A couple of things LCQ_SH.
I don't think of criticism as being wrong or bad. I actually like it....... to hear other points of view!! So, don't apologize for what you're encountering.
It's entirely possible some of the planes that OTC introduces do not have the capabilities you desire. It's my fault to not know what I know now...... to put armaments on all AI planes and make their detection levels where they should. I've not opened up OTC in quite some time, the last time was 2012. There are probably planes that don't have the proper capabilities.....it's my fault to not update them if that's the issue.
One thing you have to remember, the level of detection/aggressive counter attack behavior of TMO/RSRDC is not exactly authentic. As a matter of fact, Ducimus states so in his introduction of Trigger Maru Overhauled. His idea was to make the game harder beyond reality, to heighten game play...that's fine, just don't expect all of us to follow that idea.
Authentic reality is the fact the Japanese were not as progressive as its German counterpart in its electronic capabilities. They didn't have the desire to update their ASW beyond hydrophone use or visual capabilities. Radar was hardly employed beyond the largest warships. So, comparing what's expected of the games AI within SHIII or SH5 to how SH4 is intended should be considered a stretch in reality.
Nor was their desire to even protect their supply routes/supply convoys with escorts! For the most part, the idea of protecting their merchant fleet was non existent. Here's how it worked. The "Empire" was controlled within regional sections by individual commanders....most of them were Army Generals that wouldn't be bothered with committing escorts to the lowly merchant fleet as they passed through their region of control. Even the escort/destroyer fleet was considered inferior to the larger cruiser/battleship group within the Japanese Navy, giving them the lowest consideration for equipment upgrades or personnel. Someone has to graduate last from Navy School....they were assigned to the escort fleet or merchant marine service. Make no mistake, finding escorts, following large merchant convoys, was a reality in the Atlantic....not in the Pacific from the Japanese side.