MUST HAVE Japanese planes

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: Alpha77

ORIGINAL: GetAssista

, but Ki-100 is a beast with CL cannons that is easy to get in 43 with some Ha-33 engine bonus. It absolutely shreds 4Es and is better in this role than Nicks and all other 2nd gen fighters with 30 durability. I'd even say better than all 3rd gen fighters except Shinden when you factor in service rating 1.

But KI100 only 360 speed, that is not very good, even the P40 is faster (370)

I also do not agree on Ann with Lowpe, this is a good plane for small airfields. I started to build some of it. But my previous experience was vs. AI, so guess you need to totally scrap any "doubtful" plane in a PBM to have a chance. But the Ann can also fly asw, so.....range 4 on max. Sonia only range 3 (asw range is halved) also 50kg bombs do nothing to subs.

The P-40 is a fairly fast plane and is mediocre in other ways. And of course nothing for Japan at the Tony stage matches the P-47s, P-38s, or even early P-51s (although the P-38 underperforms like crazy) in terms of speed so comparing the speed is not as useful. 10mph of difference is not that great, and other models of the P-40 are slower. If you absolutely need speed, then upgrade to the Ki-100-II which has 367 but loses some range, etc.

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: Alpha77

I also do not agree on Ann with Lowpe, this is a good plane for small airfields. I started to build some of it. But my previous experience was vs. AI, so guess you need to totally scrap any "doubtful" plane in a PBM to have a chance. But the Ann can also fly asw, so.....range 4 on max. Sonia only range 3 (asw range is halved) also 50kg bombs do nothing to subs.

I said Ann or Mary. Pick one, and for me it would be the Ann but others have chosen the Mary.[;)]

[Lokasenna]

I use neither, but I play PDU On.

[Alpha77]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: Alpha77

I also do not agree on Ann with Lowpe, this is a good plane for small airfields. I started to build some of it. But my previous experience was vs. AI, so guess you need to totally scrap any "doubtful" plane in a PBM to have a chance. But the Ann can also fly asw, so.....range 4 on max. Sonia only range 3 (asw range is halved) also 50kg bombs do nothing to subs.

I said Ann or Mary. Pick one, and for me it would be the Ann but others have chosen the Mary.[;)]

Mary uses an old engine, one can make these to use the old ones up. Mary has also only 3 hex range for asw. But you need to send 1000 for every point. If Mary is worth it....

@ Loka: I invested in this game only 3 facs to the Tony cause I think it is just too slow. I can convert some facs if they researched eg. the Helen to Tony later. PS: I did the same in the AI game before, but there was some Tony modell "out of line" so lost the bonus. And never got the plane cause I quit that game in mid 43. I got some Jacks and Georges tho. However I never saw the urgent need for those planes in this earlier AI game cause the AI would not attack seriously in the air. I only used Nicks, Tojos c and Zero M5 to combat the raids the AI put together. (if they would attack me at all, but rather bomb their own cities I left for them to re-capture [:D]) They would not bring much planes closer to the front too, so also not much need for good sweep planes which I assume is the George for example.

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: Alpha77

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: Alpha77

I also do not agree on Ann with Lowpe, this is a good plane for small airfields. I started to build some of it. But my previous experience was vs. AI, so guess you need to totally scrap any "doubtful" plane in a PBM to have a chance. But the Ann can also fly asw, so.....range 4 on max. Sonia only range 3 (asw range is halved) also 50kg bombs do nothing to subs.

I said Ann or Mary. Pick one, and for me it would be the Ann but others have chosen the Mary.[;)]

Mary uses an old engine, one can make these to use the old ones up. Mary has also only 3 hex range for asw. But you need to send 1000 for every point. If Mary is worth it....

@ Loka: I invested in this game only 3 facs to the Tony cause I think it is just too slow. I can convert some facs if they researched eg. the Helen to Tony later. PS: I did the same in the AI game before, but there was some Tony modell "out of line" so lost the bonus. And never got the plane cause I quit that game in mid 43. I got some Jacks and Georges tho. However I never saw the urgent need for those planes in this earlier AI game cause the AI would not attack seriously in the air. I only used Nicks, Tojos c and Zero M5 to combat the raids the AI put together. (if they would attack me at all, but rather bomb their own cities I left for them to re-capture [:D]) They would not bring much planes closer to the front too, so also not much need for good sweep planes which I assume is the George for example.

You have to be careful when upgrading Tony factories, because one of the Tony models is not in the upgrade path. IIRC, it is the Ki-61d.

[rustysi]

Is the Randy FB the one with 57mm gun ? I am researching it just to test the gun

OK, the Randy line is actually three different A/C. The 'a' model is a fighter, 'b' is a FB, and 'c' is a NF. The 57mm version is the FB, its scheduled to appear 11/44, and the 57mm has an accuracy of 8. It does however have 2CL 20mm, accuracy 56, so they may do most of the 'hitting', and you probable wouldn't be able to tell what the 57mm is doing. I doubt much at acc 8.

The 'a' model has a 37mm, acc 6, and again 2xCL20mm. Its scheduled appearance is 3/45. My point is here, what R&D do you wish to 'waste' with these two. If anything I'd probably convert the Nick's when the 'b' model becomes available, but no precious R&D for these puppies.

Planes you can ignore

Frank B

Oh, I think not. This A/C is the Frank I want in my arsenal. Four x 20mm, two of which are CL. As for SR I point to what has been said here about high SR A/C, learn how to deal with it. Its hard to get to with a 3/45 date, but it'll get a lions' share of my R&D to 'make it so'.[:D]

[Alpha77]

I play now scen 2 which has some more facs I believe to research too.

I know that Randy is not a "must have" plane, I just put 3 facs to it. I give 3 facs to some later war planes I do not really need urgently but wanna try them out - provided this game goes long enough or I survive at all....eg. I also put 3 facs to Dinah nightfighter (cause seems very fastand has chance to catch bombers compared to Nick or Irving, yes I know it has no radar and armor, needs to be tried out)

If research on more urgent models goes good I can switch more research to these "not urgent" planes. At least this is my reasoning which may be BS [:)]

The optimal way would be put everything in Frank and George and Sam and perhaps the Judy....but a bit boring [;)]

PS: Does Frank B has really 2 CL guns, I remember 4 wing guns but have the data not here...? Still 4 x 20mm is ok.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: rustysi

Is the Randy FB the one with 57mm gun ? I am researching it just to test the gun

OK, the Randy line is actually three different A/C. The 'a' model is a fighter, 'b' is a FB, and 'c' is a NF. The 57mm version is the FB, its scheduled to appear 11/44, and the 57mm has an accuracy of 8. It does however have 2CL 20mm, accuracy 56, so they may do most of the 'hitting', and you probable wouldn't be able to tell what the 57mm is doing. I doubt much at acc 8.

The 'a' model has a 37mm, acc 6, and again 2xCL20mm. Its scheduled appearance is 3/45. My point is here, what R&D do you wish to 'waste' with these two. If anything I'd probably convert the Nick's when the 'b' model becomes available, but no precious R&D for these puppies.

Planes you can ignore

Frank B

Oh, I think not. This A/C is the Frank I want in my arsenal. Four x 20mm, two of which are CL. As for SR I point to what has been said here about high SR A/C, learn how to deal with it. Its hard to get to with a 3/45 date, but it'll get a lions' share of my R&D to 'make it so'.[:D]

Frank B is nice when you get it ... the range is what really works ... only late model to be able to match the Helen.

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: rustysi

Is the Randy FB the one with 57mm gun ? I am researching it just to test the gun

OK, the Randy line is actually three different A/C. The 'a' model is a fighter, 'b' is a FB, and 'c' is a NF. The 57mm version is the FB, its scheduled to appear 11/44, and the 57mm has an accuracy of 8. It does however have 2CL 20mm, accuracy 56, so they may do most of the 'hitting', and you probable wouldn't be able to tell what the 57mm is doing. I doubt much at acc 8.

The 'a' model has a 37mm, acc 6, and again 2xCL20mm. Its scheduled appearance is 3/45. My point is here, what R&D do you wish to 'waste' with these two. If anything I'd probably convert the Nick's when the 'b' model becomes available, but no precious R&D for these puppies.

Planes you can ignore

Frank B

Oh, I think not. This A/C is the Frank I want in my arsenal. Four x 20mm, two of which are CL. As for SR I point to what has been said here about high SR A/C, learn how to deal with it. Its hard to get to with a 3/45 date, but it'll get a lions' share of my R&D to 'make it so'.[:D]

The Randy-a is a ferocious beast, from what little I saw of it in the one game I've had so far that hit 1945. Because of altitude and its solid other statistics, it gives Allied sweepers a headache.

[rustysi]

PS: Does Frank B has really 2 CL guns, I remember 4 wing guns but have the data not here...? Still 4 x 20mm is ok.

Sams, Jacks, and Georges have 4x20mm wing cannon (certain models), Frank b has 4 with 2 of them CL and 2 wing.

The Randy-a is a ferocious beast

I'll take your word for it, I just don't know if I can make room to R&D it. Seems the 'b' FB version should be good too then. It comes naturally in 11/44.

[Shark7]

I haven't seen this mentioned so I will bring it up.

Personally, I restart a small production line for the C5M Babs simply because its a good long range recon plane early war and the IJN doesn't get a replacement for a long time, specifically the end of 1942. My experience has been that the squadrons will be completely decimated if used, and I do tend to use them, as recon intel is vital for the Japanese expansion period of the game.

So just a little curious as to everyone else's opinion on that.

[Alpha77]

ORIGINAL: Shark7

I haven't seen this mentioned so I will bring it up.

Personally, I restart a small production line for the C5M Babs simply because its a good long range recon plane early war and the IJN doesn't get a replacement for a long time, specifically the end of 1942. My experience has been that the squadrons will be completely decimated if used, and I do tend to use them, as recon intel is vital for the Japanese expansion period of the game.

So just a little curious as to everyone else's opinion on that.

The IJN has and gets only a few recon units I believe so I try to conserve the C5M and use the Army recons more..

Btw: Is there a recipe to sweep with Oscar 1c ? Top alt HR in 42 is 20000 so I put them there, got their asses handed to RAF Hurry and AVG. Roughly same numbers...a bit more Oscars in 3 sweeps to same target. Perhaps sweep at 10000 ? Or do not use them at all for sweeps ? LOL I cant wait until Tojo arrives [8|]

[Alpha77]

ORIGINAL: rustysi

PS: Does Frank B has really 2 CL guns, I remember 4 wing guns but have the data not here...? Still 4 x 20mm is ok.

Sams, Jacks, and Georges have 4x20mm wing cannon (certain models), Frank b has 4 with 2 of them CL and 2 wing.

The Randy-a is a ferocious beast

I'll take your word for it, I just don't know if I can make room to R&D it. Seems the 'b' FB version should be good too then. It comes naturally in 11/44.

I was wrong I confused Frank with Sam, which has the 4x20mm in wings. Frank B has 2/2, so "should" be good, but it is expensive and long time to get.....

Re. Randy A, can not even carry bombs iirc and why would one build a 2E fighter without bombing option ?

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Shark7

I haven't seen this mentioned so I will bring it up.

Personally, I restart a small production line for the C5M Babs simply because its a good long range recon plane early war and the IJN doesn't get a replacement for a long time, specifically the end of 1942. My experience has been that the squadrons will be completely decimated if used, and I do tend to use them, as recon intel is vital for the Japanese expansion period of the game.

So just a little curious as to everyone else's opinion on that.

I do as well, not a big production of course ... 10 - 20 planes/mo. I use a LOT of recon ... IJ intel is so poor that you have to use recon to make up for that ... and of course a ton of Jakes ... I convert a lot of xAK's to AV's and again use them for recon/NavSearch ... and yes I lose a lot of them, but the intel is invaluable ...

I keep Jakes on ship based groups, but will switch to Norm for land based groups ... the extrea few hexes make a difference for me. The Norm SR though is hard to manage on small ship based groups. LB groups though, pretty easy.

[Encircled]

Good pilots, low fatigue and sweeping at the altitude band that is best for them.

Still not a great sweeper though, but its ok if used correctly

[Shark7]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

ORIGINAL: Shark7

I haven't seen this mentioned so I will bring it up.

Personally, I restart a small production line for the C5M Babs simply because its a good long range recon plane early war and the IJN doesn't get a replacement for a long time, specifically the end of 1942. My experience has been that the squadrons will be completely decimated if used, and I do tend to use them, as recon intel is vital for the Japanese expansion period of the game.

So just a little curious as to everyone else's opinion on that.

I do as well, not a big production of course ... 10 - 20 planes/mo. I use a LOT of recon ... IJ intel is so poor that you have to use recon to make up for that ... and of course a ton of Jakes ... I convert a lot of xAK's to AV's and again use them for recon/NavSearch ... and yes I lose a lot of them, but the intel is invaluable ...

I keep Jakes on ship based groups, but will switch to Norm for land based groups ... the extrea few hexes make a difference for me. The Norm SR though is hard to manage on small ship based groups. LB groups though, pretty easy.

I pretty much just set mine to 12 per month. Convert the F1M Pete plant to C5M (since I find the Pete completely useless). I also like to convert some of those C5Ms to the D4Y recon plan when it becomes available since they are carrier capable.

[rustysi]

ORIGINAL: Shark7

I haven't seen this mentioned so I will bring it up.

Personally, I restart a small production line for the C5M Babs simply because its a good long range recon plane early war and the IJN doesn't get a replacement for a long time, specifically the end of 1942. My experience has been that the squadrons will be completely decimated if used, and I do tend to use them, as recon intel is vital for the Japanese expansion period of the game.

So just a little curious as to everyone else's opinion on that.

I use them as it the only LB recon the IJN has in the beginning and as you say its replacement is a long way off. I set production to ~8/mo. and generally keep them 'reconing' out of the way or lightly defended areas. I'll also train them in nav search and use them in that roll.

Another plane, not sure if it was mentioned, that I like to have some of are the Tina's. Like their range. They too are not produced at the start of the game. I find that 10/mo. are suitable for my purposes.

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: rustysi

ORIGINAL: Shark7

I haven't seen this mentioned so I will bring it up.

Personally, I restart a small production line for the C5M Babs simply because its a good long range recon plane early war and the IJN doesn't get a replacement for a long time, specifically the end of 1942. My experience has been that the squadrons will be completely decimated if used, and I do tend to use them, as recon intel is vital for the Japanese expansion period of the game.

So just a little curious as to everyone else's opinion on that.

I use them as it the only LB recon the IJN has in the beginning and as you say its replacement is a long way off. I set production to ~8/mo. and generally keep them 'reconing' out of the way or lightly defended areas. I'll also train them in nav search and use them in that roll.

Another plane, not sure if it was mentioned, that I like to have some of are the Tina's. Like their range. They too are not produced at the start of the game. I find that 10/mo. are suitable for my purposes.

You might need a few for a while, but you definitely want Tabby over Tina when you can get Tabby.

[Alpha77]

ASFAIK the IJN only gets a few recon and tranport units, so I did not assign any urgency to these builds, am I wrong? Tina also has low capacity but good range, however just like Babs a plane I would not produce..but I alsolike a bit of streamlining and try to safe on supplies.

[Yaab]

You can also use single engine bombers as emergency transports. Each will carry 1 supply point.