AP and AK types

[Chris21wen]

Do these ship types get any amphibious advantages over xAP/xAK types or for that matter any other advantages? Seems I should know this but don't.

[Buckrock]

AP and AK unload faster "over the beach" than their equivalent xAP and xAK types for Amphibious TF missions.

[Yaab]

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3) Other ships in the TF. Ships that have built-in landing craft (like AP/AK, APA/LSD/AKA) or that are beaching types (LST, LCI, etc.) will provide assistance to unload other ships in the same TF after they have completely finished their own unloading. So, if you include one or more of those kind of ships in the same TF with your xAP/xAK/xAKL ships, they can often help with unloading at small ports or over the beach. (info by witpqs)

[Chris21wen]

ORIGINAL: Buckrock

AP and AK unload faster "over the beach" than their equivalent xAP and xAK types for Amphibious TF missions.

Not sure why I didn't know this. Brain dead.

[Lowpe]

Better guns too which can help bombard...suppress CD guns for example.

[rustysi]

See also amphibious unloading on pages 127&128 of the manual. You will notice xAP's and xAK's unload excruciatingly slowly for an amphibious landing.

[crsutton]

And, many of the APs and AKs will convert to APA and AKA types as time passes. Valuable ships. Take care of them.

[Chris21wen]

Now I've found out that APs can be used in amphibious TF a new question arises. There are some big APs such as this so, would you use them?

[Sardaukar]

I usually use those ocean liners for long range troop transportation convoys. Couple them with some fast AK/xAKs and you can easily ship units quickly.

[traskott]

+1

They are so fast that some times even don't add DDs as escorts in order to make the trip faster. With 5 hex per turn as cruise speed, it's very difficult for a SS catch them, and, as expend less time at sea, there is less chance of surface interception.

[Chris21wen]

ORIGINAL: Sardaukar

I usually use those ocean liners for long range troop transportation convoys. Couple them with some fast AK/xAKs and you can easily ship units quickly.

That's my thoughts.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

In my games, early war my fast liners remain off-map as much as possible,

they are great for moving US division from the east coast to Colombo or Bombay (important to expand this last port ASAP as you need big ports to dock the biggest liners).
I won't couple the fastest liners with xAKs as they can run much faster than the 14 knots cruise speed of the best xAKs.
Escorts are added only on the last leg of the trip (from Mombasa)

[HansBolter]

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

In my games, early war my fast liners remain off-map as much as possible,

they are great for moving US division from the east coast to Colombo or Bombay (important to expand this last port ASAP as you need big ports to dock the biggest liners).
I won't couple the fastest liners with xAKs as they can run much faster than the 14 knots cruise speed of the best xAKs.
Escorts are added only on the last leg of the trip (from Mombasa)

The drawback with most of the liners is the lack of cargo space.
Sometimes it takes two liners with a huge overcapacity of troop space to accommodate a unit with a far lower troop capacity requirement to be to accommodate all of the cross loaded cargo without having to resort to adding a slower xAK to the TF.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Yes, I normally have the cargo following behind, this is mostly trucks (mechanized support) that seems to be always the last to board a ship

So if I need the troops, I mean I am in a hurry, then I will not wait and send the troops to fight without the "cargo" components.
If not, then I have them wait at port for their trucks to arrive

[bush]

And if you include an AGC there will be less disruption to the troops - even without an AMPH Force HQ being present.

[rustysi]

ORIGINAL: Chris H

Now I've found out that APs can be used in amphibious TF a new question arises. There are some big APs such as this so, would you use them?

Probably not. The reason I say that is that I want my invasion forces to unload quickly and with large capacity ships it may take more time than I desire. That time is normally one day. I say probably because I haven't had any experience with the Allies. Generally speaking Japan doesn't have many assault type ships and the ones she has are not that large, so for her its not that big of a deal. As has been pointed out though they sure look handy for moving forces quickly around the map.

[Insano]

ORIGINAL: Chris H

Now I've found out that APs can be used in amphibious TF a new question arises. There are some big APs such as this so, would you use them?

wait - the allies have troop transports with radar? Oh the luxury! The next thing you're going to tell me is that they have millions of supply sitting unused in San Francisco - geez.