Battlestations: Midway/United States of America: Difference between revisions

|image=[[Image:Battlestations Elco PT Boat.JPG|250px]]

One notable PT boat is ''PT-109'', which is under the command of Lieutenant John F. Kennedy. It only makes one appearance, in [[Battlestations: Midway/Defence of the Phillipines|Defence of the Phillipines]].

'''Official Description:''' ''There are several PT (patrol torpedo) boat designs in service with the U.S. Navy, but the most common is the 80-foot long model built by New Jersey's Elco Boat Company. These sleek, very fast boats - well-armed with torpedoes, depth charges, and 20mm antiaircraft guns - are capable of engaging any target, be it in the air, on the sea, or below it. However, they are very vulnerable to enemy fire, particularly mahine gun fire, and are best employed to harass enemy merchant shipping or to attack submarines.''

|image=[[Image:Battlestations Clemson DD.JPG|250px]]

|armaments='''AA Weapons:''' 40mm machine gun x1, 20mm machine gun x1<br />'''Artillery:''' 4"/50 cannon x4<br />'''Torpedoes:''' Torpedo tubes x4<br />'''Depth Charges:''' Depth Charge Rack

Notable Clemson-class warships include the ''Gamble'', ''Kane'', ''Parrot'', ''Tucker'', ''Walke'', and ''Wordern''.

'''Official Description:''' ''These venerable destroyers have been in service since 1919, but they are still worthy ships that are useful in a variety of roles. They carry a depth charge launcher, making them capable of engaging enemy submarines, and they feature a number of torpedo tubes, which gives trhem a powerful punch against larger ships. unfortunately, they are quite weak in the antiaircraft role, thanks to their small number of AA guns and the fact that they do not mount any dual-purpose guns.''

|image=[[Image:Battlestations Fletcher DD.JPG|250px]]

Notable warships of this class include the ''Dewey'', ''Jenkins'', ''Monaghan'', ''John D. Ford'', ''Perkins'', ''Hotspur'', and ''Sands''.

|image=[[Image:Battlestations Atlanta CL.JPG|250px]]

A substantial step up from the Fletcher class, the Atlanta-class has done away with depth charges and torpedoes in favour of more guns. Since it has dual-purpose weaponry, it is quite effective against both ships and aircraft. Unfortunately, it uses the same cannon as the Fletcher-class destroyer, so it will have difficulty sinking heavy targets. The Cleaveland class is a stronger light cruiser, more adept at sinking other cruisers.

|image=[[Image:Battlestations Cleaveland CL.JPG|250px]]

These light cruisers are pretty good for a light cruiser and sports more weapons than the Atlanta class. The bad news is that it's still only a light cruiser, and sending it up against bigger guys is just asking for it to be smacked around. Japanese cruisers in particular carry 8" guns. When compared to the 6" guns of the Cleveland, the Cleveland is clearly at a disadvantage. However, for a cruiser, it can put up a lot of antiaircraft firepower, moreso than the Japanese Kuma class.

'''Official Description:''' ''These state-of-the-art cruisers are just coming into service now at the start of the war, and they are probably the best ships of their type in the world. Their main weapon battery of twelve 6" guns gives them very considerable firepower against any ships lighter than a battleship. This is backed up by twelve 5" dual-purpose guns, making for a broadside of awesome porportions. These dual-purpose guns also form part of an excellent AA suite, which affords the Cleveland heavy antiaircraft firepower in any direction. Although they do not carry torpedo tubes and are thus useless against battleships and the link, the Cleveland class is superior as a carrier escort.''

|image=[[Image:Battlestations Northampton CA.JPG|250px]]

These heavy cruisers are similar in most respects to the Mogami and Takao class of heavy cruisers of the Japanese. The Mogami and Takao's guns are slightly smaller than the Northampton's, but they have ten turrets versus the Northampton's nine. Additionally the Mogami and Takao both have torpedo tubes, something the two cruisers can use against the Northampton in close-ranged broadside engagements.

|image=[[Image:Battlestations York CA.JPG|250px]]

|armaments='''AA Weapons:''' 20mm machine gun x4, 5"/25 flak cannon x4<br />'''Artillery:''' 8"/55 cannon x6<br />'''Torpedoes:''' Torpedo tubes x6

|image=[[Image:Battlestations King George BB.JPG|250px]]

|image=[[Image:Battlestations Renown BB.JPG|250px]]

Either the official description is wrong or the Renown doesn't have 20 dual-purpose guns - if it does have that many dual-purpose guns, the Renown is in fact an able antiaircraft platform. It would be capable of engaging enemy bombers at high altitude as well. It appears to be lacking in the machine gun role, however, so it can be easily torpedoed as any ordinary battleship would.

 

Interestingly, the Renown is the fastest battleship in the game - it is 5 knots faster than the New York and its Japanese counterparts. While 5 knots isn't much, it does mean its fast enough to pull out of range and stay out when faced with overwhelming odds.

Unfortunately, the Renown class is the weakest battleship in the game - it is tied with the Yamato for having the fewest turrets on a battleship (three) and doesn't pack the Yamato's overall attacking power. Although it is weak, it is not by any means a sitting target - especially against smaller ships.

To all British readers and those of British descent - observe the flag flying on the ''Renown'''s bow. Be happy. Unfortunately for some reason the US flag flies on the ''Renown'' in the [[Battlestations: Midway/Islands of Solomon|Islands of Solomon]] multiplayer level.

There are only two warships of this class. The pathfinder - ''Renown'' - and the ''Repulse''.

|image=[[Image:Battlestations New York BB.JPG|250px]]

Notable warships of this class include the pathfinder ''New York'', ''Arizona'', ''Nevada'', ''Oklahoma'', ''West Virginia'', and ''Tennessee''.

|image=[[Image:Battlestations Iowa BB.JPG|250px]]

|armaments='''AA Weapons:''' 5"/25 flak cannon x20, 40mm machine gun x2, 20mm machine gun x1<br />'''Artillery:''' 16"/50 cannon x9

The Iowa was in fact so powerful during the Second World War, it is still in active service today.

|image=[[Image:Battlestations Lexington CV.JPG|250px]]

 

'''Official Description:''' ''The'' Lexington ''was the first fleet carrier to enter service with the USN and is still the largest aircraft carrier in the world. She was originally designed as a battlecruiser, and she still carries some heavy armament as a reminder of her pats. This, however, does not stop her from carrying a complement of aircraft that is just as large as any other carrier afloat. Known to her crew as the "Lady Lex", she is a veteran ship with a highly trained crew and is one of the most valuable assets the USN has in the Pacific.''

|image=[[Image:Battlestations Yorktown CV.JPG|250px]]

|image=[[Image:Battlestations Narwhal SS.JPG|250px]]

|strong=Submarines, Patrol boats

|weak=Cruisers, Battleships, Aircraft

Use typical submarine tactics when commanding the Narwhal. There are no differences as to the Narwhal and the Type B, but keep in mind that as a submarine you can't engage other subs, not even with torpedoes (you can on the surface, but not while underwater). Interestingly enough, you can see other submarines when they cross under you. It is unknown what happens when two submarines collide, but it is probably nothing major.

|image=[[Image:Battlestations Hermes CV.JPG|250px]]

The Hermes class is the weakest carrier in the game, sporting only little armament and only one type of fighter. Fortunately, the four wings of Hawker Hurricanes it deploys more than compensates for its lack of weapons. It appears only in one map as an adversary - the map is [[Battlestations: Midway/Attack on Force Z|Attack on Force Z]] and is a necessary target to prevent the enemy from spawning Hawker Hurricanes. Since it has only machine guns, sending high-altitude level bombers at it is the way to go.

|image=[[Image:Battlestations De Ruyter CL.JPG|250px]]

Not much can be said about the De Ruyter, as it only makes a single short appearance in [[Battlestations: Midway/Battle of the Java Sea|Battle of the Java Sea]]. Based on its specs though, it can be determined that it does not have a lot of antiaircraft armament, particularly flak cannons - making it vulnerable to high-altitude strikes. The artillery is reasonably powerful, but there is no way it can pierce the heavy armour of larger ships.

'''Official Description:''' This Dutch light cruiser entered service in 1935. Carrying seven 6" guns, it is reasonably well armed for a light cruiser, and has the firepower to effectively engage any target up to heavy cruiser size.However, as it does not carry torpedo tubes, it is unable to engage battleships at all, and should not attempt to do so. The De Ruyter is also quite weak against air attacks, as its A gun platform has a restricted fire arc.

|image=[[Image:Battlestations Higgins Boat.JPG|250px]]

'''Official Description:''' ''These small, wooden, shallow-draft boats were the brainchild of New Orleans shipbuilder Andrew Higgins and allow for the rapid deployment of men and material onto enemy-held beaches. Without these remarkably innovative little boats, the invasion of enemy islands would be difficult, if not impossible. However, they are very easy to destroy, and their machine gun armament is of minimap danger to any opponent.''

|image=[[Image:Battlestations US Landing Ship.JPG|250px]]

|image=[[Image:Battlestations F2A Buffalo.JPG|250px]]

The Buffalo is probably the weakest fighter in the game, useful primarily for bringing down enemy bombers. They won't do much against a Zero - the Wildcat is a better and the P-40 is the best (although the P-40 doesn't appear in multiplayer). With its wing-mounted cannons and short, stubby wings, it doesn't really excel in any area, although it works just fine in situations where it appears. It's a better interdiction air unit than a bomber.

|image=[[Image:Battlestations P-40 Warhawk.JPG|250px]]

This fighter is the best the USAF has to offer. Unfortunately you only get to use it during two levels in the game, and isn't available at all in multiplayer. There is no real special features this warplane has to offer - simple dogfighting tactics work well. The plane manoeuvres slightly better than the Wildcat, and its guns fire in quick one-two volley, making it a solid fighter indeed.

|image=[[Image:Battlestations F4F Wildcat.JPG|250px]]

|image=[[Image:Battlestations SBD Dauntless.JPG|250px]]

The SBD Dauntless was the main dive bomber for the US Navy. It is a very good bomber, on par with its Japanese counterparts, although not as manoeuvrable. The ability to equip depth charges makes it more alike the Judy than the Val. It also sports nose-mounted guns, allowing you to lead your target less and have fewer issues aiming. If you drop the plane's load, it becomes a surprisingly good fighter, almost as good as a Wildcat. Rather than landing or crashing your Dauntlesses, have them act as fighters and have them tear up as many Zeros as possible before going down. The SBD AI wasn't programmed for dogfighting much, though, and you'll have to command them yourself if you intend for them to dogfight the way they can.

|image=[[Image:Battlestations TBM Devastator.JPG|250px]]

Not at all similar to the Kate, the TBD Devastator is an old, colourful plane that makes it instantly recognizable. Why people would paint a warplane such bright colours is unknown, but the Devastator is still a fine torpedo bomber, if a bit of an easy target. Manoeuvrability and stability aren't main issues when comparing it to the TBF/D Avenger, so use it as a torpedo bomber whenever possible. Unlike the Avenger, it isn't useful for anything else since it can't equip bombs or depth charges. It is equipped with a single machine gun, making it the most lightly armed aircraft in the game. However, because it is mounted directly on the nose, its accuracy is quite high.

====TBF/TBM Avenger====

|image=[[Image:Battlestations TBFM Avenger.JPG|250px]]

|armaments=.30 cal machine gun x1<br />Aerial torpedo x1, 1,000 lb bomb x1, depth charge x1

Some call it the TBF Avenger, some call it the TBM - it doesn't matter. The TBF is manufactured by Grumman, the TBM made by General Motors. Therefore, for this guide's purposes, it uses the TBF/TBM to refer to either version (although technically the game uses the Grumman version). The Avenger is equipped with two wing-mounted guns - they are extremely inaccurate and are best used for peppering ships to disable their machine guns. Dogfighting with a TBF/TBM is not recommended at all.

'''Official Description:''' ''The TBF/TBM Avenger is a three-seater aircraft that is due to enter service in early 1942, replacing the TBD Devastator as the Navy's main carrier-based torpedo bomber. Simple in construction, it will be the largest single-engine aircraft in service anywhere in the world. Stable in flight and capable of carrying a variety of payloads, including torpedoes, bombs, and depth charges, the Avenger's main weakness is its slow speed, which makes it vulnerable to both fighter attack and AA fire.''

|image=[[Image:Battlestations Fairey Swordfish.JPG|250px]]

|image=[[Image:Battlestations B-17 Flying Fortress.JPG|250px]]

|image=[[Image:Battlestations B-25 Mitchell.JPG|250px]]

An inferior bomber compared to the B-17, the B-25 is still a fine bomber that outclasses its Japanese  counterpart, the G3M Nell. Although it has forward firing machine guns and crosshairs to go with it, it should not be used as a dogfighter under any circumstances. It can, however, use these guns to attack PT boats and cargo ships. Fighters should always be an escort for the B-25s, especially if enemy fighters are near its target.

|image=[[Image:Battlestations PBY Catalina.JPG|250px]]

|image=[[Image:Battlestations P-38 Lightning.JPG|250px]]

|image=[[Image:Battlestations Hawker Hurricane.JPG|250px]]

Unfortunately the Hawker Hurricane cannot be flown in-game. It is encountered as the only aerial adversary in [[Battlestations: Midway/Attack on Force Z|Attack on Force Z]], where the power of its six forward firing machine guns is all too apparent. More than capable of tearing bombers apart and the ''Hermes'' capable of spawning more for all the ones you shoot down, it seems the Hurricane's only weakness is the carrier that spawns it. It lives up to all its glory in this map - unfortunately, that glory isn't yours.

|image=[[Image:Battlestations DC-3.JPG|250px]]