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JuanG -> Enhanced Details (10/24/2009 5:36:38 PM)
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So, as the next in line is the Enhanced BB Variant, I thought I would explain the key changes in this scenario, that although minor on their own, add up to a pretty dangerous foe. Most of these changes are as a result of Japan spending the 38-41 period seriously preparing for a long war, and investing in technologies such as radar, AA weapons, ect.
Infantry Weapons
Around 43-44 will see the Japanese infantry forces issued with decent AT weaponry. While this wont put them on par with the allied troops in this regard, it will seriously improve their capabilities against tanks which until then (apart from the Engineer squads) is pretty much non-existant. Minor improvements to other weapons will also increase their soft attack values slightly.
Light AA Weapons
The Japanese have a variant of the 40mm Bofors in service at the start of the scenario in small numbers, designated the 40mm Type 99. This is normally found mounted in dual mounts on ships of CA or larger size.
The 25mm is still in service, but has been modified slightly from lessons learned from the Bofors which results in a slightly higher ROF. They are also only mounted in dual mounts, as the Japanese spotted several issues with their triple mountings.
Later into the war, the 40mm will become much more common, although the small ships (under CL) will only ever mount 25mm. The final year (Mid 45 - Mid 46) will see introduction of the 60mm Type 4 AA gun. This is based on a concept somewhat like the USNs 3in/70 RF, though somewhat smaller. This weapon also quickly finds itself in landbased installations.
Radar
The Japanese historically had the expertise to develop adequate radar systems in a reasonable timeframe, but not the resources or the desire to do so. Here they have both, and most Japanese ships will get AS Radars by early 42 (in non-enhanced this occurs in mid 43). SS Radar becomes available in late 42 (normally early 44), with the improved Type 31/32/33 SS and Type 14 AS (both normally mid 45) sets available in late 43. A final set of improved radar gear in early 45, with the Type 35/36 SS and Type 16 AS radars. Radar development is slower in the Army, but still accelerated compared to normal. Aircraft radar does not see major improvements until 43-44 where it very quickly becomes rather good.
Aircraft
Japanese aircraft development will be somewhat accelerated in this scenario, the main aircraft that come into service earlier being the D4Y Judy, the B6N Jill, the later A6M variants, the A7M Sam, the Ki-44 Tojo, the Ki-84 Frank, the Ki-67 Peggy and the Ki-83. Most of these will see service 2-4 months before the current dates.
Another key change is Japans ability to provide high octane fuel comparable to that of the allies to their airforce throughout the war. This results in about a 3-5% performance increase for all their aircraft across the board.
Pilots
The Japanese pilot training program is more robust than in the normal scenario, and while the initial pool of pilots is only slightly larger, the output of the program increases dramatically in 42 once the war starts. The quality of the pilots is also slightly better (5 points).
Additional Ships
The Japanese have two key programs in place compared to stock. The first is the Matsu DD/DE program, with the first ships arriving in mid 42. Their production is rather slow at first, until around mid 43 where production increases drastically.
The other is a dedicated shadow CVL program for several 'liner' hulls built in the years before the war, somewhat like the historical Hiyo/Junyo. While not comparable to the shadow programs in the CV Variant, this program does give the Japanese 6 good sized (20,000ton) CVLs, each capable of around 30 knots and carrying 40-60 aircraft. Two of these ships arrive early 42, and the remaining 4 through late 42 to mid 44.
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