Week of Oct 28 - Nov 4: Changing of the Guard

[Mister Fork]

From Shifty's collection with a couple of gameplay tweaks.



CHANGING OF THE GUARD

October 1943
With the Japanese and American fleets spent and rebuilding after the Guadalcanal Campaign the air battles around New Guinea and the Solomons are left to the land based air units of both sides.  New aircraft are becoming more available replacing the war weary P-39s, P-40s, Hurricanes, F4Fs, and A6M2s. In early 1943 the USAAF's P-38 and USMC's F4U-1 are starting to give the Japanese a mere glimpse of the ordeal by air they will be facing the remainder of the war. The RAF has just introducted the carrier based Seafire with very positive results - able to effectively tangle with the Zero, in addition to the land based Spitfire V to retire the battered Hurri's. In an effort to stem the tide of the Allied advance through the Solomons and New Guinea the Imperial Japanese Navy has managed to replace many of their ageing A6M2 Model 21 Zekes with the A6M3 Model 22. Although the older Model 21 is still common and pressed into service. The Japanese high command sensing the disaster about to befall the Empire starts introducing Japanese Army Air Force Units to the theater in December 1942 with the arrival of the 11th Sentai and their KI-43 Hayabusas. They are soon followed in January by the 1st Sentai. The arrival of the 68th and 78th Sentais in the spring of 1943 brings real hope of countering the ever growing Allied aerial might with the new Ki-61. 1942 is over, gone are the names Sakai and Foss. There are new warrirors with names like Bong, Boyington, Sugita, and Takeuchi, ready to take their places in history.

MAP: Slot

Allied Forces (Bishop)
Boston
B-25C
C-47
TBM
P-40E
P-38G
Spitfire V
F4U-1
M3/8/16
M4
Jeeps

IJN/IJA Forces (Knights)
Ki-67 (bad sub for a betty but WTH)
B5N
D3A
Ki-43 Sub (A6M2)
A6M3 Sub (A6M5)
Ki-61
M3/8/16
M4
Jeeps

Navy (both sides)
Guns: mannable
LVTA2
LVTA4
PT Boats

Arena Settings
Vis: 5 miles.
Dar: Tower 10 miles, sector 20
AAA: .25
Morning: 6am
Evening: 7pm
Clock Speed: 6X

WX
Weather forecast Beta for SLOT region, issued 0600Z, october 28, 1943.  A low pressure system has moved into the region this morning bring high winds, fog, and overcast skies.  Visibility is poor at 5 miles. Skies are overcast at 45,000ft. Wind various with turbulance up to 20,000ft. Weather conditions should hold until a high-pressure system from the north moves into the region early next week. Next forcast November 2nd.

[Puma44]

Just something for consideration. Typically, fog and high winds don't happen at the same time.  With fog and vis at 5 miles, it would be more realistic for there to be lower layers of stratus clouds.  Looking forward to this new setup.

[Mister Fork]

Just something for consideration. Typically, fog and high winds don't happen at the same time.  With fog and vis at 5 miles, it would be more realistic for there to be lower layers of stratus clouds.  Looking forward to this new setup.

Interesting point.  Have you ever lived in a costal town or where I come from, Newfoundland (an island)?  We could get fog and moderate winds anywhere from 10-30mph coupled with heavy drizzle ALL at the same time all at a lovely temperature of 5 celcius or 41F.  That could last for a few weeks.  

I do love the ability to make life, I mean flying INteresting though...

[Puma44]

Yeah, Fork, I have on occasion experienced what you describe. I visited Prince Edward Island a long time ago and experienced some very bizare weather conditions that were similar but, with snow thrown in.  But, most of the time, low pressure, low visibility,  calm winds, and fog go hand in hand.

For instance, I'm in Portland tonight. On arrival, the tops were at 25,000. The field weather ....  Winds 050/3, 5 miles vis, 900 scattered, 2900 broken, 4500 overcast, temp/dew point 10/9, and conditions deteriorating steadily with increasing areas of patchy fog.  .  Now, this would make for some interesting AVA fights.

  I like how you are thinking though. Upping the challenge level is a great way to improve our cartoon skills.  Keep up the great work and innovative thinking.  

[Puma44]

Oh, by the way Fork, I learned to speak Canadian many years ago, EH? I've visited Canada several times and have never been received and treated so graciously, EH?   EH?  How's my Canadian accent, EH?  

[Dawger]

I've had a few takeoffs in 1000 foot runway visual range in 40 knot winds with ice fog whipping past the windscreen but they certainly weren't in the South Pacific.

[Soulyss]

Ohhh... if I can get online during prime time I'll have to come check this one out.


Where's my P-39/P-400? 

[TEXICAN]

No German iron!  I guess I'll have to fly allied. 

[jimson]

No German iron!  I guess I'll have to fly allied. 

Wev'e been working the Luftwaffe so hard lately, they need to stand down for some R&R.

[Pigslilspaz]

im guessing you'll swap in the betty once it's released?

[Mister Fork]

im guessing you'll swap in the betty once it's released?

that's the plan...

[Mister Fork]

Small change - map used is Okinawa as SLOT was unavailable...

[Soulyss]

Spent a little time in the AvA this evening, had some really fun fights.  Will try to pop in more often this coming week.

The only thing I think may need a little tweak is the visibility, between the fog and lack of icons it was a little frustrating at times.  All in all was a fun evening though.

[USRanger]

33 players tearing it up right now! What a fun night!

[ImADot]

The only thing I think may need a little tweak is the visibility, between the fog and lack of icons it was a little frustrating at times.  All in all was a fun evening though.

They adjusted the viz after a while...still had some weather, but the longer viz made it lots easier to find the fights...and man, were some of them big!