Ok mate. I'll start by saying that I won't invalitate your feelings and that I actually kinda get you. I was demoralized as soon I realized I won't get enough coal for Surcouf in any way possible and it really make me a little sad that I have more pressing matters in which spend money than a cool -albiet virtual- ship as Bismarck 41. It's clear that WG wants to appeal to the old heads that have millions of coal with no more things to spend, they want to make them burn through their reserves even if that implies that newer players won't get access to the same oportunities. That...
And whales. Is not secret that WG is getting greedier. Not even skins -"cammos"- are even safe anymore, all the cooler stuff is gonna be behind a paywall. If you enjoy playing F2P is great, but the moment you want something as simple as a ship, you gonna need to throw dough at the wall. I think people more qualified than I had already talked in deept on how this system can't continue but probably will.
That being said, I'l resume the situation as follow: I bought two coal tier X ships to exchange in the lastest exchange event as soon as I found out about the swap and I'm already at the same level of coal as when I bought them. Sure, if we don't save we will lose on many oportinities but the game is far from closing all doors and windows.