Fighter-Bomber Tactics. Nigh Impossible!

[Windle]

Tactical Air Support.  Very important stuff in the grand scheme of things. As someone who flies 'Jabo' missions almost exclusively in other games, I am upset that Aces High airfields are basically invulnerable to fighter attack.  I have yet to drop 1 bomb or strafe anything that has had any effect on ack defense without instant death to myself.  The gun emplacements are just too damn accurate and lethal!

I would suggest doubling the amount of ack at each field (from 3 to 6 - 7) and decreasing the lethality by 20% or so.  Give the fighter-bombers a fighting chance at providing some effective ground fire suppression.  

My squad from WarBirds will be anxious to spend some quality group time in Aces High once the Corsair makes its way into the game.  If we can't sneak up on a field and do some damage as a fighter-bomber squad, whats the use?  Basic furballing over an enemy field passes the time, but we usually choose to take part in more constructive activities.  As it is, unless there is a B-17 over a field, that field is practically untouchable unless you're squad is a band of Kamikazes.    'Jabo' missions were legitimate and feared during WWII.  I see no reason why they should be practically non-existant in Aces High.

 

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~Lt. Jg. Windle~

VF-17 The Jolly Rogers 8X
      Skychrgr@aol.com    

[Fishu]

It's not hard to kill acks with bombs, I've done so many times and usually with Spitfire.
(also survived more than died or damaged badly)
But strafing, I don't know about it, not enough couraged to go do that when I don't hit them anyways with my frame rates  

Trick here is just how you approach. Those acks are very dead on accurate, but easily fooled.

Let's just wait HTC to get fields done and get over beta phase  

[Flathat]

I hereby nominate Fishu as Official Jabo Trainer. If/when we get a TA, sign me up!  

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Flathat
'Black Dahlia'
No10 RNAS "The Black Flight"
Angel on your wing, devil on your tail

[Jekyll]

At the moment, ack starts firing as soon as you are within range.

The effect is immediate, and lethal!

Now I'm no expert on WW2 field ack defence, but everything I've read suggests that the first guys over the target on a low-level strafing mission had the best chance of survival, mainly because the ack was not prepared for their arrival.  The tail-end charlies usually got the worst of the ack.

So here's the plan ... incorporate a 30 second delay between the time the aircraft first comes into range, and when the ack starts firing.  Once the ack has been 'alerted' it stays that way for the next 30 minutes, and immediately starts firing once any aircraft is within range.  After 30 minutes, it reverts back to its 'non-alert' state.  That gives the low-level jabo types a fighting chance to nail those acks before they start shooting back.  Rhubard attacks on a field become a realistic option.

But if you don't nail those acks in the first 30 seconds.... start reaching for your 'D' ring  

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C.O. Phoenix Squadron www.users.bigpond.com/afinlayson/index.htm
'feel the heat .......'

[This message has been edited by Jekyll (edited 11-01-1999).]

[Granger]

How about havin the ack have to reload..or cool down every once in a while?
Not a long time, but like every 15-20 secs take a 5 second break to reload
When ammo bunkers have been hit, increase the reload time a lil for each bunker thats out of action.
Fishu might have the bombin down but I sure as hell cant kill em. Guess ill wait for a stuka with the bomb angle painted on the canopy.

One other thing ive noticed is all the ack tracks a single target. Might be better if each ack gun is treated as a single one, and shoots the target closest to it, not closest to the bunker..or whatever point of reference the acks are trained on. At least that way, couple guys can dive in and the ack will be split up some.

On another note..how bout some sirens goin off when base is under attack..at least that way I'd know when im gonna get vulched  
(this is prolly gonna be included I would imagine)


[This message has been edited by Granger (edited 11-01-1999).]

[juzz]

I haven't been able to figure this out - do the acks pick a target and keep shooting at it if its still in range, or will they switch to a closer target if one becomes available?

If it's option one, then you could easily "distract" them, and a second plane bomb/rocket/strafe them from the other direction.