Warbird Information Exchange

The point about the pilots that the Japanese would have lost in a third attack is a good point. As it was, the 29 pilots that they lost were nearly 10% of the 350 aircraft engaged in the first two waves. This is a significant portion of what history showed to be a limited resource. I do not know how many aircraft might have been in a third wave, but 10% of 150 planes would have been 15 aircraft, and they might easily have lost more than that. On the other hand, third wave targets would likely not have been defended by as many AA guns, even though they would have been defended more alertly.

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Kevin McCartney