@Alex_brunius
Your argument is incorrect. Here's a carrier based reconnaissance aircraft from the imperial navy:
Nakajima C6N
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakajima_C6N
Also, here's a picture of another carrier based reconnaissance plane, the Ki-76 on the escort carrier Akitsu Maru
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kokusai_Ki-76
If you go there:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_carrier-based_aircraft
You will see that all countries had reco planes on their carriers.
What I understand is the reco plane has an higher speed and lower armor and armament than usual fighter planes. They had a key role in navy and army. They were used to increase the artillery accuracy, etc...
So why don't we have them in game ????
Kokusai Ki-76
Role Liaison/observation
Manufacturer Kokusai
First flight 1941
Introduction 1942
Retired 1945
Primary user IJA Air Force
Number built 937 including a single prototype
"The Ki-76 remained in service as an artillery spotter and liaison aircraft until the end of the war. Ki-76s were also used as anti-submarine aircraft, operating from the Japanese Army's escort carrier, the
Akitsu Maru, being fitted with an
arrestor hook and carrying two 60 kg (132 lb)
depth charges."
In 1942 at the Battle of Midway, this plane was not there, nor did Nagumo launch any aircraft from his carriers for reconnaissance, since he wanted them available for striking the US carriers or Midway Island itself. He used
only reconnaissance planes from his cruisers. This is detailed in the book Shattered Sword that I own, and was recommended to me by Alex Brunius a while back.
The Japanese Navy changed up a lot of how they operated after Midway, probably introspection over why they lost so badly, but if recon planes were introduced on Japanese fleet carriers, it was after Midway, so I assume not even in 1942. As for their light carriers, escort carriers, and seaplane tenders, they operated differently, but none of those were at the Battle of Midway.
Nakajima C6N
Role Carrier-based reconnaissance aircraft
National origin Japan
Manufacturer Nakajima Aircraft Company
First flight 15 May 1943
Introduction 1944
Retired 1945
Primary user Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service
Number built 463
"The C6N originated from a 1942
Imperial Japanese Navy specification for a carrier-based
reconnaissance plane with a top speed of 350
knots (650 km/h) at 6,000 m and range of 2,500
nautical miles (4,960 km).
Although designed for
carrier use, by the time it entered service in September
1944 there were few carriers left for it to operate from, so most C6Ns were flown from land bases."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakajima_C6N
This plane didn't exist in 1942 for the Battle of Midway. Also note the 1942 Japanese Navy call for a carrier based reconnaissance plane. So no, it wasn't common for Japanese fleet carriers to use reconnaissance planes, though I am sure there are exceptions throughout the war.
Of the other recon planes for Japan on the list of carrier-based aircraft, one other was a prototype in which only 2 were built, and the other was from 1922, and by the mid 30s they had been phased out for the Japanese Navy.