Japanese Aircraft to Use

[Xargun]

I have finally made myself look at all the Japanese aircraft and pick ones I like from each category. The questions I have are below:

Level Bombers:

1. Change to the Ki-49-IIa Helen in Sept 42 or not ?
2. The G4M1 Betty is best at beginning but then the G3M3 Nell comes along in May 42. Should I change or stay with the Betty at this point ?

Float Planes:

1. Go with the Jake or the Alf at game start ? They are very comparable except the Jake has more range, but the Alf has better weapons - but do the guns matter that much on a float plane ?
2. The Glen. Will need to keep some in production throughout the war to replace sub planes that are lost correct ?

Which planes do you guys like and why ?

Xargun

[Shark7]

Level Bombers:

1. Actually keeping the Sally might be better. Helen uses the same engines as your fighters do.
2. A bird in hand is better than 2 in the bush. [;)]

Float Planes:

1. Go with the Jake.
2. Keep the Glen in production but do not expand it. You'll have plenty with just a handfull being made per month.

[Xargun]

ORIGINAL: Shark7

Level Bombers:

1. Actually keeping the Sally might be better. Helen uses the same engines as your fighters do.
2. A bird in hand is better than 2 in the bush. [;)]

I don't believe any fighters use the same engines as the Helen. The Helen uses Ha-34 which no other plane uses. And the Sally uses Ha-32 which is a fighter engine. Or do you mean its better to keep production of 1 engine type instead of 2 ?

ORIGINAL: Shark7
Float Planes:

1. Go with the Jake.
2. Keep the Glen in production but do not expand it. You'll have plenty with just a handfull being made per month.

Sounds good. Thanks

Xargun

[Shark7]

ORIGINAL: Xargun

ORIGINAL: Shark7

Level Bombers:

1. Actually keeping the Sally might be better. Helen uses the same engines as your fighters do.
2. A bird in hand is better than 2 in the bush. [;)]

I don't believe any fighters use the same engines as the Helen. The Helen uses Ha-34 which no other plane uses. And the Sally uses Ha-32 which is a fighter engine. Or do you mean its better to keep production of 1 engine type instead of 2 ?

ORIGINAL: Shark7
Float Planes:

1. Go with the Jake.
2. Keep the Glen in production but do not expand it. You'll have plenty with just a handfull being made per month.

Sounds good. Thanks

Xargun

No I'm just used to playing Vanilla. Sally was the keeper there due to the Helen using Nakajima engines. I still get confused when I'm not able to log directly into the game and look. [X(]

[Xargun]

ORIGINAL: Shark7

No I'm just used to playing Vanilla. Sally was the keeper there due to the Helen using Nakajima engines. I still get confused when I'm not able to log directly into the game and look. [X(]

Ahh. I have been trying hard to not do that. AE is very different from WitP and I am forcing myself to double check everything I 'think' I know before committing myself.

Xargun

[Xargun]

Well I just updated my spreadsheet with # of engines and Service Ratings for the various planes and I may be reconsidering some of my planes. Or at least keeping the good ones (longer service time) and crappier ones (quick service times) running together so I can always have planes in the air.

Xargun

[Mynok]

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2191396

There's useful info in this discussion.