How about the ability to airdrop GVs?

[715]

Acc. to WIkipedia the C82 just barely made WWII but it was a failure (and it clearly had no way to air drop vehicles).  The C-119 Flying Boxcar, developed from the C-82 Packet, came way after WWII (and also clearly has no way to air drop vehicles).

The C-47 could carry a Jeep, and did so in WWII, but I doubt it air dropped it as it appears unlikely the cargo door could be opened in flight.  Of course, of what use could a Jeep delivering C-47 be (except to deliver a Jeep deep into enemy territory so as to make a base flash for no apparent reason just to annoy people).

[Drane]

Junkers Ju 252. It's got guns too!

"The Trapoklappe hydraulic rear loading ramp was an important feature, enabling the carriage of light vehicles and the dropping of para-retarded loads in flight."

http://www.pilotfriend.com/photo_albums/timeline/ww2/Junkers%20Ju%20252.htm

[colmbo]

Acc. to WIkipedia the C82 just barely made WWII but it was a failure (and it clearly had no way to air drop vehicles).  The C-119 Flying Boxcar, developed from the C-82 Packet, came way after WWII (and also clearly has no way to air drop vehicles).

The C-47 could carry a Jeep, and did so in WWII, but I doubt it air dropped it as it appears unlikely the cargo door could be opened in flight.  Of course, of what use could a Jeep delivering C-47 be (except to deliver a Jeep deep into enemy territory so as to make a base flash for no apparent reason just to annoy people).

Both the C-82 and C-119 could do heavy drops by removing the clam shell doors at rear of fuselage.


C-82:

[Sabre]

Air-dropping of vehicles was not a technology that was perfected until sometime after WWII. Even on D-Day, the only ground vehicles that were brought in by air were jeeps and perhaps some motorcycles, and those arrived on gliders. Most didn't survive the landings (along with the glider pilots, crushed when the jeeps brook loose and were hurled into the cockpit). However, there are accounts of General Kenny's 5th Air Force in the Pacific modifying the cargo doors of C-47's to allow for jeeps, small bulldozers, and trucks (the trucks were actually cut in half with blow torches to get the inside, and then welded back together after offloading). Kenny's bunch were masters of field modifications. Construction crews would go into a jungle area by boat or on foot, clear just enough jungle by hand to land the Skytrains, then use the vehicles that the C-47's landed to complete the new airbase.

In that vain, how about allowing a C-47some offensive power measure.

[Wmaker]

What if C-47s dropped spawn points?

[Zimme83]

Even if we could drop gv:s, it would be jeeps and maybe M8 as previously stated, it would not be anything really useful in AH. I dont see the point of adding it, besides it would be fun, and that is a valid reason...


+1

[Sabre]

What if C-47s dropped spawn points?

I posted an idea a while back for temporary bases. Basically, you'd need or coordinate a flight of some number of C-47's with construction battalion pallets, and land them all within a few hundred yards of each other. The selected area would have to be essentially flat, and large enough to accommodate the base.  You'd deploy the pallets and construction would begin on a temporary base that would allow for the spawning of a limited plane/gv set (no medium or heavy bombers, for example); essentially, a temporary spawn point. The temp base, heretofore known as a Forward Operating Base (FOB) would not have any spawn points, other than the runway or hanger (a tent hanger, that is). When completed, the base would become operational, but require regular resupply to remain in effect for more than 20 minutes or so. The runway would be represented by a strip of marston matting and some tents would make up the base infrastructure. Only defenses would be some light machine guns. The runway could be targeted and destroyed, with additional supply runs necessary to repair it or any other destroyed structure.

[715]

Both the C-82 and C-119 could do heavy drops by removing the clam shell doors at rear of fuselage.

I stand corrected.  (Didn't think of totally removing the clam shell doors.)

[bustr]

Bustr, I didn't look at the dates. I just knew it was in 1945. It was developed for use in the war. Whether it's considered a war plane is debatable. Since you're pretty good at researching this type of thing, find a few more planes capable of air dropping vehicles that were used during WWII.

Gee, I've known people who can only use their chin to be able to type C-74 and hit enter. And then that Hawking guy does pretty good moving his head. Why submit something to a debate that has specific dates limiting inclusion when you know your audience will check them?

[BLKBaron]

Bustr, because it's not the goal here to be 100% accurate and correct. I was sharing an idea. Modifications or corrections are welcome.

If that's what's important to you...whatever keeps the wind under your wings. Besides, it's good form to stay on topic.

[BLKBaron]

Sabre, I really like that idea. That could prove an interesting and very challenging aspect to the game. 

[Zimme83]

I would say that a better and more realistic idea is aircraft supps, fly in C-47:s to the location of choice. Land and unload the sups and then fighters can land and rearm. So u will have something similar to a rearm pad. 

I posted an idea a while back for temporary bases. Basically, you'd need or coordinate a flight of some number of C-47's with construction battalion pallets, and land them all within a few hundred yards of each other. The selected area would have to be essentially flat, and large enough to accommodate the base.  You'd deploy the pallets and construction would begin on a temporary base that would allow for the spawning of a limited plane/gv set (no medium or heavy bombers, for example); essentially, a temporary spawn point. The temp base, heretofore known as a Forward Operating Base (FOB) would not have any spawn points, other than the runway or hanger (a tent hanger, that is). When completed, the base would become operational, but require regular resupply to remain in effect for more than 20 minutes or so. The runway would be represented by a strip of marston matting and some tents would make up the base infrastructure. Only defenses would be some light machine guns. The runway could be targeted and destroyed, with additional supply runs necessary to repair it or any other destroyed structure.

[bustr]

Bustr, because it's not the goal here to be 100% accurate and correct. I was sharing an idea. Modifications or corrections are welcome.

If that's what's important to you...whatever keeps the wind under your wings. Besides, it's good form to stay on topic.

The goal was to sling it and see what stuck. You got caught as it blew back on you and are trying poorly now to walk it back. This is an old wish that comes and goes with the same results. In the past the caliber of research and presentation was worth reading for the unique attempts by countries to accomplish this feat. This time around is like watching a millennial getting caught on television not knowing the location of Europe.

[Greebo]

The British had the Hamilcar glider that could deploy a light tank and was used operationally to support para drops on several occasions. However the Locust or Tetrarch tanks it could carry only weighed 7.5 tons, had a 37 mm or 40mm gun and about 1/2 an inch of armour. Hamilcars were also used to carry a 17 pdr gun, which might be more useful in AH terms. The Me-321 or 323 might have carried a PAK gun but in RL were only used as rear-area transports.

For a single player could use this in the game would be difficult to implement. Lets say he starts off piloting the tow plane, probably a Halifax in RL but a Lanc could sub. Once he deployed the glider he'd switch to that cockpit and the tow plane would presumably self destruct after a few seconds. Once the tow plane landed and deployed the tank or gun the player's POV would switch to that and the glider would vanish.

All-in-all this is a bit clunky as a procedure, plus the glider would be incredibly vulnerable with a not very useful payload and so is not likely to see much use after the novelty wears off. It would also be a lot of work to implement with a new plane and tank to develop as well as the towing/POV switching code.

[BLKBaron]

Bustr, if you continue in the same vein, this will be the last post I direct to you. Stay on topic. Your criticism fall flat on these ears; I don't care about your opinion or your cheesy, far-fetched metaphors. Everyone else here has contributed to the topic appropriately. If you have something useful to add, please, you have my attention. Otherwise, go somewhere else.

Zimme, Greebo, good ideas. I think the tow plane idea may be a bit clunky. A Lancaster won't get high enough fast enough to make a glider any useful. However, a cargo glider could be a good idea. Say you launched a glider from 35k. The tow plane could exit and leave the glider to its own devices. It won't be heard and from that alt, it could possibly be decently stealthy. It could make the drop and then the pilot could either end flight or land or bail above the supply drop. Once the supply drop hits the ground, it could spring up into a FOB. Since this was a friendly field, the pilot wouldn't be counted as captured if it's in enemy territory.

These FOBs would be weak and not heavily defended. This will leave defense up to the ones that utilize and created it. It would be strategic, tacticle, and challenging to maintain. It could provide a new element to the fight and help mix things up a little. Essentially, it would work as a temporary respawn, rearm, and observational site but it would be very limited. It would have its own radar ring and could advance the eyes of friendly forces.

In practicality, the ones who would use it have to defend it. The ones that see it will want to destroy it. If you agree or if you want to add to the idea, let's hear it. HiTech won't be inclined to consider unless there is a considerable agreement on the topic.

Second idea: dated and cheesy though it may be, how about zeppelins? Stationary with radar capabilities. Not as large a radar ring as a base but it would help extend the eyes of defensive forces. They could be temporary, lasting only 5-10 minutes but they provide insight into what is going on in the airspace. They could be deployed to reach 10k, no higher. Because they bring a good bit of heightened SA, they would need to be vulnerable, as is their nature. Pilots that stumble across one could shoot them down, earning attack damage points for that sortie. Like I said, it's not likely to be a good idea but it was used greatly in WWI.

I really do have an incredible passion for this game and I would love to see the next evolution of it. I want to bring in new people and keep the people we have already. These are just my contributions.