IS it worth buiding extra AV with the Japanese?

[Arstavidios]

I don't know if it's interesting to convert some AK into AV with the Japanese.
If you can use use them to provide airborne ASW for your convoys it may be a good idea to build a good bunch of them as you have quite a few floatplanes that can be used for that.

[mogami]

Hi, AV support aircraft at bases (you can leave them on the AV or move them to the base)
But they support patrol/floatplanes without the need for an airfield or baseforce.
To provide ASW for underway TF you use CS. You need as many AV as you want patrol/float plane bases.

[Arstavidios]

Ok, thanks for your answer. I am still learning the game right now and I still have a lot of things to figure out before I can seriously think about a pbem game, but here is a good place to get answers.[:)]

So AV's are limited to bases and can't help for escort duty[:(].
And CS are too few to provide escort to the convoys, especially as you will convert some to aircraft carrier later on.

Maybe they can be used to operate with the light carriers as they have a good aircraft complement and can do damage to small surface task forces or lightly escorted convoys....

It would be wasteful not to use their air capacity especially with all the spare float planes you have all over the place.

I guess the best use of the single engine float planes is to look for subs around your bases while the long range ones look out for enemy task forces.

[mogami]

Hi, Use the AV to provide ASW from bases over convoy routes. Use the CS and CVL/CVE to fill in the gaps. Also use the range of the Mavis/Emily.
Starting at Nagasaki place AV on the Chain of islands between there and Formosa. (mine the gaps where enemy subs will enter the China Sea. Place ASW ships in port Okinnawa (and form ASW TF when you spot enemy sub)
Now you have ASW coverage from Home Islands to Formosa. Using Amoy and Hong Kong you extend it along coast. Do this all the way to Saigon. Once you take Singapore and Palembandg entend it further.
Towards Balikapapn use Davao, Manila, Menado, Kendari, Jolo etc. now this route has ASW coverage.
Build the islands below Home Islands towards Truk (Iwo and Saipan and islands along this route.)
Now there should be no large gap in ASW coverage. You can also use the 9 plane Betty/Nell Chutai as ASW search. Station ASW ships along all routes to react when you spot enemy submarine. Try to have at least 6 ASW escorts with convoys by mid 1942.

[Arstavidios]

Ok thanks again for the advice.
I'll make some tests with the AI. I also need to try the Japanese pilot training system.
I think I've got the basic idea but I need a little practice. All in all I should be able to start a pbem game around mid January.

[BlitzSS]

I recognize some of these names old SPWAWers. I've been trying to decide whether or not to break down and buy myself a Xmas gift of WIP. I think I can guess your answer.
What is a CS?

[mogami]

Hi, A CS is a floatplane carrier. It can operate it's planes at sea. AV need to be in a hex with land and sea (and supply) CS are good to agument the Japanese search to save bombers for strikes. (and the CS also conduct ASW ops) Later some of the CS can upgrade to CVL and change floatplanes for normal carrier types.
(AV are float plane tenders)
To set up a AV station place at least 1 AV in a TF include a AK loaded with supply and escorts. Then move where you wish your floatplanes to operate. Unload some supply and set the groups to their missions. CS you just use like a CV only the groups are float planes.

[BlitzSS]

Would CSs be like the coverted BBs Ise and Hyuga?

[Arstavidios]

CS is a seaplane carrier. Like Chitose and Chiyoda (spelling) for the Japanese.
It's a ship designed specifically to operate seaplanes and which carries around 20 of them.

the AV is a merchant ship converted to suport seaplane operations in islands without airbases

[Arstavidios]

ORIGINAL: BlitzSS

Would CSs be like the coverted BBs Ise and Hyuga?

Yop.

They had to fill them with a few thousand tons of concrete to balance them after removing the aft turrets.

[mogami]

Hi the 2 BB conversions were known as "hybrid" carriers. (they are a waste presently in WITP I advise against converting them

[BlitzSS]

I was familiar with the AV designation for a seaplane tender but the CS designation was new to me. However the Chitose and Chiyoda are familar to me as (CVS or CS) I guess, before they were attempted to be completely comvert to carriers.

[Arstavidios]

The Japanese tried strange stuff during the war.
There's also the Shinano, converted Yamato BB that was supposed to be an armoured replenishment carrier.
They also tried to mount heavy guns on subs iirc, in addition to the seaplane carrying subs.
There's also the incendiary balloon offensive on the US west coast designed to set the forrests ablaze.

[BlitzSS]

I agree Yes, historically if Ise class weren't being converted and were available in the Solomons, history would be different.

[BlitzSS]

I have trouble keeping up with some of the spelling of the Japanese ships as well but I believe you got it right or else we are both wrong. The long I keep talking to you guys the more I'm going to have to reach deep and by this darn game and then learn about not having aircraft for my pilots and oil for my factories!!!

[2ndACR]

It is worth the money. Even with the quirks at the moment.

[BlitzSS]

It sounds like it, but now more then the money is the time I will be spending. After I get it what do I do patch it imediately.

[2ndACR]

Yep, patch that sucker up to 1.4 as fast as possible. There are alot of enhancements and changes made in the patches.

[mogami]

Hi, There will always be parts of any historically based program that people do not agree with. The important things to consider are
Is is playable and if so is it "FUN"?
Does it work the way it is designed to work?

WITP is currently playable and fun. It is getting closer to working exactly as designed.

To add the current WITP is not the same as version 1.00 even where it worked as designed because of player input. The game has evolved to meet requests.

Will it ever be perfect? Probley not. But I still think it is the greatest wargame on the subject and of this scope ever produced and more then I would have envisioned when I first heard it was in development.

[CMDRMCTOAST]

Yes it is and it will be enjoyed for many years to come........