AAR Comments:
These are for the fighters, as I didn't fly with the bombers, but with 11th Fighter Wing
1. Really being on the same VOX channel with the escorts isn't that great an idea honestly, just too much chatter. Coordination can be done at the range level once link up is achieved, or through text between COs on a alternate VOX programmed into channel 2 for example.
2. Flight and Squadron Management:
A) Should be decided before take off. It will help get everyone in formation easier. Similarly might help sense these squadrons will be
composite (formed by more than one AH Squadron) to put them under a color - fighters to the front might be Red, left could be Blue,
Right could be White, and Rear could be Gold squadron for example. That way when RV and LCA and Whoknowwhat squads are flying in
the same "Squadron" to round out the numbers its not so confusing to the mission commander, escort commander, or the squadron CO
(the one in charge of each direction of fighters such as front) when contacts and orders are called out.
B) Should be of fairly same size and capability so as to prevent one portion of the escort from being easier to attack.
C) Need to have clearly identified Flight and Squadron COs to make a minimum chatter, possibly on VOX of their own so as to minimize
talking over each other on the channel. I would suggest a separate VOX for Forward, Left, Right, Rear, and Bombers for voice, and text
VOX for mission coordination, while using range as little as possible until a six call is needed.
D) Need to fly at a lower RPM than full to facilitate formation keeping. Manifold pressure can change allot based on altitude and becomes
a hassle to keep at one setting, whereas RPMs remain constant until you get an engine hit
3. It would help, and is completely doable with this many participants, to assign squadrons to the front, rear, and each side of the bomber
stream at about 2k, with altitude above the stream to help defend a little better.
4. Intel: I honestly wouldn't tell them where we are going. We didn't engage the Luftwaffe but whatever it was that they felt to fly - allies as
well as axis. We wound up just getting bounced. Honestly any country is going to see that huge DAR forming up and begin making
arrangements, especially if they see a post in here that we are planning a large mission like this. They will know its coming, see it, and
mobilize. The bombers didn't even make it 1/8 of the way to the target as I understood it.
5. Fuel management: It hurts longevity, but it is something to consider burning that AUX tank mostly dry in the Pony. Historically that tank is
what messed up the Mustang's center of gravity and caused problems maneuvering, and if tanks are dropped then it helps in the game to
maneuver with 75% fuel instead of 100%. I did it and considering we were at max cruise quite frequently it worked fairly well. (I don't
think we can really racetrack at full speed like in real life with the burn multiplier and the realistic proficiencies of the bulk of AH players).
6. Rotating squadrons: Might want to consider a proword such as "Round Robin" or something to relieve the forward squadron and rotate the
squads from one position to another if they loose altitude so that the lead squadron is as high as possible while the trailing one take some
time to get up to altitude.
All in all a fun mission Delta, although my own mission didn't last very long and I was a little disappointed in the P51D modeling at that altitude. Felt like I couldn't maneuver at all even though I had quite a bit of airspeed, and from what I've read that is where the pony should shine
I look forward to the next OPERATION ALUMINUM OVERCAST!
Anyway, these are just some thoughts I wanted to share. I hope that they are taken in the spirit they are intended and help us to have a better mission that is more fun for everyone.
