17.04.2008, 12:49
We have a problem now, and we've had it since Il-2's release.
We have one basic formation for all types of aircraft.
The first thing you should know is that formations are tactical, and there are different formations for different situations.
For protection to the front, but little from the sides or rear, there's the line abreast.
For limited protection to the sides, there's the "Vee".
For mutual protectoin and team work, there is the "Schwarm", aka "Finger Four."
My point is that there lacks a way in the FMB to assign the best, and most realistic, formation for AI aircraft for a type of mission. We need that option installed, or "unlocked," so we can give bombers a box, and give fighters something that gives them more of a chance. Also, we should be able to assign a different formation at each waypoint if needed.
It should look like this in the FMB
Waypoint 1
Alt 3000
Sp 350
Action Follow Waypoint
Formation Box
Target None
To back up my point, the AI bombers automatically switch formation from "echelon right" to "finger four" at their IP. It would be nice to have them in a Vee or even a box for the whole flight! That would be more realistic for US and British bombers. I know you can command your flight to change formation but this doesn't do anything for AI formations and you flight won't listen anyways.
Two last things before I quit:
1. We also need a way to raise the number of aircraft per section/flight to 6 so that US bombers can complete their boxes.
2. A command to tell your flight your dropping your bombs so they can also drop as a formation. That way you can finally lead correct level bomb runs. The command should be "squadron>attack ground targets>bombs away!" The corresponding voice command should be taken from the AI bucket, "We're starting our attack run. Bombs away!"
Thanks gentlemen.
We have one basic formation for all types of aircraft.
The first thing you should know is that formations are tactical, and there are different formations for different situations.
For protection to the front, but little from the sides or rear, there's the line abreast.
For limited protection to the sides, there's the "Vee".
For mutual protectoin and team work, there is the "Schwarm", aka "Finger Four."
My point is that there lacks a way in the FMB to assign the best, and most realistic, formation for AI aircraft for a type of mission. We need that option installed, or "unlocked," so we can give bombers a box, and give fighters something that gives them more of a chance. Also, we should be able to assign a different formation at each waypoint if needed.
It should look like this in the FMB
Waypoint 1
Alt 3000
Sp 350
Action Follow Waypoint
Formation Box
Target None
To back up my point, the AI bombers automatically switch formation from "echelon right" to "finger four" at their IP. It would be nice to have them in a Vee or even a box for the whole flight! That would be more realistic for US and British bombers. I know you can command your flight to change formation but this doesn't do anything for AI formations and you flight won't listen anyways.
Two last things before I quit:
1. We also need a way to raise the number of aircraft per section/flight to 6 so that US bombers can complete their boxes.
2. A command to tell your flight your dropping your bombs so they can also drop as a formation. That way you can finally lead correct level bomb runs. The command should be "squadron>attack ground targets>bombs away!" The corresponding voice command should be taken from the AI bucket, "We're starting our attack run. Bombs away!"
Thanks gentlemen.