The likely opening strike aircraft are British Swordfish and Skuas against Japanese D1As and B4Ys. The D3A's first flight does not make it operational in 1939: squadron introduction and conversion come later. The B5N's arrival with squadrons is uncertain here, tentatively placed around March or April rather than January, and the Zero is not yet available. The Roc's low speed undermines its bomber-interception role, while the Albacore is not yet in service and its eventual Far Eastern deployment remains uncertain. Sea Gladiators can climb into an approaching raid's path and disrupt it, but cannot pursue faster aircraft in a chase. British night-flying methods offer a way to use the Swordfish's stability and reliability despite its limited speed.
Notable Point · 25:55-34:30
Carrier air groups before the Zero
Swordfish and Sea Gladiators face Japanese biplanes and emerging monoplane types, with interception and night operations offsetting some performance limitations.