U-boat vs. aircraft

[Sailor Steve]

Part of the problem is that an aircraft downed can be replaced by a dozen more. A U-boat with a hole in the pressure hull is nothing more than a slow torpedo boat.

Aircraft shot down by U-boats - around 120.
http://www.uboat.net/history/aircraft_losses.htm

U-boats sunk by aircraft - around 250.
http://www.uboat.net/allies/aircraft/forces.htm

[sharkbit]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

Part of the problem is that an aircraft downed can be replaced by a dozen more. A U-boat with a hole in the pressure hull is nothing more than a slow torpedo boat.

Aircraft shot down by U-boats - around 120.
http://www.uboat.net/history/aircraft_losses.htm

U-boats sunk by aircraft - around 250.
http://www.uboat.net/allies/aircraft/forces.htm

I just recently read on uboat.net, concerning the Fight Back Order issued to the U-boats for a time, that Air Marshal Sir John Slessor, head of Coastal Command, said he would gladly trade an aircraft and its crew for a sunk u-boat.

http://www.uboat.net/history/fight_back_order.htm

I've gotten a little bored with aircraft in SH3. Same routine-aircraft spotted, crash dive, run submerged for a while, surface, repeat as necessary.

I've never really been surprised by aircraft. Not saying it will never happen though late war.

So with all that in mind, I've been experimenting with some randomness. Now when I get the aircraft spotted message, I pause the game, roll two dice, modify the roll by year, night, and/or radar warning. The result times 10 is the number of seconds before I can crash dive. Un-pause and start a timer and wait. If I get a "We're under attack!", I immediately crash dive or fight back, depending on situation.

It can be a little disconcerting watching a B-24 Liberator bearing down on you and not being able to do anything while the clock is ticking.

I think it nicely simulates the possibility of a surprise attack out of the sun or clouds, a lookout daydreaming, or a slow dive.

I'm still experimenting with the times though to find a happy medium. 15 seconds is waaay too long, and 5 seconds seems too short but it feels like 10 seconds may be too long as well. I've been noticing that with fighter type aircraft, they're on you really quick and attacking and then I've seen Swordfish coming and the bridge crew can finish their morning coffee before they have to crash dive.

[Vince82]

simulates the possibility of a surprise attack out of the sun or clouds

@Sharkbit: Many don't understand, I think, that this is what actually happend a lot. And that is a big reason why planes where really feared by commanders.

I like that you use dice to simulate a more realistic outcome.

In game Metox and radar can be edited a using silent3ditor to make it less effective. Decreasing the Metox arc to say 270 for example. This simulates detecting less aircraft due to new secret 10cm radar which was introduced by the allies. I'm curious to know what you think of this.