Allies have overwhelming numerical superiority, enough time to intercept due to multiple radars, layered 10-20k CAP at zero range, 80+ xp pilots in excellent condition. As close to the ideal as it can get. Yet combat animation with 90-100 Wildcats present at all times shows only fighter-on-fighter passes and then end. All Kates go through and make torpedo runs without being engaged by the CAP.
And this is not a fluke of luck, it repeats on reloads, with slight variations of course because RNG is reset. But the main pattern of Kates going through CAP unmolested is always there. Hmm?
Morning Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 115,138
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid detected at 113 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 49 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
B5N1 Kate x 18
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 121
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
B5N1 Kate: 2 destroyed, 7 damaged
B5N1 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
Allied Ships
CA Canberra, Torpedo hits 1
CA Australia
CL Hobart, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm T91 Mod 3 Torp
8 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm T91 Mod 3 Torp
CAP engaged:
VF-3 with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 21 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
26 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-6 with F4F-4 Wildcat (8 airborne, 21 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
25 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 22 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
24 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 18 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
19 planes vectored on to bombers
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 115,138
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Raid detected at 114 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 49 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
B5N1 Kate x 24
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 113
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
B5N1 Kate: 6 damaged
B5N1 Kate: 6 destroyed by flak
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
Allied Ships
CV Saratoga, Torpedo hits 1
CV Enterprise
BB North Carolina
Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm T91 Mod 3 Torp
8 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm T91 Mod 3 Torp
CAP engaged:
VF-3 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 20 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
21 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-6 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 20 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
22 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 20 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
20 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 17 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
13 planes vectored on to bombers