Despite the general bugginess (what else is new), I've been enjoying the U-Boat Missions for SH4 (yeah, 'nother SH3 U-boat jockey here).

I've gotten to the point where I've been offered a Type XVIII Boat, i.e. the Walther Elektroboot. Now, I'm not too concerned with historical accuracy. Instead, I'm wondering: is it worth it?

I understand there's a speed increase over the Type IXD/2, not to mention the use of a snorkel, which can be handy. And I don't really ever use the IXD/2's rear tubes. However, I do miss having that 105mm deck gun (It's 1944, and I'm still able to blow holes in Allied shipping with it), as well as the potent dual 38mm AA gun.

So, is it worth it making the switch over to the Type XVIII? I've heard rumors that the 105mm on the IXD/2 is ungradable at a certain point (again, not realistic, but something like a dual 105mm gun would be pretty mind-blowing all the same).

Anyone made the switch? How'd you feel about it?

I upgraded to the Walther and didn't like it. No deck gun and no "pucker factor" when the DD's started coming after me. It's too easy to just hit the "turbo" button and get away. It was like driving a Porsche in a race when everyone else is in a VW. Keep your old boat.

Unless you are using a mod that adds the snorkel, it is unavailable in the UBM add-on. I liked the Type XVIII. It is a nice novelty sub to mess around with for a while.

I just got this boat, and I have to wonder if I'm correct to assume it doesn't have the range of the IX\D2?

How fast can that thing go anyways?

quote:

Originally posted by Starforce3:
How fast can that thing go anyways?

If you engage the turbine on the surface you can get up to about 29 kts. Underwater it is something around 24 or 25 kts.

quote:

Walther

I've seen a plastic model kit of it and it looks like it has a couple of decent turrets on it...are they not available ingame?

I'd say the boat is a mixed blessing. The disadvantages I find with it are the lack of a deck gun, and the shorter range. I seldom use aft torpedo tubes, however I still liked them for defense(One tube with a homing torpedo certainly takes care of close escorts) The Walter Turbine is definately useful for evading escorts, and also getting into position to attack a convoy.

Thanks for the feedback. I still haven't gone onto the next patrol because of uncertainty on the subject, heh.

I guess the real question is, how much further can the IXD/2 be upgraded? Sure, it was my favorite boat in SH3, but you hit your peak pretty quickly in Silent Hunter 4. Is there anything besides the 105mm Deck Gun and the dual 38mm guns? The IXD/2's flak is really only useful against planes if you man it yourself, I find.

Are there any other upgrades for the IXD/2?

Anyway, this is the first I've heard about the turbine--which does sound extremely useful (25 knots underwater? Hot damn.)

quote:

Anyway, this is the first I've heard about the turbine--which does sound extremely useful (25 knots underwater? Hot damn.)

Ja, iz great for outrunning ze ezcorts but, has a very shallow fuel supply that can only be refueled at your home port.
It's not bad for a fantasy boat. Plenty of fish.

It kind of resembles what could have been a prototype for the type XXI. The devs reused some of the SH III Type XXI art to create a quick addon with minimal effort.
I only say "minimal effort" because there are a few things that are just a little bit off,like so many other items in the sim. They're minor inconsistencies that don't really affect game play. But, they do detract from the immersion.

Hi MarkSynthesis

I have a 12.5cm deck gun on my IX D2, which has super fast firing ... It say's they're from U.S. stock but I don't know if this is acurate or fantasy... But it is a cool gun..This upgrade is available towards the later part of 1944 .... Also there is a twin version of the 3.7cm? Flak gun which is pretty useful at taking out planes..

Hope this helps

Its surface speed should be 19 kts, and without snorkel's underwater speed is 24 kts, with snorkel's speed is 29 kts. Reload 6 torpedoes only 12 minutes.

I've been meaning to ask...how the heck do you actually use the snorkel anyway? I scoured the in-game shortcut list, and didn't see any mention of a snorkel.

The snorkel is not modeled in the game. There was a mod that adds it, but it doesn't work right. CO2 still continues to build while using the modded snorkel.

quote:

Originally posted by Syxx_Killer_05:
The snorkel is not modeled in the game. There was a mod that adds it, but it doesn't work right. CO2 still continues to build while using the modded snorkel.

Are you sure? The previous posts seem to indicate that the XVIII has a snorkel. The IXD doesn't, somewhat inaccurately, but the Walther boat should.