[Dixiecapt]

Hmmm.... You say their are Japanese Bases in the early versions of the map? Just far away?

just and FYI from what I'm hearing, but IF (when) a SLOT DCG (Grandcampaign) is set up, the Axis forces, (IJN/IJA) will MIGHT Have to Airstart.

That doesn't really break my heart at all seeing as we really didn't strike back at their bases in the upper solomons in 1942. Ok, sorry being random,y lost in thought.

It's just I got my eyes on the prize

[CKY_86]

Having second thoughts about playing on this map eh? We can stop here and have the topic closed if you guys like. :lol:

No! No! For the love of god NO! hock: :lol:

[VT-51_Razor]

The long distances are what the carriers are for!! Bring it on! We're all like a bunch of little kids here. If the map(s) don't fit with our own RL circumstances, we'll invent an alternate reality to play with them. :wink:

[CKY_86]

The long distances are what the carriers are for!! Bring it on! We're all like a bunch of little kids here. If the map(s) don't fit with our own RL circumstances, we'll invent an alternate reality to play with them. :wink:

such as VTOL carriers using the Lerch

In all seriousness, I can't wait for this map & especilly the long flight times. I cannot wait

[VFS-214_Hawk]

During a long mission I can hit auto and go give the kids a bath, fix and eat supper, etc. Get back just in time for the action..... :lol:

[spud]

The Japanese forces will be getting about a 40% reduction in flight time by starting at Buka vs Rabaul

One possibility for an IJN campaign early would be airstarts, with normal landings at Bougainville. That would at least force some care with leaks, etc, to be able to RTB.

I agree with T, though, the most likely time frame to be used is likely the 1943 period since it offeres the shortest commute, and there can be offensive/defensive action for both sides. The early period will be what it was. Offensive action vs Guadalcanal by the IJN from far away, with almost no defensive missions except CAP over shipping in the Slot (there might be some CAP missions vs small formations of B-17s staging out of Guadalcanal). Allied offensive (air) operations will consist of CAS vs japanese positions on Guadalcanal, and attacks vs shipping up the Slot. USAAF bombers were flying farther afield on bombing missions, but mostly without escort because we simply had no planes capable of escorting them.

[FA_Cheech]

Hmmm.... You say their are Japanese Bases in the early versions of the map? Just far away?

just and FYI from what I'm hearing, but IF (when) a SLOT DCG (Grandcampaign) is set up, the Axis forces, (IJN/IJA) will MIGHT Have to Airstart.

That doesn't really break my heart at all seeing as we really didn't strike back at their bases in the upper solomons in 1942. Ok, sorry being random,y lost in thought.

It's just I got my eyes on the prize

OK, just to clear things up a bit...All versions of The Slot have Japanese and Allied airfields in their correct, historical locations, and appear as they should for the timeframe modelled. We may remove the fields at Guadalcanal and the Russels on the Jan_44 map, to reduce loadtimes and reflect the fact that few players will choose to spawn at Henderson, when they could just as easily fly from airfields in the New Georgia Islands or Bougainville.

If you are doing a DCG (Grand Campiaign) on the 42E map, the Japanese airfields available to you are Buka, Kahili, Rekata SPB, and Tulagi SPB. If you decide to ground start in a Zero at Buka, your flying time to Guadalcanal wil be one hour+. So the airstart option for the Japanese player is a choice, not a requirement. We are modelling the slot as it was historically - within the limitations of the simulation.

The change that T refers to is driven by the fact that Munda and Vila were not operational until the Mid-December 1942 (Munda) to early January 1943 (Vila) time frame. From a playability standpoint, we felt it was better to include Munda and Vila on the 42 map. Therefore, Munda is fully functional (Airdrome Points assigned), but Vila is not (strip in place, but no Airdrome Points assigned).

I don't have my matrix available here at work, but if my memory serves me correctly, the correct naming convention for the maps sould be: Aug_42, Dec_42, Jun_43, Oct_43, and Jan_44.

As soon as I get home from work, I will post an updated version of the airfield matrix.

[spud]

BTW, the FMB+ mod eliminates something that had bugged me. I really wanted the map itself to have loads of palm trees, etc, since placing groves (in neat rows) is about 1,000,000 times easier in map building mode compared to the regular FMB due to grouping and copy/paste. Now that campaign builders can use this functionality, all it takes is a template grove and it becomes trivial.

This will allow minimizing the damn palms for now.

[Dixiecapt]

*Throws in a Tangent*

I knew it'd be best to ask here since the Pacific Team probably would know. I'm trying to find a good historical (Overview) of the Solomon's Campaign. Mainly the actions that went down following the relative security of Guadalcanal.

Wiki and Several Naval history sites had some good info, but it seemed broken, or vague.

I'm trying to track some of the Marine Squadrons and their actions between the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal (not campaign), and the fall of Buka. Basicly the march up the slot.

Any Information tips, or links would be great!

[spud]

Ibiblio (online) is actually pretty decent. There is really not much in the "one stop shopping" book wise, sadly. For the battle of Guadalcanal, Richard Frank's book is pretty definitive, and the air battle is covered by Lundstrom's, First Team: Guadalcanal book.

Moving up the Slot requires unit histories from USN, USMC, RNZAF, and USAAF books, plus the japanese side.

[Incubus]

Can we confirm the map on page 6 is the base map - Am looking at making a few missions, and want to get some pre-work in.
Unless there's a better map pic somewhere in these 86 pages ?

[Skunkmeister]

This is the 2d map of the Slot:

[Incubus]

Thx.

[Former_Older]

T--
check your PMs for that photo

[fabianfred]

I think many people who were putting off upgrading their computers, to await SOW, have now decided to get one anyway....that is what I did

a couple of months ago I got a Core Duo E6850 3.0 ghz/2 gb RAM/8800 GTS

considering that most game play on this Slot map will be in single player/campaign/offline mode there is always the ability to Pause game......go to 2x speed...and/or Auto pilot

for those who are on a long mission....just pause game....then carry on with your life....eat/sleep/work/do the shopping/wipe the kids bums/pacify the wife/etc.....then come back to it and carry on

with a good core duo/quad you can still surf the web....do your e-mail....without disturbing the game

just cannot let the wife play the Sims or the kids play some other game

My main computer is at work in my small digital photo studio....and I often pause game and use Photoshop to edit/print the customers photos...then carry on when I'm free