Future Mod I plan to release

[Bubblehead1980]

First, I do not consider myself a modder, do not have the skills.However, I do know how to create traffic for the campaign via the ME so have decided to embark on this for TMO 2.0.While I enjoy the traffic that comes with TMO and RSRD, I feel the need to put my own touch and contribute something to the community.Hopefully everyone will enjoy.

One major area I plan to address is lack of traffic in some key areas/shipping lanes.Spawn rate will be historical for most part, no shooting gallery for sure but you will see action at certain times when you should.

I also plan to add things such as the famous Take Ichi Convoy that the USS Jack attacked in April 1944 and later the USS Gunard attacked in May.This 15 ship 13 escort convoy was carrying reinforcements for New Guinea and the mauling by Jack and Gunard caused her to be diverted to Halmahera, the troops and supplies never made it.Thus the US subs had a direct impact on a major land campaign.This convoy will be recreated(as I have done in my own customization of the traffic alread) and will follow the historical path/speed/date of departure from Shanghai to Manila for first leg, then depart on May 1 for New Guinea with 8 ships and 6 escorts as it did in real life.The convoy will arrive at Halmahera instead of New Guinea.

Also plan to insert liferafts, lifeboats and survivors to be encountered randomly.One thing I've always noticed and missed was you dont randomly encounter a raft or a group of them and pick up survivors.This is inspired by accounts I have read. I will include a large number of British and Aussies on the south china sea in September 1944, so you can in a way simulate the rescue of those POW's who were left in the water after their ships were sunk by US submarines.Using Admiral Eugene Fluckey's account as well as others to get this right.Although not the most exciting, could be some different.


Some convoys will have patrol planes assigned to them as air cover.I found this is possible and adds to the game, add a plane as a unit in the convoy, it flies ahead usually but will come back and does keep player on toes.

will add escort(s) to some singles so give variety to encountering lone merchants.Rather unrealisting in 1944 to run into a lone 10,000 ton tanker making 10 knots with no protection.

Plane to insert dolphins in more places so youre more likely to hear them.Also plan to insert lots of icebergs in places like Sea of Okhotsk.

Some other things may be added as ideas come to me or are suggested.I am brain storming by expect to begin soon.Estimated completion time is 2-3 months.I am busy with RL, I work at a Law Firm and we work long hours, esp right now.I am also preparing to move to Louisiana in the fall for Law School.However, I will find time to work on this as I have been for my personal use so that can share it with the community.

Anyone who has looked at the campaign files knows its a little daunting and time consuming.I plan to start at 1941 with the convoy and merchant(single) layers, then the troopship layers, task force layer(which will be historically accurate for most part, esp movements of ships like Yamato/Musashi) then do the costal layers for fishing boats possibly.The 1941 convoys will be small 2-4 ships and one escort usually with a slight chance of more from time to time as was in RL from what I've read and will usually only be destroyers since many of the various escort types used did not reall come into service until later.Convoys in 1944 esp after Feb 1944 when the Japanese decided to create larger convoys with more escorts due to excessive losses in Feb 1944(one source said 10% of merchant force went down that month, anyone confirm that? Either way, losses were high) will be larger with more escorts.Convoys After June 44 will be eve larger and have escort carriers at times as many IJN convoys did.

I know RSRD does campaign traffic and am aware I'll never match it but thats not my goal, just want to contribute.My research is completed to help with historical accuracy. Again, just some ideas so any tips and/or suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.

-me

[Nisgeis]

Sounds great. Convoys with float planes escorting them sounds especially good!

[TwistedFemur]

how about the japannese float plane base at french frigate shoals

[cptroyce]

Bubblehead- Sounds like a terrific mod..looking forward to it!

Royce

[magic452]

Since you're asking
What I'd like to see is some hunter killer groups in some of the natural choke points like the northern end of the Makassar and Lombok Straits and places like that. Just read a report about Lombok St. and It wasn't so easy to get through later in the war, shore batteries and paroling DDs.

Magic