Originally posted by Reynolds
Hey, um, im going to be flying for Japan to assist the 64th, and ive never flown japanese A/C before. I only fly German planes for combat, and American and British planes for informational purposes. So, i have a few questions if you dont mind helping me:
1. Val and Kate. Which is which? I always forget.
2. Im a torpedo-bombing kind of guy, is the Kate any good?
3. What should i know about these aircraft?
4. Are we going to use any GVs?
Yeah, im not a Japanese pilot. Im a Luftwaffe guy!
Heil der Luftwaffle!!! (<---- yes, that is intentionaly misspelled)
Val is the D3A divebomber; Kate is the B5N torpedo bomber.
The B5N is not as good as the TBM, but it carries a torpedo and can deliver it to target. Compared to the TBM, the B5N is slower, has no forward guns, is more fragile, but turns better. It might also have longer range. Also, Japanese torpedos are, I think, faster than US torpedos, but US torpedos run for longer (although I'd check this data before relying on it).
The Japanese aircraft can, on average, turn better than the US aircraft, but are slower, more fragile, and handle worse at speed. A D3A can outturn everything in the game, and it does have forward guns. The Zero can outturn all the US aircraft. The Ki-84 and N1K are decently fast and good turners, but the US planes are faster in many circumstances. The Japanese fighters have cannon and so can be decently lethal (although the Zero's cannon are somewhat weak). Japanese planes tend to have long flying ranges.
There will be some GV's, but I suspect they will be used sparingly, not in large GV assaults.
My advice would be, once the IJAF CO assigns people to groups (which should happen soon), is to go into the main arena and fly as much as you can in your assigned aircraft to get used to it.
Glad to see you in the scenario!
