I put some thought into Japan's aircraft carriers today. Japan essentially had several types of CV.
The first and most notorious were their large carriers: Kaga, Akagi, Hiryu, Soryu, Zuikaku, Shokaku, and later, Taiho, Unryu, Amagi and Katsuragi. These could all carry 60+ planes - a full CAG, basically.
Then there were their original light carriers - Ryujo and Hosho. Ryujo could carry 30 planes and Hosho only 15.
Then they had their converted classes: Zuiho (and Shoho), Hiyo (and Junyo), Chitose and Chiyoda. The first and latter two could carry about 30 planes. The centre two could carry maybe 50.
Then they had their escort carriers which were mainly used to ferry planes and for training. These were Taiyo, Chuyo, Unyo, and Kaiyo. They could carry about 25 planes and weren't really used for combat.
Representing these ships in-game is a mess. The first lot can all be considered as main carriers. The Japanese did not really differentiate between light and large carriers, only between carriers used for combat and carriers not used for combat. The latter carriers I will consider as CVEs as their airwings were not so useful for combat and they were never employed in that way. Hosho was only barely involved in the fighting at Midway and otherwise was a training ship. So these ships will be CVEs with no CAG.
The large CVs will be as normal. Ryujo will be a CVL because of its special status.
What to do then, about the other carriers? Well I created a new unit - Japanese converted carrier. Since these carriers were used for frontline combat and Junyo embarked an airgroup of nearly 50, they are light carriers - but are able to carry a full CAG. This is a unique unit for Japan which I think captures an important part of the IJN (the use of converted merchantships/tenders as proper carriers) and allows for a more meaningful choice than CVL29/41/44.
The image is Chtiquick's icon pack. That won't come with the full mod unless Chtiquick gives me permission; it's just what I'm using as a placeholder (tho I did edit that image, as there's no CV 1939 in the original.)
The first and most notorious were their large carriers: Kaga, Akagi, Hiryu, Soryu, Zuikaku, Shokaku, and later, Taiho, Unryu, Amagi and Katsuragi. These could all carry 60+ planes - a full CAG, basically.
Then there were their original light carriers - Ryujo and Hosho. Ryujo could carry 30 planes and Hosho only 15.
Then they had their converted classes: Zuiho (and Shoho), Hiyo (and Junyo), Chitose and Chiyoda. The first and latter two could carry about 30 planes. The centre two could carry maybe 50.
Then they had their escort carriers which were mainly used to ferry planes and for training. These were Taiyo, Chuyo, Unyo, and Kaiyo. They could carry about 25 planes and weren't really used for combat.
Representing these ships in-game is a mess. The first lot can all be considered as main carriers. The Japanese did not really differentiate between light and large carriers, only between carriers used for combat and carriers not used for combat. The latter carriers I will consider as CVEs as their airwings were not so useful for combat and they were never employed in that way. Hosho was only barely involved in the fighting at Midway and otherwise was a training ship. So these ships will be CVEs with no CAG.
The large CVs will be as normal. Ryujo will be a CVL because of its special status.
What to do then, about the other carriers? Well I created a new unit - Japanese converted carrier. Since these carriers were used for frontline combat and Junyo embarked an airgroup of nearly 50, they are light carriers - but are able to carry a full CAG. This is a unique unit for Japan which I think captures an important part of the IJN (the use of converted merchantships/tenders as proper carriers) and allows for a more meaningful choice than CVL29/41/44.
The image is Chtiquick's icon pack. That won't come with the full mod unless Chtiquick gives me permission; it's just what I'm using as a placeholder (tho I did edit that image, as there's no CV 1939 in the original.)
Last edited:
there is so much possibilities!
