I would hazard a guess that reconnaissance aircrafts are the most underestimated aircraft category at war. Alhough very importand job they did on the battlefield they stayed forgotten. Responsible for reconnaissance was critical and decided the outcome of the many struggles, especially on the Far East.
During Operation C (Japaneese raid on Ceylon) missing radio transfer from Catalina saved the IJN fleet from counterattack of FAA planes. During Operation Mo (that is known as a battle of the Coral Sea) misidentification of Neosho as a carrier makes easy victory slipped out of the Japeneese hands. Radio damage on the reconnaissance plane made Japaneese blind in the crucial moment of the Midway battle.
Considering that I decided to create scout mission scenario concentrated on the comlicated and not appreciated work of reconnaissance patrols. I belive in campaign games it could be expanded on misidentification model that makes games even more excited.
As we have quasi official stats for PBY Catalina flying boat it would be nice to have the similar numbers for the most popular Japannese reconnaissance aircrafts. The most popular one was Aichi E13 operated from seaplane carriers or cruisers. For now let me introduce E13 Jake.
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