Author Topic: Ability to change wingman formation (Read 771 times)

Mister Fork · « **on:** May 31, 2006, 01:48:23 PM »

Right now, bombers are locked in a V formation.

I think it would be more beneficial if we could change the formation after take-off to what ever we need

- tight formation (a/c are closer than 100ft from one another)
- loose (a/c are 500ft from one another)
- line (a/c are in a straight line
- echelon
- abreast
- reverse echelon
- staggered

Thoughts?

Platano · « **Reply #1 on:** May 31, 2006, 02:24:57 PM »

Great Idea Indeed Fork

Think of all the Cool screenies and also It would be that much harder for attacking fighters if the bombes are in tight formation...

zorstorer · « **Reply #2 on:** May 31, 2006, 04:38:16 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Platano
Great Idea Indeed Fork Think of all the Cool screenies and also It would be that much harder for attacking fighters if the bombes are in tight formation...

Or easier for the 30mm LW rides

hubsonfire · « **Reply #3 on:** May 31, 2006, 05:23:06 PM »

I kind of like this idea. They'd have to do something about the odd drone behavior, and find a way to make the drones assume the new formation in slowly, but it couldn't hurt much if they did. Could also make bombing runs a bit more interesting, tailoring your spread and formation to the target.

And of course, the most likely outcome is the same retarded divebombing we have now, with different formations, making it easier to divebomb a CV or hangars without any real effort or aim. That would be bad.

Bad31st · « **Reply #4 on:** June 01, 2006, 08:52:22 PM »

Like the concept but...

- tight formation (a/c are closer than 100ft from one another) imo bombers are close enough now - I can already hear the wines about .50 cal lasers if the bombers got closer
- loose (a/c are 500ft from one another) like it but wouldn't this put your drones nearly 1k apart? Not exactly sure on the dimensions of a town but wouldn't that mean if the center bomber lined up on center the center of town, the drones would be out side of the town?
- line (a/c are in a straight line) can see this getting abused by the low level carpet bombers looking for easy GV kills. Think .salvo 1 with the results close to salvo 3 delay 0.5
- echelon Good Idea
- abreast pretty much what we already have
- reverse echelon Again, good idea
- staggered Again, good idea

Krusty · « **Reply #5 on:** June 01, 2006, 09:41:20 PM »

reverse echelon is a stupid idea [EDIT: in general, I mean, no offense to you], because the "lead" is behind the wingmen... There's no way they'll be able to hold position that much is sure. That would require a change of which craft is lead, rather than just a change of a position code for the drones.

Bad31st · « **Reply #6 on:** June 01, 2006, 10:42:57 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Krusty
reverse echelon is a stupid idea [EDIT: in general, I mean, no offense to you], because the "lead" is behind the wingmen... There's no way they'll be able to hold position that much is sure. That would require a change of which craft is lead, rather than just a change of a position code for the drones.

Agreed - didn't really think of that when I replied

Kazaa · « **Reply #7 on:** June 02, 2006, 09:25:25 AM »

Me likes !

badhorse · « **Reply #8 on:** June 02, 2006, 10:09:26 AM »

Got my vote!

(do we get a vote?)

DeadSpy · « **Reply #9 on:** September 22, 2006, 08:37:07 PM »

we need the ability to spread the formation out wider or more narrow....the formation idea originally is a great idea....but you're dropping 2000lb bombs on a town, your drones' blast areas overlap your own

Reynolds · « **Reply #10 on:** September 22, 2006, 08:56:19 PM »

Brilliant!

Stoney74 · « **Reply #11 on:** September 23, 2006, 02:09:00 AM »

Holy old thread, Batman!

spitbrit · « **Reply #12 on:** September 25, 2006, 12:50:43 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Platano

Great Idea Indeed Fork Think of all the Cool screenies and also It would be that much harder for attacking fighters if the bombes are in tight formation...

fighters would get them easier in tight form because on one pass the can spray the other a/c then 180 for them agian were as if they were far apart ground aa,flak would be more likley miss and fighters would have to keep going round and round and round then u'll need to use chute after few passes tight form would be good for concentrated attack

Stoney74 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 25, 2006, 05:11:45 PM »

American bomber formations were historically spaced 1 wingspan length left/right, and 1 wingspan length back. For B-17's/24's, you're talking no more than 150-200 feet or so between aircraft. HTC basically has them modeled that way now. Try dropping smaller bombs, you can carry more and spread them out to spread the damage. Or, go with individual planes (no form) and find some friends--you can spread out as much as you want.