I have 6FPs and 5TBs.

I tried to use all 5TBs but with so many FWs these days, I figured bomber heavy wouldn't
help me at all. Not just because my tbs get shot down but also because of the role I have
to play in a CV5, which is scouting.

I just put all my fts in the air and let them stay till they run out of fuels and crash
into air as I value scouting over preserving fts.

In my Malta, i mostly play with 4 FPs and 4TBs to have a balanced air/ground attack.

6FPs are preferred but in my opinion, 4 is enough.

If you are playing UK, TB ftw. They are just so much fun to play with.

To play FTW, I recommend IJN.

its ok but a heck of a grind to malta.

is the ark royal good?

Currently don't use gunners because I keep another pilot in one of the slots - saves
rotating to keep them all level. Currently 4 TBs and 4 FTRs. The spare slot is a
rep/eng. I have a coupple of DB's somewhere that I don't use.

"As for seamen not stacking, i base that on the fact that you should waste an extra
slot on another seaman when it could hold a pilot that you level for later on (cv5
doesnt need to worry) or for R slot a rep."

That is completely opinion, and what does that have anything to do with seamen
stacking?

Ive used medic+seaman combo on my essex. MORE crew loss than withought that
medic :/ and the fighters didnt do any better. As for seamen not stacking, i base that
on the fact that you should waste an extra slot on another seaman when it could
hold a pilot that you level for later on (cv5 doesnt need to worry) or for R slot a rep.

I don't run with guns on my Ark, not because I don't want to but because with 4ft
and 3tb pilots I only have two slots open and I use this for either Medic+Seaman or
Medic+Repairer.

I am "close" to the Malta and will likely add my gunners on at that point and keep
the medic. I'd use the 5.25" guns if I had a choice only because you can add a bind
of HE to the AAs for taking out those pickets that your fleet missed (or subs). Pom
Poms are cool, but seem to be useless in the point and shoot fights (ie. good for
blanket lead coverage) Overall, I would say that battle awareness and effective
battle management would be of more value that guns. ie. don't get to a point
where you are engaging the enemy move your CV away from enemy advances (the
key here is "move") It would be nice to have AA to shoot down a DB attack or two
since my fighters are often preoccupied over the enemy front....

ATM my crew is 2 ftrs, 2 TBs, 2DBs, one Chf Restore and 2 Gunners. Crew deaths are
manageable and decreasing (My TBs and DBs are virtually immune to AAW now) I use
the 5.25 RP10 guns as AA and they have proven useful at times.

Happymeal2: You say thisSo you gus know, seamen and medics dont stack... Not enough to
make a difference
anyways :/ they also cancel each other out (medic+seamen=nothing).

TBH, id get 8 FP, then 4 bombers (any combination of TBs and DBs) so you have
some variety during that long grind from cv5-cv6.

Link from GM support tickets? links from posts?

i have 3 seaman on my KM CV crew
3 seaman on my US CV crew
3 seaman on my UK CV crew
1 on my IJN cv crew

1 medic for US/UK
1 medic for IJN/KM

i have been playing KM wiht my 3 seaman/1 medic 8 FP, and i still lose a vet a game.
hmmm. im going to try without seaman on -.-

Happymeal2 - medic+seaman = nothing ?

LoL what do you base that on ? I leveled to my Midway on a Malta with a Medic and Seaman
on R slots. Let me tell you it works, the medic greatly reduced vet loss and the seaman
adds an edge to fighters.

Also multiple seamen do! stack. Beacause i have multiple 120 seamen on my midway and now
double the fighter engagements verses other people with equal quality fighters. (ie
fleetmates who i tested with)