Type IX virgin

[Platapus]

Even though I have been playing SH3 for centuries, I have always played the Type VII.

I would like to give the IX a try. In starting a new career, is there a flotilla I can join at the start of the war where I can slide in to a new IX?

Or is there a flotilla I can join after the war starts?

I have heard a lotta good things about the Type IX and I am excited about taking it out for a test drive.

[Hanomag]

Welcome to the darkside Herr Kaluen!

[Captain Birdseye]

Just make sure you're below the surface before the planes spot you

[Laufen zum Ziel]

Good range & lots of torps but dives slow.

Watch out for THESE....

[Sledgehammer427]

I would like to give the IX a try. In starting a new career, is there a flotilla I can join at the start of the war where I can slide in to a new IX?

Or is there a flotilla I can join after the war starts?

I have heard a lotta good things about the Type IX and I am excited about taking it out for a test drive.

okay, i havent played SH3 in a while, but, with SH3 Commander, you can...requisition a type IX from the second flotilla right at the start of the war.

[Pohl]

more exactly on 2nd Flotilla December, 1939 type IXB is available

[Jimbuna]

Ah...the Type IX, my favourite.

Plenty of range and longer patrol times enable you to travel to them far off exotic places.....much more firepower than the VII.

A bit of a pig mind you when it comes to diving times and maneuvering underwater.

A nice boat overall though, especially if you've stowed enough Becks away under your bunk

[Leg]

Great choice! The type IX is a nice one; as ppl said it is plenty of torpedos, and fuel. You can really go everywhere; in my campaign, now, for instance, I am off the eastern US coast, during the operation drumbeat; the sea is crowded by a lot of ships without escort. So yes, it's really worth it.

I advice you the 2nd flotilla, but as the war goes on you can apply to go to the 10th flotilla (that's the one involved in operation monsun) or to the 12th (south atlantic). The problems will arrive as the allied air coverage gets stronger; but first there're two happy times to enjoy.

Uh, don't think it is easy to manouver as a type VII, expecially underwater; so have a clear attack plan when shadowing a convoy; and have also a good escape one; as you'll probably have the DD on you quite soon; because the IX is more "visible" to asdic than the type VII.

Anyhow, with all that fire power (22-24 torpedos) and the bigger 10,5 cm deckgun you may destroy almost an entire convoy by yourself.

[PavelKirilovich]

I'm a VIIB and VIIC veteran recently converted to the IX-series. I miss the manouvreability of my smaller Type VII boats, to be sure, especially in coastal waters and when I attack harbours (not recommended at the best of times). That said, the IXC very much made up for it with the 105mm deck gun and the almost-ridiculous number of spare torpedoes stowed aboard.

You'll want to dive at the first hint of an air contact. When you fit a radar warning receiver (RWR), listen carefully to it: the second you get a contact, flip over to your navigation map and zoom in on your boat. Should give you an azimuth and you can guesstimate the range. Watch it for a few seconds. If the azimuth doesn't change but the range starts decreasing, it's very likely a RAF Coastal Command or similar maritime patrol aircraft coming in on you with their surface-search radar set on*, so get under the waves quick and alter course to shake up their last datum. If the range is not changing rapidly, it's a destroyer/frigate/other surface warship. If the azimuth isn't changing, it is likely coming in towards you as well: that will be more difficult to shake than an MPA.

* - this is contrary to known SOP for the maritime patrol aircraft; the MPAs were supposed to locate the target with radar, then flick it off, then take intermittent and irregular checks to potentially confuse the RWR operator. Leaving the radar on and closing with the target was done only in the final stages of an attack in less-than-good visibility; otherwise it provided the target with too much warning. Be thankful the SH3 AI MPAs do not practice this tactic.

The ASDIC cross-section relative to the Type VII has already been mentioned. Be cautious. Be sure to shoot escorts first when attacking convoys; you'll have plenty of spare torpedoes to reload your tubes with when the time comes to attack the merchantmen. I find the tactic of killing the sheepdog first to be more effective than attempting to pick sheep off from the flock with regards to convoy attack, when operating the IX-series U-boats.

[Bent Periscope]

I know that using SH3 Commander and joining the 2nd flotilla will get you a IX. Be prepared for some long trips though I tend to run out of torpedoes before I make my assigned area.

BP

[sharkbit]

Originally Posted by Bent Periscope

I know that using SH3 Commander and joining the 2nd flotilla will get you a IX. Be prepared for some long trips though I tend to run out of torpedoes before I make my assigned area.

BP

Long trips are right! I've done a few patrols off the coast of the US and the Caribbean. In a previous career, I had one down off of Cape Town in South Africa, but I complained () long and hard to Bdu and got it switched to the sunny Caribbean were I went down with all hands.

I too tend to run out of eels before reaching my grid.

I just got back to Bordeaux with the 12th Flotilla after my first patrol with that flotilla in 4/43(Just in time for Black May ). I was supposed to go to ET41 off of Freetown. Only made it 2/3 of the way before running out of eels. I was back in base about 3 weeks after I left.

I'm just getting ready for my second patrol off the coast of South America.
Yaaaaay-I get to cross the Bay of Biscay in 5/43 .
Hope my radar detector is working and the lookouts don't fall asleep. I've got plenty of latin tunes loaded on the gramaphone.

[Leandros]

Originally Posted by Captain Birdseye

Just make sure you're below the surface before the planes spot you

It's not that bad. And, you have better AA defenses,,,,,

[Captain Birdseye]

Originally Posted by Leandros

It's not that bad. And, you have better AA defenses,,,,,

That's true. I've never dared to try and stick out a fight with the RAF though...

To my suprise, i've been sailing a S-18 in SH4, now those are slow diving times when going to periscope depth

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Captain Birdseye

That's true. I've never dared to try and stick out a fight with the RAF though...

To my suprise, i've been sailing a S-18 in SH4, now those are slow diving times when going to periscope depth

I think you need to take into account the fact that the S Class boats were quite old, they were built in the early 1920's and as such their specs weren't up to the same standards of some more modern classes.