Carrier Air Wing, known as U.S. Navy in Japan, is a shoot 'em up game released in 1990 by Capcom for it's CPS-1 Arcade board. It is a spiritual successor to U.N. Squadron, released in the year prior. It never received any console ports.
Story[]
The story of the game is different on the Japanese and English versions of the game, though both of them involve the Rabu organization. While the Japanese plot involves a war between two unnamed fictional countries, with Rabu acting as a weapons dealer to one of the sides, the English plot revolves directly around Rabu, which was changed into a middle-eastern country in this version.
Japanese version[]
In 1997, a local war broke out in various countries triggered by the invasion of Far East J country by X country. According to confidential information from the United States intelligence, a death merchant organization called "Rabu" is behind the war by supplying the latest weapons to X country. The United States, which judged that the supply of weapons had to be cut off in order to stop this war, appointed the Navy nuclear aircraft carrier "Carl Vinson " to take down Rabu.
English version[]
During the decade of the nineties, many things in the world have changed. Growing cooperation between old rivals and friendships between the superpowers of the globe were examples of such occurring changes in political and economical scenarios of the world, but this fragile peace was not to last for long: in the year 1997, the Middle Eastern country of Rabu built several weapons of mass destruction, such as ICBM's, tactical nuclear bombs, and even a satellite-based tactical laser weapon, able to strike anywhere in the world.
With such weaponry in hand and benefiting from several terrorists over the world, Rabu was ready to declare war on mankind and aspire to their dream of global conquest.
An emergency call arrives to the U.S. government when, in 1999, Rabu strikes Tokyo, Japan with its extensive weaponry. The Americans decide to fight back against Rabu, and the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) slips out to sea carrying three of the finest Navy fighter pilots in the world, launching them on a campaign to remove the threat of Rabu and bring peace and freedom back to the world.
The greatest air war in human history is about to begin...
Gameplay[]
Carrier Air Wing plays much like it's predecessor, with the player choosing between three jet fighters and being able to purchase weapons and power ups between stages. The fuel gauge now works much like in 1943: The Battle of Midway, constantly depleting during the stage, though fuel replenishment items are much more plentiful in this title.
Weapons[]
- Wide Shot: Has a wide range but lacks firepower.
- Precision Shot: Has great firepower but small range.
- Rapid Shot: Fast-firing weapon with balanced range and firepower.
Secondary Weapons[]
| Mission | F14 Tomcat | F/A18 Hornet | A-6E Intruder |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Missile Dispenser 2 | Missile Dispenser 1 Missile Dispenser 2 |
Missile Dispenser 1 |
| 2 | Standard Missile | Shrike Missile Standard Missile |
Shrike Missile |
| 3 | Bomb Super Bomb |
Super Bomb Napalm Bomb |
Napalm Bomb Super Napalm |
| 4 | Apache | Apache Super Bomb Dispenser |
Super Bomb Dispenser |
| 5 | Amraam Missile Phoenix Missile |
Side Winder Amraam Missile |
Sparrow Missile Side Winder |
| 6 | Standard Missile | Shrike Missile Standard Missile |
Shrike Missile |
| 7 | Missile Dispenser 2 Missile Dispenser 3 |
Missile Dispenser 2 | Missile Dispenser 1 Missile Dispenser 2 |
| 8 | Super Bomb Napalm Bomb |
Napalm Bomb Super Napalm |
Super Napalm Big Boy |
| 9 | Super Bomb Dispenser Napalm Dispenser |
Super Bomb Dispenser | Apache Super Bomb Dispenser |
| 10 | Super Shell Pod 1 | Super Shell Pod 1 Super Shell Pod 2 |
Super Shell Pod 2 |
Standard Sub-Weapons[]
- Shrike/Standard Missile: Fires a salvo of missiles forward which penetrate small enemies.
- Bomb/Napalm/Big Boy: Drops a bomb on the ground.
- Sparrow/Side Winder/Amraam/Phoenix: Fires homing missiles.
Dispenser Sub-Weapons[]
When a dispenser (pod) system sub weapon is fired, it floats around the ship for a while and fires a built-in weapon according to the main shot. If the ammo of the dispenser runs out or the sub weapon button is pressed again, it is injected forward. Dispensers also have the effect of blocking enemy bullets.
- Missile Dispenser: Dispenser which fires homing missiles. It will also home into enemies when out of ammo.
- Apache/Bomb/Napalm Dispenser: Dispenser which drops bombs both upwards and downwards. It will also drop when out of ammo.
- Super Shell Pod: Dispenser which fires strong piercing beams. It will turn into a fireball and fire forward when out of ammo.
Items[]
- Kappa: 2000 points
- Snowman: 4000 points
- Bear: 8000 points
- Holstein: 10000 points
- Mobi-chan: 10000 points
- Rabbit: 20000 points
- Mobi-chan (w. flag): 20000 points
- Yashichi: Full weapon & fuel refill
Missions and Bosses[]
| Mission | Name | Boss |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Capital Recall Operation: Airspace Takeover | Heavy Bomber "Blackjack" |
| 2 | Capital Recall Operation: Enemy Occupation Unit Takedown | Mobile Fortress "Musharov" |
| 3 | Enemy Landing Fleet Takedown | Missile Cruiser "Kirov" |
| 4 | Shipyard Bombing Operation | Aircraft Carrier "Tbilisi" |
| 5 | Weapon Testing Area Takedown: Air Fight | Early Warning Machine "Mainstay" |
| 6 | Weapon Testing Area Takedown: Ground Fight | Nuclear Submarine "Typhoon" |
| 7 | Enemy Bomber Squadron Takedown | Heavy Bomber "Blackjack Kai" |
| 8 | Desert Base Takedown | Train Battery "Karl" |
| 9 | Fortress Takedown | Laser Battery "Gamma" |
| 10 | Stratosphere | Cosmic Reciprocator "Buran" Final Weapon |
Characters and ships[]
- Rick Ford: Pilots the Grumman F-14 Tomcat
- James Roy: Pilots the Boeing F/A-18 Hornet
- Mark Olson: Pilots the Grumman A-6E Intruder
- Brian Nelson: Supporting character
Gallery[]
Videos[]
Trivia[]
- This game was originally intended to be a sequel to Area 88, but since Capcom had lost the rights to the property by then they changed it into a original title.
- Despite the characters being regular army soldiers they are not provided with arms and must buy their weapons. This is due to the merchant system having being carried over from U.N. Squadron. However, the game provides no explanation for this.
- While the Japanese version only hints at J Country being Japan, the overseas version clearly states the country as being Japan.
- Most of the weapons used by X Country/Rabu are based on Soviet weapons. However the Japanese version's intro regards X Country as a country unrelated to the USSR, while the English version openly identifies Rabu as a middle-eastern country.