Question about beginning map for The Rising Sun

Goldenbearflyer

Just began looking at playing this module, and I have a couple of questions:

From the setup I presume it basically reflects forces present just before Dec. '41, do you agree?
If so, the first thing I notice is 3 USA carriers present at Pearl Harbor but with no fighters directly protecting them. What do you suppose the rationale for that setup is? Doesn't seem right to me.
I understand it is what it is, but I am considering making changes using Edit mode and essentially playing my own variant in which the carriers are away from Pearl. What do you think?

wirkey

I remember back in the days this map was created I was involved in balancing the map. Moving the carriers back (to a safe distance) will shift the balance heavily in Allies favor. So it is strictly an issue of balancing and game play rather than historic accuracy.

Goldenbearflyer

Thanks for the insight. I totally take your word for it about balance of gameplay, not having played it yet.
Interesting, I went back into the map just now and saw something I had missed before. The banner page says "Version 1.9.3, It's December 8,1941", not the 7th, so perhaps the whole premise is that indeed the carriers and some battleships survived, which is reality, and the Japanese retained the option of going back in for another strike to finish what they started.