(Some) Zeros Search Qualified in Santa Cruz Scn

[Prince of Eckmühl]

This is kind of an interesting one.

In the Santa Cruz scenario, A6M2 Zeros are search qualified and do the chores for their Task Group (Carrier Striking Force). A6M3 and shore-based A6M2 have no such capability, nor do any other IJN ship-borne a/c in the scenario.

I just don't know; it could be perfectly legit.

PoE (aka ivanmoe)

[Steve Ford SSG]

Hi Prince,

Are we talking about the same Santa Cruz scen?

I had a look at the Jap Squadrons.

Land based recon;

Rabaul - has a squadron of Mavis - Recon capable
Gasmata - has a squadron of A6M2 - Recon capable
Shortland - has a squadron of Emily - Recon capable
Truk - has a squadron of Mavis - Recon capable
Kwajalein - has a squadron of Mavis - Recon capable
Jaluit - has a squadron of Jake - Recon capable

Also every Jap BC and heavy CA has a small squadron of search-capable floatplanes.
This very accurately reflects the Japanese navy doctrine of having the capital groups do most of the searching well ahead of the CV groups.

Yours sincerely

Steve Ford
Creative Director SSG

[Nugget]

I noticed the same thing. On each carrier in the Carrier Striking Force they each have a squadron of Zeroes that is Recon trained, 1/EII, 1/EI and 2/CII.

[Prince of Eckmühl]

ORIGINAL:
This very accurately reflects the Japanese navy doctrine of having the capital groups do most of the searching well ahead of the CV groups.

Hi Steve,

I'm with you one-hundred percent on having float-planes do the searching. as that was the norm. But if you set the carrier striking force to search, as is the default for the formation, it's the A6M2 that will do the searching. They are in fact the only a/c on the three carriers that are search capable.

Here's what my books say happened as regards the KB and its morning search at Santa Cruz on the 26th:

"After 0400 the flight decks of Nagumo's three carriers bustled with activity, as figures carrying red-shaded flashlights moved among the dark aircraft. The 1st Carrier Division prepared a comprehensive eastward search 050 to 230 degrees to 300 miles by four Shokaku, four Zuikaku, and five of the six Zuiho Type 97 carrier attacks planes. They took off at 0445." (page 356-57, The First Team and the Guadalcanal Campaign)

Thoughts anyone?

PoE (aka ivanmoe)

[Erik2]

I'm thinking someone screwed up in the editor as ie Eastern Solomons has the Kates flying recon, no Zeros.

[Prince of Eckmühl]

I dunno, but that 1942-era Zero wouldn't have made much of a search plane. The a/c had a radio but it wasn't very powerful, and could only broadcast over a single, discreet frequency, one that was used by it's entire TG. There wouldn't have been a whole lot of sightings being reported over one of those things.

PoE (aka ivanmoe)

[JD Walter]

Hi PoE,

Can this be changed in the editor?

I'm away from my game PC at the moment, but if (as I suspect) it's merely a question of correcting which squadron (or plane-type) has reece capabilities, it sounds like it'd be fairly easy to fix.

I remember the original CAW (Apple II+, 1984) had a full-featured editor that basically allowed you to adjust any setting in a scenario to be the way you wanted. I remember re-doing the Japanese values in the Marianas 1944 scenario to make it a more balanced FtF affair.

Just a thought ... I'm not one for mucking about in editors anymore (usually screw up as much as I "fix"), but if you try it, please tell me how it turns out. Thanks.

[Prince of Eckmühl]

ORIGINAL: Def Zep

Hi PoE,

Can this be changed in the editor?

I'm away from my game PC at the moment, but if (as I suspect) it's merely a question of correcting which squadron (or plane-type) has reece capabilities, it sounds like it'd be fairly easy to fix.

I remember the original CAW (Apple II+, 1984) had a full-featured editor that basically allowed you to adjust any setting in a scenario to be the way you wanted. I remember re-doing the Japanese values in the Marianas 1944 scenario to make it a more balanced FtF affair.

Just a thought ... I'm not one for mucking about in editors anymore (usually screw up as much as I "fix"), but if you try it, please tell me how it turns out. Thanks.

Yes, it can be edited. But, I'm honestly not sure that it's a mistake. As is the case with so many of the seeming peculiarities in the game, perhaps this serves some purpose in the scenario design, some sort of balancing mechanism.

Edited game files also have some fairly serious implications for multi-player. To insure a worthwhile experience, online players need a common, locked file-set, OR a random games generator, both of which can provide participants with tamper-proof scenarios.

PoE (aka ivanmoe)

[NimitsTexan]

Towards the end of the Solomons campaign, the IJN were starting to use mixed Zero/Val groups for armed recon/search missions, and (though I can't remember the exact reference at the moment) I am pretty sure I recall land-based Zeros being sent on search missions in the Solomons in 1942. I am inclined to doubt that carrier-based A6Ms would have been sent on search missions (as those were too precious in the CAP and Escort role), though I suppose it is possible that it was tried during the Guadalcanal campaign, the IJN being so keen not to repeat the poor search mission performance that hurt them at Midway . . .