Quick question

[Fallschirmjager]

How big does an airfield have to be before it can launch medium bombers and larger?

I have a B-26 squad at Lunga set to naval attack and yet it will not attack. Airfield size is two. This is the only reason I can think of.

[bilbow]

Yup, that's it. Airfields need to be size 4 for offensive level bomber missions. ASW, Search and the like will work at level 2, but not offensive. Also you need at least 2X supply or they won;t fly very ofter if at all.

[denisonh]

I have had medium bombers launch offensive missions at level 3.

ORIGINAL: bilbow

Yup, that's it. Airfields need to be size 4 for offensive level bomber missions. ASW, Search and the like will work at level 2, but not offensive. Also you need at least 2X supply or they won;t fly very ofter if at all.

[DoomedMantis]

Medium bombers will launsch from size 3, but suffer higher op losses and have smaller bomb loads, at size 4 they will have bigger bomb loads. Also affects range as well

[denisonh]

Possible vs desirable.....

[Fallschirmjager]

Looks like I need to throw another enginer unit in the island

Any chance of making Lunga a B-17 lauching ground?

[DoomedMantis]

Definately as it can grow to size 9

[Fallschirmjager]

ORIGINAL: DoomedMantis

Definately as it can grow to size 9

[&:]

Whats that 6 in parenthasis then?

Also
what is a good number of enginers?

I currently have 75 (men...squads....I dont know)
The number changes since my opponent likes to sporadicly shell them

[DoomedMantis]

The part in the brackets is the optimal size, but bases can grow to this size plus 3, although at considerably reduced build rates (I think at 1/10th the rate to build from 6-7 as for what is was from 5-6 (6 being the base size) for example, and even further reduced to 8 and 9).

As for the amount of engineers, I tend to pump as many into a base that I am looking to build up as fast as possible. The one advantage that the Allies have also is the vehicles (read bulldozers) that are attached to most engineer units. These have a considerable benefit to the build rates (from very vague memory 1 vehicle is equivalent to 10 squads)

[DoomedMantis]

As for number of engineers, if the base is safe then I tend to have about 100-200 engineers at my larger bases while I am building them up, or if they are being bombed, but it all depends on my needs. If the base is not safe then I adjust accordingly

[CMDRMCTOAST]

Three groups of seebees will have you too 4 in no time.
I move them around alot whip up an airfield too size three or four a port too size 2 then move to the next base and start all over again.
then I will rotate the new groups coming in and max out the ports and airfields.

[jeffs]

One of the biggest advantages of the USN is the ability to build bases so quickly....I am playing a game as the IJN and it is such a drag waiting to get bases up to speed....But historically this was true....For example the IJN had thought of building Buna airbases for the shorter ranged zeros...But took way too long..If they had a Japanese equivelant of CBs then the battle might have been quite different as many more zeros on sweeps (and much less op losses as well)

[CMDRMCTOAST]

This is true they have a disadvantage for sure, but when you wage war
you had better have your sh@t straight.[:D]

[sven6345789]

just leave the naval construction battaillon at Koumac. By July, the airfield will be size 9. (Scen.17); Those vehicles are one of the best piece of equipment in the allied arsenal.
I once collected 4 Aussie Battaillons in Brisbane and shipped them to PM.
results
1. PM grew at an incredible rate
2. (even better) The Japanese planes weren't able to close down the airfield anymore. I was repairing it quicker then he could damage it.
Compare that to the japanese construction and pioneer battaillons. much much weaker.