A couple of questions

[Gianlupo]

Ok, so, I have now a grasp on the basics of the editor, meaning I've set up 2 missions with Axis fighters and Allied bombers, both with their route, waypoints, segments and flights. Now, each of them runs smoothly and fly just as they're meant to. The trouble now is how to synchronize the flights so that there is an actual fight.

So, basically, I'd like to know:

1) How do I synchronize the flights so that the bombers will cross the attack segments of the fighters within the 3k yards? Is it just a matter of trials and errors playing with segments setting (speed, time) or is there a faster way to have it done? (would be nice to have it )

2) I set up the bombers' segments as either cruise or drop_ord, will they defend themselves with the on board MGs if attacked? Or should I use Attack segments? (The "Can dogfight" box is unchecked, of course).

3) I'd like to add a flight of 38s as escort, is there a way to coordinate this flight with the bombers and make so that they fly together? Or, as in 1, I have to manually  set the timing in segments properties? In other words, is there an escort option for the fighters? If not, I think we should have it, it's a must for so many missions!

Btw, I tried a search on the forum, but it didn't help solving my doubts. Thanks for the help, gents.

[Baumer]

The bset way I've found to coordinate the two groups meeting is to matchup the times that are next to the segments after you hit the calculate time.
for example, if the bombers are at wapoint 10 at 15:30 then arrange the intercept waypoint to arrive at the same time. In my missions the Germans have to take off and slowly circle the field before they warp to the intercept point to arrive about when the bombers get there.

The bomber segments should be set to attack or ord_drop for best protective fire. If it is set to patrol they may not fire until they are hit first.

You can add the P-38's to the bomber mission for escort. Just use the X,Y, & Z coordinates to put them a couple thousand feet away from the bombers.

Good Luck,
Baumer

[-sudz-]

1) How do I synchronize the flights so that the bombers will cross the attack segments of the fighters within the 3k yards? Is it just a matter of trials and errors playing with segments setting (speed, time) or is there a faster way to have it done? (would be nice to have it )

You have to do it manually.  But you do get the hang of it pretty quickly.  If you open up the segments close to where the fight is supposed to be then it will tell you how long into the mission that segment takes place.  You can then move the waypoints around for an intercept, warp the flights, or change their speed.

2) I set up the bombers' segments as either cruise or drop_ord, will they defend themselves with the on board MGs if attacked? Or should I use Attack segments? (The "Can dogfight" box is unchecked, of course).

Use Attack segments.  if you use a drop ord segment, make it a short one that's at least long enough for the bomber to calculate the proper dropping point. (For instance, having the target of the drop be right below the start of the segment will mean that the bombs will never hit the target.)

3) I'd like to add a flight of 38s as escort, is there a way to coordinate this flight with the bombers and make so that they fly together? Or, as in 1, I have to manually  set the timing in segments properties? In other words, is there an escort option for the fighters? If not, I think we should have it, it's a must for so many missions!

An easy way to get escorts in formation with the bombers is to have them warp to parallel segments at the same time.  They can even take off from different fields.  I do find that having the fighters try to slow down for the bombers is a pain to fly.

Good luck,
- Sudz

 

[Gianlupo]

Baumer, Sudz, thank you for the advices. I've solved issues n. 1 and 2, now I'm gonna add a couple of P-38 flights. taking off from a different field.