Wake island

[vanjast]

Originally Posted by Torplexed

The G4M Bettys were renowned for their range. They could fly 2,300 miles (3,700 km) carrying a 1,760-pound (800 kg) torpedo. Even further with a light payload. This came at a high cost of course, no armor to speak of. Carrying over 3 tons of fuel in unprotected tanks, the G4M tended to erupt in a ball of flame after taking a few hits from Allied fighters or antiaircraft guns.

They were called Ronson lighters by the allies..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G4M_Betty

Incidently the Zero had a longer range, and also flamed like a Ronson
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_Zero

[Torplexed]

Originally Posted by vanjast

They were called Ronson lighters by the allies..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G4M_Betty

Looks like the men that flew them had similar derisive names. They weren't too popular with their crews. The G4M Betty was also the bomber Admiral Yamamoto would perish in, being intercepted mid-air in 1943 during an inspection tour of the Northern Solomons. Not a lucky plane.

Interesting to note that Wake Island became something of a backwater after the December 1941 battle. Although Japan fortified the island heavily it was cut off from any further resupply by 1944 as Japan's merchant marine shrank. In the garrison 600 Japanese soldiers died from American carrier air attacks, and 1,300 from starvation. Those troops left who surrendered after the war's end had been reduced to eating birds and rats.

[Bubblehead1980]

torplexed, the Japanese actually did improve the facilities on Wake Island greatly from what I have read and did operate large aircraft such as G4M's and patrol planes, had fighters as well.Remember, the Japanese took Wake Island when they were at their peak in WW II.

[Torplexed]

Originally Posted by Bubblehead1980

torplexed, the Japanese actually did improve the facilities on Wake Island greatly from what I have read and did operate large aircraft such as G4M's and patrol planes, had fighters as well.Remember, the Japanese took Wake Island when they were at their peak in WW II.

Yes, they did take Wake Island at their peak--after the second attempt. However, since you have come across sources that indicate the Japanese did operate G4Ms from there then I'll concede it.

[Matthias]

That's some good info right there, thank you for the replies.

Now how about that second small question I had regarding the attack map?

//Matthias

[KlassenT]

Originally Posted by Matthias

Now how about that second small question I had regarding the attack map?

The estimated torpedo track will only appear for the currently selected tube, and the current firing solution. Meaning, if you've got a firing solution lined up for a target 1500yds out on bearing 015, you're in prime position to put a few forward fish right into him, and if a forward tube is currently selected, you should be able to confirm that on the attack map. That said, however, there is no torpedo gyro angle that would let an aft tube carry out this attack. In the case that you've got the TDC set up for the above example, but have an aft tube currently selected, you won't see any predicted torpedo pathing on the attack map since it's an impossible shot. Similarly, you won't get this line in the event that you do not have a firing solution established (Note that the TDC completely resets on loading a savegame). And obviously, the other possible cause is that you're fresh outta torps, but hopefully that's not the issue.

[Segwin]

Another question about air cover: When you get inside the zone where they patrol do you automatically go to PD in the day time?

If I run on the surface & get the Aircraft Spotted message I crash dive right away however it's a coin flip if I'll get hit or not. Got hit once and down we went.

[Torplexed]

Originally Posted by Segwin

Another question about air cover: When you get inside the zone where they patrol do you automatically go to PD in the day time?

If I run on the surface & get the Aircraft Spotted message I crash dive right away however it's a coin flip if I'll get hit or not. Got hit once and down we went.

Your air search radar should be giving you ample warning to get under. Take advantage of it. If you wait until the plane is visually spotted it'll likely be too late. Gatos aren't as nimble as U-Boats in this regard. If you run at periscope depth all day it really degrades your submarines operational range, as fuel will have to be burned all night to recharge those batteries.

Sadly, the stock version of the game throws way more aircraft at you than the Japanese deployed in most areas historically.

[Matthias]

Originally Posted by KlassenT

The estimated torpedo track will only appear for the currently selected tube, and the current firing solution. Meaning, if you've got a firing solution lined up for a target 1500yds out on bearing 015, you're in prime position to put a few forward fish right into him, and if a forward tube is currently selected, you should be able to confirm that on the attack map. That said, however, there is no torpedo gyro angle that would let an aft tube carry out this attack. In the case that you've got the TDC set up for the above example, but have an aft tube currently selected, you won't see any predicted torpedo pathing on the attack map since it's an impossible shot. Similarly, you won't get this line in the event that you do not have a firing solution established (Note that the TDC completely resets on loading a savegame). And obviously, the other possible cause is that you're fresh outta torps, but hopefully that's not the issue.

I have selected the tube, got a firing solution but then when I go to the attack map the "predicted torpedo line" is missing.

Is there some option I have messed with (manual targeting or something)?

//Matthias

[KlassenT]

Afraid I can't be of much more help than that. Those are the only real circumstances I know of that determine whether or not the line is visible. The only other thought that I might have is that when I mentioned the TDC resetting on loading a saved game, it also resets the Distance marker to neutral, so if you're using one of the constant bearing attack techniques that don't use the stadimeter, make sure you're dragging that blasted little rangefinder triangle around before you send bearing and range to the TDC. That little quirk has caused me to miss a few crucial shots before.

If there are any other known bugs or glitches that can cause this, though, I'd have to defer to someone who's more intimately familiar with the engine, afraid I'm not all that much help there.

[Matthias]

Allright, I'll have to fiddle around with the different settings in the torpedo-settings to figure out if I've accidentally activated some setting that would make that line go away...