In praise of the AV

[RUPD3658]

After several games VS the AI I finally figured out how to use these in my current PBEM. They are usefull for so much more then just adding AV support. Next to CV they are the most valuable ships Japan has. They can be used in the following roles:

1. The Super Snooper Send the AV to a hex a few hexes further than your LBA recon and use it to see what is going on. They can vector in air strikes by Bettys/Nells or the KB or even guide subs to targets. Two of these on sentry duty in the IO are resposible for about 10 AKs full of AC getting caught trying to make it to OZ. AVs spotted them then called in the KB.

2. Poor man's carrier The KB can't be in two places at once and often an Allied base has only minimal LBA but that can hurt an unescorted TF. Unload your Alf/Daves and load up with Ruffes. 2 AVs should be able to deal with minimal LBA without having to pull the KB from other duties.

3. Sub Killer Got a "Black gap" where Allied subs are killing your transports? An AV or 2 with float planes set to ASW should help.

These ships are just too good to be left rusting in the rear area or being used as shipborne AV support.

[Feinder]

You need to escort them or be fleet of foot tho.

I love snoopers that stick aroudn too long. It's not that hard to figure out what's a snoop station, and what's got a real BF. Even that extra turn to repair that last damaged patrol can be one day too long. A group of 4x DDs can zoom and make short work your happy little AV (I will admit tho, one of Parkers snoopers landed a 6" shell on one of DDs, got a mag explosion, and down she went; but otherwise AVs don't fare well).

Frankly, it's better to pre-postion (airdrop) supplies into some of those fwd bases, and use your AV+Patrol to move in, look around, and then get outta Dodge.

-F-

[niceguy2005]

Don't AV have to be based at an island or beach to fly? I know CS can operate at sea, but can AV also?

I agree RUPD, those seaplane carriers/tenders are a HUGE advantage for Japan, being the eyes and ears for operations. In the limited time I have had playing Japan I have not had as much success with them in an ASW role.

[Feinder]

I think the AVs with an inherit group, don't have to be at base or beach, but I'm not sure. But yes, otherwise AVs need to be a base/beach to operate. And that's the thing, if they stay there too long, I'm more than happy to send something to kill them (yes, this happend to -me- a few times courtesy of Erstad with my precious AVDs). Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me!

-F-

[RUPD3658]

They can operate from open water which is a big advantage. I too have caught AVDs that were operating from dot and size 1 bases with no LCUs.

[niceguy2005]

ORIGINAL: Feinder

Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me!

-F-

Isn't that "Fool me once shame on you, fool me...fool...*pregnant pause*, you can't get fooled again"? [:D]

[RUPD3658]

Meet the new boss..same as the old boss![&o]

[Oliver Heindorf]

ORIGINAL: RUPD3658

Meet the new boss..same as the old boss![&o]

too much CSI, dont ya.

[:D]

[DuckofTindalos]

Plus cá change, plus ce la meme chose...

[RUPD3658]

ORIGINAL: Terminus

Plus cá change, plus ce la meme chose...

?[&:]

[RUPD3658]

ORIGINAL: Oliver Heindorf

ORIGINAL: RUPD3658

Meet the new boss..same as the old boss![&o]

too much CSI, dont ya.

[:D]

More of a Who fan. Won't get fooled again is a great song.

Can't stand CSI. Most of what they do in that show doesn't work in real life.

[Captain Cruft]

To clarify, all planes on AVs and AVDs will always fly regardless of where the ship is. This is probably incorrect but that's the way the game works. They are to all intents and purposes "floatplane CVs".

[Dunhill_BKK]

They are my favourite type of ship too. I haven't gotten WPO, but I bet they are even more useful there. Anyone have any experience with that?

[RUPD3658]

ORIGINAL: Captain Cruft

To clarify, all planes on AVs and AVDs will always fly regardless of where the ship is. This is probably incorrect but that's the way the game works. They are to all intents and purposes "floatplane CVs".

Only Japanese AVs and CSs will do so at sea. The Allied AVs and AVDs have a capacity of 0 and can not have AC attached to them. They can only help at bases.