G8N1 Issue and query

[el cid again]

I have created a G8N1 for use in the next CHS mod. G8N might be called "the Japanese B-17." It is a nice 4 engined bomber, with superb range, and four times the normal bomb load of Japanese twin engine bombers (which is to say four metric tons). It has twin 20mm defensive turrets, armor, even air-surface search radar. Apparently it does not carry torpedoes, but it WAS considered for use as a missile carrier. The particular missile considered happens to be defined in the game - OHKA.
[Not that I have found anything that uses it - but that is a different story].
I created the G8N1 exactly as originally designed - as a strait bomber.
[The big problem with this fine plane is that it is not available in 1942. Or 1943. Or even 1944.] The question is this - would anyone prefer a variant WITH the missile???

[Bombur]

-Good, I always wanted a G8N.However (1) I think you cannot modify it to use the OKHA, it´s probably hardcoded (2) The plane should be ready in the end of 1944 http://www.combinedfleet.com/ijna/g8n.htm

[el cid again]

The plane should be ready in the end of 1944

Well, yes and no. It MIGHT Be ready to enter production in December 1944 - and I am willing to assume it DOES enter production then IF a Japanese player wants to, commits engine and aircraft planes, and these have the resources required and are undamaged.

BUT I have a big problem with saying that a plane made in that month - on any day - even the last day - is instantly operational with a trained crew anywhere in the theater! So I have adopted the standard that IOC is two months after initial production of line aircraft (not prototypes) - setting IOC at February 1945.

Actually, prototypes were built until April, and there NEVER was regular production - but it was HOPED to build 32 production machines (and 16 prototypes and preproduction machines) by October 1945. Allowing regular production to begin in game terms in February is a VERY generous interpretation of IOC IMHO. One reason I go that way is that it won't be available in time to have much influence if we are more pessimistic.

I have another standard: it is stolen from a couple of historical precedents in wartime Japan. It took A6M5 only two monts to go from first flight to line production. It took H6K4-1 only two months to go from initial line production to operational use (albiet only two machines). Combining these in a case where there is no real IOC and no real production, I say it is (barely) possible, if Japan gives it priority, to go from first flight to IOC in four months. And THAT principle also applies to G8 in this case.