speed down to 6 knots in those situations.Type IX submarines are even more slower.

So,I am starting this discussion,because this submerged agility is critically needed in such attack/evade maneuvers as:

1.Positioning yourself for an favourable convoy,lone merchant attack position being submerged.I have seen that it's much easier to do this in Type VIIB,rather than Type VIIC,even upgraded Type VIIC.Type VIIC really lacks submerged speed.

2.Evading destroyers sonars and dropped depth charges.Admit,that if you have bigger speed in turns,you have more chances to evade successfully.That's some sort of submarine vs. destroyer close quarters combat.

Both two those factors are foremost the most important in achieving the best results during Silent Hunter III dynamic campaign.Of course,Type VIIC can be fitted with more upgrades,various Flak weaponry and conning towers but it will still lack this unmatched submerged performance of a Type VIIB.To my mind this is primarily a matter of construction differences between two those submarines,Type VIIB is lighter and Type VIIC is heavier.Exception of a rule are the VIIC/41,VIIC/42 models,which according to technical data have less weight than standard Type VIIC.It's a pity,but they come to action really too late,as well as an undisputed submerged agility champion - Type XXI U-Boat.

I have started a new campaign with 7th Flotilla in 1939 and just randomly was given a legendary U-Boat - Gunter Prien's Type VIIB U-47.It's already January 18th,1940 and I have 26 ships sunk for 119 000 tonns,including two destroers -
Type "J" and Type "V&W" playing at 35 percent realism.

And you know what?I am not fancy changing this submarine to another U-Boat.I have got,let's say,a kind of "special feelings" to it.I am going to fight until the end of the war with this Type VIIB U-47.

In concluding,I must say,I don't like that jumping from one submarine to another.A submarine,especially,that one,that brings you victories is like an old friend,that could not be betrayed.

I will be glad to read all your comments,opinios and observations,Kaleuns.

Good Hunting

[SmokinTep]

I like the VIIB. It sort of fits like a glove........

[Puster Bill]

Originally Posted by SmokinTep

I like the VIIB. It sort of fits like a glove........

I'm likin' the Type IID, but then again I have smaller hands...

[Vacillator]

Originally Posted by Genghis Khan

I am going to fight until the end of the war with this Type VIIB U-47.

I wish you luck and hope your war does not end too soon .

I can't really comment as I have little experience in anything other than a VIIB (also U47 would you believe). I have tried the odd IX mission just for fun, and I liked them.
Time to try out a XXI soon.

[danurve]

If you get far enough you can get the secondary flak platform for the VIIB.
Not that by that time of the war it will do alot of good, but it looks cool

[Chock]

Upgrading to the VIIC in real life would give you more reliable electrics, greater range, a slightly faster dive time and probably a happier crew too, since it had more room inside. Additionally, later variants of the VIIC with the 'Atlantic bow' were more seaworthy and had a greater diving depth capability as well as greater resistance to damage, owing to the thicker gauge steel used in their construction. Then there is also the 'sixth tube' to consider; confering the ability to use pilenwerfers and decoy torpedoes on later boats, was a real advance. Whether any of these factors are in the sim - or any mods you might have - to any great degree is debatable however.

I can understand you being attached to your boat though. But for me, being able to go deeper - and do so quicker - outweighs any advantage that a tighter turn confers, since greater depth extends the transit time for the depth charges, time in which you can be 'hauling ass'. Like in fighter planes, turning ability is more of a defensive attribute than an offensive one, a nimble fighter might be able to out-turn an enemy, but a faster one can break off and re-engage at will. Of course this analogy is not fully comparable with U-Boats when we are talking about destroyers that can outpace us all, but short of turning around to fire a single stern shot after having expended all your bow tubes, to me there seems little offensive reason to value a faster turn.

But, if you like your boat, and it suits your style, maybe that's a good enough reason above all others.

Chock

[Platapus]

I like my VIIB. It has been with me since the start. I am getting it tricked out pretty good and would hate to lose all that renown getting a VIIC and all the extras

I am sure I am not the only one wishin I could buy a VIIC and have all my extras transfered over (sigh)

I guess there will be a point the when it is more advantagious to upgrade to VIIC but until then, I wonder if I should continue spending renown on VIIB upgrades or keep 'ol reliable the way she is until I move up to VIIC?

Kinda hate to see my VIIB go away. She has taken real good care of me. Brought me back when I did not think I had a chance. It just does not seem right to abandon her and see her turned into razor blades.

Not a fitting end to an honourable lady. I think it is only right that we both take that final dive together. I don't think I would like another gray lady after that.

[Iron Budokan]

I've never been a huge fan of the VIIB. (My 9 year old son on the other hand swears by 'em.) To me they've always been sort of like the forgotten stepchild between the IID and the VIIC.

I don't hate 'em, mind you. I've just mostly viewed them as a stepping stone to a VIIC.