Silent Hunter´s AARs displaying his way through the HC versions are fascinating. I will start a similiar walkthrough, based on the H3 version.

 

Very much looking forward to this. H3 is a long time waiting for me, stil have all versions on my box, only I got immersed in HCE after instaling HUE .

Features / changes comparision between the versions, like Silent Hunter Uk did, would be much appreciated.

 

 

 

Ok, I´ll add my thoughts about the different H3 versions when playing through them. It´s rather easy though, when it comes to th AI ´s strength: H 3 up to 3.6.3 is clearly better than all ANW/HUE versions.

 

If I can get my old rig running, I´ll even start with Harpoon 2, running under MS DOS 6.2 ! Will find out today.

 

Ah, H2, that was the version which made me hung up on Harpoon for like 20 years.

Can't exactly recall it was some bug/crash, I remember I did all the tutorials but one of the first scenarios had some deep problem with, I think, SAM engagements.

Probably I was running it under some Windows version though, not DOS.

 

Same here. Though I started with HC back in 1991 or 1992, it was H2, coming out in 1993, which made me addicted to the sim. In those days I had 486 DX 33 Mhz, which was far too weak for this beast H2. Only the tutorial sand small scenarios ran smoothly. But when it worked, H2 was a revelation, far beyond its time frame. The micromanagement possibilities were outstanding.

 

Then I progressed to a 486 DX -2 66 MHz, still no match for H2.

 

My first Pentium rig, a Pentium 1 133 Mhz, was my first PC on which H2 really was fun.

 

Nowadays I play it on a Pentium II 266 Mhz, together with some other old sims, like SSN-21 Seawolf or Chuck Yeager´s Air Combat (outstanding!)

 

The tragedy with H2 is, that it was transferred to Windows as H3, made progress up to 3.6.3, but then - IMO stalled. Now new GUI, no real step ahead.

 

Nowadays there are several sims out there which have modern GUI´s and are far superior, like Command, Global Conflicts 2.

 

Still, I love this totally outdated Black and Green screen and love to play H2 and H3 3.6. Call it nostalgia, I love it. There are tons of excellent scenarios, both stock and for the db2000, still waiting to be played.

 

But I, too, am a great fan of Harpoon Classic and have just returned to it, and scenario writing for it.

Still working on my HC thread... just seen my first nuking... on one of my own ships.

Next Step:

 

Harpoon 3 V 3.6.3 (included in the Ultimate Edition, a must have for all Harpoon fans IMO)

 

Scenario: To Protect the Queen

 

Side: UK

 

Database: Original Database

Still working on my HC thread... just seen my first nuking... on one of my own ships.

 

hehe...at least, progress

Scenario started. set up CAP and AEW from Manchester AB. Set up SuCap and ASw stations for the Fleet´s ac and helos. Ordered my subs to creep speed and as deep as possible.

 

Just got the first ESM contacts, the first indication from where the Russian Fleet is approaching.

 

How often I´ve played this scenario and it never bores me.

First round is over. Fighting the 3.6.X AI is always fun and a match. No Turkey Shoot, this AI delivers a hard fight. Especially when it has capable units at its disposal. This is what makes this scenario so challenging: those SU-27 Flankers are a real match for the British Tornados.

 

The score is 2:2 at the moment. The Tornado´s Amrams outrange the Flanker´s long range missiles, but when it comes to a dogfight the Flankers are better.

 

All in all the UK leads since I sunk an Akula Class SSN with a Spearfish torpedo launched by my SSN.

I run Harpoon 2 on my Vista system using DosBox without problems if that helps any.

 

Buddha

Further improvements: After the second round, the body count is 8:3 for me. The Amrams did it good job. Eight downed Flankers is a word. Still no exact fix on the hostile carrier group. Just launched two Nimrods to get better intelligence.

After two more runs, the score is 12:4. My Tornados now use their Amrams wisely and outgun the Flankers. Seems like there is a full regiment of SU-27 on the Russian carrier, so it´s still a long way to gain air superiority. And only after having achieved this I can start to attack the carrier group with air assets. My subs still have no solid contacts.

It´s 15:4 now and I downed a first Helix ASW helo. On my way bringing my assets in position and surrounding the hostile carrier group.

Lost two more F3 due to those deadly long ranged Grumble SAMs. Got many helos in return and brought my two Trafalgar subs in position. I thought this must be an easy win when both subs fired their Spearfish torpedoes. But I blew it and only achieved a draw since I lost both Trafalgar subs. I totally had forgotten about those dangerous SS-N-14 Silex rocket propelled torpedoes. They got both subs.

Yeah, those Silex torpedos can take you completely by surprise.

Lost two more F3 due to those deadly long ranged Grumble SAMs. Got many helos in return and brought my two Trafalgar subs in position. I thought this must be an easy win when both subs fired their Spearfish torpedoes. But I blew it and only achieved a draw since I lost both Trafalgar subs. I totally had forgotten about those dangerous SS-N-14 Silex rocket propelled torpedoes. They got both subs.

Yeah, those Silex torpedos can take you completely by surprise.

Keeping in mind that the SS-N-14 Silex is just the missile carrying a torpedo payload (AT-1, AT-2 or UMGT-1, depending on version).

Noted... but one doesn't particularly care when one's sub is sinking...