First, I referenced the Midway battle where the Japanese lost four (4) Carriers, and I don't recall that any level bombers were used, but I am an old man and my memory may not be very good. All four (4) Japanese carriers were sunk, or severly damaged by Dive Bombing (JABO), if my memory serves me well (it mayn't however).
Second, I think you have confirmed that you have more of an issue with Bomber modeling than with the CV hardness. I agree that level bombers should have quite a difficult time in hitting CVs. I believe my previous posts support your contention that level bombing was an inexact science, and that level bombers never sunk a CV in WWII, to my knowledge (I could be wrong). So, from your standpoint of AH Bomber loads and the ease with which level bombers in AH can hit targets from nearly any altitude, I can understand why you wish to harden CVs further.
Clearly your issue is with Bomber modeling and not CV hardness, whereas my issue is with CV hardness and not Bomber modeling.
I just wanted to clarify our paths because each leads in a different direction and each path has a separate potential solution.
I posted my suggestion which encompasses the current Bomber modeling, makes Dive bombing more important, and dangerous, gives the CV a good chance of survival and gives gameplayers many options per gameplayer hour. Remember, under my suggestion, the CV does not incur any damage until all of it's escorts are sunk. Then, however, the CV becomes a soft and ripe target, just perfect for level bombing.
So, protecting the CV becomes very important, more so than the current gameset, in my opinion, where a single formation of level bombers can end, in a single pass, the enjoyment many who are having fun with the CVs.
Just some thoughts...
Patches