Tough Ground Attackers & Targets

[Blinder]

I know I am brand new here and even though the Sturmovik is a robust ground attack aircraft, I wouldn't mind seeing something Soviet that is both fast and highly survivable. From what I've read, and the experts here can correct me if I am wrong, the Petlyakov Pe-2 was one of the finest ground attack planes of the war. We could do some serious damage to the AAA  in these hearty machines.



I also think it would be neat, and I'm sure this has been brought up before too, to see railroads and active trains moving about the map. These trains could have ordnance in the cars, or not, and could give us some really big booms if hit right. It would neat to have marshalling yards packed full of loaded rail cars that move off to the various bases to resupply them which would make for interesting interdiction missions for us attack pilots.  

[Halo46]

I know I am brand new here and even though the Sturmovik is a robust ground attack aircraft, I wouldn't mind seeing something Soviet that is both fast and highly survivable. From what I've read, and the experts here can correct me if I am wrong, the Petlyakov Pe-2 was one of the finest ground attack planes of the war. We could do some serious damage to the AAA  in these hearty machines.

(Image removed from quote.)

I also think it would be neat, and I'm sure this has been brought up before too, to see railroads and active trains moving about the map. These trains could have ordnance in the cars, or not, and could give us some really big booms if hit right. It would neat to have marshalling yards packed full of loaded rail cars that move off to the various bases to resupply them which would make for interesting interdiction missions for us attack pilots.  

There already are trains, convoys, and barges you can hunt down.

I say no to anymore crap detracting from the air war. Porkers make me want to puke anymore.

[Blinder]

I fail to see how an enrichment of ground targets detracts from the air war. The whole purpose of the air war was to pave the way for the ground forces to take land and hold it.

I don't think any Tyrannosaurs ever complained about there being too much vegetation on the ground. It drew their prey in quite nicely too. 

[Hap]

Blinder, good idea    And welcome to Aces High.

[TDeacon]

I fail to see how an enrichment of ground targets detracts from the air war. <snip>

It detracts from the air war if it causes additional supply problems leading to less-than-functional air bases.  So, for example, you have to fly with 100 octane fuel, or with no acks protecting your takeoff runs, or with no radar, etc.

MH

[SIK1]

Pe-2 has been asked for many times, and would be a great addition to the plane set. 

[JimmyD3]

+1

[Blinder]

It detracts from the air war if it causes additional supply problems leading to less-than-functional air bases.  So, for example, you have to fly with 100 octane fuel, or with no acks protecting your takeoff runs, or with no radar, etc.

MH

Sounds like real world possible issues to me that only enhance the game's accuracy. We'll request a Red Ball Express be added as well. .... And hope that the game's crack ground attack pilots don't blow that to smithereens too. 

[SmokinLoon]

The Pe-2 would be a great addition to AH, there is certainly a gap in the plane set in regards to level Soviet bombers.  The Pe-2 could do both.  It appears in most cases that it performs shallow dive bombing from low altitudes rather than level bombing from medium to high altitudes.  The Pe-2 was nimble enough to provide direct fire support and not be restricted to area support like the larger bombers.  In addition to the 3500 lbs of ordnance, it did have guns to use against ground targets though I'm not %100 sure if the 20mm's could be carried at the same time as the bombs.  IIRC, the later the war went on the less likely the Pe-2 was to level bomb or even have a level bombing sight.

I think it would be fall in to the same category as the A20/Boston, 110C/G, and Mossi Mk 6.  The question would be what version HTC would choose to use.  The earlier the version the smaller the guns but more chance of having level bombing capability.  The later the version the better chance of having well enough guns and better speed, but no level bomb sight (typically).

[Karnak]

It detracts from the air war if it causes additional supply problems leading to less-than-functional air bases.  So, for example, you have to fly with 100 octane fuel, or with no acks protecting your takeoff runs, or with no radar, etc.

MH

How would 100 octane be a disadvantage?  Higher octane performance is not modeled in AH.

Octane changes are a non-starter anyways.  AH isn't set up to change flight models that way.

[TDeacon]

How would 100 octane be a disadvantage?  Higher octane performance is not modeled in AH.

Octane changes are a non-starter anyways.  AH isn't set up to change flight models that way.

I was referring to that parameter labeled "fuel", which is normally at 125 for a base at full capability.  After reading about fuel in the "help" program, I see that I was mistaken in remembering that it referred to energy content of the fuel available at the base.  Still, if I understand it correctly, as the fuel value is reduced, you are limited as to how much you can put in your plane.  In certain situations that would be a disadvantage. 

MH