A use for seaplanes, particularly fighter variants

[BuckShot]

The Germans had one too.

[gyrene81]

The Germans had one too.

which one? the ar-196a-5 would be interesting...2 20mm cannons in the wings, 1 7.9mm on the fuselage and 1 7.9mm in the observer seat. very slow.

then there was the he-115b-1, not a big bomb load or guns...but it could carry a torpedo and mines.

or the bv 138c-1, decent weapons, carried bombs, depth charges or mines.

[BuckShot]

The ar-196 was the one I was thinking of. Thanks for mentioning the other, looking it up now.

[Karnak]

The Germans had one too.

Yes they did, but they are usually only requested by the "I won't fly anything that isn't German." guys as they are significantly less capable than the three I mentioned.  I think I've seen more requests for the H6K 'Mavis' than I have seen for all German flying boats combined.

[Ack-Ack]

The most effective seaplane fighter we could get would be the N1K1 Kyufu "Rex", and it is a pale shadow of its latter development that we already have, the N1K2-J.

Flying boat bombers could be modestly effective as all three of the most commonly request flying boat bombers, the PBY-5A, H8K2 and Sunderland, have useable bomb loads.  In an attack mission of nothing but sea planes and flying boats the N1K1s escorting H8K2s would likely be the most potent it could be and that is much less potent than a land or CV based attack.

I would think the Rufe would be just as effective as the N1K1 was.

ack-ack

[gyrene81]

Yes they did, but they are usually only requested by the "I won't fly anything that isn't German." guys as they are significantly less capable than the three I mentioned.  I think I've seen more requests for the H6K 'Mavis' than I have seen for all German flying boats combined.

what does that have to do with the price of tea in china? fortunately they all have the capability of flight and carrying some sort of ordnance, which are the important aspects.

[Karnak]

I would think the Rufe would be just as effective as the N1K1 was.

ack-ack

Doubt it.  The Rex is much faster, better armed and has a more powerful engine.

what does that have to do with the price of tea in china? fortunately they all have the capability of flight and carrying some sort of ordnance, which are the important aspects.

Saying "The Germans had one too." implies that I either forgot or was unaware of that fact.  As I stated, I was only including the three most requested flying boats and the German flying boats fail to make that short list.

[TOMCAT21]

+ 1

[BuckShot]

Doubt it.  The Rex is much faster, better armed and has a more powerful engine.
Saying "The Germans had one too." implies that I either forgot or was unaware of that fact.  As I stated, I was only including the three most requested flying boats and the German flying boats fail to make that short list.

I wasn't "implying" that you know, or do not know anything, just contributing to the post.

I like the ar-196 because of its insectesque looks, not because its German.

Are you "implying" that I only fly German planes?

[BuckShot]

The bv 138c-1 is a neat looking bird too. Its like a ford trimotor, a p-38 and a dingy had a baby.

[BnZs]

Doubt it.  The Rex is much faster, better armed and has a more powerful engine.
Saying "The Germans had one too." implies that I either forgot or was unaware of that fact.  As I stated, I was only including the three most requested flying boats and the German flying boats fail to make that short list.

True, but if you're going to be slower than everything (and a floatplane likely is) you best be able to turn, turn, turn. And the land already N1K seems a notch easier to outmaneuver than Spits, Brewsters, Hurris, or especially Zeros.

[Ack-Ack]

True, but if you're going to be slower than everything (and a floatplane likely is) you best be able to turn, turn, turn. And the land already N1K seems a notch easier to outmaneuver than Spits, Brewsters, Hurris, or especially Zeros.

If it's like the Rufe, I would imagine the performance is degraded quite a bit.  For example, the A6M2-N performance was downgraded by 20%.  I wonder if the N1K1 suffered the same.

ack-ack

[Karnak]

IIRC, N1K1's top speed was 313mph.  Not sure about climb rates.

[BaldEagl]

The most effective seaplane fighter we could get would be the N1K1 Kyufu "Rex", and it is a pale shadow of its latter development that we already have, the N1K2-J.

Flying boat bombers could be modestly effective as all three of the most commonly request flying boat bombers, the PBY-5A, H8K2 and Sunderland, have useable bomb loads.  In an attack mission of nothing but sea planes and flying boats the N1K1s escorting H8K2s would likely be the most potent it could be and that is much less potent than a land or CV based attack.

It doesn't matter how potent a seaplane attack is if they only have to fly 5 miles NOE from a nearby PT boat spawn against an undefended base.  Surprise alone can be very potent.  Add proximity and this type of attack could be unstoppable.

I'm not against seaplanes but I don't like the idea of using PT spawns.

[Banshee7]

they could just taxi on the water all the way there.. 

   I was thinking the same thing.  I think these planes would make a neat addition.  I mean come on guys, they added the Storch....