[Dixiecapt]

[Help] A How To - Combat & Escort

Combat Escort


Most mission developers know how to have one flight escort another, simply click set in the View/Object/Waypoint window, then click on the flight you'd like to escort and bingo, you'll see the nice little green line.

Here is my issue....

In my VMF-213 Hellhawks Campaign, ComAirSols, alot of what VMF-213 did was Combat Escort. Meaning they would meet a flight of TBF's and SBD's over Savo Island, then fly North to the New Georgia Group to bomb a target.

Usually if the skies were clear the Corsairs of VMF-213 would break away and either swoop in early and strafe AAA, or swoop in late and strafe anything that moves.

You'd think you could (as i do) set the flights to meet over savo, set the corsairs to Escort TBF and SBD's to target, then at the target set the Corsairs to Strafe the ground.

But Alas, everytime the Corsair's WP and Path Change on the map as soon as they meet up with the bombers.

It's as if in IL-2 when you set a flight of Fighters to Escort a flight of Bombers at Waypoint #1, they will change their flight plan to that of the bombers and follow them through out the mission reguardless of whatever else they were assigned to do.

I had hoped they would have followed the bombers to the next waypoint then broken away and dived on the target, but each time they fly with them on past the target, changing all their waypoints after the first where they were told to escort.

ANy Advice, Tips Or suggestions would be very welcome!!!!

Thanks!
DC

[4./JG53_Badger]

Hey Dixiecapt,
Send me a copy of the mission and what you want done and let me work my magic. I think I can get the results you want....

[Dixiecapt]

No need for that,

there isn't a particular mission, there's like 5. I've resolved it by timing the F4U's and TBF/SBD's speed, and starting points so either the F4Us fly ahead of the strike, or catch up with it just in time.


If you want to test this, just open FMB, Have a Flight of Bombers attacking a target. Set up a rendevous with fighters. Have the Fighters escort the bombers at the Rendevous. At the next waypoint have the flighters set to ground attack.

What you will see is the fighters ignore the ground attack and stick to escorting the bombers the whole mission through.

I think its an IL-2 Fluke, I spent a week trying to get around it.


If you still want to see a mission as an example you can download the VMF-213 4/25/43 Mission thats in the Single Mission Download section. You will need to open this mission in FMB and change the player flight to escort a flight of TBF's or SBD's at the rendesvous over Savo Island.

You will see the effects I'm talking about when the Bombers "Find Vila too Cloudy" and turn back for home, and as your F4U's change thier flight plan, and instead of breaking away and strafing Vanga Vanga at Kolombangara, (as instructed) they will make the U-turn with the strike force and head home.

[4./JG53_Badger]

Thanks anyway, I have too many campaigns and missions now, I was just looking to help you out. Glad you got it resolved

[Dixiecapt]

oh its not resolved persay, it's just not an issue i'm having with one single mission that I could send to you.

An IL-2 quirk it may seem, However I did get a few tips on M4T.

A really smart one from Phil was....

Other ways are more complex - one trick is to spawn one or more fuel-free bogeys on the ground just before when you are timed to reach the target, and then attach the F4U waypoint to it, so that it is in fact an intercept, but is in all appearances a strafing run etc.

Thanks for Answering the Call for Help through Badger, Much appreciated!!!