VIIB or VIIC

[Tom]

Originally Posted by IrischKapitan

• When its engine is fully upgraded it can manage 21kts on the surface.
• I've timed the crash dive myself and at 21kts I can manage 25-27 seconds sepending on the weather
• The extra knot underwater can make a huge difference espically when manouvering to attack a convoy
• A soon as I come across an aircraft I crash dive. Fighting it out on the surface is just a waste of time, ammo and puts an unesasery risk on my mens lives.

• The VIIB looks way cooler too with the flak ''island'' and the nifty wire cutter on the bow.
• It can make an extra 10 miles underwater because the VIIC is heavier.

Good points. I'm not saying the VIIB is a bad boat at all. Actually that's what I'm using right now (3rd patrol, January 1940). I guess that the way I play the game, I don't get to appreciate the advantages you listed:

- I never upgrade my engines, because, if I've understood correctly, this wasn't historically acurate.
- When attacking convoys I seldom move at higher than 2-4 knots underwater. I manuever to a favorable attack position on the surface before diving. The only time I use flank speed underwater is to dive quickly when I'm detected, or for short bursts when depthcharged.
- I also dive as soon as I see an aircraft (I'm playing GWX 1.03, 100% realism), unless I'm surprised when loading external torpedoes. In those cases I usually die. Well, last time I got off with one crew member dead and repairable damage, but that was in October 1939 and against a single plane. I think that's the only plane I've ever managed to shoot down in GWX.
- Personally I don't like how the VIIB extra 'flak island' looks. Maybe that's just me. The wire cutter is cool though.
- Yes, better underwater range is a definite advantage. But my experience is that I tend to run out of oxygen before battery power, if I can't shake whatever is hunting me.

Thus, I still argue that the faster dive time is an advantage I appreciate more than better underwater speed and range.

Oh, and thanks _Seth_ and IrischKapitan for your welcomes. I've been around for some time, but only reading the forums, never actually contributing in any way. Perhaps now, that I got over the first post (the first one is always the worst one, right?), you'll see me around.