Ka-1

[inqistor]

Prototype was flying on 26 May 1941. As I understand, with destined engine, so should not engine become available at 5/42?

Also, why its introduction date is so late? I understand it is modified ASW version, but late 1944 seems horribly late.
I do not see ANY unit, which arrives with this "plane", neither can find any unit, which can upgrade to it. What units use them?

Thinking of it:
What will happen, when I arm plane with ASW weapons, not bombs?
What will happen, when I give bomb "range", will it be treated as depth charge, or gun?

Also, what is the path for downgrading/upgrading unavailable aircraft (for new/returning units)? If Ka-1 have nothing in upgrade/downgrade path, does units using them will show up empty?

[DuckofTindalos]

Yawn... The first Ka-1s were artillery spotter aircraft, which have no place in our game. The ASW version wasn't ready until the Akitsu Maru was activated, so the setup is proper.

[inqistor]

To answer my question, I made an experiment:
Units do not downgrade, no matter of path, they arrive empty, if there are no planes in pools.

ORIGINAL: Terminus
The first Ka-1s were artillery spotter aircraft, which have no place in our game.

Still, logic dictates, that engine should be made available no later, than May 1942.
In this year airplane production is still small, so that would allow to accumulate engines, before switching factory for future needs. Who would waste resources for some short-range, poorly armed planes in 1944?

The ASW version wasn't ready until the Akitsu Maru was activated, so the setup is proper.

Quick look at editor:
Ship 2782 Akitsu Maru arrival date 420327
Ship 2783 Nigitsu Maru arrival date 430112
Ship 2784 Kumano Maru arrival date 450331

None of this dates is even REMOTELY close to September 1944, when Ka-1 begins production.
None of this ship arrives with air group, not gain them at later date.

[el cid again]

This aircraft is probably my fault. I added it in some scenarios for WITP - because it was historically used on IJA "aircraft carriers" - so players could experiment with how lousy they really were! In Japan enhanced scenarios, it was not included at all.

It was originally an observation aircraft - and HAS a role in WITP IF you want to use it as such. Many Allied air units now in OB were fitted with ob ac - because they were pressed into recon and search missions.

There was another observation plane also used in the observation role by IJA - Ka-76 I think - and it was also bloody awful.

The Army ships that were to serve later as ASW carriers originally were NOT that - but merely aviation transports that only flew off planes to captured
airfields. They should not be flying with aircraft that can land on in 1942 or 1943.

The Ka-1 MIGHT have mattered IF it was not used in the historical way. But WITP and AE lack the code to handle its use as a local ASW defense weapon on many kinds of ships.

[inqistor]

But are not they landed almost vertically? It should not need any additional equipment.

Any data of possible modification timeframe? I only found, that they were used to patrol straits around Japan (starting from land). It should be pretty easy to set few new units there.

[inqistor]

Well, according to this:

In this role the Ka-ls operated over Japanese coastal waters and particularly over the Tsugara and Korean channels.

I would say, there should be permanently restricted units at:
Fusan (Korea)
Fukuoka

for Korean Channel, and

Ominato

for Tsugara Channel. Hard to estimate size. RAF used 12 autogyros in one unit. There is only 6 Air Support at Fukuoka.

[el cid again]

There were units in Korea and Japan - probably used for straits patrol - fitted with various observation aircraft at different times. Ka-1 could be part of that mix. Their real advantage is they are cheap. But probably, like many things cheap. too cheap. The Ka-76 was modified for AS duties and not very good at them either. Later in the war, a dedicated ASW "bomber" was invented - with some logic in its design. It was a "dive bomber" - to get some accuracy into its DC delivery - and it had some actual sensors (radar and MAD). But it was too weakly defended and too slow to survive if enemy fighters showed up. There was also an AS variation of the Kate - and one of the Ki-49 - both not very great - but better than the dedicated AS planes in that they had better performance and range.

[inqistor]

HEY! I am just trying to find an use for plane, which have its own factory, and engine! Quit complicating things! [;)]

Although, it seems that LSDs should have their air-groups upgraded to Ki-76, which is actually defined in database (although does not produce). I can not put is as an upgrade for Ka-1, because then all air-groups could upgrade (and there is no crappiest plane, than Ka-1).
Well, there is quite a lot other Straits. At least 2 more in Japan, Taiwan Strait, Hainan Island, Singapore, North, and South Java, and probably at least 3 at Philippines.
I think I will go only with bases. with permanent Aviation Support, so additional patrol units at:
Oita
Kanoya
Pescadores

Anyway, it seems I was right:

Unlike a helicopter, autogyros without collective pitch need a runway to takeoff; however they are capable of landing with a very short, or zero ground roll.

There should be no need for extra landing equipment onboard, for KA-1 landing. Only some practice.

I would say, story was like this:
In June 1943 USN disables non-working exploders, and Japanese Merchant loses goes up. After 2 months they realize, that something must be done.
Around September there should be made initial improvisations, and Ka-1 can begin rearmament (in-game production) in October 1943. Few weeks later first land-based unit should appear, and 1 extra every 2-3 weeks.
On-board landing training should take around 2 months, so LSDs could get their air-units in December 1943.