Japan Production - On the right track?

[madflava13]

Coming back from a few years away from the game, I'm diving into the deep end with Japan. I've got most of my unit moves planned out, but I'm a little stuck on the production/R&D end of things. Based on multiple threads I've read, I came up with the following rough plan. This would be Scenario 1, PDU and realistic research ON.

IJN fighters: A6M5 --> A6M5c --> A6M8 --> A7M2
R&D/build some N1K1 for late war bomber interceptor duty.

IJN bombers: Val to Judy, then Judy variants; Kate to B6N
Betty variants, then Peggy for LBA

Nightfighters: Myrt and Randy as R&D targets. Nick in the meantime(?)

IJA fighters: Ki-43IIb --> Ki44IIc --> Ki-84 (focus of majority of my R&D efforts)

Recon: Ki-46III
Transports: Ki-48KAI

IJA bombers: Ki-49IIb --> Peggy (?)

I will build out a couple kinds of floatplanes, and I'll probably go Emily over Mavis, but it'll be one or the other. I know I need to play with it to see how this all works out in practice, but I wanted to make sure I'm not missing anything critical and don't have anything game breaking planned here.

[inqistor]

And what is your early war R&D plan? Except ZERO, Japanese fighters can't compete with P-40, and they are even worse at shooting down 4Es.

You can use some 1E bombers early, when there are no developed airfields. Japan is also short on IJN transport planes.

Remember, that there is no KATE production at start.

[madflava13]

Early war I planned on going with Zeros, Oscars, Sallies, Betties. Not sure which transport I'll use just yet - gotta look at the numbers, but I'll pick one to focus on.

[rustysi]

IJN fighters: A6M5 --> A6M5c --> A6M8 --> A7M2
R&D/build some N1K1 for late war bomber interceptor duty

My experience has shown me the A6 line is a dead end. Unfortunately you have no other choice as George N1K line is non-carrier (what the He$$ was Japan thinking[:(]). So I go (as of now anyway) Rufe-A6M5-A6M5b-A6M5c and then drop the line, as far as R&D that is. Put all after that toward the A7 (Sam).

Betty variants,

IMHO, Francis is better, that is starting with the second version. First is SR4.

Recon: Ki-46III
Transports: Ki-48KAI

OK fine, but don't waste R&D on a recon aircraft. Let it come 'naturally'. That'll be at the start of '43, should be good enough.

Ki44IIc

You really need this aircraft. Its not the 'biggest or the best', but its the best you've got into '43. The Oscar will not hold up on its own.

Japanese fighters can't compete with P-40, and they are even worse at shooting down 4Es

Not quite. Japan in the early running will normally have better pilots in the cockpit, and this will give them the edge. Once you get the Tojo, you'll be able to compete with early Allied planes. As to the 4e's, even the KI-44IIc will hold its own. Just don't expect miracles. Problem with the early Japanese fighters is that their airframe is too fragile. Once you get away from the A6M2 and Oscar you should be fine. Remember you will not shoot down the 4e's in droves. Just be satisfied if you can get a one-for-one exchange rate, and that includes op losses for the 4e's.

In addition to the above the Nick is a good bomber suppressor. Especially when used to cover rear area AF's where there's not fighter sweeps/escort. They can however deal with escorts, I just prefer not to use them in those areas. My first encounter with P-38's as escorts with Nick's in opposition resulted in 5 P-38's down for no Nick's. That's against the AI so in a PBEM game I expect different.

Remember, when it comes to 4e's, his early war replacement rate is low, and pilots are pretty poor. Add to that you get 2VP's for everyone shot down.

[ITAKLinus]

Personal thoughts:

1) Don't undervalue the terrible Oscar. Yeah, it's rubbish but it has quite a straightforward R&D line and early on it appears to me that its huge MVN is helpful. Moreover, since the IIa model you can go to 31k feet (if you play with 2nd mvn band HR) and so you can dive on many Allied a/c. The remarkable range of any version is another positive aspect of the airframe.
Last but not least, whatever you produce is better than the Nate.

2) A6M2 Zero is a good fighter but I advice against using the initial élite pilotes in an a/c that has no armor. You have a relevant superiority on allied a/c even using mid-level pilots, preserving the best ones for Georges and A7M late in the war.

3) Don't overproduce any a/c. Yes, it's cool to produce 200 Zero per month, but do you really need them? You don't probably. I suggest to produce the bare minimum to keep air superiority from 12/07 to fall '42. Even having some setbacks because of this industrial policy it's better than producing too much in my opinion.

4) Remember that each plane you can R&D will eventually be available at the defined date. In other words, there is no real need to R&D most of the a/c and it's instead much better and cost efficient to focus on few, selected a/c and let them advance a lot.

5) As NF I think the only viable way is the Nick until you start producing some decent a/c. In my current game Nicks are well performing as NF and antibombers. Well, not that I have many options....

6) IJA LB: I produce tons of Helen-IIas, the armored one. I find it a very good a/c afterall. Not a huge difference over the Sally, though.

7) Fighters. Everyone has his own vision. Personally, I decided to favour Oscar production over Tojo one, relegating Tojos to sweep duties. It's a personal choice. Someone may go Tony only. Someonelse Tojos only and so on. I feel that having a copule of IJAAF fighters into production eases many weaknesses of each of them. For example, Oscars are invaluable escorts while Tojos are useless in the role (range 8 hex max with droptanks).
It's up to you basically.

I see that most of Jap players tend to produce a lot of Tojos switching later to Franks with little or no Oscar production and no Tony production.


Regarding IJNAF: you have to go with A6M* line because of KB needs. Georges seem better than Jacks overall. A7M is the target of course but you have to find a way to go on without them for many years and so A6M5c + Georges is usualle the most common lineup.
I have decided to go for A6M8 + George but I regret my choice.

8) I firmly recommend a relevant investment on Judies. Vals are a pain in the a§§.




Conclusion: I tend to pick very few models and I strongly R&D them. Other planes are not researched.