Boom

American Air Losses for the same period. Source: Richard B. Franks classic "Guadalcanal: The Definitive Account"

Japanese air losses over Guadalcanal were crippling, much more so than at Midway.

Mind boggling.

I have o admit that I like menu music that covers briefing and mission planning etc. But not once I actually fire up my engine. Wings Over Flanders Field has some wonderful scores, most haunting and atmospheric.

The 1930's designed US Fast Battleships were very impressive. Would have been a very interesting action if the Bismarck had faced Washington or South Dakota in the North Atlantic. So long as South Dakota didn't suffer another power failure. :)

Japanese air raids statistics last page

Japanese air raids statistics continued

Japanese air raids statistics over Guadalcanal. From the book Guadalcanal, by Richard B. Frank.

Excellent site.

Is it just the perspective of the photo? Or does the Akagi flight deck dip towards the bow?

Carrier battles seem to be the 'go to' when it comes to developing a Pacific air combat sim. And that is perfectly understandable, given that the Pacific presents the opportunity for that classic feature specific to that Theatre ie major fleet clashes. And of them all, Midway stands out as the example of the definitive clash between similar sized forces resulting in an overwhelming victory. 1942 The Pacific Air War depicted it; so too did Combat Flight Simulator 2. And for their time both did a good job. Mind you, they also did campaigns for all four (4) carrier battles in 1942. And now Combat Pilot is developing a Midway campaign. A sound marketing choice, as it will capture the imagination of all air combat sim fans. It's immediate, has untold air and sea action, a multitude of aircraft choices and that unique opportunity; to land and take-off from Carriers. The most difficult of all pilot skills. But........... There is another campaign that offers all of the above. And much, much more. * Carrier battles, two in fact. * Constant land-based air combat raids and intercepts. * Anti-shipping strikes. * Close air support. * 'On the doorstep' cruiser and battleship bombardments. * Night time ship strikes. * Night time surface sea battles. * A larger and more varied aircraft selection involving both naval and air force units. All over a long, gruelling, test of stamina six months. The Guadalcanal Campaign. Guadalcanal was indeed the 'accidental' campaign of 1942. Totally unforseen by both the Japanese and Americans in scope,fury and duration. Up until Guadalcanal, the main emphasis by the Japanese, Australians and Americans was on New Guinea, particulary Port Moresby. The Japanese wanted to knock out Port Moresby, and so isolate Australia. The Allies were determined to hold it. Initially the Japanese tired to bomb Port Moresby out of the war. When that didn't work they tried a naval amphibious raid, which led to the Battle of the Coral Sea. On that setback they launched an overland army attack over the Owen Stanley Mountains. Whilst all that was happening the IJNAF set about quietly building an airfield on a little known Island named Guadalcanal, to supplement the float plane base on Tulagi., aid the raids on Port Moresby and protect Rabaul. It would also allow the Japanese to extend air influence over the supply route between Australia and America. It was upon discovering this planned airfield on Guadalcanal after an aerial recon of Tulagi and surrounds that Admiral King saw the opportunity to deflect some of the supply emphasis from Europe to the Pacific and proposed the occupation of both Tulagi and Guadalcanal. Operation Watchtower was on. More to follow. :)

Germans sure could design a great looking ship.

Agree. It was a great game for it's time.

Oh yeah, it is a real crocodile. The brute in the picture above is just under 5m. And they do grow bigger than that. https://www.crocosauruscove.com/cage-of-death/

It would be fair to say that in air fighting over Darwin in 1942-43 the biggest risk is being shot down. Which is true. And if you were fortunate enough to bail out safely then you would think that all is good with the world. Which is far from the truth. For a whole world of horrors is awaiting the parachuting airman, irregardless of nation. Darwin in 1942 was a small town, with a population of approx 5,000 (not counting military personel). It was surrounded by a hostile landscape consisting of mud flats and mangroves stretching inland along the coastal areas, and dry desert schrub land further inland. Most air combat took place over the coast and sea. So downed pilots faced a very hostile environment around Darwin. Sharks, especially tiger sharks abound in the area. Large salt water crocodiles feature in quantity in areas near the sea, as well as in river estuaries. Further up the river you'l find fresh water crocodiles are plentiful. Add to that the hghly venomous 'box' jellyfish which exists in tidal areas and mudflats. If the intrepid aviator managed to make it to the shore and through the mudflats and mangroves in one piece, he then faced deadly snakes (taipan, brown, death adder to name just a few), spiders, feral buffalo and wild boar in his wanderings far from any civilisation. If he didn't happen to be found by the friendly aborigines, there was little chance he would survive.

Five Months I've been stooging around in the B.E.2c. Five dreary months of dodging small arms fire, rotten weather, Archie and several uncomfortably close run-ins with Fokker E's. I even once had a close brush with Immelmann. He came out of the sun, and on his first pass he chewed up my rudder, observer and fuel tank. He then proceeded to perform a beautiful renversement to deliver the coup de grace. Fortunately my F.E.2b escorts finally woke up and drove him off. Five months!! And what happens? Shot down by a damned Frenchie who can't tell a Aviatik from a B.E.2c. . Fortunately I managed to side-slip into the ground. Now in Blighty recovering.

Absolutely Mystic! It likes nothing gets done, and things really don't change.

Immensely enjoyable British comedy.

Totally agree with you Mysticpuma. The Mitchell will be awesome to fly, especially modified with heavy nose armament.

Really looking forward to seeing them javelina.

Luv the sound of that. :)