Matrix Games Forums

Is it worth to add float plane catapult for +20sys damage = 2-3 month in dock?

Was it so technically difficult?

Wasn't that difficult, but unfortunately the game isn't capable of distinguishing between "small" and "large" refits.

Well then taiking into account that Amagi is never were, why don't give them air capacity of 2 from the start [:'(] [:)]

If I'm not in a desperate need for a BB I would always take the upgrade... since in this game where land based air units have a minimal range, embarked float planes can be a valuable recon asset

ORIGINAL: Pkunzipper

If I'm not in a desperate need for a BB I would always take the upgrade...

By the time it comes usually I am... [;)]

You can always give a ship the capacity from the start, but delay its airgroup to the proper date

ORIGINAL: Rysyonok

You can always give a ship the capacity from the start, but delay its airgroup to the proper date

good point. even you do that refit, there is no groups available anyway... [:)]

My experience so far is that you can never have enough search planes. Go for the refit.

ORIGINAL: crsutton

My experience so far is that you can never have enough search planes. Go for the refit.

.. and be short on BB and on repair points as well [:'(]...

Has anyone actually tried to upgrade a battleship to equip it with airplanes?

Let me tell you, I just did and...

...it's a 20 sys hit that under current game mechanics may take months even in a major port...

Ouch.

P.S. Edit - didn't realize Helpless already covered the numbers, sorry.

ORIGINAL: Rysyonok

Has anyone actually tried to upgrade a battleship to equip it with airplanes?

Let me tell you, I just did and...

...it's a 20 sys hit that under current game mechanics may take months even in a major port...

Ouch.

P.S. Edit - didn't realize Helpless already covered the numbers, sorry.

I did this for two reasons. 1) To simulate the fact the ships had to be taken out of service for some time to get a catapult. This (in my mind) simulates installation, moving in of the airgroup, and training of the ship to launch and recover planes. Certainly something that would take a couple of months.

The other reason is I believe BBs need yard work from time to time. These various little refits accomplish that, by forcing the player to take them out of service, if only for a few months. Ships would often be Overhauled for a year, and the actual change would only (stat wise) be small. I see the refits as both modernization and general (and historic) upkeep and refit.

Well, the player is not forced - all they have to do is say no to the upgrade. Now, if pre-upgrade durability and speed and maybe even range were reduced somewhat, I'm sure more players would be tempted to go through with the rehauls...

I did this for two reasons. 1) To simulate the fact the ships had to be taken out of service for some time to get a catapult.

Some of Jap BB/BC didn't had catapults for float planes.

ORIGINAL: Helpless

I did this for two reasons. 1) To simulate the fact the ships had to be taken out of service for some time to get a catapult.

Some of Jap BB/BC didn't had catapults for float planes.

True, but they still had to be equipped with facilities to support the plane, and to be trained to launch and recover it, still a month or two long process.

Even the flying off platforms common to British, American, and Japanese battleships took time to install and time to train with.

We talk here on early stages of reconnaissance planes on battleships. And in that case it might took years to train and implement that. For ex. BC Kongo:

9 January 1917:
Conducts experiments to handle planes.
...
17 August 1921:
Planes taken aboard.

But ship was all time in service in between. Assuming that trainings and experiments were held off ship. (BTW, in WPO Kongo starts with no planes and doesnt' get any during 27yr refit.)

Next major refit, after which ship got new planes. Obviously the planes were peanuts
September 1929: First Reconstruction.
Yokosuka. Unable to construct new battleships under the terms of the Washington Treaty, Japan is forced to modernize her old battlecruisers. The thickness of KONGO’s horizontal armor over her magazines and machinery spaces is increased. Torpedo-bulges are added to her hull. Equipment is also fitted to accommodate three Type 90 model 0 floatplanes. All of her 36 Yarrow boilers are removed and replaced with 10 newer type boilers. The number of KONGO’s funnels is reduced from three to two and four torpedo tubes are removed.

This one took ~2 years.. [:D]
31 March 1931:
Yokosuka. KONGO's first reconstruction is completed although works are still carried out after 31 March. She is re-rated a battleship.


source: http://www.combinedfleet.com/kongo.htm