#34 Avenger III (tarpon) - Dive Bomber - Done

I remember reading somewhere that the Tarpons used bombs a lot more often then the US Avengers did. Maybe make the bomb attack permanent? Really would not change much in terms of cost, and would be a welcome differenciation then the US Avengers. Would need Mission Selection as well...

If I can find where I read that, I'll put it up here... time to dig...🙂

Would 2,000 lbs of bombs only warrant a bomb 6? 7 seems more accurate...

I was looking at the first post where it shows up to 2k of bombs, or 1 torp...

Unfortunately, the Barracuda was flawed to begin with, like a lot of older units. VA should have been 8.No matter what we do,this unut will make the Cuda obsolete...

Bomb attack can stay at 6 or 7 since it's not a dive bomber.

Give it Mission Selection

We can give it an SA like this.

Coastal strike -- when you declare a bomb attack against a unit on a coast or against an installation, add 1 dice to the bomb attack..

Making this Unit a 4/7 when bombing is too big a nerf. This is much cleaner...

Not a fan of lowering the armor. 4 does nothing in a game with inflated AA. And with the plethora of crappy IK planes with armor 4 and vitals easy to shoot down, this doesn't need that nerf...

If we try to not make the Cuda obsolete, then this unit will end up being a wasted slot for the UK. We are obsoleted both the old Swordfish due to cost issues, unfortunately the same thing is gonna happen here...

We can also just give it an SA that adds a bomb against installations if you are worried about it, and still keep it 5/8...

I've, so far, only found a single mention of a Avenger torpedo attack of a RN carrier,against a U-boat.

Funnily enough the FFFOA (fleet air arm officers association) do not even list torpedoes on avengers armament. Only bombs, depth charges and rockets.

I dont disagree. Its not a true lack of capability. Rules as written are red v blue, and optional historical restrictions are not as onerous as nation pure houserules.

I don't want a bookmark, but the premise "RN dont have a 581 TB" is not strictly the case. Therefore, in my mind. Having a jack of all trades barracuda, and a more resilient and powerful, if specialised Tarpon is the sweet spot. And you retain the option to use the TBF Avenger, a year earlier anyway.

Looking at bit of the service history, they had a go at Haguro just before Samurez and the V's sank her. So i could see

Bomb 9
Raider Hunter +1 versus cruiser and auxiliaries
Alternate Torpedo Payload 2
Dive Bomber(as above)

Thats potentially bomb 11 versus cruisers, before experts or shadowing and a switch hit.