Recent content by Glenn239

Who said anything about heavier than normal bomb loads? I had said that a B5N1 could carry an 1,800lbs bomb in a kamikaze mission, but that's not "heavier than normal", that was normal. On the question of flight deck take offs with non-carrier qualified pilots, it might be the case that the...

I'm assuming a limited kamikaze contingent because the number of targets would be 4 carriers, (Enterprise, Hornet, Wasp, Saratoga). The idea that the IJN would give up its ship killing punch (torpedo bombers) also makes no sense. Therefore that would not happen either. The optimal use would...

Even assuming heavy losses amongst the torpedo wings, at worst Zuikaku and Shokaku could follow up with air wings of 27 fighters and 54 kamikazes each.

I doubt the IJN could keep Henderson knocked out, and the jungle canopy would allow the Marines to disperse and ride out bombardments.

Certainly not in 1944 against hundreds of Hellcats, but in 1942 vs. dozens of Wildcats the B5N1 should be good enough to plant an 1800lbs bomb on target, given that USN CAP performance at the time was not adequate. The problem for the IJN was that B5N2's were lacking in numbers for both roles...

Here is the July 1942 reorganization, http://niehorster.org/014_japan/42-07-14_navy/districts/0_yokosuka.html The Tateyama and Yokosuka Air Groups (Tokyo area) alone had 48 x B5N1. These were carrier capable aircraft. I don't see where the OP specified "Kate" crews either. The entire point...

I can see kamikaze tactics taking out the US carrier force in 1942, after all, they got 4 out of 6 without them. But actually winning the Guadalcanal campaign as well? That I doubt.

Yes, I just posted one of those.

So let's assume Midway has happened and the 3rd Fleet is reorganizing with the intention of employing carrier based kamikaze tactics in the 2nd half of 1942. I think the intended air wing might look something like this - Shokaku, Zuikaku 54 x A6M2 54 x B5N1 (Kamikaze) 36 x B5N2 torpedo 36 x...

Could the RAF have benefited from a drop tank capability on their fighters during the BoB in order to facilitate Big Wing tactics? If these could extend patrol time by an hour or more, then it would be more feasible to assemble big wings ahead of anticipated raids.

A summary of the Zeppelins at Jutland here, http://www.avalanchepress.com/Zeppelin_Scouting.php They never got into the battle until much later due to wind conditions. The sortie itself was decided upon because the submarines were nearing their time on station limits.

Aircraft can spot single ships at about 25 miles on a good day. But we're talking a coal fired fleet at speed that is putting out huge columns of smoke, so 30 miles is realistic. The visibility at the point of contact being the main battle fleets was primarily because there were almost 200...

Attempting to trap Beatty could easily fail, but Scheer's historical plan had no chance of success. Yes indeed, but Beatty is well forward of Jellicoe and facing the entire HSF with an inferior force. He cannot afford any torpedo hits, as these amount to, essentially, the loss of the ship...

VdT, Moltke, Goeben, and Seydlitz all had Parsons turbines fitted, then the Derfflingers were equipped with German versions. If the Germans go for all BC's from VdT onwards, there is a period of time where the turbines will have to be British. That means the British could veto the export if...

6 battleships on each flank, each with 35% of the TB force. Charging battlecruisers at battleships, and charging into massed torpedo boat attacks, this was generally frowned upon. I said 20% of the TB force with Hipper, not '20', a total of 12. 35% of 61 is 21 torpedo boats, plus 4 light...