Re: Rangoon, '42 is the next scenario (estimated to run later in June, 2008)

[jerkins]

  I will be looking for allies and hopefully an fm2.  WOOT lets roll.

[Huba]

I must skip also one frame 

[Serenity]

Which side has the bombers? Im going with them...

[Husky01]

Which side has the bombers? Im going with them...

The Axis. Unless you count the 4 A20s the Allies get as scouts or the reserve squadron of 12 Buffalo (SBD's)

[toadkill]

A-20s? You mean Beaufighters 

[Brooke]

Hello, all.  Rangoon, '42 registration is now open!

More details on this scenario are here:

http://ahevents.org/pacific-theatre/current-or-next-scenario-2.html

To register, please go to:

http://ahevents.org/scenarios/registration.html

The schedule is:

July 26, practice frame
August 2, frame 1
August 9, frame 2
August 16, frame 3
August 23, frame 4

Start Time is 3 pm US Eastern Daylight Time.  The Special Events Arena will close to new admittance right after Start Time, so please show up on or before then.

[Delirium]

I wish I had known they pulled the P39 out of the scenario, I wasn't seeking any kind of Command spot because it was in the plane set.

Oh well... maybe next scenario.   

[Brooke]

I'll let folks know as soon as the Rangoon forums are open.

[Talon07]

I think if i squeeze it in nicely i might just be able to fly in all for frames. I leave on the 26th of August. Lol getting up at 4:30 Australian eastern time to play aces high. the things we do for the things we love. Just a bit unsure about registration. wondering which side to go and whether it changes at all. Any advice would be appreciated.
Regards FBClaw

[Serenity]

Well, here goes! My first Scenario fighting for the Allies!

[Brooke]

I think if i squeeze it in nicely i might just be able to fly in all for frames. I leave on the 26th of August. Lol getting up at 4:30 Australian eastern time to play aces high. the things we do for the things we love. Just a bit unsure about registration. wondering which side to go and whether it changes at all. Any advice would be appreciated.
Regards FBClaw

Talon, in this one, there is no side switch, so you'd register allied or IJAAF and play as that for the duration of the scenario.

There were Australians in the Rangoon air battle, some flying Hurricanes and some flying F2A's (for which the best equivalent among the first-available planes in the scenario, thus not counting the SBD, is the FM-2 -- the F2A and the F4F/FM-2 have very similar performance, actually).  67 Squadron (which flew F2A's in Rangoon in 1941 and 1942, and Hurricanes in 1942) was originally an RAAF squadron, transferred to the RAF in Burma, and staffed with Australians:

http://www.rafweb.org/Sqn066-70.htm

[Krusty]

I missed Rangoon last time, so I'm very pleased to say "I'm in!" for this one!

Thanks for re-running a classic, fellas.

[Widewing]

This is a completely hypothetical plane set right?

I ask because if there was an associated history quiz, this scenario would garner an F.

Not that it will make any difference, but there were no Zeros (especially 1944 vintage A6M5s), or Wildcats or P-40Es in Burma in that time window.

Likewise, the SBD is a sorry replacement for the Brewster, being about 40 mph slower with a terrible climb rate to boot.

The Allies had some Hurricanes and a small amount of Spitfires, Brewsters and the AVG Tomahawks. The Japanese had a small number of Ki-43s (64th Sentai) supplementing their Ki-27 Nates.

I strongly suggest that the CMs and designer read Dan Ford's short history of the Rangoon campaign here: http://www.warbirdforum.com/rangoon1.htm. I've know Dan for about 12 years. He's an excellent historian and writer.

Ki-27s were only marginally faster than the D3a and nearly equally armed (didn't have a rear firing gun, but both had twin 7.7mm MGs up front). I could live with A6M2s standing in for Ki-43s, but A6M5s are way over the top. Plus, the D3a will have the advantage of external views. Inasmuch as no F4F-3s fought in Burma, I see no need for the FM-2. You could substitute the four gun F4F-4 for the Buffalo, providing balance for the A6M2s.

In Burma, the Allies generally had the better fighters. However, the Japanese had a much large force available.

If this is a historical scenario, having a plane set comes as close to reality as is feasible would be good, don't you think? 65% Japanese, 35% Allies. This should be balanced... Quantity offers its own quality, as Stalin stated.

My regards,

Widewing

[Roscoroo]

Widewing ,,,We're going with what worked last time . As for you know we don't have the "Real planeset" available .  no P-40c's, A6m3's, Betty's, Ki-43's ect , so total historical is outta the question.

http://www.warbirdforum.com/rangoon1.htm.  <--I posted reference to there awhile ago in our other forum.

[Widewing]

Widewing ,,,We're going with what worked last time . As for you know we don't have the "Real planeset" available .  no P-40c's, A6m3's, Betty's, Ki-43's ect , so total historical is outta the question.

http://www.warbirdforum.com/rangoon1.htm.  <--I posted reference to there awhile ago in our other forum.

There were no A6M3s, Bettys or P-40Cs in Burma circa January thru March 1942. Problem solved! Zeros and Bettys were IJN aircraft, not assigned to units fighting in Burma.

Besides, our P-40B IS a P-40C, at least in performance modeling. The AVG didn't fly P-40Bs or Cs. They flew a unique hybrid version of the Tomahawk that no one else received.

Obviously, you must substitute aircraft. However, a better job of it can be done.

Substituting the F4F-4 for the Buffalo is reasonable and a good counter for the A6M2 (both better than what they replace). The D3a is a great substitute for the Ki-27. If you're worried about "balance", adjust the forces ratio in favor of the Japanese.

Moreover, just because "it worked" doesn't mean you repeat the same error, or does it? It would work just as well with F6Fs, F4Us, A6M5s and Ki-84s. However, that would be historically wrong as well.

I'm just suggesting that you gents think about having an "historical" event that is as close to historical as possible.

My regards,

Widewing