What a cool, dirt simple feature..

[moot]

Added a new autopilot mode that attempts to maintain the same relative position to your designated wingman (using the .wingman dot command) when it is first engaged.  It is not intended through any hard maneuvers and it has a maximum range of 1000 yards.  The default key for this command is Control W.  NOTE: This function may be unmapped in your keymap requiring you to manually map it.  It is under the flight section of the key mapper listed as Autopilot Wingman Mode. 

Why did no one think of that one 10 years ago? 

[Tank-Ace]

Already made good use of it. Very useful for bombers.

[Volron]

Yep.  Last time I flew a strat raid, had a few squad member's with me.  I just formed up (one was EXTREMELY new to AH, the other just couldn't figure out how to get it to work) on lead and used the wingman formation mode.  Not once ever jumped into the bombardier when we made our drop.  It netted me 4k to his 6.   I could have probably landed closer to his if I hadn't had the delay set poorly.

[Tank-Ace]

I imagine it would be useful for missions. Heavy fighters could form up on a lead bomber,  and drop at his mark. Reduce the dependence on poorly defended, show aircraft.

[-27th-]

Already made good use of it. Very useful for bombers.

Dang. I didn't think of if that way.    Sounds great to protect each other from fighters. Thanks!

  27th

[wrench]

OMG I attacked 3 sets of lancs flying this way and gunners were waiting for me. After 2 passes from extreme angles the concentrated gunfire shredded my plane and I barely landed bloody and missing many parts. This is a cool feature for bombers to survive.

[Arlo]

OMG I attacked 3 sets of lancs flying this way and gunners were waiting for me. After 2 passes from extreme angles the concentrated gunfire shredded my plane and I barely landed bloody and missing many parts. This is a cool feature for bombers to survive.

It is harder for fighters to use this feature and make coordinated passes at the bombers. 

[Babalonian]

The POTW via Fish42 made excellent use of this the first week it came out.  I think he or someone has films.  We all drop ord on his "mark" and then come around for some low-level death star passes.  It is redunkulous the lethality we were having against fighters when only one of us had to think about flying the aircraft.

[mbailey]

<S> Moot...good to see ya sir  

[Babalonian]

It is harder for fighters to use this feature and make coordinated passes at the bombers. 

Not really, if you're used to the old bomber drone leashes and not breaking them, the only new "trick" is not flying at 100% throttle.  The lead/wingman needs to be aware of what they're doing and never throttle above 99%, or else he'll start loosing his followers.

[muzik]

You're welcome. 

Why did no one think of that one 10 years ago? 

Ehh, back then the lack of evolution in the game wasn't as noticeable. Ten years later and it's a tad glaring.

Seems there's something to this formation stuff huh Arlo   

[Fish42]

OMG I attacked 3 sets of lancs flying this way and gunners were waiting for me. After 2 passes from extreme angles the concentrated gunfire shredded my plane and I barely landed bloody and missing many parts. This is a cool feature for bombers to survive.

Me 

<S> they were good passes, but 54x303s firing at you is not healthy!

I made the mistake of passing too low over the city and most of my formation got hammered. See you land with 5 kills from that lol.

The POTW via Fish42 made excellent use of this the first week it came out.  I think he or someone has films.  We all drop ord on his "mark" and then come around for some low-level death star passes.  It is redunkulous the lethality we were having against fighters when only one of us had to think about flying the aircraft.

Do you remember that B-17 group that took off and I took all 21 bombers of our group to chase them.

[Babalonian]

Do you remember that B-17 group that took off and I took all 21 bombers of our group to chase them.

He never did return my salute or love letters.   

(I don't know what was funnier, the instant vaproisation of his first two drones, or that all 7-8 of us gunners simultaneously stopped shooting the moment after slicing the vert stab off his last bomber and let him tumble down to earth slowly rather than shorten his suffering. )

[wrench]

Me 

<S> they were good passes, but 54x303s firing at you is not healthy!

I made the mistake of passing too low over the city and most of my formation got hammered. See you land with 5 kills from that lol.

  <S> was happy just to land. awesome gunning 

[bj229r]

Why did no one think of that one 10 years ago? 

M00t! <S>