A New Set of BTS, RA, and Treaty Mods

[PaxMondo]

John still not stopping by. Maybe someone else will notice who has direct contact with him. He's prolly snowed in. IIRC he lives in the Colorado mountains.

[John 3rd]

Hello.

As mentioned in Big Red's AAR, I am still around.

Michael and I have been thinking up a new Mod but are not too sure where we are going with it.

Continue adding, changing, and tweaking the various versions of Between the Storms. Need to go back and completely re-write Reluctant Admiral, SOOOOOOOO long since we started with that Mod!

Who is still out there? Who might be interested in contributing? Do we still have players?

[John 3rd]

Here is my life update that I posted responding to Pax Mondo:

The Cochran Household is now in full speed ahead towards retirement. No longer have the Subways--though I still work for the young lady who bought them. Just work three days a week right now. Very nice!

My wife and I bought an apartment building at where we are moving to. We want to be closer to our cabin and in a lot slower, less populated, less expensive state where we can kick back with like-minded people. We plan to build our retirement house so this move is probably still 18 or so months away.

My boys are both graduated with the youngest working on a Business Degree at Colorado Mountain College in Steamboat. Oldest is about 21 and is still figuring life out. We are taking him to Lost Wages after his 21st. Should be a BUNCH of fun!

The caboose is still with us. When we move, we will loan it to the Colorado Model Railroad Museum so they can display it and do tours when wanted. That museum has become a big part of our lives. My youngest--Chris--has 1500 volunteer hours there (he is only 18) and I have been on the Board of Directors for six years. It has been a very good time and we have been able to give back to the community which is very important.

Those are the major events.

[John 3rd]

Here is the taste of the current thinking. As the readers and players know, we have really tried to redo the Washington and London Treaties to allow more ships on both sides. It tends to allow more of the Battlewagons that we never finished after the signing of Washington in 1921.

The two major changes to history are as follows:
1. The Japanese stall for a year before the Convention begins in Washington. This means the Treaties are negotiated in 1922 and signed in 1923.

2. The Americans have issues reading the Japanese Codes (where, in reality, they knew that the Japanese did not have the strength to fight the 5:5:3 balance). Here, the Japanese fight and gain the 70% that they sooooo felt they had to have. Look at Scraps of Paper, Kaigun and Reluctant Admiral as sources here for this.

RESULT: The extra year of time allows for more ships to be finished or be close enough to count as finished and the 3.5 allows Japan to add 1-2 more capital ships to their OOB.

Here is what is built:

Washington Conference
1922
5:5:3.5

UNITED STATES
Battleships/Battlecruisers
Utah and Florida @ 21,825
Arkansas and Wyoming @ 26,000
Texas and New York @ 27,000
Oklahoma and Nevada @ 27,500
Arizona and Pennsylvania @ 31,400
Idaho, New Mexico and Mississippi @ 32,000
California and Tennessee @ 32,300
Maryland, Colorado, West Virginia and Washington (Maryland-Class) @ 32,600
Constitution and Constellation (Lexington-Class) @ 43,500
Montana (S. Dakota-Class) @ 43,200

TOTAL 688,650

Carrier Conversions
Lexington
Saratoga


JAPAN
Battleships/Battlecruisers
Kongo, Kirishima, Hiei, Haruna @ 27,500
Fuso and Yamashiro @ 30,600
Hyuga and Ise @ 31,260
Nagato and Mutsu @ 33,800
Kaga and Tosa (Tosa-Class) @ 39,300
Atago and Takao (Amagi-Class) @ 41,217

TOTAL 462,354
70% 482,055
AVAILABLE 19,701

Carrier Conversions
Amagi
Akagi




How about that for a few new 'toys?'

[Kitakami]

Who is still out there? Who might be interested in contributing? Do we still have players?

Although I stared the Grim Reaper in the face last year, I am still here, and I volunteer to check Japanese database coherency,

[btd64]

Who is still out there? Who might be interested in contributing? Do we still have players?

Although I stared the Grim Reaper in the face last year, I am still here, and I volunteer to check Japanese database coherency,

I hope that you are ok Kitakami....GP

[Kitakami]

I hope that you are ok Kitakami....GP

I am now, and thank you for your good wishes. I caught Gillian-Barré in April of last year. It sent me to the ICU. When I got out of the hospital, I could not move arms of legs. Had physical therapy from early May to early December. I am still a bit weak, and do not care much for driving yet, but I am 85%-90% of the way there, perhaps a bit more.

[John 3rd]

Am HAPPY you are getting better Sir.

Jumped onto this Forum when I was in my early-40s and am now in my late-50s. Certainly feel the passage of time and DREAD every visit to the Doc!

Would you be willing to check coherence between the Mods? Right now we have three variants of BTS: Lite, Heavy, and Air. Could really use another set of eyes that the ships are all the same and the variants are good as well.

We won't talk about how Michael (NYGiants) is!

General Patton--How are things with you?

[John 3rd]

Art Work is a problem. We currently need a few ships and definitely some aircraft. Who might be available there?

[John 3rd]

Have two matches running using BTS--late-August 44 and mid-March 43. They have certainly given me some perspective...

[Kitakami]

Am HAPPY you are getting better Sir.

Jumped onto this Forum when I was in my early-40s and am now in my late-50s. Certainly feel the passage of time and DREAD every visit to the Doc!

Would you be willing to check coherence between the Mods? Right now we have three variants of BTS: Lite, Heavy, and Air. Could really use another set of eyes that the ships are all the same and the variants are good as well.

We won't talk about how Michael (NYGiants) is!

General Patton--How are things with you?

Thank you! I was in my mid thirties when I registered in the forums. It is now 22 years later

Yes, I can check that. One of my favourite activities every time you get a new mod out is to open the editor and ask, what do we have here? Send me files or links. My email address is still the same.

[btd64]

Am HAPPY you are getting better Sir.

Jumped onto this Forum when I was in my early-40s and am now in my late-50s. Certainly feel the passage of time and DREAD every visit to the Doc!

Would you be willing to check coherence between the Mods? Right now we have three variants of BTS: Lite, Heavy, and Air. Could really use another set of eyes that the ships are all the same and the variants are good as well.

We won't talk about how Michael (NYGiants) is!

General Patton--How are things with you?

Well John, last December 8th I got dizzy and fell down the stairs and broke my leg and dislocated my ankle. Had surgery to repair the brake and fix my ankle. 5 days in the hospital and 11 days at a rehab hospital. Now I'm home and I'm ready to put weight on my foot.

How are you doing John. How is the sub business?....GP

[ny59giants]

I'm in mid-Nov '42 vs One Eyed Jack in the newer BTS Air Mod. I see some warship artwork missing and we could use a list of what is needed as it's mainly for the newer models.

[John 3rd]

Yes...we need a list of missing ship and air art. Off the top of my head:

Ship:
US CLV (Aircraft-Cruiser)
French Strasbourg-Class BC

Air:
Japanese LIZ and RITA

[John 3rd]

Am HAPPY you are getting better Sir.

Jumped onto this Forum when I was in my early-40s and am now in my late-50s. Certainly feel the passage of time and DREAD every visit to the Doc!

Would you be willing to check coherence between the Mods? Right now we have three variants of BTS: Lite, Heavy, and Air. Could really use another set of eyes that the ships are all the same and the variants are good as well.

We won't talk about how Michael (NYGiants) is!

General Patton--How are things with you?

Well John, last December 8th I got dizzy and fell down the stairs and broke my leg and dislocated my ankle. Had surgery to repair the brake and fix my ankle. 5 days in the hospital and 11 days at a rehab hospital. Now I'm home and I'm ready to put weight on my foot.

How are you doing John. How is the sub business?....GP

Moral that story is...DON'T get dizzy! Glad you are on the mend Sir.

The stores were bought by a lovely young lady 2+ years ago. I told her that I would stay until the boys graduated High School. Chris did last May so that means we are headed to Baggs, WY--population 425.

Subway is lost as a corporation. Don't seem to know what they are doing. Glad I don't own the stores right now. Very, VERY tough to own a restaurant now and in Colorado. Not a good combination at all.

[btd64]

Am HAPPY you are getting better Sir.

Jumped onto this Forum when I was in my early-40s and am now in my late-50s. Certainly feel the passage of time and DREAD every visit to the Doc!

Would you be willing to check coherence between the Mods? Right now we have three variants of BTS: Lite, Heavy, and Air. Could really use another set of eyes that the ships are all the same and the variants are good as well.

We won't talk about how Michael (NYGiants) is!

General Patton--How are things with you?

Well John, last December 8th I got dizzy and fell down the stairs and broke my leg and dislocated my ankle. Had surgery to repair the brake and fix my ankle. 5 days in the hospital and 11 days at a rehab hospital. Now I'm home and I'm ready to put weight on my foot.

How are you doing John. How is the sub business?....GP

Moral that story is...DON'T get dizzy! Glad you are on the mend Sir.

The stores were bought by a lovely young lady 2+ years ago. I told her that I would stay until the boys graduated High School. Chris did last May so that means we are headed to Baggs, WY--population 425.

Subway is lost as a corporation. Don't seem to know what they are doing. Glad I don't own the stores right now. Very, VERY tough to own a restaurant now and in Colorado. Not a good combination at all.

I thought that subway was doing good. They seemed to be making better choices....GP

[John 3rd]

OK. Am going to put in here one Mod description after the other.

They appear to be making better choices but things are awful here in Colorado. Cost of living is so high, our prices are pretty rough and we have lost business. It is too bad. I have had a stable staff for over 10 years and my kids are starting to have to look around to find a new path. I support them but feel bad to lose them.

[John 3rd]

Between the Storms: The Fleet Faction Wins

As the Treaty Period ends, history takes another turn as Admiral Yamamoto Isoroku makes a greater contribution to the development of the Kaigun from 1936-1941. Yamamoto exerts a much greater influence first on the Japan Naval Aircraft Industry, then as Deputy Navy Minister, and finally as Navy Minister itself. Yamamoto chooses, at great risk to his life, to forego command of the Combined Fleet and dedicate himself to preparing Japan for the war he didn't want. He adds two new cruiser/carrier-sized slipways (Shanghai and Port Arthur) for Fleet construction to facilitate a different, final pre-war expansion of the Kaigun. New and expanded Naval Yards, Heavy Industry, and Armaments are added at tremendous cost for the Japanese economy as the Admiral attempts to prepare Japan for a possibly long war.

Historically the battleship supporters of the Kaigun were known as the ‘Fleet Faction.’ Admiral Yamamoto becomes the Naval Minister, risking his life to the radicals within the nation, and he does battle with this group of Admirals. In this variant of the Mod, he is not able to convince the Fleet Faction to give up on the idea of the super-battleship. Japan is stuck with the enormous cost of the Yamato-Class Battleship. As done historically, four are ordered with two in 1936 and two more in 1940.

Rather than build more of their superlative heavy cruisers, the Fleet Faction follows up on the Treaty-Era Chichibu design and orders six Fuji-Class light battlecruisers. Using the Kongo-Class 14” gun, these warships are the definition of a battlecruiser. They are reasonably fast, carry 2x2 14” guns, 2x3 6” guns, Floatplanes, and have very lite armor.

Looking to replace the aging Nagara-Class Light Cruisers, ten more of the originally designed Mogami-Class CLs are ordered. These CLs are strong and balanced warships carrying 5x3 6” guns, excellent speed, and armament. Due to the experiences during the war, several of these are converted into CVLs.

Quick, reasonably cheap carrier conversions are moved forward seeing all of the pre-war CVs/CVLs deploy by December 7th or at slightly earlier dates in 1942. Though only a few of these new ships are ready on December 7th, these additions make the Kaigun a force to be reckoned with well into 1944.

The Japan Naval Air Arm deploys its magnificent A6M2 with research complete for its land-based successor the M3. These airframes are ready in December 1941 and the Japanese wisely look at advanced prototypes elsewhere and decide to explore several second-generation fighter concepts. The Zero Team moves on to the Sam (no Jack), while private contractors work on the George. Yamamoto fosters a sense of competition between the two teams to see who will win out as having a worthy successor to the A6M2 line. Additional streamlining and encouragement brings forward second-generation aircraft of other fields--Dive-Bombing, Torpedo-Bombing, and the creation of a small heavy bomber line.
On the ground Yamamoto reorganizes the SNLF units into a Brigade-Sized offensive force and—knowing it will be a war of attrition—converts many Naval Guard into enhanced units with Coastal Defense artillery (using guns taken from refitted warships) for a stronger defensive unit. Additional small units are added to the IJN’s Troops and support units better reflecting Yamamoto's foresight into base building, defense, and expansion needs. While all these units are small and not in great number they promise to help the Japanese war effort.

The foresight of the Admiral pays off during late-1942 and 1943 as new ships, aircraft, and ground units enter into the Japanese Order-of-Battle, however, the cost is steep. Though expanded and using modern aircraft many Japanese Naval Air units start with their experience lowered to reflect the dilution of the experienced pilots into new units that start in Japan or arrive during 1942-1943.

Supply and fuel reserves start at a much reduced state. The Japanese MUST take the DEI as fast as possible!
Once war begins BTSL postulates Yamamoto’s influence upon the wartime Kaigun. Four more improved Shokaku-Class CVs are ordered, and the conversion of several CLs into CVLs is added. First class destroyers continue to be accelerated and emphasis is shifted to the AA Akizuki-Class as well as the Fleet Faction-liked Shimakaze-Class at the expense of the more balanced Yugumo’s.

Manpower is at a premium within the Fleet so Submarines, Escorts, and ASW forces all see a major retooling reflecting the Japanese quality over quantity belief. Yamamoto chooses the immediately useful projects, large APs converting to CVEs, better destroyers, fast transports and coastal defense forces.

[John 3rd]

Between the Storms: The Air Faction Wins

As the Treaty Period ends, history takes another turn as Admiral Yamamoto Isoroku makes a greater contribution to the development of the Kaigun from 1936-1941. Yamamoto exerts a much greater influence first on the Japan Naval Aircraft Industry, then as Deputy Navy Minister, and finally as Navy Minister itself. Yamamoto chooses, at great risk to his life, to forego command of the Combined Fleet and dedicate himself to preparing Japan for the war he didn't want. He adds two new cruiser/carrier-sized slipways (Shanghai and Port Arthur) for Fleet construction to facilitate a different, final pre-war expansion of the Kaigun. New and expanded Naval Yards, Heavy Industry, and Armaments are added at tremendous cost for the Japanese economy as the Admiral attempts to prepare Japan for a possibly long war.

Historically the carrier/land-based air supporters of the Kaigun were known as the ‘Air Faction.’ Admiral Yamamoto becomes the Naval Minister, risking his life to the radicals within the nation, and he does battle with this group of Admirals. In this variant of the Mod, he is able to convince the Fleet Faction to give up on the idea of the super-battleship. Two new, fast Battlecruisers of the B-65 Class are ordered in 1936.

To provide powerful escorts to the carrier fleet, the Japanese culminate their magnificent heavy cruiser design with 8 Niitaka-Class CAs. These ships are Command Cruisers coming in at over 15,000 tons, have 4x3 8” guns, strong 3.9” secondary, long lances, and four floatplanes. They are powerful, balanced cruisers that are ordered in pairs in 1934, 1936, 1940, and 1941.

Looking to replace the aging Nagara-Class Light Cruisers, ten Teshio-Class CLAA are ordered. Due to the experiences during the war, several of these are converted into Aso-Class CVLs. These 8,500 ton cruisers have 6” main guns and powerful 3,9” AA battery. In a massive change for the Japanese, these CLAA carry no torpedoes.

A-class destroyers continue to be accelerated and emphasis is shifted to the AA Akizuki-Class as well as the Fleet Faction-liked Shimakaze-Class at the expense of the more balanced Yugumo’s. The Japanese add more AA protection through the Akizuki’s plus a bit of power with the ultra-fast, heavily armed Shimakaze’s.

Quick, reasonably cheap carrier conversions are moved forward seeing all of the pre-war CVs/CVLs deploy by December 7th or at slightly earlier dates in 1942. Though only a few of these new ships are ready on December 7th, these additions make the Kaigun a force to be reckoned with well into 1944.

The main carrier construction is massively expanded. The excellent Shokaku-Class have 4 sisters ordered in 1938. They are ordered in pairs in 1938 and 1940. Once the war starts, there is immediate recognition that the powerful Shokaku’s are too expensive and time consuming to build. The Japanese revert to the much quicker to build Hiryu-Class CVs. A total of six are ordered. The above mentioned Teshio-Class CLAA see four converted into the Aso-Class CVL.

The Japan Naval Air Arm deploys its magnificent A6M2 with research complete for its land-based successor the M3. These airframes are ready in December 1941 and the Japanese wisely look at advanced prototypes elsewhere and decide to explore several second-generation fighter concepts. The Zero Team moves on to the Sam (no Jack), while private contractors work on the George. Yamamoto fosters a sense of competition between the two teams to see who will win out as having a worthy successor to the A6M2 line. Additional streamlining and encouragement brings forward second-generation aircraft of other fields--Dive-Bombing, Torpedo-Bombing, and the creation of a small heavy bomber line.

On the ground Yamamoto reorganizes the SNLF units into a Brigade-Sized offensive force and—knowing it will be a war of attrition—converts many Naval Guard into enhanced units with Coastal Defense artillery (using guns taken from refitted warships) for a stronger defensive unit. Additional small units are added to the IJN’s Troops and support units better reflecting Yamamoto's foresight into base building, defense, and expansion needs. While all these units are small and not in great number they promise to help the Japanese war effort.

The foresight of the Admiral pays off during late-1942 and 1943 as new ships, aircraft, and ground units enter into the Japanese Order-of-Battle, however, the cost is steep. Though expanded and using modern aircraft many Japanese Naval Air units start with their experience lowered to reflect the dilution of the experienced pilots into new units that start in Japan or arrive during 1942-1943.

Supply and fuel reserves start at a much reduced state. The Japanese MUST take the DEI as fast as possible!
Manpower is at a premium within the Fleet so Submarines, Escorts, and ASW forces all see a major retooling reflecting the Japanese quality over quantity belief. Yamamoto chooses the immediately useful projects, large APs converting to CVEs, better destroyers, fast transports and coastal defense forces.

[Kitakami]

… last December 8th I got dizzy and fell down the stairs and broke my leg and dislocated my ankle. Had surgery to repair the brake and fix my ankle. 5 days in the hospital and 11 days at a rehab hospital. Now I'm home and I'm ready to put weight on my foot.

Yikes! May you be out and about, and with no cold weather bone aches, in no time!