Once Again into the Breach - Mike (J) vs. tc464 (A)

[obvert]

Good question. I just know I can't do anything with those. Whereas the [R} can be bought out, right?

[ny59giants]

For us that are very, very, very reliant on Tracker. [;)]
The Kate will show up next time when a factory starts to expand and repair.

[Mike Solli]

*Shrug* I haven't tried. Just curious.

[ny59giants]

Engine planning via Tracker

[hkbhsi]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli




I totally agree with you Rob. I'm not even going to look at R&D with the possible exception of increasing the A6M3 research. I want to build 60 and am considering converting one of my A6M2 factories when the M3 arrives so I'll probably increase my M3 R&D somewhat. I'll probably also look at the Helen to figure that one out too. I'll worry about R&D later.

Mike: A6M3 or A6M3a research? The former is a 'dead ender', the latter the progenitor of later A6 models. Just sayin...

What?! I thought the A6M3 was in the A6 upgrade path! [X(] Well, that changes things. [:D]

The A6M3 does upgrade to the A6M3a while the A6M2 upgrades to the Sen Baku fighter bomber

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: hkbhsi

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy



Mike: A6M3 or A6M3a research? The former is a 'dead ender', the latter the progenitor of later A6 models. Just sayin...

What?! I thought the A6M3 was in the A6 upgrade path! [X(] Well, that changes things. [:D]

The A6M3 does upgrade to the A6M3a while the A6M2 upgrades to the Sen Baku fighter bomber

That's what I thought. [:D]

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli




I totally agree with you Rob. I'm not even going to look at R&D with the possible exception of increasing the A6M3 research. I want to build 60 and am considering converting one of my A6M2 factories when the M3 arrives so I'll probably increase my M3 R&D somewhat. I'll probably also look at the Helen to figure that one out too. I'll worry about R&D later.

Mike: A6M3 or A6M3a research? The former is a 'dead ender', the latter the progenitor of later A6 models. Just sayin...

What?! I thought the A6M3 was in the A6 upgrade path! [X(] Well, that changes things. [:D]

Ok, from the editor for Scen 1, here is the upgrade path:

A6M3 -> A6M3a -> A6M5 -> A6M5b -> A6M5c -> A6M8

[PaxMondo]

[R] - permanent restrict
(R) - temp restrict
[S] - static

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: hkbhsi

The A6M3 does upgrade to the A6M3a while the A6M2 upgrades to the Sen Baku fighter bomber

You're right...sorry for the false information, guys. That's what I get for relying on my so-called 'memory' whilest posting from work. [:D]

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy
You're right...sorry for the false information, guys. That's what I get for relying on my so-called 'memory' whilest posting from work. [:D]

NP. I'll send you the bill for my cardiac meds. [:D]

Or, you can stop by and we can hoist a few schooners!!!



PS: The Major might have you doing some close order drill though! Hut HUT Hut!!!

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo
Or, you can stop by and we can hoist a few schooners!!!

Sounds good! Will your friend (points to avatar) be there too? [:D]

[PaxMondo]

possible, but she is a cheap drunk ... about a 1/4 glass max. [:D]

[Mike Solli]

Hell, I'm too old for that stuff, Pax.

I got some easy stuff out of the way.

Armament Factories: I bumped them up from 620 to 650. Three factories increased 10 each.

Vehicle Factories: I increased 5 of the 6 by 6 each to bring them from 72 to 102. They'll need more but I'll do it a little at a time. The 6th factory was in a town that had little supply.

Repair Shipyards: Only Hiroshima has a 100 pt repair shipyard. I increased Yokohama, Nagasaki and Kobe each by 10 bringing them up to 100. In addition, I doubled Osaka from 25 to 50. That's my major merchant ship base and I like to have it available for repairs and upgrades.

Naval Shipyards: This is something new for me that I have been thinking about for years. I decided to increase the naval shipyards from the starting 1384 to 1500. That 116 will allow me to accelerate a CV and ~5 DDs, or just about 2 CVs. It's something new I'm trying.

In addition, I finally decided what I wanted to do with my Zeros in the pool. I opted to upgrade Hosho's fighters to Zeros. Her complement is now 14 A6M2s and 6 B5N1s. Since there are only a dozen Zeros left in the pool, I can't do any more with carrier daitai. I resized the Ryujo to 30 fighters and 18 TBs. She now has 28 of 30 A5M4s and 18 of 18 B5N1s.

I will probably upgrade the Kawai Det (9 A5M4s) in the 21 Air Flotilla to Zeros using up most of my remaining pool.

[Mike Solli]

Something interesting I learned. In order to resize the Ryuho air groups, I moved her to a new Air TF. When I did that, the old one (TF 3) became a surface TF. That TF has a * so it is one of the magic move TFs. I resized the Ryujo and found I couldn't move her back into TF 3. I changed TF 3 to an escort TF and moved her in, then changed it back to an Air TF. Problem solved. But, it got me to thinking. Since I can move ships into and out of that TF, I can essentially make it whatever kind of TF I want. Invasion TF? Not sure I'd do that because I'd have to move loaded ships into it in order to do that. I'll probably leave it the way it is because that smells of gaminess. Just a thought.....

[Mike Solli]

Some thoughts on using TF 3. In the past I have always sent it toward Jolo to go after enemy merchant shipping fleeing that way. I'm thinking of sending it to the north side of the Philippines this time around. Maybe the 2 BBs can head south of the Philippines this time to take care of Houston and Boise. The Hosho and Zuiho will team up with Ryujo giving them 14 A6M2s, 46 A5M4s and 36 B5N1s. That should be able to take care of Force Z should it be stupid enough to hang around. Thoughts?

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

Something interesting I learned. In order to resize the Ryuho air groups, I moved her to a new Air TF. When I did that, the old one (TF 3) became a surface TF. That TF has a * so it is one of the magic move TFs. I resized the Ryujo and found I couldn't move her back into TF 3. I changed TF 3 to an escort TF and moved her in, then changed it back to an Air TF. Problem solved. But, it got me to thinking. Since I can move ships into and out of that TF, I can essentially make it whatever kind of TF I want. Invasion TF? Not sure I'd do that because I'd have to move loaded ships into it in order to do that. I'll probably leave it the way it is because that smells of gaminess. Just a thought.....

Yep, you can move ships around and adjust your TF's. In particular the "*" magic move ones. I don't consider it gamey. First off, you can't add any more troops. So, you can change destinations and escorts but thats about it. For the Ryuho, either you make another small amphib unit or leave it as an Air Combat. The Ryuho can't be in an amphib TF. I usually choose the Air TF (orig starting TF) as I want her up around Luzon to help close the door on the fleeing ships from Manila.

[Mike Solli]

Yeah, if I did switch out ships to make it an invasion TF, I would create another Air TF for Ryujo. I probably won't do that. Anyway, you got me wondering how you get Ryujo to the Philippines. Where exactly? The west side off Manila? Also, how do you get there. To you go directly there or do you loop around from the east then north of the Philippines? Going directly there has always gotten me into trouble. I usually end up with some US cruiser taking pot shots at her.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

Yeah, if I did switch out ships to make it an invasion TF, I would create another Air TF for Ryujo. I probably won't do that. Anyway, you got me wondering how you get Ryujo to the Philippines. Where exactly? The west side off Manila? Also, how do you get there. To you go directly there or do you loop around from the east then north of the Philippines? Going directly there has always gotten me into trouble. I usually end up with some US cruiser taking pot shots at her.

I just put her on the SE side. Kates have good range, I restrict them so they won't get too close to Manila AF's and the CAP there. Players rarely ever CAP the fleeing ships, so intercepts are rare. Even if I don't hit any, the search "lights" them up for my surface forces which are on the west side who can then close and get them in a surface action.

I've got Nettties at Samah and Taiwan to "light" up all the West and North of Manila and also flee-ers from HK as well.

If the player shifts some of his fighters south, I'm good with that too. Then I can't hit the ships so easily, but he's gonna leave his 4E's exposed. I'd actually rather get the 4E's if I can before he can PP them out ... more dangerous than some piddly xAKL's ....

Once in a while you can get lucky on either the Houston or Boise too ... did I mention how much I HATE the Boise? [:D]

[Mike Solli]

Yeah, I hate the Boise too. I figure it's a decisive victory if the Boise goes down. [:D]

The SE side, I like it. That keeps the Ryujo out of trouble from US cruisers. Once the Hosho arrives, then the Zeros can escort the Kates easily.

I'm thinking of breaking down Ryujo's Kates into chutai. That would be 3x 6 plane chutai. Then I can assign 2 to bombs and 1 to torpedoes. The Ryujo is blessed with 27 torpedoes so they would last a while.

[Mike Solli]

Another thought. There are basically few to no pilots in reserve, especially for the IJAAF. Some of the sentai are over strength, and some of those are very over strength. I'm thinking of pulling some of the excess planes and pilots into the reserve and allocating them to units that are under strength. Basically, there will be no change to the over all air strength, but instead of being in reserve, they will fly. It will allow more planes to fly each turn early on. The problem is that it's going to be awhile before the on map training starts producing a significant number of pilots. Thoughts?