22.04.2009, 07:49
I have been using this mod (latest version) this week in a 1941 E Front campaign - so far 12 sorties, about 8 hours flying, in a Bf109F2. The enemy are mostly recruit quality I16s, I153, SB2s etc.
Observations: it is now just possible (although not easy) to form up and climb to altitude without being left behind or overheating, provided you are trimmed right, no wobbling around etc. As a wingman, I can form up stay right with my leader and reach cruise altitude of 5000m without dropping more than 50m behind - but he still gets a bit further ahead at the transition to level flight. This is a big plus for me from this mod, in some ways more than the combat effects, as the ability of the AI to climb at full power forever was a big immersion killer.
In combat, the main effect I have noticed is that the 6 o'clock radar is reduced. If you get behind an enemy a/c you often get a clear shot before he starts to manouvre even if he is not target fixated. (Given that the targets in this campaign are mostly recruits this is quite right).
My own squadron AI (mostly veteran or ace) seem not to have changed as far as I can see following my leaders around, but this may reflect the limited options of the enemy rather than their own skills. Yes, they will shoot enemy a/c off your tail if you call for help, but then they always did. I must have seen this dozens of times in campaigns before the AI mod, and I often use it as a deliberate tactic since the AI seem to be better shots than I but I am better at preventing a bandit on my tail getting a firing solution than they. I dare say I will notice more as the enemy quality improves.
So thank you very much for this mod, a major improvement to the game even on my limited trial - if you could somehow stop AI aircraft from flying low and slow over flak infested areas I would kiss you!
Observations: it is now just possible (although not easy) to form up and climb to altitude without being left behind or overheating, provided you are trimmed right, no wobbling around etc. As a wingman, I can form up stay right with my leader and reach cruise altitude of 5000m without dropping more than 50m behind - but he still gets a bit further ahead at the transition to level flight. This is a big plus for me from this mod, in some ways more than the combat effects, as the ability of the AI to climb at full power forever was a big immersion killer.
In combat, the main effect I have noticed is that the 6 o'clock radar is reduced. If you get behind an enemy a/c you often get a clear shot before he starts to manouvre even if he is not target fixated. (Given that the targets in this campaign are mostly recruits this is quite right).
My own squadron AI (mostly veteran or ace) seem not to have changed as far as I can see following my leaders around, but this may reflect the limited options of the enemy rather than their own skills. Yes, they will shoot enemy a/c off your tail if you call for help, but then they always did. I must have seen this dozens of times in campaigns before the AI mod, and I often use it as a deliberate tactic since the AI seem to be better shots than I but I am better at preventing a bandit on my tail getting a firing solution than they. I dare say I will notice more as the enemy quality improves.
So thank you very much for this mod, a major improvement to the game even on my limited trial - if you could somehow stop AI aircraft from flying low and slow over flak infested areas I would kiss you!