Below are some of my suggestions for correcting some of the inaccuracies in the game's carriers. If requested I could upload the changed game scenario files to the User Modifications forums. The attachment has some basic information on the early carriers. Most information is from wikipedia and from www.combinedfleet.com.
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JAPAN
IJN Hosho
AoD = CV-1. Recommendation = CVL-1 (LCAG-1).
Rationale: Aircraft complement is only 15. Very similar to the HMS Hermes (CVL-1).
IJN Ryujo
AoD = CV-2. Recommendation = CVL-2 (LCAG-1).
Additionally, since CVL-2 reflects 1939 aircraft, the aircraft should be the LCAG-1 brigades. If the player (or AI) wishes to ahistorically have advanced aircraft then let them pay for the upgrade costs.
Rationale: Aircraft complement is 38. This complement is far less than other CV-2 capacities, but is in line with standard CVL aircraft complements.
Everything else seems fine.
UNITED STATES
No changes necessary, but do see the comment below.
USS Langley
AoD = Not in the game. Recommendation = CVL-2 (LCAG-1), but still keep out of the game.
Rationale: The USS Langley was the first USA carrier. She had an aircraft complement of 34. On 25 October 1936 she began conversion to a seaplane tender. The conversion was necessary since the United States wanted to abide by the Washington and London Naval Limitation Treaties which limited aircraft carrier tonnage and the USA wanted to build the USS Wasp. If for historical flavor someone wants to retain the USS Langley, then for the 1936 scenario an event should be written that removes the carrier unless the USA is at war or chooses to violate the treaty.
UNITED KINGDOM and FRANCE
HMS Eagle
AoD = CVL-2. Recommendation = CVL-1 (LCAG-1).
Rationale: Aircraft complement is 21. Complement is very similar to that of other British CVL-1 ships – Argus (18) and Hermes (15). It should not be more advanced than the HMS Hermes.
HMS Hermes
AoD = CVL-1. Recommendation = CVL-1 (LCAG-1)
Rationale: Since the British have discovered CVL-2 tech, then the planes on CVL-1 have been upgraded to the latest tech which is 1939. If the player (or AI) wishes to have ahistorically advanced aircraft, then let them pay for the upgrade cost.
HMS Argus
AoD = CVL-1. Recommendation = CVL-1 (LCAG-1)
Rationale: See HMS Hermes.
The other carriers we can leave as is, but it should be noted that the aircraft complements are far smaller than their American and Japanese equivalents. Doctrine may account for some of this, but in general it looks like the British and French carriers are overpowered relative to their contemporaries. Reclassifying the ships as CVLs, however, does not do them justice. The carrier brigade system needs an overhaul to better reflect carrier operations.
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JAPAN
IJN Hosho
AoD = CV-1. Recommendation = CVL-1 (LCAG-1).
Rationale: Aircraft complement is only 15. Very similar to the HMS Hermes (CVL-1).
IJN Ryujo
AoD = CV-2. Recommendation = CVL-2 (LCAG-1).
Additionally, since CVL-2 reflects 1939 aircraft, the aircraft should be the LCAG-1 brigades. If the player (or AI) wishes to ahistorically have advanced aircraft then let them pay for the upgrade costs.
Rationale: Aircraft complement is 38. This complement is far less than other CV-2 capacities, but is in line with standard CVL aircraft complements.
Everything else seems fine.
UNITED STATES
No changes necessary, but do see the comment below.
USS Langley
AoD = Not in the game. Recommendation = CVL-2 (LCAG-1), but still keep out of the game.
Rationale: The USS Langley was the first USA carrier. She had an aircraft complement of 34. On 25 October 1936 she began conversion to a seaplane tender. The conversion was necessary since the United States wanted to abide by the Washington and London Naval Limitation Treaties which limited aircraft carrier tonnage and the USA wanted to build the USS Wasp. If for historical flavor someone wants to retain the USS Langley, then for the 1936 scenario an event should be written that removes the carrier unless the USA is at war or chooses to violate the treaty.
UNITED KINGDOM and FRANCE
HMS Eagle
AoD = CVL-2. Recommendation = CVL-1 (LCAG-1).
Rationale: Aircraft complement is 21. Complement is very similar to that of other British CVL-1 ships – Argus (18) and Hermes (15). It should not be more advanced than the HMS Hermes.
HMS Hermes
AoD = CVL-1. Recommendation = CVL-1 (LCAG-1)
Rationale: Since the British have discovered CVL-2 tech, then the planes on CVL-1 have been upgraded to the latest tech which is 1939. If the player (or AI) wishes to have ahistorically advanced aircraft, then let them pay for the upgrade cost.
HMS Argus
AoD = CVL-1. Recommendation = CVL-1 (LCAG-1)
Rationale: See HMS Hermes.
The other carriers we can leave as is, but it should be noted that the aircraft complements are far smaller than their American and Japanese equivalents. Doctrine may account for some of this, but in general it looks like the British and French carriers are overpowered relative to their contemporaries. Reclassifying the ships as CVLs, however, does not do them justice. The carrier brigade system needs an overhaul to better reflect carrier operations.
