Soryu's early air group mixed A5M, A4N, D1A, and B4Y aircraft, showing how the carrier functioned as an operating organization as well as a hull. The Swordfish comparison explains why older, easier-to-maintain aircraft could remain valuable in second-line roles. The best aircraft for a support task could be the least demanding type rather than the newest or fastest one. Sōryū trained extensively, supported operations from Hainan and against southern China, and was joined by Hiryū after the latter entered the Second Carrier Division. The two ships then became the paired force they had been built to form.
Notable Point · 49:46-55:24
Early air groups and second-line aircraft
The air-group discussion follows Soryu and Hiryu from biplane-era service into paired carrier employment before Pearl Harbor.