I know no Japanese campaign, but...

[Incubus]

A lot of people gave very good arguments against having a game where you play a Japanese skipper. However, that is precisely why I would find it interesting: you'd be up against immense odds both numerically and technologically.

If anything, I look forward to future single-player mods as the Japanese, as their I-boats did sink a few big warships in 1942.

The Japanese subs weren't so bad in technological terms, but their orders didn't allow them to show their capabilities.

[Torplexed]

Get one of the Japanese subs with the 'Glen' recon plane and watertight hanger. If the subsimming gets dull it can become a flight sim.

[Takeda Shingen]

Ultimately, it would be impossible for the developers to make everyone happy with everything. The most that they can hope for is to make as many people as possible happy with something. I am certain that they will do this.

[Steeltrap]

One thing IS indisputable - the Japanese had the best torpedo by a mile (actually, by several.... ).

Love to be able to toss a few 'long-lance' torps at targets...those things were wicked.

[Incubus]

Yeah, they had a range of something like 40,000 yards

Imagine plotting a firing solution against a convoy 20-30 kms from your position! Would be hard to hit them, but you certainly wouldn't have to worry about escorts.

[Sailor Steve]

Unfortunately that torpedo was only available for surface ships.
http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WTJAP_WWII.htm

[bill clarke]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

Unfortunately that torpedo was only available for surface ships.
http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WTJAP_WWII.htm

Not quite, according to this from the TROM for I19:

15 September 1942:
At 0950, while running submerged, the sound operator reports a contact with many heavy screws at 12-18S, 164-15E. Kinashi orders I-19 to periscope depth. He makes a sweep with his 'scope but no ships are in sight.

250 miles SE of Guadalcanal. Captain (later Admiral) Forrest P. Sherman's USS WASP and Captain Charles P. Mason's (later Rear Admiral) HORNET (CV-8) are escorting a reinforcement convoy of six transports carrying the 7th Marine Regiment from Espiritu Santo to reinforce Guadalcanal. The carriers are steaming in sight of each other about 8 miles apart. Each carrier forms the nucleus of a task force. Captain George H. Fort's (later Rear Admiral) battleship USS NORTH CAROLINA (BB-55) is with the HORNET task force to the NE of the WASP force.

At 1050, Kinashi raises his periscope again. This time he sees a carrier, a heavy cruiser and several destroyers (Rear Admiral Leigh Noyes' Task Force 18) bearing 045T at 9 miles. Kinashi estimates the task force's course at 330 and begins a slow approach. The Americans, zigzagging at 16 knots, change course to WNW. Then at 1120, the target group again changes course -this time to SSE. The WASP makes a slow left turn into the wind to launch and recover her aircraft - and heads toward the I-19.

Kinashi estimates that his target is on course 130 degrees making 12 knots. At 1145, from 50 degrees starboard, he fires a spread of six Type 95 oxygen-propelled torpedoes at the enemy carrier from 985 yards. Two or possibly three hit the WASP and start an uncontrollable fire.

The HORNET force continues a right turn to a 280 degree base course. Suddenly, an alarm is heard the tactical radio speakers from the USS LANSDOWNE (DD-486) in the WASP's screen "... torpedo headed for formation, course 080!"

At 1152, a torpedo from the I-19's salvo hits the NORTH CAROLINA in her port bow abreast of her forward main battery turret.*** The blast holes the side protection below the armor belt and the NORTH CAROLINA takes on a thousand tons of water. She takes on a five-degree list but counter flooding quickly levels her and she makes 25 knots.

At 1154, a torpedo hits the destroyer O'BRIEN's (DD-415) port quarter**** and another just misses the HORNET.

The I-19 dives to 265 feet under the carrier's wake. The first depth charge explodes six minutes after the last torpedo hit. Soon the depth charges were exploding all around. American destroyers try to surround the I-19 to attack together and finish her off. They rain down 30 depth charges.

At noon, the WASP's avgas tanks explode. At 1515, two cruisers and destroyers abandon the WASP and withdraw to the south. At 1520, Captain Sherman orders "Abandon Ship". The carrier is scuttled by five torpedoes from the LANSDOWNE and sinks by the bow at about 2100. The WASP suffers 193 killed and 367 wounded.

[Sailor Steve]

Look again. The type 95 (submarine) torpedo was a 21" (53.3cm) torpedo with the phenomenal range of 12,000 meters, later reduced to 7500 meters with the improved 550kg warhead. The article cited mentions a firing range of only 985 yards. Even were this a typo and the actual range 9850 yards it's still far short of the 40,000 yards mentioned by Incubus. That range, actually 43,700 yards (40,000 meters) belonged exclusively to the 61cm (24") type 93. This was used exclusively by surface ships and it alone bears the famous title "Long Lance".

[MRV]

Now what I would love is a Subsim like Sh4 that links ALL sides of the war, like transferring the SH3 (or GW or whatever, so we are still able to play in the Atlantic Theatre with Sh4-Type-Graphics *g*)-Campaigns to Sh4, add a Japanese Campaign (maybe a few others too.....) and releasing this as one giant subsim where you can choose the side you want to sink ships on...just like the IL2 Sturmovik Series for example.....

[bill clarke]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

Look again. The type 95 (submarine) torpedo was a 21" (53.3cm) torpedo with the phenomenal range of 12,000 meters, later reduced to 7500 meters with the improved 550kg warhead. The article cited mentions a firing range of only 985 yards. Even were this a typo and the actual range 9850 yards it's still far short of the 40,000 yards mentioned by Incubus. That range, actually 43,700 yards (40,000 meters) belonged exclusively to the 61cm (24") type 93. This was used exclusively by surface ships and it alone bears the famous title "Long Lance".

Touche, my friend, I just looked that event in another of my reference books, "Submarines of the IJN 1904-1945" and as you correctly state it was a Type 95.

[Theta Sigma]

Just take a wild guess how I feel about this...

[bookworm_020]

The Japanese Type 95 torpedo still could out range anything that the Americans or British had. The Warhead was at least 50% bigger as well, so a greater killing capacitiy, as well as a detonater that worked!!

They lernt alot from the british experiments with oxygen fueled torpedos, but they went on to fix all the bugs after the RN had given up on them.

[Sailor Steve]

Very true; an impressive weapon indeed.

[Captain_AJ]

I would love to sail as a japanese skipper , after all Iam a japanese man . I have renamaned my boat too I-68 , from U456 . so far I have 24530 tons and Iam on 4th patrol . I asked that question to the dev team for sh4 . so far , only a american boat captain will be represented