My 2 cents worth on re-balancing.
I’ve played AA50 several times and agree with many comments that the Axis (Japanese) are way over powered. Godzilla rules. (As a background, I have been playing AA since the 1981 Nova Edition). The main problem I see is that the Japanese navy starts way oversized in relation to the USN, which at the start of the war was larger than the IJN (except in fleet carriers, where the Japanese had 6 and the US 5, plus the training of pilots and the zero for the first year in the war). Remember that Japanese naval ascendancy during the war lasted less than 6 months.
Also, the US should be the Arsenal of Democracy and be the industrial giant of the war, not the Japanese.
Minor issue with the weakness of the British RN versus the Italian/ German fleets. What’s missing is the RN fleet based in Alexandria. The automatic capture of Egypt by the Germans and Italians in the summer of 1941 shouldn’t be. It should be possible but not easy.
Suggested changes:
1. US Sea Zone 44 Add 1 cruiser and 1 fighter
Sea Zone 56 Add 1 cruiser
Start with improved shipyards (even if not using technology)
Start with War Bonds (even if not using technology)
consider adding 1-3 Chinese infantry to the empty Chinese territories
The IJN will still have a strong initial advantage, especially where they had it in the naval air arm. The USN will at least have the opportunity to build a force to challenge the IJN. As it stands now, why bother. Hopefully this will allow a “global” war and encourage a strong US presence int he Pacific.
2. UK Sea Zone 15 Add 1 Battleship and 1 DD.
This will prevent the pretty much automatic capture of Egypt on turn 1. The idea that the Germans could amphibiously assault Egypt in the summer of 41 is absurd. The Italians will have to fight for it and won’t have shore bombardment on the first turn.
3. USSR Russia add 1 Fighter. The Red Airforce was significantly larger than the German Luftwaffe and even after losing much of their planes in the initial assault, they were numerically significant.
4. Germany. Start with Increased Factory Production (even if not using technology).
That’s it.
Personnally I don’t see any issue with NO’s as they all seem pretty realistic to what those countries had as war time objectives. I think they are a very nice touch to the game.