Does a CV's mode make any difference when attacking air units?

[OxfordGuy3]

When a CV is bombing enemy fighters or bombers on the ground, does the CV's mode make any difference or does it not matter in this case if they're in "Bomber" or "Fighter" mode, other than perhaps whether other CVs or Fighters would escort them or not? i.e. would they do the same damage? I know that for attacking naval or ground units you need to be in "bomber" mode for the most effect. Thanks.

[CaesarAug]

To obtain the maximum possible effect, I’m quite sure a carrier must be in bomber mode for any attack, be it against enemy air, land or naval units. True that precludes that same carrier’s fighter escort…

Alternatively, a carrier can be in mixed fighter/bomber mode against enemy air, land or naval units, with the
possibility of the same carrier’s fighter escort, but at about 50% reduction in effectiveness.

Carriers in fighter mode can also attack enemy air, land or naval units but at negligible effectiveness.

The main point is that, as far as I know, carrier operational modes apply to ANY type of enemy targets.

[OxfordGuy3]

Okay, so when land based escorts are not available for your CVs, I guess it's going to be more effective to have one attacking CV in bomber mode and another one in Fighter mode to provide an Escort, rather than use two CVs in "Mixed" mode for an attack?

[Bavre]

On a sidenote:
IIrc CVs in fighter mode also get a substantial def bonus vs air attack on themselves. So putting one in bomber mode is a bit like starship Enterprise lowering its shields.

[CaesarAug]

Okay, so when land based escorts are not available for your CVs, I guess it's going to be more effective to have one attacking CV in bomber mode and another one in Fighter mode to provide an Escort, rather than use two CVs in "Mixed" mode for an attack?

Well, the scenario you describe may yield similar results in the long run, while in the short run, it may be preferable to use one CV in bomber mode, providing escort cover from somewhere else.

While it is true that ONE CV in bomber mode will tend to be twice as effective as one CV in mixed mode, TWO CVs in mix mode will benefit with the respective carrier’s fighter escorts, while the CV on bomber mode will lack escorts unless provided from elsewhere.

If one CV is providing escort cover for another CV in bomber mode, the covering CV must be in fighter CAP mode, and further in auto or escort sub-mode.