Aviation-Centric Combined Fleet

Chapter 60 - Both Sides of the Situation

"First, regarding the situation of the United States Navy, the construction of aircraft carriers is accelerating unusually. The first ship of the Essex-class, the Essex, was completed at the end of last year, and about ten more have been completed since the beginning of this year. Among them, two or three ships are unlikely to show their presence during this current operational period shortly after commissioning. Now, concerning the Independence-class, about ten ships are expected to be completed, with most of them participating in the war."

Nodding slightly in agreement with Shiozawa, who talked about the opponent's naval strength, Yamamoto prompted him to continue.

"As for carrier-based aircraft, it is believed that the Essex-class carriers can operate around 100 planes, and the Independence-class can operate about 30 to 35 planes. So, we may have to fight against at least 1.000 to possibly 1.200 enemy carrier-based aircraft. Regarding these aircraft, the fighter planes have been replaced from F4F Wildcats to F6F Hellcats. The F6F, like the P-47 and F4U, which you faced during the second attack on Oahu, is a state-of-the-art aircraft with a 2.000 horsepower engine. It should be significantly more powerful in terms of both offensive and defensive capabilities, as well as maneuverability, compared to the previous F4F. Also, this is unconfirmed information, but it seems that the F6F can carry 500-kilogram bombs on both wings and, if desired, can also operate torpedoes. In other words, it is a truly formidable opponent that can act as both a fighter-bomber and, depending on the situation, a torpedo bomber. As for dive bombers, they should have been upgraded from SBD Dauntless to SB2C Helldiver since last year. However, since their presence has not been confirmed on the battlefield, the exact specifications are unknown. Nevertheless, considering the performance of the SBD, the SB2C is undoubtedly an opponent that requires vigilance. Then, for torpedo bombers, TBF Avengers have continued from last year. Although improvements are likely underway, significant changes are not expected."

Taking a brief pause, Shiozawa continued to speak.

"As for escort vessels protecting the aircraft carriers, it is likely that cruisers such as the Cleveland-class and Atlanta-class, as well as destroyers like the Fletcher-class, will form the core. All of these have excellent anti-air capabilities, and significant damage cannot be avoided if traditional attack methods such as torpedoes or glide bombings are used. Moreover, if one were to ignore these escort vessels and directly target the aircraft carriers, they would undoubtedly face devastating damage from crossfire by cruisers and destroyers in the outer ring of the formation. Therefore, new weapons capable of targeting them from a distance are essential. And, we already have that with the new torpedo bombers."

Shiozawa mentioned new weapon, although not significantly different in weight from the latest Type 91 aerial torpedo, had a unique shape, making it impossible to be mounted on the Type 1 carrier attack plane. On the other hand, the successor to the Type 1 had some slight changes in its design during the development stage to allow the use of this new weapon.

"On the other hand, on our side, in the spring of this year, the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth ships of the Yamato-class carriers will join the fleet. There have been changes, such as the Type 89 12,7-centimeter twin anti-aircraft gun being replaced by the Type 98 10-centimeter twin anti-aircraft gun, but other than that, they can be considered almost the same. As for the carrier-based aircraft they carry, all carriers have upgraded their fighter planes from the Shiden Kai to the Reppū. The Reppū, like the Shiden Kai, is equipped with the same Mokusei engine but is manufactured in the United Kingdom. Furthermore, when combined with high-octane gasoline imported from the United Kingdom, it can generate 2.100 horsepower. This output is more than ten percent larger than the domestic version, and it has significantly fewer breakdowns, resulting in a higher operational rate. Unfortunately, we cannot deny that the gap in scientific and industrial capabilities between our country and the United Kingdom is unexpectedly large."

The Experimental Type 15 carrier fighter, should originally have been designated as the Type 3 fighter. However, the name Shiden, which is the alias of the Type 0 land-based fighter, unexpectedly gained popularity. For the sake of boosting morale, the practice of giving a name to the air superiority fighter also followed suit.

Although the Reppū is slightly larger and heavier than the Zero, it reaches a top speed of 650 kilometers per hour, thanks to the upgrade from the 1.300 horsepower Kinsei engine to the 2.100 horsepower Mokusei engine, as well as further refinement of aerodynamic characteristics. In terms of armament, it is well-equipped with four 20 mm autocannons, two on each wing, all of which are high-velocity Mark 2 machine guns. Furthermore, with the addition of automatic combat flaps, it has received evaluations equivalent to or even surpassing the Zero in terms of turning and dogfighting capabilities.

"Now, about the new carrier-based torpedo bomber, the Ryūsei, it also features the Mokusei engine like the Reppū. While the bomb-carrying capacity remains the same at 1.000 kilograms as the Type 1 carrier attack plane, it is now capable of using the new weapon due to the installation of a new release mechanism. Also, the Ryūsei is equipped with one 20 mm autocannon on each wing. With a speed approaching 560 kilometers per hour, it is expected to function as a quasi-fighter, but ultimately, it is an attack aircraft. Don't have too high expectations, especially against the latest F6F; it's not something you can beat standing on your head."

Initially, the Imperial Navy intended to name aircraft capable of dive bombing after stars and those that couldn't after mountains. However, since there were no existing aircraft in the Imperial Navy capable of dive bombing, and the Experimental Type 15 twin-engine land-based bomber, which was supposed to have dive bombing capabilities, was eventually discontinued, the naming convention after stars remained. Therefore, the naming rules were changed, allocating star names to carrier-based attack aircraft and mountain names to land-based attack aircraft. The aircraft that should have originally been named Tenzan ended up going into battle with the name Ryūsei.

"Additionally, for the Ryūsei, we've prepared models equipped with radar. Six of these will be carried on each Yamato-class aircraft carrier. These versatile electronic warfare aircraft can handle tasks such as reconnaissance, perimeter surveillance, air combat command, and anti-submarine patrols. Whether you can master the use of these aircraft will be a test of your skills as a commander and aviator."

During the peace negotiations with the United Kingdom, the Imperial Navy learned that British aircraft carriers were equipped with structures protruding outside the hull, similar to beams or rails, to increase the number of aircraft on the flight deck. Upon installing the same structure on Imperial Navy carriers, the effectiveness of additional aircraft loading was confirmed. As a result, this design has been adopted on all carriers. Despite the increase in size of the Reppū and Ryūsei compared to the Zero and Type 1, the number of carrier-based aircraft that can be carried on each carrier has not decreased. In fact, on the large Yamato-class carriers with expansive flight decks, the number has increased.

With an almost playful enjoyment of putting pressure on Yamamoto, Shiozawa continued his explanations.