HMSWarspite
Posts: 1401
Joined: 4/13/2002
From: Bristol, UK
Status: offline
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I have been wasting valuable gaming time by trying to puzzle out the '43 campaign game start 8AF fighters . I have always been puzzled by the fact the P47C was already out of service by early July according to the game. The problem is finding dates for FG changeovers from (for instance) P47C to P47D (in this case -5). And the answer is: they didn't! Replacements came in as needed, and at some point the supply swapped from the C to the D. P47Cs (or pre P47D-5s) were still being flown by FGs in to 1945 (although they were probably field modded to better standard by then). Add to this the issue that D-1 to D-3 (ignoring build location for now) are identical in game terms and you need to decide when an FG became predominately D-5 equipped (since, as the game correctly highlights) the D-5 is the first off the line with Water Injection and the 2300hp War Emergency rating.
Now, I think the P47C does need differentiating from the D-5 (and later), for the above reason. Thus we need to accept the approximation of a single change over and try to decide when it should be, in order the equip the right FGs at game start and get the pools right. I haven't got access to unit records but I have searched serial number records for fates of individual a/c. The results show:
4th FG only lost 1 P47d-5 in May 43, and lost 37 C models in that year. it starts losing later models in Jan 44. Thus it is clear 4th FG should be P47C equipped at game start
78th FG lost 29 C models up to Oct 43 before it started losing D's, thus it is also a clear C user at game start
For 352nd FG I haven't found enough losses to be conclusive, but it lost 4 C models in '43 before any D's were lost (first in Oct). Thus on balance it should be C equipped
353rd FG lost its first D in August (I only have 6 C lost before then), and losses are evenly split after that so it is inconclusive as to which model it should have
355th FG actually lost a D-5 (in Sept 43) before I find any Cs lost, and most losses I have found are D-5, thus on balance it should have D-5 in game.
The reinforcement 56th FG was losing Cs in accidents exclusively before its first D-5 in October. Thus again, I believe this unit should arrive as P47C equipped.
So we have probably 5 P47C units, and one P47D-5 at game start. (inc the 56th). As to pools, I have 1245 airframes that would could as C in game (but many stay in CONUS or go to PTO). 5 units use 75 each, or 375, and I have 110 losses to the end of the year, so I think we need the above units with a pool of c200 at start (assuming reinforcements don't draw from pools when they arrive)
Finally, a question: the C had the shackles for a 500lber under the fuselage (and a 200 gal DT, although that is described as 'not combat capable'). I presume it is classified as a fighter rather than FB because the shackles werent used? There is a case for classifying it as a FB(but with only 1 load out (single 500lb bomb)
Sorry for the major geek fest, but I got interested... (Evidence on request)
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I have a cunning plan, My Lord
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