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JuanG -> RE: Further WNT Naval Changes (8/29/2009 12:36:38 PM)
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The CV Variant is based on the premise of what if the IJN in the early 30s saw a radical shift in thinking, and their doctrine moved away from a attritive night action followed by a decisive battle, to a doctrine based on atrrition through carriers and fast surface forces. The importance of night combat is not forgotten, as these forces are vulnerable at night, but it is not as important as historically, and the IJN still prides itself on its skill at nightfighting (aka I had to think up a reason for this cause I cant get rid of the XP bonus).
However, elsewhere in the Navy, this results in some pretty radical changes;
-The oxygen fuelled torpedo projects are abandoned. Thus the main torpedo of the IJN in the coming war will be a slightly improved 61cm Type 90. Likewise the other torpedoes in use will change somewhat.
-Because of the IJNs awareness of the power of aircraft, more attention is diverted to aquiring and developing suitable AA weaponry. However, the IJN is still somewhat complacent in this regard at the start of the war, relying on their fighters rather than AA for defence. This changes very quickly once the shooting starts however, and IJN ships by the end of 42 will be sporting numerous AA weapons.
-All naval construction post 1931 is based on this doctrine, and in addition to the major units, a well planned shadow conversion program is put underway to provide light and escort carriers.
-Aircraft capacities are increased due to adoption of deck parks as on USN CVs.
-Aircraft and engine availability for the IJN is moved forward some 2-5 months.
Obviously, when the war gets started, the Allies react much differently than in the BB Variant. Late war allied aircraft also show up later.
The resulting major units are as follows;
Japan
2 x BC Kongo - 32400t - 30kts - (8 x 36cm/45) + (12 x 12.7cm/40)
-Kongo was coverted to a target ship in 1930, Hiei to a training ship in 1929.
-Both received extensive rebuilds from 1936 onwards
-All casemate mounts removed
2 x BC Kirishima - 31800t - 30kts - (8 x 36cm/45) + (12 x 12.7cm/40)
-Kirishima and Haruna, whose development is roughly as historically
-All casemate mounts removed
2 x BB Fuso - 34800t - 24kts - (12 x 36cm/45) + (14 x 14cm/50) + (8 x 12.7cm/40)
-As historical
-These can be converted to a fast 27kts BB from the beginning
2 x BB Ise - 36400t - 30kts - (8 x 36cm/45) + (12 x 12.7cm/40)
-Converted to fast BBs in 1934 with the removal of the two central turrets
2 x BB Nagato - 39000t - 27kts - (8 x 41cm/45) + (10 x 14cm/50) + (12 x 12.7cm/40)
-Reconstruction speed 27kts to act in a 'heavy division' with the Tosa's
2 x BB Tosa - 42600t - 27kts - (10 x 41cm/45) + (10 x 14cm/50) + (16 x 12.7cm/40)
-The two ships allowed for the IJN under the new treaty which allowed for two up to 43,000t ships per nation
1 x BB Harima - 41200t - 27kts - (8 x 41cm/45) + (10 x 14cm/50) + (16 x 12.7cm/40) - In Service 1927
-Post-Treaty BB built by the IJN using the spare tonnage from the new treaty. An improved version of the Nagato class
2 x BC Fuji - 41200t - 30kts - (8 x 41cm/50) + (16 x 12.7cm/40) - In Service 1934
-A pair of BCs built in the early 30s, under the limited replacement schedule agreed upon in the 1st London Treaty
-Officially 35,000tons
2 x BB Yamato - 48500t - 32kts - (9 x 41cm/50) + (24 x 12.7cm/40) - In Service 1939/40
-Pair of fast BBs built in 1936.
2 x BC Kawachi - 31200t - 34kts - (9 x 31cm/50) + (20 x 10cm/65) - In Service 1942/43
-Pair of light BCs built to act as carrier escorts and cruiser killers.
-Kawachi due late 1942
-Kazusa due early 1943
1 x CVE Hosho - 7500t - 25kts - (4 x 12cm/45) + 18 aircraft
-The IJNs first CV
2 x CV Amagi - 36000t - 31kts - (16 x 12.7cm/40) + 81 aircraft
-Both Amagi and Akagi are converted to CVs as originally planned. The 1923 eartquake is much less severe, and further from the industrial areas - so Amagi survives unharmed.
2 x CV Shokaku - 23200t - 33kts - (16 x 12.7cm/40) + 81 aircraft - In Service 1930
-A large early CV design, very successful
-Comparable to US Yorktown class
2 x CV Soryu - 27000t - 33kts - (20 x 12.7cm/40) + 90 aircraft - In Service 1938
-Larger CV design, based on
-Similar to historic Shokaku
2 x CV Hiryu - 27500t - 33kts - (20 x 12.7cm/40) + 90 aircraft - In Service 1940
-Repeat build of Soryu class
4 x CV Junyo - 28500t - 33kts - (20 x 10cm/40) + 90 aircraft - In Service 1942
-Improvement on Soryu/Hiryu class
-Junyo due early 42
-Hiyo due early 42
-Kaiyo due late 42
-Taiyo due late 42
4 x CV Taiho - 32600t - 33kts - (20 x 10cm/65) + 72 aircraft - In Service 1943/44
-New armoured CV design
-Taiho due mid 43
-Shoho due late 43
-Ryuho due early 44
-Zuiho due mid 44
6 x CV Katsuragi - 22000t - 33kts - (16 x 10cm/65) + 78 aircraft - In Service 1943-45
-New midsized CV design, based on Shokaku class
-Katsuragi/Aso due mid 43
-Kasagi/Ikoma due mid 44
-Owari/Osumi due mid 45
There is a dedicated purpose built CVL program started in 1938. It will produce a total of 6 ships due 1942-1944.
There are 4 main shadow conversion programs. All are available immediately.
1) CS conversions. There are 2 30knot and 4 32knot CS available for CVL conversion.
2) AV conversions. There are 4 20 knot AV available for CVE conversion.
3) AS conversions. There are 2 large 22knot AS available for CVE conversion.
4) AO conversions. There are 8 large 21knot, and 4 smaller 19knot AO available for CVE conversion. These ships can also convert to TK and back - decide carefully!
Because of the number of ships, two house rules I would recommend are;
-If the IJN player decides to build the two Kawachi class BCs, he must not build the last two Junyo class CVs.
-The IJN player can only have maximum of 2 CVL/BB and 4 CVE conversions underway at any one time.
Of course, these can be ignored if you want maximum carnage.
The IJN Naval Yards will be worked out so that the player can complete the early war builds with a delay if both Kawachi and the Junyos are built, though this is discouraged (see above), and then can either build the Taiho or Katsuragi class without delays, or both with. Expanding the yards helps this.
PS: Ill get some ship picture up for you guys shortly.
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