Jeremy Pritchard -> Relating to pacific war (5/3/2002 12:46:33 AM)
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While working on the OBC files for the original Pacific War this dilemma struck me. Since PacWar has an EXTREMELY limited production for ships, it requires that everything is decided before the game starts. The question does raise, what would happen in history that would effect production? Chances are, the war would have not changed production as much as people assume. Sure, Midway was a fluke (the Japanese lost their 4 carriers due to a chain of events that were very unlikely in happening), but it was inevitable that carriers would take over from battleships. Had Yamamoto managed to engage the US carriers at Midway (which was virtually impossible since the USN moved their carriers FAR to the East, out of range from the IJN after the battle) the need for carriers would still be felt by both sides (in fact more by the USN). Chances are the IJN would have their carrier force whittled away (even without a Midway) and there would be a need for a larger number of smaller carriers (Unryu). The IJN would have built the Unryu no matter what happened with their navies (unless they won in 1942). The Shiano faced a series of delays, primarily due to the fact that the IJN did not know what to do with the ship. Converting it to a carrier would probably have happened even without a Midway, but a victory at Midway might have resulted in it being completed as a battleship (due to overconfidence). There was also the decision to build the Ibuki (plus another) varient of the Mogami class CA. The Ibuki was modified to a CVL in 1943, and the other ship scrapped due to the realized need for lighter vessels (destroyers and destroyer escorts). There were also plans for large cruisers, which were also scrapped. Where you CAN get really creative is aircraft. There were many almost designs. The Ki-60 was seen as the heavy radial interceptor (Ki-61 as the light interceptor). It was to be armed with 4x 20mm guns and bombs, and in my mind was the potential IJAAF Hurricane (with the Ki-61 being their Spitfire). However, the Ki-60 did recieve more attention (resulting in the Ki-61 being severely delayed) but was eventually cancelled as it did not meet to the desired specifications. Had either the Japanese concentrated on the Ki-61 from the beginning, or produced the Ki-60 (abliet not as good as the Ki-61, but appears MUCH earlier, in mid 1942 vs. mid 1943) the Japanese would have had a potent fighter around earlier then historically. The Player should be given a choice on supporting specific designs, WITHOUT forewarned knowledge of their success. Possibly investing in the Ki-84 will result in a poor aircraft when investing in the Ki-87 would have been more prudent? The J3/6M was also another potential fighter. It was a heavy radial fighter, comparable to the Ki-44, but was never built beyond the drawing board. Along with many others. So, the only thing that should really be effected by human production are small vessels (up to destroyer), possibly Light Cruisers (some CL's were layed down at the beginning of the war to be completed in 1944), and some Carriers (due to the high priority given to them). The main thing that the player should be responsible for producing are ship modifications (i.e., changing ship types of completed or building vessels). Many IJN Seaplane tenders were changed, or were proposed to be canged (before sunk) into CVE/CVL's. Also, the USN planned to change some liners (like the Junyo class) to fleet carriers had the situation deteroirated. Changing ships on the building slips should also be included, but face HEAVY delays as plans are changed, materials gathered and construction restarted and the hull modified.
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