Slitherine

quote:

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon



She's also the only Japanese bomber I know which allows the pilot to drop the miniscule ordnance from the cockpit one handed, while saving the other hand free to scarf down a few rice balls during a bombing run. How cool is that!

quote:

ORIGINAL: Captain Cruft

I am building Ki-51s even with PDU on. It's a cheap versatile little plane with a Service Rating of 1.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Cribtop

Mike, do you cull pilots individually or wait for the whole "class" in a given unit to train up? If the former, do you immediately replace with a new recruit? I had a vague sense that I once read sticking to the class approach was better overall, but I'm not sure whether this was superseded by a later patch (or whether it was accurate to begin with).

Created by the amazing Dixie

quote:

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

quote:

ORIGINAL: Cribtop

Mike, do you cull pilots individually or wait for the whole "class" in a given unit to train up? If the former, do you immediately replace with a new recruit? I had a vague sense that I once read sticking to the class approach was better overall, but I'm not sure whether this was superseded by a later patch (or whether it was accurate to begin with).

I do both, depends on how much I've meddled with the unit's pilots. I manually pick all pilots to replace losses in front line units from the general reserve though.

I'm also trying something new. I've taken a Betty unit and divided it into 1/3's. I assign one to naval search, one to naval attack/bombing and the last to naval/attack torpedo. I'm looking to see if the breakdown speeds up the training process overall and how the mix will perform in combat when recombined. Just something I'm trying out, no idea if it is worth it or not at this stage.

Created by the amazing Dixie

quote:

ORIGINAL: jrcar

I suggest syu will need about 120 Zero. 150-200 Oscar and around 200 Tojo plus the research factories working on the next model. Otherwise your airforce will be unable to grid the Allies down and if you don't they will be on the attack in late 1942.

cheers

Rob

Created by the amazing Dixie

quote:

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli
Nick FB – I don’t know what to do here but I need to decide real soon. Maybe 1x 30 of the KAIb (Dec 42)? The KAIa arrives in May 42.

Naw. No research factories need apply for this position. See SuluSea's recent excellent threads on comparatives. The KAIa is it for this line-the others are worse.

quote:


A6M3 (Jun 42) – 1x 60 factory which will become operational. Yeah, I know I should have done 2x 30 but did this early on before I knew the ramifications. In addition, I will convert 3 factories to this and when they are repaired to 30 will change to the A6M3a (Dec 42). I want the A6M3a as soon as possible because it is carrier capable. These 3 will become operational.

A6M5 (Aug 43) – I’ll use 3x 30 to work on getting this model early if possible. I’ll convert these factories to either the A6M5c or the A6M8. Gotta check the stats on these models to see what would be more beneficial.

Why not research the A6M3 with 6x30 factories, switch 5x30 over the A6M3a the month before the A6M3 comes online. Then you can switch 4x30 over to the A6M5 (and so on...) research using a 1x30 to fit production needs for A6M3a.

quote:


IJN TB – Right now I have a size 16 factory each for the B5N1 and B5N2. The N1 will build until the engines for it are gone. The N2 will build until there are ~50 in the pool and then stop. Not sure I’ll try to accelerate the Jill much. I’ll probably increase the Jill B6N1 and B6N2 factories to 30 and convert them to the Grace before they become operational. The operational Kate factories do not upgrade to anything so one or both will upgrade to the Jill eventually. My goal is to work on the Grace. The Grace factory will increase to 30 and will get the additional benefit of the two Jill factories. I’d love to get the Grace in early 44. The Grace factories will then become operational.

Mike: B6N series does not upgrade to Grace. Thus, your plan above (if I read it correctly) will result in only damaged research factories switching to Grace from Jill. It is unlikely that you will benefit from any research for your Grace series if your switchover results in damaged research factories in late 1943.

quote:


I did a little calculating. Without the SRA, the Japanese Empire produces ~25k supply a day, or 9 million a year. About 7.6 million is produced in the Home Islands. Now that will decrease once the oil glut is burned through. With the SRA intact, you get almost 30k a day, or 11 million supply a year. If one were to increase all R&D factories to 30, the cost would be about 1.7 million supply. Has anyone considered doing that with the R&D factories? Then you could focus on the airframes you want to accelerate and keep converting them to the next ones you want. Crazy thought but I wonder if it is plausible.

Resources and supply per se are hardly restrictors on the Japanese economy in this game, IMO. Especially if you bring in copious resources to the HI and keep light industry running, your 1.7MM supply cost can be easily accomodated.

If / when I restart the game, you can darn well bet that I'll right-size / maximize production in the manner you've outlined above.

Created by the amazing Dixie

quote:

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

quote:

ORIGINAL: jrcar

I suggest syu will need about 120 Zero. 150-200 Oscar and around 200 Tojo plus the research factories working on the next model. Otherwise your airforce will be unable to grid the Allies down and if you don't they will be on the attack in late 1942.

cheers

Rob

Don't overlook George ... it's your best 4E deterrent that you get. <period> A lot of Zero groups can get it AFTER they have the A6M5 upgrade. You'll need to play with Tracker to see them all and which ones. So, you will want to accelerate the A6M5 not for its marginal imporvement over the A6M3a, but for its ability to unlock some George upgrade paths.

Created by the amazing Dixie

quote:

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

NF's.

Wish I had some good advice.  My testing in Downfall was not pretty.  Most of the IJ NF are SLOWER than the B-29, not good.  They have pitiful armament.  However, now that the NF glitch has been fixed, they have their bonus back which the day fighters lack.  Sometimes they will get in the way of the night bombers ... don't expect to have them shoot too many down.

So, for the IJA, at least the Dinah and the Randy are faster than the B-29.  They can at least interfere.

For the IJN, The Myrt and the Denko seem to be the best ... again, don't get your hopes up.

BTW, pilot exp seems to be a huge determinant in night outcomes ... moreso than day.  Min 60 EXP on your NF pilots, 70 makes a BIG difference. 

Created by the amazing Dixie

quote:

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

Which is why I prefer the Ki-61 a over the d model and the Tojo IIc over the IIa. Cooler paint schemes. And that IIc has lightning bolts on the tail. FRIGGIN' LIGHTNING BOLTS people! Who can lose with those paint schemes?

By the way, Mike: I located this old thread on the forum. You may want to take a look at the advice offered by some of the usual game of misfits and thugs:

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2460395

Created by the amazing Dixie

quote:

ORIGINAL:  PaxMondo
Sure do miss C&G around here ...

quote:

ORIGINAL: SuluSea

Mike have you considered 2x30 D3A2 R&D factories which has an upgrade to the D5Y1? You should be able to get good acceleration at rather a cheap price.

Earlier in the thread some poo-poo'd my A6M2-N float fighter upgrade to the A6M5 which is next in line also but my reformulated plans have (5) R&D going into the A6M3 with one slated to convert and the rest moving onto the A6M3a and (4) R&D going into the A6M2-N float fighter which will all move to the next upgrade (A6M5) when the A6M2-N is ready.

quote:

ORIGINAL:  PaxMondo
Sure do miss C&G around here ...

You took the words out of my mouth Pax!

Created by the amazing Dixie

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

quote:

ORIGINAL: SuluSea

Mike have you considered 2x30 D3A2 R&D factories which has an upgrade to the D5Y1? You should be able to get good acceleration at rather a cheap price.

Earlier in the thread some poo-poo'd my A6M2-N float fighter upgrade to the A6M5 which is next in line also but my reformulated plans have (5) R&D going into the A6M3 with one slated to convert and the rest moving onto the A6M3a and (4) R&D going into the A6M2-N float fighter which will all move to the next upgrade (A6M5) when the A6M2-N is ready.

quote:

ORIGINAL:  PaxMondo
Sure do miss C&G around here ...

You took the words out of my mouth Pax!

Couple questions here, Sulu -

Why even build the A6M3. I don't see the use of it. Why not move all the R&D to the M3a when the M3 is about ready?

I like the idea of R&D on the Rufe then switch it to the M5. Then you can simultaneously accelerate the M3a and the M5.

Good idea on the D3A2 to the D5Y1. I hadn't considered that.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

I've also decided against the A6M3. It's no better than the M2 so why bother? I'll jump directly to the A6M3a.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli
IJN DB

Val: D3A1 (12/41)
Judy: D4Y3 (8/44)

Other than speed, the D3A1 is the best DB the Japanese have. I’ll go with the D4Y3 late in the war hoping its speed overcomes the poor maneuverability (but I doubt it). No R&D factory here. I’ll just convert the Val factory.

quote:


IJN TB

Kate: B5N1 (12/41)
Kate: B5N2 (12/41)
Jill: B6N1 (5/43) -> B6N2 (10/43)
Grace: B7A2 (12/44)

I’ll build out the B5N1 until the engines are gone. No R&D factories for the Jills. I’ll use 3x30 factories for the Jill N1 then switch them when they’re repaired to the Grace. I’d love to get the Grace early.

Edit: CB told me about the inability to switch paths without damaging the factories. I'll put the 3x30 factories on the Grace and let the Jill come when it does. Until then I should have plenty of Kates.

quote:


IJN Level Bombers

Nell: G3M2 (12/41) -> G3M3 (5/42)
Betty: G4M1 (12/41) -> G4M2a (6/44) -> G4M3a (11/44)
Betty: G4M2e (11/44)
Frances: P1Y3 (1/46)

The Nell and Betty will upgrade on their own with no acceleration. The G4M2e will be produced in limited quantities for the Oka. I’d like to get some P1Y3 early because the armor will make it a bit more survivable for the Oka, but I doubt that happens.

quote:


IJA Fighters

Oscar: Ki-43-Ic (12/41) -> Ki-43-IIa (11/42) -> Ki-43-IIb (5/43) -> Ki-43-IIIa (10/44)
Tojo: Ki-44-IIa (9/42) -> Ki-44-IIc (3/44)
Frank: Ki-84a (4/44) -> Ki-84b (3/45) -> Ki-84r (9/45)
Tony: Ki-100-I (3/45) -> Ki-100-II (9/45)

The Oscar will not accelerate. Its numbers will be reduced when the Tojo becomes operational. The Oscar will be the bomber escort. The others will be point defense. The Frank is nice other than the SR of 3. I’m going to try to work out a plan to get the Tony operational early. We’ll see if I can afford it.

quote:


IJA Level Bombers

Sally: Ki-21-IIa (12/41) -> Ki-21-IIb (12/42)
Helen: Ki-49-IIa (9/42) -> Ki-49-IIb (9/43)
Peggy: Ki-67-Ia T (9/44)

I’m going to commit 3x30 to the Helen IIa and 1x30 to the Peggy. All four of the R&D factories will become operational.

quote:

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

That's 18 R&D factories, so what are you going to do with the other 60? Pinochle?

Created by the amazing Dixie