Aboard the Red Castle - Erkki(J) vs. Smeulders(A) - no lookin'!

[Erkki]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

ORIGINAL: Erkki

March 22nd


Not much happened today. 6th Ku S-1 Zero squadron formed at Chiba but I don't have enough trained pilots(Navy fighter reserves have 20 pilots, and I have suffered very little losses so far...) so that unit gets the leader with the best inspiration and 55 fresh flight school graduates and is now a training unit.

Ok, question: 3 1/2 months into the game ... you should have a fair number of figher pilots moving into your pool unless you have used a lot which you say you haven't ...

You start with what 1200 IJN pilots in your pool. How many did you put to fighter training? If you put half .... 600 pilots starting at 30/30 after 100 days should all be "graduated" by now with > 50/60 ... (exp/skill). Are you targetting higher levels or did you put fewer into fighter training?

Problem is lack of IJN fighter units. I have now 2 x size 45 + a size 12 (130 pilots)units doing training and 27+12 that are due to be withdrawn in 8 days. Those 2 units have 52 trained pilots(I think) but I'll let them train the last days to get all out of those units while I still have them. I would have 0 in pools but I have drawn complete rookies to carrier units, logic being that they have the time to train... Which they've done and have skilled up nearly as quick as the pilots in the actual training units. Flying CAP and training at port increases AIR and EXP almost as quick, but the DEF seems to improve slower. I have also had to put some replacement pilots to frontline land-based squads which I havent liked at all... Perhaps luckily to them the Allies have been very passive and those units have been able to train. Outside KB's losses and after the PI campaign I have lost just 2 or 3 Zeros to enemy action, over Singapore and 1 over Java, with 1 MIA pilot but he was found a week ago. [:D]

The training method in training units is 100% training, escort at 0 range, ~ 1 week of strafing a month to improve def skill. The day a pilot's exp hits 50 they are considered ready regardless of skills as they're now taking pilot slow from someone who'd learn much quicker. Graduates are 67-74 in AIR(averaging 70 or 71) and about 62 or 63 def on average. I'm monitoring all my training units very closely, checking Navy units daily if I have the time and Army units every 3-4 days at least.

EDIT: how can I even put half of 1200 pilots in the pools to training? I dont have IJN units to do that on the map, let alone available to training. Just fighter units... other than Chitose and Tainan Groups I have just 27 frontline Zeros (Yamada dets, due to be withdrawn soon) and 3 restricted units in the HIs. Plus now that 6th Ku S-1 that arrived last turn.

[koniu]

Hi,

As Erkki noticed, number of pilots is no problem. biggest problem is place to train them.
I have 500+ pilot ready to train but they sit in pool waiting to place them in units

[PaxMondo]

Sorry, I had this great, lengthy response and then a local power outage.  [:@]
 
Abbreviated response: I put all IJN fighter units to train until they can be upgraded to Zekes.  Claudes are useless in battle except against the Dutch, and will only waste pilots if your opponent ambushes you with P-40's.  I think that gives me another 5 or squadrons that allows me to get +250 pilots trained up before I have the Zekes available to upgrade them all.
 
You have a lot of hard choices at war's start as to what you commit to battle and what you commit to training ... putting everything to battle immediately helps with your first month or two, but then you can't sustain your momentum.  Takes a lot of hard thought to choose .... good luck!
 
 

[Erkki]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

Sorry, I had this great, lengthy response and then a local power outage.  [:@]

Abbreviated response: I put all IJN fighter units to train until they can be upgraded to Zekes.  Claudes are useless in battle except against the Dutch, and will only waste pilots if your opponent ambushes you with P-40's.  I think that gives me another 5 or squadrons that allows me to get +250 pilots trained up before I have the Zekes available to upgrade them all.

You have a lot of hard choices at war's start as to what you commit to battle and what you commit to training ... putting everything to battle immediately helps with your first month or two, but then you can't sustain your momentum.  Takes a lot of hard thought to choose .... good luck!

I have not used A5M or Ki-27 in combat, thats nothing but throwing away good pilots imho. In Scen 1/DBB the IJNAF simply has serious lack of fighter units that doesn't leave more than a couple of Zero groups available for frontline use... During the next month Yamada Dets and 2 other groups are withdrawn, 18+9+27+12 planes = 66. Arriving units during 1942 are 45+27+27+12=111 of at least 1 is perma restricted and of I've already received that 45 strength one, so the situation wont be improving much. Lots of Zeros in the pool but no units or trained pilots available and because they're only fighters with cannon armament I cant just retire them all back to pilot training for carriers and later N1K and J2M units while relying on IJAAF units doing the fighting.

[Erkki]

March 23rd

Not much happened today. Japanese troops retreated the Dutch on Java and near Makassar. Reinforcements arrive to Samarinda today so we will probably see the Dutch air force attacking the transports. They'll have to try to survive without air cover.

In the Kuriles, the reinforcement SNLF Bn finally arrives at Paramushiro Jima! 8-9 days and the 45th IJNAF AF Bn is also there. I have a second SNLF Bn earmarked but no ships to move it yet. After those units are in place, Paramushiro will have hopefully believable defense of the CD unit and 160AV worth infantry now behind forts 1 but they're building up. I'm not going to garrison Onnekotan Jima yet.

Near Sydney, submarine I-24 IDs 2 destroyers: Evertsen and Van Ghent! But those ships were escorting CL Mauritius now month ago, what are they doing there, and alone in a 2-ship force? Probably means that the main body of the Allies' Pacific Fleet is (still) sitting at Sydney, if they didnt have better things to do for 2 DDs other than sailing from Java around Australia...

[Erkki]

BTW heres my R&D plans for some of the most important planes


Zero: now M2 130/month. M2-N will be built 10 a month(will probably be more than enough in the long run) until N1K arrives when, or before that, the M2-N factory gets converted to M5 or some plane I happen to need. M3 R&D is now 5x30. Depending on needs, all R&D will continue to M3a or one will start producing M3. Anyway, one of the M2 factories will convert to M3. Once M3a arrives I will leave 3 factories do the R&D until M5 arrives. I dont think the later marks are worth R&Ding for...

B6N1: R&D is 2x30, so I'm trying to accelerate it from 3/43 to 1/43. I wont R&D the B6N2 because N1 already gives CVs the ability to deliver torpedoes over 8 hex and I dont think the slightly higher speed will help them survive enemy fighters better. Service rate would drop to 1 but I can survive with 2.

D4Y1: R&Ding 3x30, it most likely makes an awesome kamikaze with the 500kg bomb so slight overproduction cant hurt. I'll try to advance from 1/43 to 11/42.

J2M2: R&D also 3x30, one factory will start producing asap while others R&D to the service rate 2 J2M3. I hope to advance from 5/43 ro 3/43 or even 2/43 and the M3 from 1/44 to 10/43.

N1K1: massive investment! 9x30 R&D, trying to accelerate from 7/43 to 5 or 4/43. Once it arrives, 5 factories will start production while 4 will continue R&D of the superb-on-paper-at-least N1K2-J which has service rating of 2 and is even faster and more maneuverable. I hope to accelerate that from 11/44 to 2 or 1/44!!

Ki-44-IIa: another one I invest alot. 9x30 R&D, once it arrives 6/42 or 5/42 at least 6 factories will carry on R&D of IIb and then IIc. I did some calculations and it should be possible to get the armored 4-HMG IIc by 6/43, early enough to be of use and make mass-producing Ki-44 series until mid-44 at least worthwhile I hope.

Ki-61:Ia and Ic: these both have 3x30 R&D. Trying to accelerate first from 11/42 to 9/42 and latter from 9/43 to 5/43. 1 or 2 factories will start producing Ia and same with Ic while 2 R&D carry on with the very well armed Id and eventually Ki-100. Ki-61 will used only defensively against bombers and to keep best pilots alive. I like the looks of it too, and its got a DB engine!! [8D] As soon as Ki-61-Ic arrives I will be able to (finally!!) terminate the Ki-45 production.

Ki-84: 9x30 and 1x1 R&Ding. Trying to advance it from 1/44 to 6 or 7/43... Depending on frontline needs I might let some R&D labs carry on advancing the Ki-84r.

[Erkki]

March 24th

Another silent day.

Burma: First time for 2 months an Allied aircraft get sighted - reconnaissance planes photograph multiple Japanese airbases including Magwe. Japanese reconnaissance keeps monitoring all the in-range Allied airfields that are big enough for bombers, but they are all either empty or have fighters or aux/transport/recce planes. Calcutta has over 300 aircraft, 150 of them fighters.

East Indies: A Japanese SNLF battalion lands at Christmas Island. The TF was supposed not supposed to land there today, but should have been 1 hex short(cruise speed set so it shouldnt have made the full speed run to target). Hmmm.. 3 139WHs strike Makassar from Kendari and get shot down by Zeros - easy kills! 30 Japanese Ki-21s bomb Soerebaja's airfield but fail to destroy any of the aircraft there. Allied fighters for some reason havent felt like flying CAP here for weeks... Reinforcements arrived at Samarinda, and once they have been unloaded its time to march to Balikpapan and get the place.

SOPAC: A Dutch submarine near Rabaul torpedoes an xAK inbound to Rabaul. The damage is so heavy that I chose to scuttle it, luckily it had transported some troops to Buna and so had only 300 tons of supplies aboard, and it was a pretty small xAK any way. Japanese Marines will land at Tabiteuea tomorrow.

[Erkki]

March 25th


Burma: A squadron strong unit of bombers appears to have been moved to Dacca. Japanese troops will secure Katha in northern Burma tomorrow. Troops to invade Great Nicobar island start boarding ships at Singapore - the island is unoccupied but I'm going to build it into a small airbase so just 1 aviation support company and a construction battalion.

East Indies: Christmas Island captured, Dutch 139WHs fly 14 sorties against Japanese transports unloading at Samarinda and manage to score a hit on a transport. I give it 50-50% chance to sink tomorrow.

Philippine Islands: Guiuan captured, Cebu invaded tomorrow.

SOPAC: 2 transports collide off the northern coast of New Guinea. Both of them were carrying aviation support units to Horn Island and are pretty heavily damaged now... They'll try to make it to Hollandia and unload the troops. Those troops will then be picked up by another convoy that will set sail at Rabaul tonight.

[koniu]

Hi,

Erkki, You are 2 months ahead of me so i will use your AAR as test field for my game.

PS. Great AAR for now it is my obligatory point of day.

[Erkki]

ORIGINAL: koniu

Hi,

Erkki, You are 2 months ahead of me so i will use your AAR as test field for my game.

PS. Great AAR for now it is my obligatory point of day.

Thanks. Writing an AAR is a good way to write down notes too to keep tracking what all is happening or requires attention and new orders. These daily reports can be pretty boring to read but I'm doing it any way for myself at least. Next turn will be 110th played and I think I'll do some sort of a strategic overview of what has happened so far, how my plans have worked, what could have been improved and what to do next. With screenshots of course! [:D]

[Erkki]

I think I promised screenshots for today.... Okay.

Next turn is 110th's so its time to do an analysis. Lets go first through the map, clockwise.


Kuriles:


I decided to not invade Aleutians. In 7 days we'll have some units at Paramushiro together with battlewagons and search planes. I'll later also move units to Onnekottan-Jima and at least a 3rd battalion of infantry to Paramushiro and an engineer unit to build up the forts quicker.

I havent seen Allied submarines here for a while. There were 2 or 3 a month ago but Skipjack got shot up by an xAK south of Hokkaido and havent seen them since.



Central Pacific:

I decided to not invade Wake, using that force to at New Britain instead. I have moved away most shipping to minimize losses against a possible raid, but reinforced Marcus and Tarawa. Once Solomons have enough units we'll start reinforcing some key islands and atolls here.



South Pacific:

We have captured everything we've wanted with minimal Allied interference. Port Moresby was invaded simultaneously with KB raid to Brisbane that sunk CA Canberra and CL Achilles with her escort DD and at least heavily damaged 3 other CLs. From now on we will be on the defensive here.



East Indies:

Still a lot to take here... The Dutch are delaying us at Bandoeng where they have 950 AV vs. 2800 Japanese behind 2 forts in mountain terrain. When forts were 3, 2100 Japanese AV still achieved 2:1 so I'm carefully optimistic that we might retreat them in 3 or 4 attacks. Invasion fleet with a fresh division and lots of support units will set sail from Kove to Timor in 8 days - once Koepang is ours the Japanese carriers are free to do some raiding! [8D]



Andaman Sea:

We're building up some airbases to monitor Allied traffic in the Bay of Bengal... I dont want them to invade Sumatra either. Fortifying this area will rise in my priorities by late 1942 but I dont think the Allies can attack here before early 43.



Burma:

Allies retreated after little fighting and Burma is ours. I'm expecting the Allies to start bombing Magwe's oil wells any day now, and we're building airfields... Lots of Ki-43s here. I really, really need more troops in Burma but there arent really any available before the East Indies is secured - will take several months more. [:(]



China: front stabilized and semi-ceasefire in effect. The road from Indochina to Shanghai is clear and looking at Tracker all the fuel from Burma and Sumatra-->Singapore seems to flowing all the way to Korea as or almost as quickly as it gets produced... Nice! I might be able to shorten my sea lanes from Sumatra/Singapore to Kyushu to Shanghai/Port Arthur/Pusan-Kyushu!



Naval losses so far: (not counting PH raid where I know I got something, but nothing is confirmed)


Japan:

3 x DD (1 old)
1 x TB
1 x DMS

Half a dozen small ships, 3 xAP, some 7 xAK - losses are very light


Allies:

CV Yorktown
BB Royal Sovereign
CA Canberra
CL Achilles
CL Mauritius
CL Danae
CL Enterprise
CL Marblehead
7 x DD

Probables:
CL Java
CL Dragon
1 x DD

Damaged, some might even be sunk:
CL De Ryuter
CL Perth
CL Adelaine
CL Durban
1 x DD

Also AV Langley, 3 big xAPs, dozen-ish xAKs, 2 submarines, 4 big TKs, some dozen tenders and loads of small ships(xAK, xAKL, xAP etc.) from various classes

Air forces of both sides are practically intact. KB's air units got a bit roughed up at Pearl, but so did AVG over China and Burma. Dutch air units have been attrited a little but they should still have lots of planes left.

Industry: I recently managed to finally stop the Home Islands' resource levels from dropping. Resource and fuel levels have been growing for a few days, although the fuel isnt growing fast enough for the time when I run out of oil. HI points are increasing at a nice 3500/day and I'm accelerating all but 2 CVs(Shinano canceled and Aso still in queue). I'm expecting the HI increase to lower to around 2000/day once the Ki-44 and Ki-49 mass-production programs start together with other aircraft. I rather defend my oil fields harder than reserve HI for the time I dont have those fields any more. That means with my skills its game over by 1944. [:D]

[koniu]

I like pictures.
Can you show air production rate. I want to compare with my plans.
And you have very small naval losses. I am in middle January and i have 2 x bigger losses.

koniu

[Erkki]

Heres the air production at the moment. In 5 turns we will have H6K2-L (5 planes/month), Ki-49-Ia(10 planes) and A6M2-N(10 planes) entering production. 5/43 also A6M3(one R&D switches to production and one size 30 M2 factory stays in M2), Ki-45(initially 45 a month for 2 size-45 anti-4E units but later I will reduce it) and Ki-44-IIa(some Ki-43 factories switch to Ki-44, planning for 120/month initially).

[obvert]

China: front stabilized and semi-ceasefire in effect. The road from Indochina to Shanghai is clear and looking at Tracker all the fuel from Burma and Sumatra-->Singapore seems to flowing all the way to Korea as or almost as quickly as it gets produced... Nice! I might be able to shorten my sea lanes from Sumatra/Singapore to Kyushu to Shanghai/Port Arthur/Pusan-Kyush

It doesn't look like oil should go without the railroad being open, unless it's moving along the yellow roads from Hanoi to Canton. I guess it could do this, but would this mean there would be losses similar to supply moving down yellow road systems?

I decided to not invade Wake, using that force to at New Britain instead.

Do you have plans to get Wake at some point? It could be a real thorn to not have Wake in the near future. Especially if he adds another Marine Defense unit there. If your opponent has Wake and can recon the Marshalls and notices there are no air forces around, there might be some nasty surprises coming there.

[Erkki]

ORIGINAL: obvert

China: front stabilized and semi-ceasefire in effect. The road from Indochina to Shanghai is clear and looking at Tracker all the fuel from Burma and Sumatra-->Singapore seems to flowing all the way to Korea as or almost as quickly as it gets produced... Nice! I might be able to shorten my sea lanes from Sumatra/Singapore to Kyushu to Shanghai/Port Arthur/Pusan-Kyush

It doesn't look like oil should go without the railroad being open, unless it's moving along the yellow roads from Hanoi to Canton. I guess it could do this, but would this mean there would be losses similar to supply moving down yellow road systems?

I decided to not invade Wake, using that force to at New Britain instead.

Do you have plans to get Wake at some point? It could be a real thorn to not have Wake in the near future. Especially if he adds another Marine Defense unit there. If your opponent has Wake and can recon the Marshalls and notices there are no air forces around, there might be some nasty surprises coming there.

He moved those Wildcats out early and hasn't moved in any aircraft or ships since... I had a picket xAKL 2 hex away from Wake for 3 days and it wasn't sighted.

I'm not worried about Marshalls or Wake yet, later in 1942 perhaps... Theres plenty of time to move more troops and air units. Also as he has lost Yorktown I dont think he'll adventure central pacific with just 4 USN CVs or later in 1942 with the Wasp. And if he does, I'd more than welcome a central pacific campaign so close to Truk and my fuel sources. I know the Marshalls in Allied hands are a threat to Japanese flank but until I choose to garrison them better I'll take the (hopefully minor) risk and rely on being able to conquer back all lost islands while having good odds to further attrit Allied navies and CV fleet.

Or what do you think? [&:]

EDIT: if I'll take Wake I'll do that during the amphibious bonus - ie. within 1 month and 5 days. 3-4 SNLFs should be sufficient with a BB in the amphibious TF, backed up by CVs. I'll think about it but it'll have to happen only after Timor invasion which will be April 13-16th or so...

[obvert]

Or what do you think?

EDIT: if I'll take Wake I'll do that during the amphibious bonus - ie. within 1 month and 5 days. 3-4 SNLFs should be sufficient with a BB in the amphibious TF, backed up by CVs. I'll think about it but it'll have to happen only after Timor invasion which will be April 13-16th or so...

With the defensive units the Allies have even early in the war, like the Marine Defense Battalions, and the number of good engineers they get, this could be a hard spot to hit if he just makes one small landing of a few new units up to the size limits. If I were the Alied player and I knew where the KB was in mid-42 I would be landing all over any undefended spots in the Marshalls and Gilberts that could support air. It would just be an auto-campaign they wouldn't even have to struggle to support as the hardest part about this area is taking defended atolls. If nothing is on them it's a free pass and the US could roll the whole place back to Kwajalein using LBA by early 43. He can easily run in and out with the CVs once he has a foothold due to the superior search of the Cats.

Your opponent doesn't sound very aggressive or willing to take advantage of early opportunities, but any anomaly like Wake not being taken would be heavily used by a strong and aggressive Allied player. I think even leaving Canton Island to flourish as a mid-Pacific outpost is suspect for the Japanese player as this base controls the approaches to supply lines in the south and provides a great search post and transfer area for ships and planes moving through to the South Pacific. With the invasion bonus and without an Allied build-up these places are relatively easy to take. Two SNLFs for each did it in my game in the first two weeks. Without revealling anything my opponent won't find out when he recons the bases, they will be strong enough by the time he comes for them that it will take a determined effort to take them back. Any roadblocks toward Allied advance that are easy for a Japanese player should be used I feel.

If you need units just take some of the garrisons from second level islands in the Solomons that won't be attacked for a year or so.

PS- I got the behind of the IJN handed to me in the first few weeks of the war, (and did a limited version of that to my opponent in Hawaii), so I've been duly trained to expect best play from my opponent and try to be ready for it, so that if he does act less aggressively it's a pleasant surprise and I can take advantage.

[Erkki]

ORIGINAL: obvert

Or what do you think?

EDIT: if I'll take Wake I'll do that during the amphibious bonus - ie. within 1 month and 5 days. 3-4 SNLFs should be sufficient with a BB in the amphibious TF, backed up by CVs. I'll think about it but it'll have to happen only after Timor invasion which will be April 13-16th or so...

With the defensive units the Allies have even early in the war, like the Marine Defense Battalions, and the number of good engineers they get, this could be a hard spot to hit if he just makes one small landing of a few new units up to the size limits. If I were the Alied player and I knew where the KB was in mid-42 I would be landing all over any undefended spots in the Marshalls and Gilberts that could support air. It would just be an auto-campaign they wouldn't even have to struggle to support as the hardest part about this area is taking defended atolls. If nothing is on them it's a free pass and the US could roll the whole place back to Kwajalein using LBA by early 43. He can easily run in and out with the CVs once he has a foothold due to the superior search of the Cats.

Your opponent doesn't sound very aggressive or willing to take advantage of early opportunities, but any anomaly like Wake not being taken would be heavily used by a strong and aggressive Allied player. I think even leaving Canton Island to flourish as a mid-Pacific outpost is suspect for the Japanese player as this base controls the approaches to supply lines in the south and provides a great search post and transfer area for ships and planes moving through to the South Pacific. With the invasion bonus and without an Allied build-up these places are relatively easy to take. Two SNLFs for each did it in my game in the first two weeks. Without revealling anything my opponent won't find out when he recons the bases, they will be strong enough by the time he comes for them that it will take a determined effort to take them back. Any roadblocks toward Allied advance that are easy for a Japanese player should be used I feel.

If you need units just take some of the garrisons from second level islands in the Solomons that won't be attacked for a year or so.

PS- I got the behind of the IJN handed to me in the first few weeks of the war, (and did a limited version of that to my opponent in Hawaii), so I've been duly trained to expect best play from my opponent and try to be ready for it, so that if he does act less aggressively it's a pleasant surprise and I can take advantage.

I am painfully aware of those possibilities. That is why I already moved more troops including naval construction unit to Marcus and Paramushiro. Marcus especially in Allied hands is imho much worse threat than Wake. The time to reinforce other places will come but first I wanted to, and want to, avoid a "meeting engagement" style battle in the Solomons where Allies can also get an easy early foothold - Port Moresby, Milne Bay or Tulagi area. I showed CVL Shoho near Baker Island half a month ago so if the Allies take action they will presumably first need to prepare to meet the Shoho TF and any LBA in the area - and they havent flown any recon yet. I have some Netties and Ki-43s at Truk that I can fly to Solomons or Marshalls when required.

Decisions decisions... I chose Solomons and New Guinea over Wake and for at least the next month I'll have to stick stick to that plan. 3 SNLFs are waiting at Tokyo to be moved to Gilberts and Solomons - might re-earmark them to Wake. Shoho is at Truk and 100% ready. The USN CVs are probably at Sydney but I'm of course not sure - they could be almost anywhere.

[obvert]

I am painfully aware of those possibilities. That is why I already moved more troops including naval construction unit to Marcus and Paramushiro. Marcus especially in Allied hands is imho much worse threat than Wake. The time to reinforce other places will come but first I wanted to, and want to, avoid a "meeting engagement" style battle in the Solomons where Allies can also get an easy early foothold - Port Moresby, Milne Bay or Tulagi area. I showed CVL Shoho near Baker Island half a month ago so if the Allies take action they will presumably first need to prepare to meet the Shoho TF and any LBA in the area - and they havent flown any recon yet. I have some Netties and Ki-43s at Truk that I can fly to Solomons or Marshalls when required.

Decisions decisions... I chose Solomons and New Guinea over Wake and for at least the next month I'll have to stick stick to that plan. 3 SNLFs are waiting at Tokyo to be moved to Gilberts and Solomons - might re-earmark them to Wake. Shoho is at Truk and 100% ready. The USN CVs are probably at Sydney but I'm of course not sure - they could be almost anywhere.

I know. Decisions decisions! That's why this game is so interesting. And one's opponent can arrive with new thoughts and tactics and strategy at any moment and upset many of the best plans. I'll be posting some long term strategic questions soon I'll definitely be wanting some help with!

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Erkki

Heres the air production at the moment. In 5 turns we will have H6K2-L (5 planes/month), Ki-49-Ia(10 planes) and A6M2-N(10 planes) entering production. 5/43 also A6M3(one R&D switches to production and one size 30 M2 factory stays in M2), Ki-45(initially 45 a month for 2 size-45 anti-4E units but later I will reduce it) and Ki-44-IIa(some Ki-43 factories switch to Ki-44, planning for 120/month initially).

A few suggestions/comments on your air production if you don't mind.

I'd watch all non-bomber production a bit more closely. Non-bombers are not very effective kami's, so once they are outdated, you don't have much use for them. They just become wasted HI that you will wish you had back in '45. EX: you have 155 A6M2 in your pool. Unless you are imminently expecting a major confrontation, I would taper off production. Ideally, you want a zero pool in Dec when the A6M3A comes online, correct?

G3M2 Nell. You're about to get an upgrade that is a GOOD upgrade. You won't have much use for these older ones. They are effective kami's, but are double the cost of a Kate.

Just some thoughts ...

[Erkki]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

A few suggestions/comments on your air production if you don't mind.

I'd watch all non-bomber production a bit more closely. Non-bombers are not very effective kami's, so once they are outdated, you don't have much use for them. They just become wasted HI that you will wish you had back in '45. EX: you have 155 A6M2 in your pool. Unless you are imminently expecting a major confrontation, I would taper off production. Ideally, you want a zero pool in Dec when the A6M3A comes online, correct?

G3M2 Nell. You're about to get an upgrade that is a GOOD upgrade. You won't have much use for these older ones. They are effective kami's, but are double the cost of a Kate.

Just some thoughts ...

Hey. Once the M3 comes online I'll lose 33% of the factories when they convert in 5/42 - that is planned. An size 30 extra factory from R&D will bring production back from 30/month to 117/month in (130*(2/3))/3= 29 days. The CV air groups become resizable in June so I'll need over a hundred M2s for those... But you're right in that in the long run I probably wont be needing that many fighters, especially these early types. Ki-43 factories will convert to Ki-44 so I wont be producing more than a couple of hundred more. I'll probably leave the Harbin factory which is size 20 though, the later Ki-43s carry 2 bombs so they're probably nice kamis with the armor and everything. [:)]

G3M2 factory is off about half the time as I dont want to expand Ha-33 factories too much. I cant escort them to max range(nor do they even usually sortie naval attack at hose ranges too often) so they're IMHO only marginally if in practice at all worse than G4M1 as the better defensive armament in G4M doesnt have any practical effect and the 800kg port attack bomb is rarely used. I'm pretty much building them only because I happen to have the factory, lol. [:)]