Does an AV provide CAP?

[Greyshaft]

Playing full campaign as the Japanese I had already taken Columbo & Trin. and my air zocs were stopping supply getting through to India so I knew the RAF was pretty weak there.

I sent a mixed bag of DD, DE, MCS and AV to provide supply for my land forces fighting the british in Dacca. All of my my carriers were playing footsie with the USN in the Coral sea so this supply force had no intrinsic CAP (I thought).

Along come four Hurricanes to strafe the convoy and surprise surprise, I have CAP which blows away the enemy. I know AV means aircraft (seaplane) tender but I didn't think they could fly CAP... especially when their convoy is sailing along at 12 knots.

[LargeSlowTarget]

I haven't played the Japanese side for a long time so I might err, but I think there are no AVs with 'visble' air groups in the game (i.e. like the ones on CV types). But I think it is quite possible that AVs have a sort of in-built capacity for air ops. I faintly remember having seen CAP over TFs with AVs, too. Maybe it is an undocumented feature that they carry a few Rufe float-fighters. I'm quite sure that the CVE which come without air groups have an ASW rating, simulating 'invisible' air groups flying ASW patrols. Probably there is something similar at work with the AVs.

[Greyshaft]

AVs certainly have no visible group as you say. I merely included them in the convoy for a bit extra flak and to create more targets thus giving my MCS a better chance to avoid being hit. They also stowed a few sacks of rice on their decks but thats not really the issue. Maybe the aircraft are hardcoded... hit that convoy and 1-4 Rufes pop up. Bonus!!!

[Capt. Harlock]

Did you get a read on the japanese aircraft type during the combat phase? The A6M2 can provide cover at a distance from a land base. Cover from Rufes has one problem: they aren't in the Pacific War database.

[Sardaukar]

I don't think AVs can provide CAP in PW, but I vaguely recall that they have quite good anti-submarine value and are quite useful to provide ASW air support for task forces. I just cannot remember where I did read that

Cheers,

M.S.

[Greyshaft]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

Did you get a read on the japanese aircraft type during the combat phase? The A6M2 can provide cover at a distance from a land base. Cover from Rufes has one problem: they aren't in the Pacific War database.

Rufes, Rafes, Rofes, Zekes Zokes Zakes, F-14, Raptor whatever it was... they appeared and then the RAF went down in flames.
I didn't pay much attention at the time... I was too busy thinking "Where the Flock did they come from?"
I'll check it out in more detail next time it happens

[BullHalsey]

Yes, AVs do provide CAP- but only AVs that will be converted to CVLs later in the war (i.e. Nisshin class AVs).

The CAP is derived from their future fighter compliment. You probably noticed and wondered where A6M5 fighters pop in from in 1941 or 1942.

I use Nisshin class AVs to cover transport TFs (since they still allowed their cargo capacity as a bonus) against early Allied air power. The CAP is minimally sufficient to protect the TF against early Allied attacks. When Allied airpower becomes more formidable, then I keep them in safer areas so they can survive to become CVLs.

[Greyshaft]

ORIGINAL: BullHalsey
Yes, AVs do provide CAP- but only AVs that will be converted to CVLs later in the war (i.e. Nisshin class AVs).
The CAP is derived from their future fighter compliment. You probably noticed and wondered where A6M5 fighters pop in from in 1941 or 1942.

So if they already have the CAP then what benefit do they get from their future conversion?
Damnedifiknow how they launch and recover the fighters while they are still AV class

[Capt. Harlock]

Damnedifiknow how they launch and recover the fighters while they are still AV class

My guess is that it's assumed they are carrying Rufe floatplanes before the conversion. But since Pacific War doesn't have Rufes in its database, the program uses carrier borne fighters. (Sounds like an opportunity for Version 3.3!)

[Cmdrcain]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

Did you get a read on the japanese aircraft type during the combat phase? The A6M2 can provide cover at a distance from a land base. Cover from Rufes has one problem: they aren't in the Pacific War database.

[:D][:D][8D]

They are if one has the editor like Dionnes or Bears.

I edited in Rufes long back in the ole Dos game.

I'd note something to check: were there any CS in the TF?

because the CS have planes, the Chitose and Chiyoda convert to CVL later, but while their CS, they have attached groups, you cant use like a CV till they convert but I think i recall that
the Fighters would give cap.

[Cmdrcain]

ORIGINAL: Greyshaft

ORIGINAL: BullHalsey
Yes, AVs do provide CAP- but only AVs that will be converted to CVLs later in the war (i.e. Nisshin class AVs).
The CAP is derived from their future fighter compliment. You probably noticed and wondered where A6M5 fighters pop in from in 1941 or 1942.

So if they already have the CAP then what benefit do they get from their future conversion?
Damnedifiknow how they launch and recover the fighters while they are still AV class

When they Convert to CVL,you can use as CVL's in the full sense as in including in air TF and then their fighters and bombers will join in with other CV's, untilthen the attached bombers cannot be used.

[BullHalsey]

ORIGINAL: Cmdrcain

ORIGINAL: Greyshaft

ORIGINAL: BullHalsey
Yes, AVs do provide CAP- but only AVs that will be converted to CVLs later in the war (i.e. Nisshin class AVs).
The CAP is derived from their future fighter compliment. You probably noticed and wondered where A6M5 fighters pop in from in 1941 or 1942.

So if they already have the CAP then what benefit do they get from their future conversion?
Damnedifiknow how they launch and recover the fighters while they are still AV class

When they Convert to CVL,you can use as CVL's in the full sense as in including in air TF and then their fighters and bombers will join in with other CV's, untilthen the attached bombers cannot be used.

Cmdrcain is correct. Launching and recovering the fighters is automatic as a CAP only. Until the Nisshin class AVs convert, you can only use their CAP ability. The CAP usually consists of 2-4 A65Ms. If availabe, I like placing a commander with a high air rating to help increase the possibility of a CAP. After the AVs convert to CVLs (Note: durning conversion, they will disappear from your order of battle for a period of time), then you can operated them normally as a CVL, assigning missions, change a/c types, etc.

[LargeSlowTarget]

Okay, but do AVs also provide ASW coverage? Do they have an inherit ASW value like the CVEs, and/or will their 'hidden' air groups search and attack subs?

[Capt. Harlock]

If AV's have ASW capability, it would come from search planes. And in that case, they would also have a surface search capability.

[LargeSlowTarget]

They may have an ASW value like DDs or DEs. AFAIK that's how it works with the CVEs, too - they don't have hidden airgroups, but have kind of a generic ASW value that is added to the total ASW value of the TF.

[Sardaukar]

IIRC, AVs have an ASW valua just like DD/DEs.