Balao-Class Submarine: WWII Fleet Boat

(Update 1 Should fix the missing 40mm along with texture improvements)

The Balao-class submarines were a successful and numerous class of U.S. Navy fleet submarines that saw extensive service during World War II. Commissioned primarily between 1943 and 1945, these boats were an evolution of the earlier Gato-class, featuring a slightly thicker pressure hull for increased dive depth. They became the backbone of the American submarine offensive in the Pacific, playing a crucial role in disrupting Japanese shipping and gathering intelligence.

This mod introduces a meticulously crafted, custom-built Balao-class submarine model specifically designed for Sea Power. Experience WWII naval combat with extensive detail, featuring:

Custom Balao-Class Submarine Model: A highly detailed representation of this iconic WWII fleet boat.

Custom Deck Armaments:

5"/25 caliber Wet Mount Deck Gun: A faithfully recreated model with its specific ammunition loadout.

40mm Single Barrel Bofors Gun: A custom model of this ubiquitous anti-aircraft weapon, complete with its designated ammunition.

Authentic Torpedo Loadout:

Mk14 Torpedo: The standard U.S. Navy submarine-launched anti-ship torpedo of WWII.

Mk27 "Cutie" (Mod 0) Torpedo: The first U.S. acoustic homing torpedo. The Mod 0 variant was mainly designed for anti-escort purposes. These are located only in the stern tubes. Caution: These torpedoes can be dangerous to your own submarine; it is advisable to remain very quiet or dive deep immediately after firing to avoid self-homing.

Custom Sensor Suite:

SJ Radar Set: A period-accurate surface search radar model.

Passive Sonar: Specifically configured for the Balao-class submarine.

Performance Note:
This mod was created with a focus on high detail and visual fidelity. While it runs smoothly on my development system, it may be demanding on lower-end machines due to the complexity of the models and textures. Please be aware that performance may vary.

Known Issues:
As Sea Power does not currently feature other submarines with functional deck guns, a few quirks are present with this implementation:

Enemy AI Behavior: When encountered as an enemy vessel under AI control, the submarine may attempt to surface and engage targets with its deck gun, often leading to its quick demise. This can make it behave erratically or be easier to destroy than intended when fighting against it.

Submersion with Active Guns: If any deck gun is active (i.e., has a firing order), the submarine will not submerge, even if ordered to dive. Players must issue a "Cease Fire" command to all deck guns to allow the boat to submerge. Using "Hold Fire" is also advisable to prevent the AI from reacquiring a target and reactivating the guns.

Deck Crew During Unordered Submersion: If the submarine takes on water and submerges without a direct dive order from the player, the deck gun crews may visually remain at their posts on deck.

Texture UV Map Inconsistencies: Some minor UV mapping issues may be present on the textures. I am aware of these and plan to fix them in time.

Mk27 "Cutie" Torpedo Targeting: The Mk27 torpedoes may occasionally dive and fail to acquire if a target is directly selected for firing. To mitigate this, try firing at a map location in the anticipated path of the enemy; the torpedo should then acquire the target. I am actively working on correcting this behavior and an update for these torpedoes is expected soon.

Thank you for checking out the mod, and I hope you enjoy commanding this piece of naval history!

Future Plans & Support:
I plan on releasing many updates for this mod, focusing on both optimization and further improvements. As of right now, future plans include:

Updating the variants to include proper hull numbers.

Replacing the current 3-bladed propeller with a more accurate 4-bladed propeller model.

Please note that I have a demanding job that takes most of my time. My freetime is very limited and mostly dedicated to my family, so my ability to provide tech support will be limited. This is also my first mod release for Sea Power, so please bear with me as I learn and refine things. Your patience and feedback are greatly appreciated!