Effective use of AV, AVD, AS, etc

[AHFlattop]

Being new to WITP, I was wondering what the most effective role is for all the various tenders each side gets besides targets. I assume the tenders are forward replenishment ships for each specialized type of ship, torpedoes for destroyers and subs and so on. What about the Allied AV, AVDs?? The allies don't start with much in the way of seaplanes. Can the seaplanes from the damaged battleships be off-loaded and supported by the tenders? What is the use of AEs in the game.

Thanks

[VSWG]

Allied seaplane tenders add aviation support for float planes to a base with sufficient supplies. Ships can replenish small caliber ammo from AEs. For more info see chapter 14.2.1 of the manual. 

[swainscheps]

The manual seems pretty vague.
 
So, say you want to make Tulagi into a seaplane base. Once captured, you load the port up with supplies, then you park a tender in that hex(?) Does it need to be docked? or can it be undocked? Does it have to belong to a specific type of task force to perform its duties?

[John 3rd]

Get used to that answer---'the manual seems pretty vague!'  [8D]
 
You can do whatever you want with the AS-AD-AR-AV-MLE.  They can be docked.  I always disband them in a port and then they automatically do their thing.

[niceguy2005]

ORIGINAL: swainscheps

The manual seems pretty vague.

So, say you want to make Tulagi into a seaplane base. Once captured, you load the port up with supplies, then you park a tender in that hex(?) Does it need to be docked? or can it be undocked? Does it have to belong to a specific type of task force to perform its duties?

Yes, but be careful with the AV and AVD. They also make great forward targets. Truth be told I find AV of limited use, AVD as well. AVD can also double as escorts in areas that are mostly secure. Their crews aren't very good though so as actual fighting ships they are poor (although I did once break up a landing at Jessleton with one lone AVD).

AR, AD, AS are all invaluable and I always convert many AK to them. AD and AS are absolutely needed at forward bases to rearm DD and Subs. AR are mostly useful at large ports and ports with repair facilities.

MLE and AGP are also useful, but they aren't really needed in great quantity.

Edit: add AE's to that last group also. They are quite handy for reloading your heavy gun ammo at smaller ports. Useful for extended operations. They also can simply be used to transport cargo.

[bradfordkay]

AV and AVD come in handy in bases where you have one of the smaller base forces as they provide aviation support (for seaplanes) above and beyond the amount of air support that the base force has. The base force's aviation support can be used to keep a squadron of fighters up and running, while the AV provides the aviation support for the search planes.

[MarcA]

Split your AS's between your main sub repair ports, 2 AS per port maximum, and bases you want to use for sub re-armement. Subs need a size 8 port to reload torps but can do so from any port with sufficient suppliy with an AS present. Note, subs can refuel anywhere, they just can't re-arm anywhere.

Keep your AD's and AR's at you main repair bases, 2 and 4 maximum respectively.

[niceguy2005]

ORIGINAL: mantill

Split your AS's between your main sub repair ports, 2 AS per port maximum, and bases you want to use for sub re-armement. Subs need a size 8 port to reload torps but can do so from any port with sufficient suppliy with an AS present. Note, subs can refuel anywhere, they just can't re-arm anywhere.

Keep your AD's and AR's at you main repair bases, 2 and 4 maximum respectively.

Agreed except you are going to want to send a few AD forward to rearm your DDs with torps. In my PBEM I have used DD squadrons heavily in surface combat and the torps are invaluable.

[FAdmiral]

Is there a listing somewhere (don't see it in the manual) of what all
these ships with the letters mean (AS,AV,AVD,etc.) and exactly what they do.
I have looked for it but haven't found it yet. I thought the old Langley was a
carrier but the game says otherwise. Whats it purpose in the game???

JIM

[Nikademus]

the abreviations are actually in the manual.

[niceguy2005]

Might be in an appendix.

[wwengr]

See Appendix A - 19.1.2 Military Abbreviations.
(page 208 of the ebook manual)

AD – DESTROYER TENDER
AE – AMMUNITION
AG – COLLIER
AGC – AMPHIBIOUS FORCE COMMAND
AGP – PT BOAT TENDER
AK – CARGO
AO – OILER
AP – TROOP TRANSPORT
APD – HIGH SPEED TRANSPORT (CONVERTED DESTROYER)
AR – REPAIR
AS – SUBMARINE TENDER
AV – SEAPLANE TENDER
AVD – SEAPLANE TENDER DESTROYER
BB – BATTLESHIP
BC – BATTLE CRUISER
CA – HEAVY CRUISER
CL – LIGHT CRUISER
CLAA – LIGHT CRUISER, ANTI AIRCRAFT
CS – SCOUT CRUISER
CV – AIRCRAFT CARRIER
CVE – ESCORT CARRIER
CVL – AIRCRAFT CARRIER LIGHT
DD – DESTROYER
DE – DESTROYER ESCORT
DM – DESTROYER (MINELAYER)
DMS – DESTROYER MINE SWEEPER (OR HIGH SPEED MINE SWEEPER)
LCI – LANDING CRAFT (INFANTRY)
LCM – LANDING CRAFT (MECHANIZED)
LCT – LANDING CRAFT, TANK
LCVP – LANDING CRAFT (VEHICLE PERSONNEL)
LSD – LANDING SHIP (DOCK)
LST – LANDING SHIP (TANK)
ML – MINE LAYER
MLE – MINE LAYER TENDER
MSW – MINE SWEEPER
PC – PATROL COASTAL – OR SUBMARINE CHASER (173’)
PG – PATROL GUNBOAT
PT – PATROL TORPEDO BOAT
SC – SUB CHASER (110')
SS - SUBMARINE
TK - TANKER