Loss rate for search aircraft too high?

[rader]

Not saying there is anything wrong with the loss rate per se, except it seems a bit strange that you can lose far more search aircraft than would actually be over an area.

For example, it is a regular occurence for me to send out 12 jakes on naval search without search arcs set. I assume this would mean that they would branch out, and, for example, maybe 1-2 at most would end up over Tulagi on their search patrol. Yet I find regularly that exceedingly high numbers (8+) of these 12 Jakes are shot down over a single hex (e.g., Tulagi). How is this possible? Are the search planes uniformly spaced tocvoer the entire area? Or are they all converging on Tualgi for some reason (presence of enemy there?).

[JeffroK]

I believe that if you dont set arcs they do a random search,

Maybe they gravitate toward likely targets rather than Bougainville.

[herwin]

ORIGINAL: JeffK

I believe that if you dont set arcs they do a random search,

Maybe they gravitate toward likely targets rather than Bougainville.

I believe you get 100% coverage in all directions out to four hexes.

[janh]

wrong thread...

[erstad]

I've definitely seen this as well. Worst case I've probably lost around 50 planes in a turn just due to searches (2 day turns)

[inqistor]

ORIGINAL: rader

Not saying there is anything wrong with the loss rate per se, except it seems a bit strange that you can lose far more search aircraft than would actually be over an area.

For example, it is a regular occurence for me to send out 12 jakes on naval search without search arcs set. I assume this would mean that they would branch out, and, for example, maybe 1-2 at most would end up over Tulagi on their search patrol. Yet I find regularly that exceedingly high numbers (8+) of these 12 Jakes are shot down over a single hex (e.g., Tulagi). How is this possible? Are the search planes uniformly spaced tocvoer the entire area? Or are they all converging on Tualgi for some reason (presence of enemy there?).

If you operate 2 hexes from enemy CAP, either planes could leak to nearby hexes, and you get attacks in half of it, or there could be actually LRCAP over your base, and planes are caught during landing.

Michaelm mentioned, that LRCAP over enemy base increases chance of operational loss, when planes are landing at that base.

[pompack]

IIRC, IRL it was considered exceptional for a Japanese search a/c to survive after spotting and reporting a US carrier task force. Searching for a carrier task force was a necessary but extremely dangerous task; sending a search platform (instead of a fast, high-altitude recce bird) over a major base in daylight was simply not done because it was just a waste of good people.

I have lost as many as 12 seach a/c (one day turns) over one task force more than once. Sometimes it was worth it but more often it was not; however the searches had to continue in order to track a dangerous, mobile adversary. When you pay a high price you do have to consider if the result is worth it.

[rader]

ORIGINAL: pompack

IIRC, IRL it was considered exceptional for a Japanese search a/c to survive after spotting and reporting a US carrier task force. Searching for a carrier task force was a necessary but extremely dangerous task; sending a search platform (instead of a fast, high-altitude recce bird) over a major base in daylight was simply not done because it was just a waste of good people.

I have lost as many as 12 seach a/c (one day turns) over one task force more than once. Sometimes it was worth it but more often it was not; however the searches had to continue in order to track a dangerous, mobile adversary. When you pay a high price you do have to consider if the result is worth it.

Oh yeah, I would expect Jakes to be mostly suicide weapons on search (hopefully getting a radio report in before they die). But my question wasn't related to how many Jakes downed of those *in contact with the enemy*, it was why were so many in contact with the enemy if they are searching 360 degrees? I guess it's the 4 hex explanation above, or maybe the CAP one. I was more curious than thinking it's a big problem and was just wondering if this was intended in the code, or itit was overlooked with the whole search arc thing.