German WWII 1/2400 aircraft

[Donald M. Scheef]

Now that we have seen the pattern for UKN41, we can start speculating about the aircraft that will be modeled in GEN19.

The closest German equivalent to the Sunderland is the Bv 222 Wiking. This larger aircraft was built in smaller numbers and was not as successful as the Sunderland. I would prefer the land-based Fw 200 Condor. The BV 138 would also be a reasonable choice.

I was disappointed in having the Walrus in UKN41. I would be equally disappointed if GEN 19 includes Ar 196. We don’t really need additional ship-based catapult aircraft that are already on the ship models.

The Germans had no aircraft that was close to the Beaufort in function (land-based dedicated torpedo bomber). My choice would be: first Ju 88 and second He 111 (with torpedo). The Me 410 or the He 115 floatplane would also be a reasonable choice.

In place of the Swordfish of UKN41, I expect GEN19 to include Ju 87. I’m OK with this. More Stukas are better for me than more Swordfish.

In place of the Spitfire of UKN41, I expect GEN 19 to include Bf 109. I would prefer Fw 190, but the Messerschmitt fighter is good enough.

My best guess/wish: Fw 200 Condor, Ar 196, Ju 88, Ju 87, Bf 109.

[cbovill]

I think you are going to be right or at least very close to it. Too bad that the British pack included three aircraft types that we already get with the ships, but I do understand including the carrier based aircraft as that allows one to mount some on the ship and have the others mounted on bases. But the Walrus? I've got enough Walrus' now to outfit an entire air force. Oh well, I'll survive.

The German planes will be a welcome addition, even if they include the Arado 196, and I like your choices of the Ju-88, Ju-87, Bf-109 and Fw-200 - all were used in the Battle of the Atlantic.

Keep 'em coming GHQ! ...and thank you!

Chris

[Donald M. Scheef]

GEN19 showed up on the New Products list today. From my viewpoint, it is partially a very good selection and partially a disappointment.

The FW 200 Condor is absolutely the best choice for including in WWII German naval miniatures. You can't go wrong by producing the "Scourge of the Atlantic."

The Bv 138 is also a very good choice. Not only was it produced in significant numbers and well-liked by its users, its appearance is unique.

I was a bit surprised by the Do 217. I would have preferred a Ju 88 or a He 111, but the Dornier aircraft also had a significant maritime role, including attacks with the radio-guided Fritz-X bomb that sunk the Roma and seriously damaged several other major ships in the Mediterranean. Put this one in the 'favorable' column for me.

The Stukas are OK. Although they are already included in GEN13, they were so widely used that more are a useful addition. This is another 'favorable' for me.

Including the Arado is a real disappointment (assuming that this is the Ar 196 - the only other Arado aircraft built in significant numbers was the jet-powered Ar 234). Every German warship modeled by GHQ that carried a floatplane already has this included. Including a small number would have been a minor annoyance - 12 of these in GEN19 is just ridiculous.

The other disappointment is the total lack of fighter aircraft. Twelve Bf 109 or Fw 190 (or six of each) would have been much better than the Arados.

We can hope that there will be a German WWII 1/2400 Aircraft pack #2 some time in the future. My choices for this would be:
1) Single-engine fighters - Bf 109 or Fw 190A/F or both
2) Ju 88 fast bomber/night fighter, etc.
3) He 111 medium bomber/torpedo bomber
4) He 115 floatplane
5) He 177 long-range bomber as replacement for the Fw 200 Condor
Other possibilities are Fw 190D single-engine fighter, Me 110 twin-engine fighter, Me 410 twin-engine fighter/bomber, Ju 188 bomber (but Ju 88 first, please), or Bv 222 seaplane

D. Scheef

[cbovill]

Definitely glad to see this aircraft pack come out. Would have liked to have seen the Bf-109 included and a mix of aircraft that is stronger on strike aircraft and less so on recce. Reason being that I plan on using these aircraft on 1:1 representation, so I will only need a few recce aircraft in any given scenario, but may need dozens of strike aircraft. I can see including the Ar196 as of the ships I have, only Bismarck and Tirpitz include this aircraft without the catapult molded on, so I actually have surprisingly few of these aircraft that are ready to be mounted on bases. Of course, I don't foresee needing a dozen. Would like to see the mix changed up to suit my needs, but I don't know how others will be using their aircraft, so I could be wrong.

...just keep 'em coming! These aircraft add so much variety to the game.

Chris