Gwx question: neutrals & lights at night

If I recall correctly, neutral ships running by themselves run with their lights on. My question is this: twice now I've run across Frankreich shipping during the timeframe they are neutral. Both times it was two merchantmen being escorted by an armed trawler, all three under the Frankreich flag. Neither time were they running with their lights on (and yes, both times in question it was night :p )

Should they or shouldn't they be lit?

[melnibonian]

In the begining of the war almost all neutral ships have thir lights on. As years go by and attacks on neutral shipping increased (in reality) most neutral ships were dark to avoid U-Boats. Theat's why in GWX ships do have their lights off. Also I guess if they're in the presence of a warship they will not put their lights on as that will give the warship away.

--nods-- I have, though, run across neutrals that are lit up. But they have been singletons, not small groups of 2 -3. Just was making sure; don't want to be gigged for sinking neutrals.

[melnibonian]

Originally Posted by Albrecht Von Hesse

--nods-- I have, though, run across neutrals that are lit up. But they have been singletons, not small groups of 2 -3. Just was making sure; don't want to be gigged for sinking neutrals.

I think the neutrals that you come accross after 1940-1941 that have their lights on are from places where the war hasn't reach yet. For exmple US ships or Brazilian, Colombian and other South American ones. I don't know I'm just speculating now:hmm:

[Scheisskopf]

in the GWX manual i think it explains that usually neutral ships would light up, so if youre running GWX take a quick glance at the manual

[bigboywooly]

The problem with giving France lit ships was that they are at war then neutral then at war again
So they werent given lights
Same with Italy - who changed sides quite a bit

You should find lights on

Denmark
Netherlands
Usa
Venezuela
Uruguay
Brasil
Norway
Turkey
Lithuania
Latvia

Before they enter the war

Ireland
Spain
Sweden
Portugal

Throughout as neutral

You will come across the odd neutral ship without lights as not all the ships have a lit and dark version

[Lanzfeld]

My problem is that I can see the neutral lights through fog loooooooong before the ship is visible.

[bigboywooly]

Yeah tis the nature of the SH3 lights
They shine through everything
Fog and your crews head :rotfl:

[AG124]

As BBW mentioned, there are some ships which do not have lit versions. The following ships have both lit and dark versions available in GWX (both original names and GWX names are included, as well as designation):

Passenger Liner [PPL/LPL]
Transport (Passenger/Cargo) [NPTR/NPTL]
C2 Cargo (Medium Merchant) [KLS/LLS]
Coastal Merchant (Tramp Steamer) [KSQ/LSQ]
T3 Tanker (Large Tanker) [OTMS/LTMS]
Small Coastal Vessel (Motor Vessel) [NF_boat_1/NF_boat_L]
Tug Boat [NATF/NLTF]

There are also lit versions of the Small Merchant and Small Tanker which have been released by Anvart, but they weren't completed in time for GWX. Also, Hospital Ships and Light Ships should always be lit, but Light Ships may be Allied sometimes.

Any other merchant not in that list will always be darkened, even if it is sailing under a neutral flag. So be sure to check the flag of a darkened merchant first before firing.

[dertien]

Originally Posted by AG124

There are also lit versions of the Small Merchant and Small Tanker which have been released by Anvart, but they weren't completed in time for GWX. Also, Hospital Ships and Light Ships should always be lit, but Light Ships may be Allied sometimes.

Will those be in the GWX update that has been currently delayed, or will this be in the ship upgrade mod by Cmdr Gibs ?

Thnx

[bigboywooly]

Originally Posted by dertien

Will those be in the GWX update that has been currently delayed, or will this be in the ship upgrade mod by Cmdr Gibs ?

Thnx

All ships come through Cdre Gibs so untill he releases them to the rest of us they cant be added
Obviously the campaign files will need to be adjusted for them to show properly so it depends on when the ship update is released as to what GWX update they will be in

[Jimbuna]

One simple rule I try to adhere to: "If it's lit, leave it alone"

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by bigboywooly

Yeah tis the nature of the SH3 lights
They shine through everything
Fog and your crews head :rotfl:

Sometimes I see them when I'm IN the crew's head!

Originally Posted by bigboywooly

The problem with giving France lit ships was that they are at war then neutral then at war again
So they werent given lights
Same with Italy - who changed sides quite a bit

You should find lights on

Denmark
Netherlands
Usa
Venezuela
Uruguay
Brasil
Norway
Turkey
Lithuania
Latvia

Before they enter the war

Ireland
Spain
Sweden
Portugal

Throughout as neutral

You will come across the odd neutral ship without lights as not all the ships have a lit and dark version

Well, this, and a few other replies, help explain things.

[Payoff]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

Sometimes I see them when I'm IN the crew's head!

:rotfl: