VF-3 Rank Heavy

[afspret]

Anybody else noticed VF-3 is very rank heavy? During a recent turn in a game I'm playing using my own mod based on Ironman, I noticed the rank issue with VF-3. The pilot list for the squadron shows the unit has 22 pilots, consisting of 2 LCDRs (1 as CO), 1 LT, 1 LTJG & 1 ENS, leaving the remaining 17 pilots holding ranks of CDR & CAPT. I checked other carrier based units & none are even close to being as rank heavy as VF-3.

Thinking it was something I did while making my mod, I checked the "Pilots" section for the database in mine & found about half the pilots listed under VF-3 as having the rank of WO-ComWealth Air, with US Navy shown for nationality. I loaded up Scen 1 & 10 and found VF-3 was just as rank heavy, & when I checked the "Pilots" section of the databases for Scen 1 & 10 and found the same WO rank thing.

I went back to the database for my mod & changed the ranks of all those shown as being WO to either ENS, LTJG or LT & it solved the problem, no CDRs or CAPTs. Now if I can only figure out how to solve the rank heavy issue with a lot of the RAF/RAAF/RCAF & FAA units!

[dr.hal]

Unfortunately, except for a few historical inputs, rank doesn't mean anything, other than an Ensign in charge of a BB usually means the ensign is VERY green.... and not from being seasick!

[afspret]

A mistake on my part, it's actually VF-2, not VF-3.

[packerpete]

VF-2 started out as an almost exclusively enlisted pilot core with probably the most experience in the Navy. Those same pilots were all promoted enmasse shortly after the war started. This may account for the rank heavyness perception.