cv airgroup top offs?

[packerpete]

A couple of questions from the FNG/long time lurker. I am currently attempting to learn the combat mechanics as the Americans first before I attempt logistics as the Japanese.

1. Can CV airgroups get topped off while underway from another CV? A historical example, USS Yorktown, comming in from Pearl, topped off Lex before the Lae/Salamua strikes and vice/versa when Lex went to Pearl leaving the Yorktown in the Coral Sea. If this cannot be done presently could it be added latter in a patch please?

2. I know there is another thread dedicated to this but, can someone give a step by step on how to use the AV's/AVD's to support the Catalinas from a dot base hex? Is there an easy way to make an enemy base like Rennel Is. a friendly hex for float plane purposes short of an invasion of the hex?

[Jones944]

To use AVs and their like, you simply need to have them in the same hex as the friendly dot base, either in a task force or disbanded in the base. You must be at a friendly base, though. If it is enemy controlled you must first invade it with a small unit before you can base patrol craft there.

[packerpete]

Gotchya thanks. So no cheap way to take over an unoccupied dot hex. Oh well.

Any idea about the CV top offs?

[Jones944]

CVEs can be used to top off CV air groups later in the war. I think they need to be in an Replenishment task force and within a certain distance of the main Air Combat task force. As far as early war, you could potentially divide the air group on one of your CVs, rebase one of the resulting fragments over to the other CV and then disband that fragment. Disbanding is supposed to merge the planes and pilots of the disbanded unit into a like-equipped unit at the same base. I've never tried this so I have no idea if it will work in game.

[packerpete]

Ok, I will try it that. I know you can overload a CV to 115% of capacity, but can you force the units to accept that many replacements in port? I also aware that units above their allotment will put the extra planes in a damaged/reserve mode.

[packerpete]

Ok. I tried it but unfortunately it transferred the entire unit over instead of 3-4 or whatever. I mod'd the coral sea scenario by overloading the Lex to ensure that all 4 groups had a full boat of aircraft and some in a reserved state. I then transferred the not so devestating TBD's to the Yorktown and every plane transferred including the damaged/reserve aircraft. I then deactivated all but 4 pilots and the same thing occured. I reloaded the scenario and transferred the F4F unit but was greeted by a message warning me that I was about to lose some aircraft if I went through with it. I did and I lost about 10 aircraft outright.

Am I doing something wrong?
If not, will this capability be incorporated in a future patch?

[packerpete]

Could an arrow button be added to the transfer option to allow a limited amount of aircraft be transferred? The player would probably be obligated to designate which pilots perform the transfer mission.

[freeboy]

Be careful they game does not let you choose who gives up fuel, I have several time taken too much from a group that then was itself in need of getting support.

[packerpete]

Another question:

If you use a few USMC squadrons early in the war and get them carrier trained, will they still be carrier trained at the end of the war?

In other words, they start off with carrier capable aircraft: Buffalos and Wildcats. The next upgrade is a non carrier capable corsair F4U-1's then carrier capable ones. Do the pilots have to retrained? Does the squadron retain the carrier trained ability but obviously cannot use it when equipped with F4U-1's. Or do I have to leave them equiped with F4F's to retain the capability?

[packerpete]

I could not find an option to divide any airgroup.

What am I missing? Besides a clue that is[:'(]