Always the same boat

[Roger Dodger]

Originally Posted by aanker

I haven't looked at how they did it in the game files but a GATO class shouldn't be available in the War until Apr-May 1942 and a BALAO class not until Jul 1943.

Exactly! I should have mentioned (if I didn't before) that I start my Career on Dec. 6, 1941, usually in an S-Boat. I spend several patrols (9 months was my longest) in the S-Boat, then I am given a Gato (almost always the Drum). It would be at least April or May when I get my new boat. There are 10 Gato-class boats with a DOC before 1/1/'42, with the Drum (Unit #1) having a DOC of 11/1/'41. I'm not given a Balao-class boat until they are available in 1943. 7 Balao-class boats have a DOC of 1/1/'43, and the USS Balao is Unit #1.

I'd really like the program to show a little more randomness when it makes the choice of which boat I get assigned to.

[aanker]

Originally Posted by Roger Dodger

I'd really like the program to show a little more randomness when it makes the choice of which boat I get assigned to.

Right me too, and also be historically accurate or close to it. It would be nice to use 'first patrol' data from a source like: Clay Blair Jr's "SILENT VICTORY" although I have read posts where some aren't happy with Blair so I won't waste my time. lol

However just for example here are the first few GATO's:

212 GATO Apr-42
213 GREENLING Apr-42
214 GROUPER May-42
215 GROWLER May-42
228 DRUM Apr-42

and on... I have all the Pacific data - it is just a big project getting it into the SH4 files. I wonder if RFB is doing this already?

Art

Edit: It looks like they are:
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/show...&postcount=285

[Sailor Steve]

Reading the comments above led me to wonder, so I had a look here http://www.fleetsubmarine.com/

According to their submarine lists, Drum was commissioned in November '41 under Commander Robert H. Rice, and as was pointed out, didn't make her first patrol until April '42, under that same CDR Robert H. Rice! My point is this: perhaps it's unrealistic to move from an older boat into a modern fleet boat without first doing a full work-up; and perhaps if I were to have a Gato as early as April 1942 I shouldn't have a career until then, as I was probably on the East Coast preparing that boat for service when the war started.

[Roger Dodger]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

Reading the comments above led me to wonder, so I had a look here http://www.fleetsubmarine.com/

According to their submarine lists, Drum was commissioned in November '41 under Commander Robert H. Rice, and as was pointed out, didn't make her first patrol until April '42, under that same CDR Robert H. Rice! My point is this: perhaps it's unrealistic to move from an older boat into a modern fleet boat without first doing a full work-up; and perhaps if I were to have a Gato as early as April 1942 I shouldn't have a career until then, as I was probably on the East Coast preparing that boat for service when the war started.

That's pretty much the way "New Construction" by Ducimus works. I think it would be just great if when you get a new boat for the first time, you get sent to New Construction, and give your new boat, and new crew, their sea trials before taking it to Pearl. Its a great mod, and gives you a 'good feeling' about your new boat, but you have to start your Career at New Construction.