Using RN CV's

Q-Ball · Post by **Q-Ball** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 9:19 pm

I'm debating what to do with the RN CV's. It's 4/42, and I have Formidable and Hermes. Formidable in particular is a nice CV with good AA and durability, but the airwing is very very weak. Against any air opposition, it's going to be useless. I've thought about sending it to OZ to link up with the US CV's, dump the aircraft, and load it with Wildcats and maybe some Marine Divebombers. Just a few more aircraft for the US CV fleet, and it can make more of an impact there. It would be a nice running mate to Lex, Sara, etc.

Has anyone else done that? What are your thoughts about pulling it out of the Indian Ocean?

Q-Ball · Post by **Q-Ball** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 9:20 pm

Oh wait, I think I read somewhere you can't load planes from one country onto another country's carrier, which would make this plan non-workable, but confirmation of that would be great!

Feinder · Post by **Feinder** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 9:35 pm

I have so much to say on this subject. But alas, my posts are monitored by spies from my PBEM enemies, so I must remain tight-lipped on the subject.

I will say however, that keeping them in port, while waiting to send them back to King George doesn't further your contribution to the war against Japan. Letting them get clobbered by KB doesn't contribute anything either, so don't let that happen.

But yes, they're quite capable ships. Use them (wisely).

-F-

RUPD3658 · Post by **RUPD3658** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 9:37 pm

Put them with the US CVs. Even a weak air group can do some damage of at least draw fire.

Their other use is to ferry AC to the front. The Allies don't have many CVEs early on.

String · Post by **String** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 9:43 pm

Swordfish are decent enough aircraft imho, and the fulmars do their job against unescorted betties i guess.

The airgroups have very nice exp levels however, so keeping them until they upgrade would be a good idea. A marine wildcat squadron is usually around 55 exp only

You also get the british version of wildcat in august so by september your carriers should give good enough aircover. If you won't lose hermes then you'll have 3 CV's and 1 CVL in your fleet. Enough to give aircover vs LBA.

Q-Ball · Post by **Q-Ball** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 9:43 pm

I will say however, that keeping them in port, while waiting to send them back to King George doesn't further your contribution to the war against Japan. Letting them get clobbered by KB doesn't contribute anything either, so don't let that happen

That's a good point, which brings up another question: Why not move the whole Royal Navy, or a good chunk of it? While I'm thiking of moving Formidable, why not most of the Cruisers and POW, leaving just slow BB's and your not-so-hot Cruisers? My only question is does anyone know the Withdrawl schedule, so enough ships can be held back to satisfy that. Other than that, the nnly RN options seem to be simply to hang around port waiting for the Japs to show up. If it's KB, the ships are lost anyway.

Q-Ball · Post by **Q-Ball** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 9:44 pm

You also get the british version of wildcat in august so by september your carriers should give good enough aircover. If you won't lose hermes then you'll have 3 CV's and 1 CVL in your fleet. Enough to give aircover vs LBA.

The Fulmars on Formidable upgrade to the Corsair IV. Won't be seeing that in awhile! That's why I thought of dumping them. Can I load US Wildcats onto a UK CV?

String · Post by **String** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 9:47 pm

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

I will say however, that keeping them in port, while waiting to send them back to King George doesn't further your contribution to the war against Japan. Letting them get clobbered by KB doesn't contribute anything either, so don't let that happen

That's a good point, which brings up another question: Why not move the whole Royal Navy, or a good chunk of it? While I'm thiking of moving Formidable, why not most of the Cruisers and POW, leaving just slow BB's and your not-so-hot Cruisers? My only question is does anyone know the Withdrawl schedule, so enough ships can be held back to satisfy that. Other than that, the nnly RN options seem to be simply to hang around port waiting for the Japs to show up. If it's KB, the ships are lost anyway.

Keeping them in Colombo does subject them to being bottled up in Karachi and destroyed a'la Wobbly vs Pzb. Withdrawing them however leaves you somewhat open.. but better to reinforce late than being destroyed early [:D]

IIRC one british carriers has enough room to carry an additional squadron. Maybe a marine wildcat squadron transferred in from australia?

Feinder · Post by **Feinder** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 9:47 pm

The problem with mixing them with the USN CVs is that they're slower. RN CVs have a top speed of 30, but that immediately drops to 29 with the first blink of Sys Dmg. The USN CVs however have a top speed of 32, dropping to 31 with "wear and tear" damage. I'm fairly sure that speed differential will slow the TF (full) speed from 6 hexes per day, to 5 hexes per day. And as far as I'm concerned, speed is a wonderful thing.

And regarding using the RN CVs as bait, that's just deplorable (granted, I'm biased).

-F-

String · Post by **String** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 10:03 pm

If Feinder would be so kind then could he send me a PM with suggestions as to how to use the RN CV's .. I'm commanding the british in the 3vs3 PBEM and this would be of great interest to me [;)]

Q-Ball · Post by **Q-Ball** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 10:06 pm

The problem with mixing them with the USN CVs is that they're slower. RN CVs have a top speed of 30, but that immediately drops to 29 with the first blink of Sys Dmg. The USN CVs however have a top speed of 32, dropping to 31 with "wear and tear" damage. I'm fairly sure that speed differential will slow the TF (full) speed from 6 hexes per day, to 5 hexes per day. And as far as I'm concerned, speed is a wonderful thing.

Very true, and speed is important! On the other hand, you can say the same thing about USS Wasp, so maybe you pair the RN CV with that....though by then, KB romping in the Indian Ocean should be less of a problem, or at least you'll be able to take more advantage of that.

anarchyintheuk · Post by **anarchyintheuk** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 10:17 pm

I wouldn't say that they are necessarily "bait", let's call them a target multiplier.

String · Post by **String** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 10:19 pm

ORIGINAL: anarchyintheuk

I wouldn't say that they are necessarily "bait", let's call them a target multiplier.

they are quite a bit sturdier than their US counterparts .. so ..

Hornblower · Post by **Hornblower** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 10:23 pm

Keep in mind that the RN ship withdrawal is going to hit, and the CV's are on the list to go. If you have them to far from Karachi you won't be able to get them back to be withdrawn and will take the big PP hit.

String · Post by **String** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 10:29 pm

ORIGINAL: Hornblower

Keep in mind that the RN ship withdrawal is going to hit, and the CV's are on the list to go. If you have them to far from Karachi you won't be able to get them back to be withdrawn and will take the big PP hit.

Ofcourse you might actually want to take the PP hit as a carrier could be considered a valuable asset. (depending on ones strategy) its what, 3000PP's? .. thats two months worth. With any luck you won't be using your PP's much by that time

adsoul · Post by **adsoul** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 10:40 pm

In my PBEB 2 CVs and CVL Hermes performed quite good against light KB (3-4 CVE/CVLs) off Australia and yes they had the starting complement of fulmar and Swordfish.

Bobthehatchit · Post by **Bobthehatchit** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 11:23 pm

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

I'm debating what to do with the RN CV's. It's 4/42, and I have Formidable and Hermes. Formidable in particular is a nice CV with good AA and durability, but the airwing is very very weak. Against any air opposition, it's going to be useless. I've thought about sending it to OZ to link up with the US CV's, dump the aircraft, and load it with Wildcats and maybe some Marine Divebombers. Just a few more aircraft for the US CV fleet, and it can make more of an impact there. It would be a nice running mate to Lex, Sara, etc.

Has anyone else done that? What are your thoughts about pulling it out of the Indian Ocean?

If you're playing against the ai then u will get away with moving them from the IO, in Pbm that might not be such a good idea as you will need them to cover convoys from Indain to Aus against carrier and long range betty/nell stikes form Java/Sumatra. You can also use them to raid when you know KB isnt in the area. I some times take the fighter group of hermies ( 11 aircraft) and transfer on the ACCU4? Stingbag squadron (12 planes) on to increase the strike force when i go duck hunting.

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 12:08 am

In one of my PBEM games I used them to make raids on shipping at/near Palembang. Kind of nice to see those TKs go blub, blub ... Eventhough they are a bit slow, you can bomb a turn or two and then retreat back to the West and then North and not get caught by KB.

freeboy · Post by **freeboy** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 4:37 am

ok, the do suck without changingthe air wings and uniting them with the US fleets after 01 43 I prefer to use them to punch up the cap, but if you have lots of that take your pick.. I currently have Corsairs on Brits CVNs to do this ..

EUBanana · Post by **EUBanana** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 10:29 am

I just used Indomitable and Hermes, linked up with the Wildcats on Lex and Saratoga at Java.

With the Wildcats doing the fighting and the Swordfish torpedo bombers much ass was kicked. The Swordfish are the only asset I've got thats really hurt the IJN. They've nailed about 5 BBs in 3 months.

I dont think the Dauntless is as good as the Swordfish, and the Devastator is frickin' useless. I figure later on when the US gets Avengers then the RN carriers are truly outclassed, but till then those stringbags seem to be the best shipkillers the Allies have.

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