Other countries naval aviation during 1940
USA
The USN had been observing the use of air power by the Royal Navy with considerable interest (aided by the 'Canadian' observers on ships and the full reports they have been given). The main building plans include huge increases in the number of planes, and the building of the large Essex class carriers, however the first of these is not scheduled to be at sea before early 1943, although the possibility of speeding them up is being looked at, the proposed build times are already very short and the design is not yet complete.
In the meantime, the USA orders the construction of a fourth Yorktown-class fleet carrier, the USS Ticonderoga. The ship is laid down in March 1940 and given priority; it is expected to commission her in May 1942. After the fall of France and the corresponding increase in planned USN construction, the ship is given a maximum priority - it is hoped to have her complete by February 1942. The designers also hope to incorporate a heavier AA armament; they have noted that the Yorkdown class carry only 16 27mm cannon and 25 0.5" mg, compared to the British Formidable class carry 64 40mm and around 30 20mm cannon. The designers are told that the excellence of the USN's AA control makes the fitted guns far more effective than those fitted to Royal Navy ships, but this statement is controversial. When asked, the RN simply says 'the more guns the better'. As a compromise, 2 additional quad 27mm will be fitted.
The production of the Wildcat fighter has been speeded up, although at the moment many of the planes being produced are scheduled to be sold to the British and French. The USN is rather concerned that its frontline fighter, by no means in full operation in the fleet, is already outclassed in power and armament by the Goshawk (and the Goshawk engine is still being developed further). A new and much more powerful aircraft, the Vought F4U Corsair, flies for the first time in March 1940 (its development has been brought forward as much as was possible). The plane undergoes acceptance trials for the USN in late November of 1940.
Japan
Japan has also been following the success of the FAA with great interest, as it indicates to them that their intention of making naval aviation of major importance in the IJN is correct. Indeed, the aviation enthusiasts claim that this shows that all future resources should be aimed at carriers rather than battleships, a claim that is refuted completely by the battleships traditionalists in the IJN. In any case the current building program is full, with 6 fleet carriers expected to be available by late 1941.
However it is possible to increase the 'shadow carrier' program; these are large liners designed to be quickly converted into carriers. Two of these, the Hiyo and the Junyu were laid down in 1939 with completion expected in 1942. Two additional ships are laid down in March 1940, and it is hoped to have these too complete by 1942. While not as fast as fleet carriers, they do carry over 50 planes. A small expansion of the naval aviator training program is made to allow for the extra 100 pilots these carriers will need, although due to the extreme difficulty and length of the IJN training programs this target will in fact not be met.
Germany
The Graf Zeppelin completed her basic working up in October. Although the ship is classed as operation, her flight operations are still the subject of much experimentation (although some advice has been obtained from the Japanese). An air group has been assigned, and the carrier is continuing training in the Baltic, safe from the Royal Navy, along with the Bismark (who has also completed basic workup and is undergoing gunnery training while working with the GZ)
As a result of the success of the Royal Navy in naval air operations, the specialised anti-ship unit Fliegerkorps X has been given more resources. Founded in 1939, the formation has been in poor repute with the Kriegsmarine after the disastrous Operation Wikinger incident where the aircraft had sunk a German destroyer and caused a second one to be sunk in a minefield. However the obvious need to use aircraft to attack the Royal Navy has led to its rehabilitation after a more successful campaign in Norway. The unit will be transferred from Norway once it has been decided if it is best to deploy it in the North Sea or the Mediterranean - the current advice from the Kriegsmarine is in the Med. There is also a need to transfer additional planes; the unit currently consists mainly of Ju87 and Me109, and longer ranged aircraft are seen as necessary to attack the Royal Navy at sea. Priority is given for additional Ju87R, and Me110 (although this means reducing the daylight raids on England, this is actually seen as a bonus by the Luftwaffe due to the losses they are sustaining). He111 bombers are also being allocated. The support structure for the force is being moved to Sicily, and it is expected to be operational by the end of the year
Italy
While the Italian navy is slowly building an aircraft carrier, it is obvious that one carrier will simply be a fat target for the Royal Navy. Resources are therefore being given to building up the land-based attack capability, and looking at ways of arranging more and longer ranged fighter escort - the fighters defending the RN forces have showed that it is very difficult to arrange a good attack unless they can be suppressed or distracted, as even a few unopposed fighters can ruin an attack. The problem is the relatively backwardness of the Italian aviation industry. There is some pressure to license German engines, but the Germans want to charge licensing fees and there is considerable resistance to the idea itself inside Italy.
USA
The USN had been observing the use of air power by the Royal Navy with considerable interest (aided by the 'Canadian' observers on ships and the full reports they have been given). The main building plans include huge increases in the number of planes, and the building of the large Essex class carriers, however the first of these is not scheduled to be at sea before early 1943, although the possibility of speeding them up is being looked at, the proposed build times are already very short and the design is not yet complete.
In the meantime, the USA orders the construction of a fourth Yorktown-class fleet carrier, the USS Ticonderoga. The ship is laid down in March 1940 and given priority; it is expected to commission her in May 1942. After the fall of France and the corresponding increase in planned USN construction, the ship is given a maximum priority - it is hoped to have her complete by February 1942. The designers also hope to incorporate a heavier AA armament; they have noted that the Yorkdown class carry only 16 27mm cannon and 25 0.5" mg, compared to the British Formidable class carry 64 40mm and around 30 20mm cannon. The designers are told that the excellence of the USN's AA control makes the fitted guns far more effective than those fitted to Royal Navy ships, but this statement is controversial. When asked, the RN simply says 'the more guns the better'. As a compromise, 2 additional quad 27mm will be fitted.
The production of the Wildcat fighter has been speeded up, although at the moment many of the planes being produced are scheduled to be sold to the British and French. The USN is rather concerned that its frontline fighter, by no means in full operation in the fleet, is already outclassed in power and armament by the Goshawk (and the Goshawk engine is still being developed further). A new and much more powerful aircraft, the Vought F4U Corsair, flies for the first time in March 1940 (its development has been brought forward as much as was possible). The plane undergoes acceptance trials for the USN in late November of 1940.
Japan
Japan has also been following the success of the FAA with great interest, as it indicates to them that their intention of making naval aviation of major importance in the IJN is correct. Indeed, the aviation enthusiasts claim that this shows that all future resources should be aimed at carriers rather than battleships, a claim that is refuted completely by the battleships traditionalists in the IJN. In any case the current building program is full, with 6 fleet carriers expected to be available by late 1941.
However it is possible to increase the 'shadow carrier' program; these are large liners designed to be quickly converted into carriers. Two of these, the Hiyo and the Junyu were laid down in 1939 with completion expected in 1942. Two additional ships are laid down in March 1940, and it is hoped to have these too complete by 1942. While not as fast as fleet carriers, they do carry over 50 planes. A small expansion of the naval aviator training program is made to allow for the extra 100 pilots these carriers will need, although due to the extreme difficulty and length of the IJN training programs this target will in fact not be met.
Germany
The Graf Zeppelin completed her basic working up in October. Although the ship is classed as operation, her flight operations are still the subject of much experimentation (although some advice has been obtained from the Japanese). An air group has been assigned, and the carrier is continuing training in the Baltic, safe from the Royal Navy, along with the Bismark (who has also completed basic workup and is undergoing gunnery training while working with the GZ)
As a result of the success of the Royal Navy in naval air operations, the specialised anti-ship unit Fliegerkorps X has been given more resources. Founded in 1939, the formation has been in poor repute with the Kriegsmarine after the disastrous Operation Wikinger incident where the aircraft had sunk a German destroyer and caused a second one to be sunk in a minefield. However the obvious need to use aircraft to attack the Royal Navy has led to its rehabilitation after a more successful campaign in Norway. The unit will be transferred from Norway once it has been decided if it is best to deploy it in the North Sea or the Mediterranean - the current advice from the Kriegsmarine is in the Med. There is also a need to transfer additional planes; the unit currently consists mainly of Ju87 and Me109, and longer ranged aircraft are seen as necessary to attack the Royal Navy at sea. Priority is given for additional Ju87R, and Me110 (although this means reducing the daylight raids on England, this is actually seen as a bonus by the Luftwaffe due to the losses they are sustaining). He111 bombers are also being allocated. The support structure for the force is being moved to Sicily, and it is expected to be operational by the end of the year
Italy
While the Italian navy is slowly building an aircraft carrier, it is obvious that one carrier will simply be a fat target for the Royal Navy. Resources are therefore being given to building up the land-based attack capability, and looking at ways of arranging more and longer ranged fighter escort - the fighters defending the RN forces have showed that it is very difficult to arrange a good attack unless they can be suppressed or distracted, as even a few unopposed fighters can ruin an attack. The problem is the relatively backwardness of the Italian aviation industry. There is some pressure to license German engines, but the Germans want to charge licensing fees and there is considerable resistance to the idea itself inside Italy.
