Range disparity of early Jap/Allied aircraft

[Fuchida]

There is a major range disparity between the starting Japanese and allied carrier aircraft and I was wondering what tactics allied players use to over come this.

I just fought a major carrier battle with the Japs having Shokaku, Zuikaku, Kaga, Junyo, Shoho and Ryujo and me having Lexington, Enterprise, Yorktown and Hornet.

To avoid getting picked off at range, I charged in close and my TF launched at 4 hexes. Massive aircraft casualties on both sides, probably because I had a heavy cap which left my my own raids underprotected but allowed me to scythe through the Japanese attackers. I lost 112 aircraft and my fighter pilots/flak gunners claimed 128 kills (they are always so optimistic)

According to my equally enthusiatic attack pilots I hit Zuikaku (twice), Shoho and Junyo. The enemy managed a single bomb hit on Enterprise.

The Japs pulled back along the Slot (and a sub hit Zuikaku with a torp - yeah!) and moved north. At ten hexes, they launched an escorted farewell raid which didn't do any damage. This is well outside my own range.

Firstly I was wondering my the Devastator used bombs instead of torpedoes. Is that somehow configurable?

Secondly, the Japs have a major advantage early on because of this range differential. The only way I can see to combat this is to get close with a strong carrier task force and hope for the best. What tactics have others used against the long ranged enemy?

The Japs have a lot more options and I can see why carrier task force micromanagement would be very useful for the Japanese side. (when I get around to playing the Japs anyway)

[von Murrin]

You did it right. Why your TBD's had no torps is beyond me. 4 hexes is max torp range for them, and they're actually reasonably effective if you can consistently get within range. TBF's, when you get them, can wreak havoc.

As a last word, never engage a Jap CV TF unless you're certain you can get a strong strike without going into LBA range. Also refrain from airfield and port attacks before the battle to keep your fatigue as low as possible.

[Hartmann]

What von Murrin said, exactly. The devastators should have had their torps on range 4. Are you sure you did not miscount the number hexes? This sometimes happens to me too, especially if hexes are "off".

The problem is that even naval strikes to other targets can prove to be fatal errors if you encounter the enemy carriers just shortly afterwards while your guys are still suffering from fatigue ...

Hartmann