Once Again into the Breach - Mike (J) vs. tc464 (A)

[rustysi]

Aircraft fatigue is something I know nothing about. Can it decrease without maintenance? (Don't think so, but I really have no idea.) Anything in the manual I've missed? How about the forum?

CV/CVL air group management - I monitor both pilot fatigue and plane damage (time to repair). After prolong activity, I often have to fly off and transfer groups to a base to speed up recovery time. Often you will see 5 days or more time for planes to repair if on CVs. This is a very slow process. So, they go ashore. Your Judy and Jill with SR 2 or 3 need the extra time ashore to repair and recover, IMO.

I've learned to do exactly as 'ny59giants' says. If you are unfamiliar with this I storngly suggest you check as I suspect your CV A/C are quite 'tired'. To do this simply click on the airgroup to bring up its page, and in the lower left corner where you'd check your pilots check the 'planes' heading (is that what it says, at any rate the third choice). My guess is you'll find a bunch of planes >50 fatigue. Remember to fly off you A/C (don't dock) or they'll all need to 'repair'. Put as many as possible 'onshore' and leave the rest on the carrier. If needed I'll even swap the two to get a better 'repair' rate.

Can it decrease without maintenance?

I pulled this out for more clairity. The answer is yes, if the unit is 'stood down', but the process onboard can be slow (as stated above). Also as soon as you 'stand the unit down' you'll notice a bunch with high faitgue will go into maintenance (red). Seems an act of trying to keep everything 'flying' while ops are occurring, rather than bringing half your group down. I guess a fatigued airframe is better than none.

Edit:Not to mention a factor of the planes' SR rating. So an SR1 A/C will stay in action 'til what? Is it as high as 75 fatigue? I forget but is in the manual.

Edit2: I know I've read this somewhere, but doing a cursory search of the manual I couldn't find it. I'll use the search funtion in the manual later as I don't have access to the game currently. Hope I remember.

[rustysi]

I haven't spotted the carriers up close since the battle. Still looking. Finding other ships though.

They couldn't have gone far with all that damage. Maybe 'Davy Jones' locker'.[:D]

At any rate it looks to me like you've insured CV supremacy well into '44. (Don't get too cocky though). Those two damaged ships even if they survive should be out for at least six months, including transist time.

Nice work!!!![&o][&o][&o]

[rustysi]

Another approach is to 'downgrade' and then 're-upgrade' the airframes while in port. They'll act as if all the 'new' airframes are at "0" for maintenance once they're back on board. It may take a week or so to have all of them uncrated and available, so don't do this workaround if action is imminent.

That's certainly another option, though I've never tried it, and I doubt it'll be any faster than the other method. Besides doesn't it expend supply to 'swap' A/C?

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: rustysi

Another approach is to 'downgrade' and then 're-upgrade' the airframes while in port. They'll act as if all the 'new' airframes are at "0" for maintenance once they're back on board. It may take a week or so to have all of them uncrated and available, so don't do this workaround if action is imminent.

That's certainly another option, though I've never tried it, and I doubt it'll be any faster than the other method. Besides doesn't it expend supply to 'swap' A/C?

I think it does take supply. But I also believe that the 'uncrating' of new aircraft takes considerably less time than waiting for them to repair spontaneously. Plus, when you're done, you have aircraft with no residual airframe fatigue.

[rustysi]

Yeah, I know escort is tough on fighters. I'm always torn. Good pilots are shredded as much as mediocre pilots. It's a necessary evil.

At least some of the 'good pilots' should return with their damaged planes due to their experience. It may not be much, but its something.

[rustysi]

But I also believe that the 'uncrating' of new aircraft takes considerably less time than waiting for them to repair spontaneously.

As you say though, it takes about a week. TBH I've never had the other method take longer than that, and that was when I first noticed it and had some serverly fatigued airframes. At a major base such as Truk, with good amounts of AS you'd be surprised at how quickly fatigue can be shed.

[Mike Solli]

Morning guys. This fatigued aircraft stat is curious. I still can't figure out what it means, but that's ok. I just checked and my carrier aircraft are pretty fatigued. I need to make sure they're all stood down.

Someone asked about my FBs. I don't use them much. I have I sentai of Nick a, producing 30 a month with 8 in the pool right now. I'm researching only the Ki-102b Randy. The 3 factories are at 26(4), 21(9) and 18(12).

Ok, I'm ready for the FB litany. [:D]

[ny59giants]

I just checked and my carrier aircraft are pretty fatigued. I need to make sure they're all stood down.

Move them ashore!

[Mike Solli]

Yes, Boss!

Edit: [:D]

[rustysi]

This fatigued aircraft stat is curious. I still can't figure out what it means, but that's ok.

Its really quite simple. Just look at it as a 'tired' airframe. Stress cracks, popped rivits, frayed cables, worn tires, battle damage, etc. Landings on carrier decks are rough on planes, even today, so over time the airframe weakens. Happens to all aircraft, moreso for carrier planes, and AE being the game it is takes this into account.

Edit:Ultimately it'll mean more battle and op losses unless its reduced.

[rustysi]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

ORIGINAL: rustysi

I have Soryu carrying the M5c. They were set to 0 distance, to be used just for CAP over the TFs. Their range sucks. But in this case, the enemy carriers were all 2-4 hexes from my carriers. They would have flown escort. I wonder how they would have done?

They are the first Zero with armor. Don't know how much that'll help, but....

I am aware of that. Short range but armor. CAP duty primarily.

You know you could try them with drop tanks. AFAIK its only negative effect will be pilot fatigue. With the short duration of carrier ops/battles this may not be too bad. I mean after all, you'll have the same situation with the Sam. Anyone else?

[Zorch]

ORIGINAL: rustysi

This fatigued aircraft stat is curious. I still can't figure out what it means, but that's ok.

Its really quite simple. Just look at it as a 'tired' airframe. Stress cracks, popped rivits, frayed cables, worn tires, battle damage, etc. Landings on carrier decks are rough on planes, even today, so over time the airframe weakens. Happens to all aircraft, moreso for carrier planes, and AE being the game it is takes this into account.

Edit:Ultimately it'll mean more battle and op losses unless its reduced.

Think of your planes as race cars. Built for performance, not longevity.

[rustysi]

Good analogy.

[Mike Solli]

Thanks for the explanation, guys. Now back to the game. Just finished 12 Aug. Couple of turns to input...

[Mike Solli]

Been working on a turn. Question I've been meaning to ask. When I put Chitose and Chiyoda in for conversion, I didn't leave the air units aboard. They're still FP units. What happens to them when the ships complete conversion (in 2 weeks)? Will they have the ability to convert to carrier planes or am I screwed?

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

Been working on a turn. Question I've been meaning to ask. When I put Chitose and Chiyoda in for conversion, I didn't leave the air units aboard. They're still FP units. What happens to them when the ships complete conversion (in 2 weeks)? Will they have the ability to convert to carrier planes or am I screwed?

Screwed.

[Mike Solli]

lol

Not really. I've lost Hiryu, Junyo and Zuiho so I'll have their air wings available. See, losing carriers isn't always a bad thing. [:D]

[AlessandroD]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

lol

Not really. I've lost Hiryu, Junyo and Zuiho so I'll have their air wings available. See, losing carriers isn't always a bad thing. [:D]

You lucky [:D]

[Zorch]

What do you do with FPs without a seaplane carrier? Transfer the pilots out?

[Mike Solli]

Just before I began the ship conversion, I increased each unit to 24 and now they're doing ASW or naval search from the shore.