By way of a test Kevin and I played a battle simulating the Japanese attack on the HMS Repulse and HMS Pince of Wales. We chose this because it was the simplest historical example of Naval air combat we could find. The Japanese planes chose not to attack the destroyers for historical accuracy.
Historical Outcome
The two British ships, escorted by 2 destroyers were attacked by 36 bom armed and 50 torpedo ared Nell and Betty bombers. After approximately 2 hours (Kevin did the histiorical research of exact times, number of waves etc. which I am unable to quote off the top of my head) both battle ships were on their way to Davey Jone's locker while one Japanese aircraft had been shot down. However, the loss of the Prince of Wales could be attributed to a lucky Torpedo hit.
Assumptions/Conversion
According to my calculations these aircraft equated to 8 Torpedo armed Bettys (the nell was an earlier versiion of this plane) and 6 flights of bomb armed Bettys (2AD, 3DD untraited - based on the stats of one of the level bombers in the game. We believe that, if anything, this overstates the power of the planes actually used if based on the current game design.
Game 1 Outcome
Based on the rules as currently stated the game lasted 3 turns (approx 1 1/2 hours assuming 30 minute turns - about right). The Prince of Wales was almost unharmed whilte the Repulse had lost about half its hits. Each attack run (5 in all) resulted in the loss of 1 or 1.5 flights.
Game 2 Outcome
In this game we tripled the number of aircraft flights and the number of flights allowed to attack in a single run. (This has been one suggestion to uprate aircraft).This game also lasted 3 turns, the Prince of Wales was reduced to about half hits whilst the Repulse was sunk. Each attack run (5 in all) resulted in the loss of 1 or 1.5 flights (but out of 9 rather than 3).
Conclusion
Comparing the games the second seamed most historically accurate, given the lucky hit actually made.
While this might suggest that aircraft are underpowered this must be put in the context of a playable tabletop game. WWII naval warefare was more about finding and bringing the enemy to combat (not touched on by the VaS system) rather than the actual battle (IMO a good quick play representation for battleship engaegments; the jury is still out for Cruisers and Destroyers; needs work for carrier actions [but I have a cunning plan]).
Historical Background
This is particularly true of carrier actions. If a carrier was ever approached by a naval formation it would withdraw behind a screen of its escorts. In game terms the Carrier would not be on the table with its enemy, in fact I am not aware of any battle in which aircraft attached an enemy formation that was also being engaged by surface vessels. This is probably because identification of the enemy was a problem when friendly ships were anywhere near. I could be wrong so feel free to correct me.
(Example 1
Swordfish from HMS Ark Royal actually attacked a British cruiser, not even another battleship when hunting the Bismark! Fortunately the planes were carrying dud torpedoes so no harm was done.
Example 2 - of interest but not a perinant as example 1
At one point during Midway the Japanes thought they had sunk all the carriers in the American force. In fact it was just 3 separate attacks on USS Yorktown each leaving it ablaze).
Historical Outcome
The two British ships, escorted by 2 destroyers were attacked by 36 bom armed and 50 torpedo ared Nell and Betty bombers. After approximately 2 hours (Kevin did the histiorical research of exact times, number of waves etc. which I am unable to quote off the top of my head) both battle ships were on their way to Davey Jone's locker while one Japanese aircraft had been shot down. However, the loss of the Prince of Wales could be attributed to a lucky Torpedo hit.
Assumptions/Conversion
According to my calculations these aircraft equated to 8 Torpedo armed Bettys (the nell was an earlier versiion of this plane) and 6 flights of bomb armed Bettys (2AD, 3DD untraited - based on the stats of one of the level bombers in the game. We believe that, if anything, this overstates the power of the planes actually used if based on the current game design.
Game 1 Outcome
Based on the rules as currently stated the game lasted 3 turns (approx 1 1/2 hours assuming 30 minute turns - about right). The Prince of Wales was almost unharmed whilte the Repulse had lost about half its hits. Each attack run (5 in all) resulted in the loss of 1 or 1.5 flights.
Game 2 Outcome
In this game we tripled the number of aircraft flights and the number of flights allowed to attack in a single run. (This has been one suggestion to uprate aircraft).This game also lasted 3 turns, the Prince of Wales was reduced to about half hits whilst the Repulse was sunk. Each attack run (5 in all) resulted in the loss of 1 or 1.5 flights (but out of 9 rather than 3).
Conclusion
Comparing the games the second seamed most historically accurate, given the lucky hit actually made.
While this might suggest that aircraft are underpowered this must be put in the context of a playable tabletop game. WWII naval warefare was more about finding and bringing the enemy to combat (not touched on by the VaS system) rather than the actual battle (IMO a good quick play representation for battleship engaegments; the jury is still out for Cruisers and Destroyers; needs work for carrier actions [but I have a cunning plan]).
Historical Background
This is particularly true of carrier actions. If a carrier was ever approached by a naval formation it would withdraw behind a screen of its escorts. In game terms the Carrier would not be on the table with its enemy, in fact I am not aware of any battle in which aircraft attached an enemy formation that was also being engaged by surface vessels. This is probably because identification of the enemy was a problem when friendly ships were anywhere near. I could be wrong so feel free to correct me.
(Example 1
Swordfish from HMS Ark Royal actually attacked a British cruiser, not even another battleship when hunting the Bismark! Fortunately the planes were carrying dud torpedoes so no harm was done.
Example 2 - of interest but not a perinant as example 1
At one point during Midway the Japanes thought they had sunk all the carriers in the American force. In fact it was just 3 separate attacks on USS Yorktown each leaving it ablaze).
Is it a beautiful up there as some of the pictures I've seen?
