el cid again -> RE: A7m2 reppu entry date (6/29/2006 12:22:00 PM)
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In all RHS scenarios the A7M2 is available in February 1945. RHS entry dates are generally LATER than either CHS or stock - but they are not arbitrary. If possible, entry dates are the date of the first operational mission. For types (like this one) that were not operational, one of two other benchmarks is used: a) If possible, the date of first standard (not pre) production - plus two months; b) If a is not possible, the date of first flight of a prototype - plus four months. The two months and four months are taken from the best case for Japan during the war. This is thought to represent what might be possible "if all goes well." Lots of things may prevent it happening in the game - including your bomber raids. But it is the standard. FYI the best case for case (a) above belongs to the H8K1 flying boats - which managed an operational combat sortee (over Pearl Harbor no less) two months after the date of regular production! There were several cases of initial production within two months of first flight. Anyway, that is my two cents worth: I think your reasoning is sound - and while I (strongly) oppose early entry dates - for late war types never operational - something needs to be done. IMHO that something ONLY makes sense if one assumes a better than history situation: if it is much worse than history Japan will already have surrendered - and if it is the same - Japan won't get these planes - if only because there are no factories to make them and no resources to feed the factories that would make them if they were undamaged. But IF one assumes Japan set up a successful autarky (local economy in East Asia) - and defended this area using its interior lines (sort of a Fredrick the Great strategy at sea) - then what might Japan be able to make? That is the question the game poses - in my view. I am quite strict too - I don't go for planes any time you want them for fun. I look at the technology - and figure out how long it might take to get operational from some real benchmark date - or a reasonable estimate of one. So while RHS dates are best case for Japan, I regard them as reasonable and realistic best case dates.
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