Ahhhh... a constantly recurring theme; the icon vs depth perception.
I'm not suggesting removing the icon. I'm suggesting removing range data from the icon display.
This would in NO way effect depth perception; motion tracking or periphial view. An Icon would still be there. Juding distance becomes dependent on relative size; and this can be determined with a gunsight.
"Go in close; and when you think you are too close; go in closer"
---Maj Tommy McGuire, USAAF, 38 Kills WWII
Removing range data would add BACK into the sim the SKILL required to evaluate and adjust trajectory for a shot. A conventional gunsight can be set up to 'box'the wingspan of an a/c to determine range appropriate for gunnery.
"..as his plane filled my gunsight I pressed the tit. The results were incredible. No sooner did I feel the plane shudder as the machine guns went off, than a huge flame engulfed the 109, followed immediately by a black cloud of debris.."
----John Godfrey "The Look of Eagles"
Certainly; it would be more difficult to assess WHEN to shoot, how long to hold that shot; but that's the point.
"No guts; No glory. If you're going to shoot him down, you have to get in there and mix it up with him"
--- 'Boots' Blesse; USAF, 10 kills, Korea
Consider also the defenders dillema. You want to put a sembalance of 'fear' or or mortality into the sim?? Bingo.
"Waiting for the proper moment to begin my evasion tactics was agonizing"
---- Duke Cunningham; Americas last Ace.
How about HO's.. Oh my; wouldn't THIS screw the pooch for all those HO dweebs??
"..he saw me immediatly and rolled out of his turn towards me so that a HO attack became inevitable. I peered thru the reflector sight at the rapidly closing 109. We opened fire together, and immediatly a hail of lead thudded into my Spitfire. One moment the Messerschmidt was a clearly defined shape, it's wingspan nicely enclosed within the circle of my reflector sight, and the next it was on top of me, a terrifying blur which blotted out the sky ahead. Then we hit."
---- Alan Deere, RAF, 22.5 kills WWII
And finally.. how about those buffs?? Consider the effect this would have on attacking and defending a buff. Without range icons, that gunner is gonna have a significantly more difficult job of determining when to shoot... his ammo is not infinite!
In short; RANGE was always subjective for WWII pilots. I don't think that removing RANGE data will lessen the imersion factor; detract from realisim or cripple game play. In fact; I think it will significantly improve game play and force the pilot to be a larger part of the attack equation.
"I gained experience with every plane shot down, and was now able to fire in a calm, deliberate manner. Distance and deflection were carefully judged before firing. This is not something that comes by accident; but only by experience..."
----John Godfrey, USAAF 16.33 kills, WWII
If this sim is to be the standard by which the others of its genere is judged, should not it's superb weapon, ballistics and aircraft modeling be balanced by realistic gunsights, ranging and gunnery paramaters?
"We ALWAYS underestimated our range."
--- Air Marshall Johnnie Johnston, RAF
Lets re-introduce the concept of the pilot making the range decison; not the system.
"I had no system of shooting as such. It is definitly more in the feeling side of things that these skills develop. I was at the front 5 and a half years, and you just get a feeling for the right amount of lead"
-- General Guenther Rall, LW, 275 Kills WWII
Hang
