Slitherine

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ORIGINAL: mind_messing

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ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

Ah, but they aren't the actual AVG airgroups. The airframes would still be available, of course, as the AVG withdraws to pools. Could be the pilots, too, as those get sent to pools with the planes.

Aren't the AVG classed as American units though?

The H81's can be used by the Chinese Air Force, but I'm fairly sure the pilots can only transfer into American units.

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ORIGINAL: Lowpe

I have a Babs factory that will be switched out soon, and I am pondering into what direction it will go.

I currently have no production of single engine bombers: Ida, Ann, Mary, Sonia. It costs PP to move those squadrons to twin engine use or fighter bombers (which are ridiculously expensive).

Ida: worthless, except I have 370 engines, trainer only.

Ann: best, few engines, no engine factory

Mary: 80 engines, range 1 less than Ann, no engine factory

Sonia: small multiple bombs, short range, Camera, existing engine factory 120 in pool

I am somewhat intrigued by the Sonia because of the Camera. Does it raise detection level on normal bomb runs thus enhancing other bomber attacks?

Or am I better off just using all the 1E bombers as trainers and not making anymore of them and instead go r and d for a late war fighter.

I have pressed some Anns into ASW work, and use the Sonia in China, so they do see some actual work.

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ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

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ORIGINAL: mind_messing

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ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

Ah, but they aren't the actual AVG airgroups. The airframes would still be available, of course, as the AVG withdraws to pools. Could be the pilots, too, as those get sent to pools with the planes.

Aren't the AVG classed as American units though?

The H81's can be used by the Chinese Air Force, but I'm fairly sure the pilots can only transfer into American units.

Looks like American group names to me in the combat replay.

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ORIGINAL: Lowpe

I have a Babs factory that will be switched out soon, and I am pondering into what direction it will go.

I currently have no production of single engine bombers: Ida, Ann, Mary, Sonia. It costs PP to move those squadrons to twin engine use or fighter bombers (which are ridiculously expensive).

Ida: worthless, except I have 370 engines, trainer only.

Ann: best, few engines, no engine factory

Mary: 80 engines, range 1 less than Ann, no engine factory

Sonia: small multiple bombs, short range, Camera, existing engine factory 120 in pool

I am somewhat intrigued by the Sonia because of the Camera. Does it raise detection level on normal bomb runs thus enhancing other bomber attacks?

Or am I better off just using all the 1E bombers as trainers and not making anymore of them and instead go r and d for a late war fighter.

I have pressed some Anns into ASW work, and use the Sonia in China, so they do see some actual work.

If you are going to use these planes on ASW, you should use them on Search in my opinion. They don't have the bomb load to sink any subs. Better to use them for suppression via DL rather than killing.

FWIW, I don't produce any 1E bombers at all. I concentrate my IJAAF bomber production on the Ki-21-Ic Sally until the Helen-IIa becomes available. Then I produce that one. After that... Don't know yet. The Helen-II lasts a while. The Peggy is available later, and I'll probably switch, but perhaps not completely. I may not need an upgrade in China, for example.

You can use these planes for Recon missions, as usual, however they aren't Recon-type planes so they won't be very effective at raising the DL. There was a discussion about cameras a few weeks ago and Alfred posted a link to an old thread. In that old thread, it says that cameras are basically a chance to raise the DL by some value related to the effect value of the camera (I think up to +4 DL). Obviously, you still need air crews skilled in Recon for this use to be most effective. I would consider using the Sonia in this role, but probably no others, and only as an auxiliary measure as the Sonia doesn't have much range and you have plenty of other Recon groups if you split them into 3's.

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Looks like American group names to me in the combat replay.

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ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

You can use these planes for Recon missions, as usual, however they aren't Recon-type planes so they won't be very effective at raising the DL. There was a discussion about cameras a few weeks ago and Alfred posted a link to an old thread. In that old thread, it says that cameras are basically a chance to raise the DL by some value related to the effect value of the camera (I think up to +4 DL). Obviously, you still need air crews skilled in Recon for this use to be most effective. I would consider using the Sonia in this role, but probably no others, and only as an auxiliary measure as the Sonia doesn't have much range and you have plenty of other Recon groups if you split them into 3's.

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ORIGINAL: mind_messing

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Looks like American group names to me in the combat replay.

They're marked as CAF groups in the replay.

Chinese Air Force

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ORIGINAL: Lowpe

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ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

You can use these planes for Recon missions, as usual, however they aren't Recon-type planes so they won't be very effective at raising the DL. There was a discussion about cameras a few weeks ago and Alfred posted a link to an old thread. In that old thread, it says that cameras are basically a chance to raise the DL by some value related to the effect value of the camera (I think up to +4 DL). Obviously, you still need air crews skilled in Recon for this use to be most effective. I would consider using the Sonia in this role, but probably no others, and only as an auxiliary measure as the Sonia doesn't have much range and you have plenty of other Recon groups if you split them into 3's.

I have a tough time maxing detection levels, so the Sonia's are going to go help, plus I get to experiment with their usage. It would be nice if the cameras worked on regular bombing runs, but I don't think they will.

Previously, they were set on 40/40/20 ASW/Train/Rest to build up pilots for Lilly ASW squadrons. I had no ASW pilots when I took over. I agree that their Naval Search would be better use for them in an ASW role.

Do you convert all your 1e groups over to 2e bombers or do you use them as training platforms? Combination?

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ORIGINAL: Lowpe

I am starting to garrison the inner islands to prevent a slashing attack ala Nemo: Iwo Jima, Guam and improving the troops on Wake and Marcus.

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ORIGINAL: mind_messing
Transfer the Bonin chain from Southern Army to General Defence Army. There are two Infantry Groups in the Home Islands that you can then fly out to the Bonins, artillery and all.

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ORIGINAL: Lowpe

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ORIGINAL: mind_messing
Transfer the Bonin chain from Southern Army to General Defence Army. There are two Infantry Groups in the Home Islands that you can then fly out to the Bonins, artillery and all.

Haha-Jima is General Defense. I can't switch Iwo out, and Chichi-jima can only go to the Southern command.

Is there a trick to opening up the command structure?

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ORIGINAL: mind_messing

There are two infantry groups, I've sent one to Chichi-jima and the other one is going to Haha-jima. You need to get some engineers to Iwo Jima, however, as you can't fly troops in until that base has a level 1 airfield.

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ORIGINAL: Lowpe

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ORIGINAL: mind_messing

There are two infantry groups, I've sent one to Chichi-jima and the other one is going to Haha-jima. You need to get some engineers to Iwo Jima, however, as you can't fly troops in until that base has a level 1 airfield.

Taken care of, thanks for the tip.