The Combined Historical Scenario includes a major rework of merchant ships - for both Japan and for the Allies. As part of this rework, the capacity all existing (Scenario 15) merchant ships was reduced by 25%. New classes have been defined, all with capacities in line with these adjusted values. The result is a large pool of merchant ships with differing speeds and capacities. The player may now select the ships with the appropriate characteristics for the assigned mission - large, fast ships for ocean transport; small, hard to see ships for supplying forward bases; slow, plodding ships for routine convoys. But the player must also pay more attention to what type of ships are available and manage where they are on the map.

Many new ships have been added and many of the existing ships re-classified into the new classes. Those existing ships that could not be identified as belonging to a specific class have been left in their original, generalized classes. This is also true for a few one-of-a-kind ships that were not worth creating new classes. New artwork has been provided for each of the new classes - I think you'll be very happy.

Scenario 15 provided three very-generalized classes of transports:

• Large AP: 4500 capacity, 14 max speed
• Medium AP: 3000 capacity, 11 max speed
• small AP: 1500 capacity, 10 max speed

In CHS this has been expanded to 25 classes, with capacities ranging from 750 to 4700 and speeds from 10 to 23 knots. The Japanese player will be pleased to find nearly a dozen large, fast ocean liners with large capacities. Also a fleet of about 2 dozen large, fast "combination" ships - mixed cargo/passenger ships that were frequently used as transports and are so classed in CHS. Some of these are initially available in the heavily-armed AMC version. There are also a number of smaller but still fast transports that should prove very useful. A vast majority (about 300) of the original small/Medium/Large transports remain with their original specifications.

Scenario 15 provided only two types:

• Large AK: 7000 capacity, 11 max speed
• Small AK: 3500 capacity, 10 max speed

CHS provides an additional 21 classes, with speeds ranging up to 22 knots and capacities (after the 25% reduction) of up to 6375. This includes large, fast "world commerce" freighters and smaller Pacific and even inland sea types. There are large numbers from both the World War I and 1930s building programs, plus the Standard Type A ships - the Japanese Liberty Ships. Well over half of the ships are from the new classes and the rest are the original Small/Large types.

These handy little barges have been expanded in CHS by the addition of the Type SD Sea Truck. This was historically a small, steel-hulled merchant ship with ocean-going capability. There were hundreds of them, each with a unique name (ending in Maru). We have simulated these ships in CHS by making them "AG" so they will re-appear when lost. Twenty Five are provided, with a 2000 mile endurance and 150 ton cargo capacity. Think of them as long range, ocean-going cargo barges. Very handy!

The original scenario provided:

• Large Tanker: 16000 capacity, 14 max speed
• Small Tanker: 9000 capacity, 14 max speed

There has been less expansion in this area as the original two classes did a good job of representing the ocean-going Japanese Tanker Fleet. We have added only two tanker classes plus a third that is replenishment capable (an oiler):

A very large "whale ship" tanker - these were converted from Whale Factory Ships and had very large oil storage capacity. Careful - you only have a few!

A modified Type A tanker - These were Type A cargo ships that were converted to tankers by welding oil tanks into their cargo hold. You get about 30 of these late in the war - when you will really need them.

Merchant Oiler - about 2 dozen large, fast tankers were converted for replenishment at sea. You'll love these fast, high capacity ships - they make the navy designed classes look puny!