Historically Accurate Upgrades

Lokisaga · 12-17-15, 05:36 PM

Hi all,
I'm currently running a campaign commanding a Type VIIB in the 7th Flotilla in 1940. I'm running GWX with h.sie's patch. I'm trying to be as historically accurate as possible, given the limitations of the game, with getting upgrades for my boat. I've tried to do as much of my own research as possible, but I've run into two questions that I can't find an answer for, and I'm hoping someone in the community can help me out.

1. Hydrophones:
The VIIB comes with the GHG already installed. Was this the only hydrophone system those boats ever used, or did any of them get the upgrade to the KDB unit? Was such an upgrade even technically feasible considering that it required making a new hole in the pressure hull? Some of the sources I've read seem to indicate that the KDB didn't actually replace the GHG. Instead, the source suggests that the two systems were complementary to each other, but this source was from the interrogation of the captured crew of a VIIC, not a VIIB.

2. Batteries:
Was it really possible to upgrade the batteries on a U-boat once construction had been completed? It seems to me that replacement of such a heavy and bulky piece of equipment would have been arduous, if not downright impossible, but I could be wrong about that.

Thank you for your help.

12-17-15, 05:36 PM	#1
Lokisaga Seaman Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 39 Downloads: 23 Uploads: 0	Historically Accurate Upgrades Hi all, I'm currently running a campaign commanding a Type VIIB in the 7th Flotilla in 1940. I'm running GWX with h.sie's patch. I'm trying to be as historically accurate as possible, given the limitations of the game, with getting upgrades for my boat. I've tried to do as much of my own research as possible, but I've run into two questions that I can't find an answer for, and I'm hoping someone in the community can help me out. 1. Hydrophones: The VIIB comes with the GHG already installed. Was this the only hydrophone system those boats ever used, or did any of them get the upgrade to the KDB unit? Was such an upgrade even technically feasible considering that it required making a new hole in the pressure hull? Some of the sources I've read seem to indicate that the KDB didn't actually replace the GHG. Instead, the source suggests that the two systems were complementary to each other, but this source was from the interrogation of the captured crew of a VIIC, not a VIIB. 2. Batteries: Was it really possible to upgrade the batteries on a U-boat once construction had been completed? It seems to me that replacement of such a heavy and bulky piece of equipment would have been arduous, if not downright impossible, but I could be wrong about that. Thank you for your help.