Buyer's remorse.

[Puster Bill]

OK, this situation has happened several times now.

I start a career in 1939. I go ahead and cruise through the Happy Time, sinking a metric buttload of shipping and racking up a bunch of renown.

Then, in mid-late 1941, being somewhat prescient I decide to trade in my Type VIIC for a IXB or IXC (depending on when I do it) to try and get in on some of that Paukenschlag action.

I'm always disappointed with the Type IX. They just don't handle as well as the VII. I usually end up getting killed fairly quickly with one because I'm used to being able to dive quicker, and to change depth and direction quicker. I know it's been said that that with the Type IX's you have to think farther ahead, but that just seems to make me more timid. Couple that with the fact that it takes forever to get anywhere, and it just doesn't seem to suit my command style.

This last time, I violated time and space and reloaded and got my old boat back. Couldn't be happier.

[bigboywooly]

I am the opposite
I dont usually start a career till Dec 39 when the IXB becomes available
Still attack convoys on a regular basis

Just cant get on with the VIIs

[mr chris]

Well i always start at the begining of the war. In a trusty type VIIB.
I Will only trade this in for a type IXC towards the end of the summer 41. To hit the American coast in the winter.
So far as soon as the late summer looms in 41 i end up dead.

[predavolk]

I traded up to a IXB in mid1940 and haven't had any problems with the boat. It is a touch slower, and I've had terrible luck against air patrols (read my crazy gibraltar thread), but the boat has performed just fine against convoys and patrols into early 1941. I think the key is, as in any sub, to avoid being detected in the first place. Or if you are running in hot areas, run with decks partly submerged. Your extra fuel lets you make up for the loss compared to a VII, and you can submerge just as fast (if not faster) when you're doing that.

I do plan to eventually switch back to a 41-C when they become available, but for now and until 1942-3, I plan to make the most of the boatload (literally) of torpedos I have!

[KeptinCranky]

So don't go for the paukenschlag action, or use a Milchcow along the way to get your trusty type VII to the US coast, would be a shame not to have those extra eels for the unprotected and unsuspecting merchies though.

and yes it does take a godawful long time to get there....

Also as a VII skipper you get to see places where it would be inavisable at best to take a type IX like the st. George's channel or AM36

[Tessa]

After playing both type for about a year each I seem to prefer the VII's when all the cards are down. More agility, smaller sonar signature, higer draft to get into any harbor with ease and their quick dive times just feel better for me. Some of my most memorable patrols were on a IXB or IXD2 decimating convoys with the enormous torpedo load. The Med is probably my favorite theatre to hunt/patrol in. The larger boats can do well, with the gratitus amount of escorts (even for a puny tramp steamer) can make life difficult with the larger boat to evade their sonar.

Originally Posted by KeptinCranky

So don't go for the paukenschlag action, or use a Milchcow along the way to get your trusty type VII to the US coast, would be a shame not to have those extra eels for the unprotected and unsuspecting merchies though.

and yes it does take a godawful long time to get there....

Also as a VII skipper you get to see places where it would be inavisable at best to take a type IX like the st. George's channel or AM36

With the right speed and supply ships you can pretty much go anywhere with a VII, just takes a LOT longer to get there travelling so slow. While the Belchen ship is still at sea I like to hit AN 16 or AN 38 and then head to Halifax with a full load, then hit the same two places on my way back to home port.

CG 96 is my favorite patrol spot, so much there and a 100% guarantee of several hours of action and adrenaline.

[Brag]

I like the type IX. My GWX careers been cut short by the new GWX. Now, the only thing that will stop me is playing DID.

[Jimbuna]

Stick the VIIC on the back of your IXC and forget about it's range limitations :p

[gord96]

Try a nice cozy Type II. The only sub I can use now! Agile little bastid

[Puster Bill]

Originally Posted by gord96

Try a nice cozy Type II. The only sub I can use now! Agile little bastid

I *LOVE* the Einbaum.

I keep looking in the mod thread waiting for that Type XXIII to be perfected. Now *THAT* would be an agile little bastidge. Just the thing for raiding harbors, in 1944-45!