More Newbie Questions

[Popeye44]

1. In the on line dive bombing training arena I spawn in to practice but the base, town etc. does not show any damage (smoke/fire) so I don't know if I'm on target?

2. After you drop supplies on a strat city and you receive the text message that "X buildings yada yada yada," does it make a difference if you successfully bail out or you rtb?

3. I've hit base buildings and get the text message that "XXXXXX structure was destroyed". Is there a list of what structure numbers mean because it would be nice to know if I at least took out a latrine?

4. Is there a list of the numbers of lbs of ords required to destroy different structures, e.g., Bomber & VH hangers?

5. Is there a video explaining the best tactic to drop hangers in a P38 L? I don't have a problem with radars (95%), but for some reason not sure I could drop a hanger with a nuclear weapon?

Thanks, 

 

[manglex1]

1. In the practice arena I'm pretty sure the objects instantly re-up. But, you get a message saying you destroyed it. (I'd check with others)

2. The only difference is you don't get as many perk points if you bail.

3. Not sure

4. It's 5000lbs of damage for each hangar

5. Again, don't know.

Hope these help 

[The Fugitive]

1. In the on line dive bombing training arena I spawn in to practice but the base, town etc. does not show any damage (smoke/fire) so I don't know if I'm on target?

They pop right back up/reset. If you got the message you hit, then you hit.

2. After you drop supplies on a strat city and you receive the text message that "X buildings yada yada yada," does it make a difference if you successfully bail out or you rtb?

Point wise it does. You get less points if you bail. If the score doesn't matter to you, bail.

3. I've hit base buildings and get the text message that "XXXXXX structure was destroyed". Is there a list of what structure numbers mean because it would be nice to know if I at least took out a latrine?

4. Is there a list of the numbers of lbs of ords required to destroy different structures, e.g., Bomber & VH hangers?

Check here for a list of what is what, both labels and how much ord it takes to drop things. A Fighter Hanger is 3000 lbs btw

5. Is there a video explaining the best tactic to drop hangers in a P38 L? I don't have a problem with radars (95%), but for some reason not sure I could drop a hanger with a nuclear weapon?

Thanks, 

 

As it take 3000 lbs of ords to drop a hanger you need two 1000lbs bombs and 4 rockets to do the job. I like to get slow right above the target (chop throttle, nose up) roll over and dive in throttle off, line up just below the pipper ( the shallower the angle the lower the target in the site for drop) drop both bombs, hit the backspace to switch to rockets, fire them off, pull out of your dive getting level, and going full throttle. NEVER pull up, or loop over as most of the "pickers" and "perch sitters" watch for that and love to shoot you at the top of the climb/loop.

If you don't get the hanger on the first pass, fly out until your sure nobody is on you, climb back up, come back and try it again. Also some people like to reset their salvo to "5" or more. This way they dive in hit the button once, switch and hit the button again. I preffer to do each drop with a button push so I'm sure that I stay lined up WHILE I drop and don't pull out too early.

[Lusche]

2. After you drop supplies on a strat city and you receive the text message that "X buildings yada yada yada," does it make a difference if you successfully bail out or you rtb?

You forgot the 3rd option: To land there and getting a "ditch". Which is, unlike a bail, not a death for score purposes. Perks gain is 20% less compared to RTB, but you are spending only half the time.


By the way, while you can't get a regular "landed" result at the strats, you can do "land" when resupplying the HQ. The pavement there is a regular landing area, stop on it and end sortie.

[FLS]

Damage is usually off in the Training Arena. You can load the terrain for offline practice and set the down time to minimum. Then you will get the damage message and it will rebuild before you hit it gain.

[morfiend]

Damage is usually off in the Training Arena. You can load the terrain for offline practice and set the down time to minimum. Then you will get the damage message and it will rebuild before you hit it gain.

  I'd also like to add that if you miss and the bomb or rocket hit the ground it will leave a crater so atlease you can tell when you miss!  Usually if there is no crater then chances are you hit,in the TA that is.


   

[Mongoose]

2. After you drop supplies on a strat city and you receive the text message that "X buildings yada yada yada," does it make a difference if you successfully bail out or you rtb?

That depends.  Do you treat this as an arcade game, or a flight simulator?  If you drop your bombs and bail, then Aces High is an arcade game to you.  If you at least try to fly home and land, then to you, Aces High is a flight simulator. 
NOTE TO ALL:  Please don't hijack this and turn it into an "arcade vs flight simulator" thread.  In this case, it is simply a comment to Popeye44 on different ways to experience the game.

4. Is there a list of the numbers of lbs of ords required to destroy different structures, e.g., Bomber & VH hangers?

The Fugitive posted a link to the page you need.  I pasted that list into Word (it took a little re-formatting), and keep it handy, along with my maps, when I am flying.

5. Is there a video explaining the best tactic to drop hangers in a P38 L? I don't have a problem with radars (95%), but for some reason not sure I could drop a hanger with a nuclear weapon?

Again, Fugitive posted a good set of instructions, but since I fly the P-38L most of the time, here is my version, for what it is worth:

  I am not a very good aim, so I normally set up about 10-12K above, target, so I am coming in at a 70-80 degree angle. Also, set up your attack run so that when you pull out of your dive, you are headed away from the center of the base.  If you are flying towards the center of the base, you are flying into more ack.  If you exit away from the base, you are flying away from the ack.

Select rockets.  Set your salvo.

Chop the throttle, pop the dive flaps.  (Some will say that the dive flaps don't do much good at that altitude, but my experience says they do, and even if they don't, it makes me feel better)

Wing over and go into your dive, line up on your target.

Fire the rockets.  Backspace twice to select bombs.  Release bombs.  (I prefer to fire rockets first.)

Pull out of the dive.  When you get close to horizontal, raise dive flaps and go full throttle. (BTW, I have dive flaps mapped to a button on my joystick)

You may have more luck with a different procedure, but this is what works for me. 

  I find that lining up the attack before I dive is the hardest part.  That and not diving into the ground.  I have a bad tendency to take too long in the dive.

Hope this helps.   

[Popeye44]

Thanks for all the input. I don't treat AH as an arcade, but I don't really care about my score. Therefore, I try to resupply as fast as I can so I can get on to something else a tad more fun.

My hard part in the dive is learning when, and at what aiming point I release. Trying though.

Again, thanks for all the input.

[Babalonian]

Honestly, practice practice practice (in the specific aircraft you're trying to master, each one is a little different).

What's your favorite jabo (heavy ground-attack fighter)?  Perhaps those familiar with your prefered ride and targets of choice can greatly shine some light.  IE: only a couple months ago did someone bring to my attention how bad the jug is at aiming your bombs in a near 90-degree dive, as such I will only divebomb in ~60-70 degree dives with the plane now, and I've been having much easier and more accurate/predictable drops.  I also used to be really confident with flying a heavy pony, but after not jaboing in it for over a year and the result is I (confidently) can't hit a jeep with a 1000lb bomb and 10k of altitude to work with.

[Lab Rat 3947]

Adding to what The Fugitive said, check out the 113th Lucky Strikes. VOX 113. They are a P38 Squad that does tactical stuff & can also give you tips on taking out hangars.
They set their salvo to five.

I generally make my dive at about 70-75 degrees. I set my salvo at two.
I drop my bombs first and rockets second. If I'm high enough (12K AGL), I can do it it one pass. But, if I am lower, I have to extend out and then come back to finish the hangar with rockets.

LtngRydr   

[Traveler]

You got a lot of great answers from everyone.  We in the 113th Lucky Strikes use this :

Select rockets.  Set your salvo to at least 5.

Chop the throttle, pop the dive flaps.
 dive, line up on your target.

Fire the rockets.  Backspace twice to select bombs.  Release bombs. 


Check out our wiki page, look at the films enjoy.  If you like, come wing up with the 113th for a flight or a night. Knights, 7:PM Saturday evenings, late war arena, Vox 113.

Link to our winki is in my signature.

[macleod01]

<snip>
Link to our winki is in my signature.

Sorry Traveler, but I'm not sure he wants a link to your winki