Bigweek!

[Oldman731]

While the planning continues, enjoy an old classic.

- oldman

BIG WEEK!

After the October 14, 1943 “Black Thursday”
mission, the Eighth Air Force flies missions
only within the limited range of its escort
fighters.  And so the fall passes, as the Americans
build up their bomber and fighter strength, and
as British and American engineers work on
extending the range of the escorts.  The
wretched flying weather of December and
January limits the number of missions that
can be flown.

And then, on February 19, 1944, the skies clear.

The Eighth Air Force flies on the next six
consecutive days.  Its target is the German
aircraft industry - which the Luftwaffe knows
it must defend at all costs.  Shining machines
filled with thousands of young men pierce the
frigid air over Europe, charging to a flaming
rendezvous in a battle for ownership of the
German skies.

Map:  Rhine

Allies (Rooks)

C-47
B-17
B-24
P-38J
P-47D11, D25
P-51B
Jeep
The Ms
Firefly Sherman


Axis (Knights)

C-47
Ju-88
Me-109G2, G6
Me-110G2
Fw-190A-5, A-8
Jeep
M-8
SdKfz 251
Pz IV
Tiger I
Ostwind
Wirbelwind

Settings:

Radar:  Tower 158400, Sector 343200
Field Ack:  low-level and puffy are both .25
Killshooter is on
Fuel burn rate is 1.0
Visibility is 12.0 miles
Field capture:  10 troops (maproom hardness .0015)
Down time:  30 minutes for hangers
500 pounder will drop a hanger


Notes:

Although the time setting is February, 1944, and thus
before the invasion, we have picked the Rhine map
for two reasons.  First, the Bigweek battles took place
over Europe, not over the Channel, as usually happens
with the Battle of Britain map.  Second, the map works
better for base capture.

[Anaxogoras]

We're missing a 109G-6/AS for this setup, and also a G-6 with the Mk 108.  GM-1 or MW50 boost?  All of these were operational in February 1944.

[TrueKill]

I will never understand why the firefly is always in setups that it never took place in. Its like subbing the tiger for a M8 it just makes no sense. The wirbel and osti shouldn't be it the setup also. Maybe taking out the wirbel since the osti isn't as dangerous and subbing the Sherman with the panzer, T-34/76 or even the /85 would make a better sub then the firefly.

[Fencer51]

We're missing a 109G-6/AS for this setup, and also a G-6 with the Mk 108.  GM-1 or MW50 boost?  All of these were operational in February 1944.

 

[MjTalon]

Hope this setup can get some squadron's to come in the AvA now! We had a blast with this setup last year.

Still have the film from the Luftwaffe's Jet raid. 

[Anaxogoras]

Ok, that was a gentle nudge, let me spell it out:  Add in the 109G-14 because it's identical to a G-6 with MW50 boost.

[republic]

While the planning continues, enjoy an old classic.

Can someone give me a link to help bring me up to speed?  I've been away too long...

[71313]

great setup,I would like to jg54 for the good fights

[Oldman731]

Ok, that was a gentle nudge, let me spell it out:  Add in the 109G-14 because it's identical to a G-6 with MW50 boost.

The setup isn't intended to encompass all aircraft that could have participated in the battles.  It's supposed to include those which are most representative of the time.  I'm sure there were some G6s with the tater gun and the extra WEP, but most of the German pilots were flying the regular G6.  It's a pretty good match as is, I hope.

As to TK's gv comments:  We have what we have.  For the sake of balance, the Firefly works OK against the Tiger I (for newer folk, there aren't any perks in AvA; all vehicles are free).  Both the Osti and the Wirblewind were fairly rare, I agree; if they prove to be unbalancing, things can be adjusted.  Note that the Allies have heavy bombers.  There are advantages for both sides.

- oldman

[Anaxogoras]

The setup isn't intended to encompass all aircraft that could have participated in the battles.  It's supposed to include those which are most representative of the time.  I'm sure there were some G6s with the tater gun and the extra WEP, but most of the German pilots were flying the regular G6.  It's a pretty good match as is, I hope.

The 109G-6/AS had a niche role as a high altitude interceptor against the 8th AF; it was the Luftwaffe aircraft of choice for engaging escorts while 190s attacked the bombers.  With all of the constant modification and upgrades being made to the 109 series, it is not safe to assume that a majority of 109G-6s facing the 8th AF in '44 were like the January '43 model we have in AH.  Some had GM-1 boost.  Some had MW50 boost.  Some had a 30mm Mk 108, and others had the more powerful supercharger of the DB605AS in combination with the previous items I listed.  Moreover, if you're going to go for "representative," you have to remove the 109G-2.

Let me put it another way.  Suppose that AH had an early 1944 109G-6 with MW50 boost.  HT said "you know, gavagai is on to something, let's add an early '44 109G-6 with MW50."  Suppose that you're right that the majority of 109G-6 aircraft in this battle lacked it, they were like the early G-6.  Now, with both of these aircraft in our planeset, would you not include the early 1944 109G-6 in this setup?  How would you possibly support such a decision?  Even if your original contention about the most representative 109 is correct, you would be bound to include the '44 G-6 in this setup because we know it was there, and it's in the game.  Of course, the upshot is that we already have an aircraft that's identical to an early '44 109G-6 with MW50 boost, and it's the 109G-14.  The only significant difference is the name.

This whole representative argument is a non-starter because it leads to contradictions with other planesets we regularly employ in the AvA.  Want an early '45 setup?  Don't include the 190D-9 or 109K-4.  They weren't a majority... but we do include them.  Want a channel 1942 setup?  Well, most Spitfire pilots were in the V, not the IX, so the IX is not representative.  Do we include the IX?  Yes we do.  I could go on and on.

Allright, I'm done.

P.S. I do appreciate the AvA!

[MjTalon]

Also

3k icon range please.