TOD assignment request

[Midnight]

I would like to see a TOD squad selection of A/C as part of the squadron information.

Then, for any TOD that has that A/C (any variant), that squadron is given 1st choice to be assigned to the side with that A/C and given presidence in orders to fly it.

For example, the 412th FS "Braunco Mustangs" would choose the P-51B/D.

Then, when a TOD came out with the P-51, the 412th would be virtually assured that they would be assigned to fly it in the TOD.

We work very hard at trying to be the best P-51 pilots we can, and it would be great to be able to fly them in TODs where the matchups are more historical, and the combat has just a little bit more excitement than the MA.

Any chance of getting this implemented?

[daddog]

I think that is a fine idea. Let me talk to sling about it and see what we can do.

[daddog]

I sent an e-mail to sling. We will see what we can come up with.

[Wotan]

much like bigweek everyone wants the choice rides. There are very few slots available to begin with. Also we are not guarranteed to fly for one side.

I think TOD works well the way it is. It puts us in different planes and situations unique to tod.

I have had to fly f6fs tbm f4us ki61s nikis and p38s all of which I have never flown out side of tod since I have been here. Most side cos take request and/or can be asked to fly the plane you want.

If it aint broke dont fix it.

I suspect we may find the 412th in something other then 51s this friday..............

My squads plane of choice is 262s on the axis side and temp and f4u4s on allieds. See I called umm 1st

[Midnight]

Wotan, I think you are missing my point here.

412th has been in TOD for quite a while now and have flown both allied and axis in various aircraft.

What I would like to see is the possibility of being able to fly my squad's plane of choice when it is in a TOD.

It has been many months since the P-51 has been included in TOD. We are lucky to have been assigned in them for Frames 2 and 3 of Normandy.

What I don't want to have happen is we fly another 5 or 6 TODs with no P-51s at all, and then when there is finally another one, we get stuck flying axis or some other A/C.

The least we can do for a squad that regularly participates in TODs is give them some choice when their favorite ride is in the mix.

This could be considered as part of a historical action. Think of it as putting experienced pilots in the flights instead of rank newbies.

As an example, I was in a FW-190D9 this past Saturday TOD (Berlin) and couldn't kill a P-38 that didn't even know I was there, no could I get any killing shots on the group of P-47s I engaged. That flight was my very first time in a 190-D9, so not being used to handling or ballistics, I was not very effective.

Had I been in a P-51, I know for sure I would have killed the lone P-38 and been able to do a lot of damage, if not shoot down, at least one of the P-47s I was tangling with.

Point being, in a TOD, where it is something of a historical recreation, don't you think it would be more realistic to see pilots flying aircraft when they know what they are doing in them?

When the P-51 is not in the TOD setup, 412th has no problem flying whatever we are assigned, but if it's in, we want it.

[Ripsnort]

We all have our preferences, and when I am a CO of a frame, I know the squadrons (most of them) well enough to know what airframe to place them in..and usually give them a choice as to not "shoe-box" them into any one type of airframe.

Personally, any pilot that flies all aircraft "good", is a much better and much more balanced pilot than one that flies one aircraft type "excellent" especially in a Tour of Duty event.  Team work is critical, and if your stuck flying something your not familiar with, you hurt the whole team. Better to be balanced.  In summary, I'd rather fly with a "Jack of all trades" rather than an "Ace for a day" type. Drill comes to mind, in the MA and TOD, you can call on him to fly a buff, a GV, a Zero, a P51, doesn't matter, the man gets the job done.

Currently our squadron (VMF-323) is revisiting a very tiring and difficult "Training queue" due to new members coming aboard over the past couple months...we cover everything from ATA to ATG, even CV ops qualifications (where one has to load up an F4U-1D, with 100% 2k bombs, rockets, and take off and land 3 times in the same airframe without backing up the first launch!)

Some of our ATA "aces" really are not that good in  ATG operations, but they're required to train in ATG.  My philosophy is this: If you are good in every department, then you are an asset, not a liability, to the squardron.  You understand what a ATG guy "needs" when you are capping a base, you understand what the Capper "needs" when you are doing ATG.  Practice, consistency, determination, committment to each other, thats why VMF-323 and MAG-33 are the top scorers in all TOD's combined.  It didn't come by chance, it comes by hard work that we've all done since forming 2 years ago.(last sentence was a "pat on the back" for my boys! )

[Nifty]

How it works now, from one of your Friday TOD Admin CMs.

We decide which TOD we're gonna run.
We tell you what we're running and then ask you guys to give a side preference.
We then try to balance the numbers from your commitments and your preferences.
If someone doesn't get their preference for side, we pass it on to the next admin CM.  That squad gets placed first by the next CM.

We pretty much know the guys that like a particular ride/side, and we do our best to get you there.  To get your favorite ride in a frame, that's up to the Frame CO.  Ask 'em nicely, or hell, volunteer to be a Frame CO and you'll definitely get your ride then!  

Unless daddog and sling tell us otherwise, this is how skernsk and I handle Friday TODs.  In fact, the process will be in action VERY soon for the next TOD "signup".  

[Wotan]

I am not missing the point. I have been in tod since day 1. I was axis co for the 2nd and 3rd frames of the very first tod.

I would have no problem if someone asked for a particular plane. However as much as I am for 1st come 1st serve for scenarios I dont think we should do that in tod. Nor should we have a "reserve" system.

I would certainly try to put guys in planes where they had some experience. My guys never fly off a cv. I lost half squad launching heavy f4us off a carrier.

In all the time I have been in TOD I have never got to fly a 262

Thats my plane of choice........

[sling322]

Originally posted by Wotan
In all the time I have been in TOD I have never got to fly a 262

Thats my plane of choice........

Yeah, but have we had any 262s in any TODs up to this point?

[Midnight]

Look, I think what I am asking for, and what you guys keep reffering to is not the same thing.

I know the CMs try their best to accomodate, based on balance and who flew what when, etc, etc, etc.

This is what I am saying...

The ONLY reason that the 412th is in the TODs right now is for the chance to fly the P-51B/D in historical type matchups in situations where all the pilots are trying hard to stay alive and there is a lot less 'gamey' play tactics that are seen in the MA.

If we go 4 or 5 TODs and don't have a P-51 in it, then the 412th will fly what we are asked to fly and we will do our best to make things work. I think if you look at our TOD record, you will see that we have done fairly well in several frames.

The Normandy TOD has the P-51B, and the 412th got it last frame (I was CO) and we got it for tonight's frame.

The Berlin TOD has the P-51D, and the 412th is axis. Obviously, we won't be flying P-51s, but no big deal, allies have numerical superiority as it is, so it would be rather boring anyway and we are flying them in the Friday TOD.

I expect we will be going another 3 or 4 TODs with no P-51s again, and the 412th will do what we are assigned. Call me what you want, but when the next TOD with a P-51 comes around, the 412th will be dropping out if we can't get P-51s.

I am commiting my Friday nights to AH TODs to participate (against the wishes of my wife) and have fun. Not flying P-51s when I could be takes away from the fun. If it isn't fun, why do it?

Finally, if you are just thinking that I am being a big baby about the whole thing, then give a forcast of upcoming TODs in advance. I'll sit the 412th on the underdog side every time, so long as when the allied side has P-51s we get to be in them.

[Tilt]

Originally posted by Midnight


Look, I think what I am asking for, and what you guys keep reffering to is not the same thing.

I know the CMs try their best to accomodate, based on balance and who flew what when, etc, etc, etc.

Any ideas on how such a system could work?

Tilt

just askin

[Ripsnort]

Hey midnight, I'd have assigned you guys to the P51B in Frame 1 but I associated the 13th TAS as the squadron you belonged to! (Your old squadron)  By the time I worked out the details and assignments, there wasn't a way to compensate and give you P51's, due to the nature of the attack (I would have had to pull the 13th TAS out of escort duty from England, and replace them with your squad.  Otherwise, you would have had the P51 all three tours!

Your post doesn't sound whiney to me.  You have a valid point, put people in planes they fly best.  MAG_33 prefers anything big and blue, but we'll still fly whatever the CO assigns us.  I know you guys do too. I think just by posting this, you make potential future CO's and current CO's aware of the Squadron/planetype situation that would benenfit each side.

[Wotan]

sling how many p51ds have there been?

and yes there have been 262s and I was co and and flew a d9.

This also brings up Supongos squad when they were in TOD all they wanted to fly was g10s and when he expressed as much he was told that with the system in place there are no guarrantees. Which I agree with.

This is the same type of post  made about big week that lead to the lottery. Now when random assignments dont give the plane they want it seems they want it reworked.

TOD has worked well this way from the start. I dont think we ought to start readjusting things. Especially in when supongos squad made the same request and got different response.

I never said it was a whine and I dont find it necessary to throw out "code words" like "whiner" to justify my thought process.  However to claim dominon over a particular plane type because its your "ride of choice" in the main is a bit much. I have flown p51 quite a bit. I was in a p51 squad. I believe the side cos should have as much lee way as possible in assigning planes. I see nothing wrong with asking the side co to get a particular ride. I sure would not be for "reserving" planes for anyone.

I am not for "reserving" slots in scenarios or tod. If it comes down to it the make TOD plane choices first come 1st serve

Anyway do what ya'll want

[Nifty]

Yeah, there were 262s in a TOD once.  Actually, we flew Axis perk planes that whole tour (well before I was a CM mind you.)  We had Ta-152, then Me-262, and the last one was Ar-234 (I missed this one due to FSU-Miami game tho).  If I remember correctly, the MAG-33 B-17's tore up all the 262s though.  They were in such a tight formation, that you took fire from all of them if you tried to shoot at any of 'em, even tail end charlie!   Rip and crew!

Midnight, so what you're saying is you will forfeit all side preferences except in TODs that include the P-51?

[Midnight]

Originally posted by Tilt


Any ideas on how such a system could work?

Tilt

just askin

Yes, here is the potential system

In the squad dossier, the CO puts the squadrons 'Preffered' aircraft, or submits the aircraft type to the TOD organizers. When a TOD came up with the plane type the sqaudron has selected, they automatically get put on the side with that aircraft and the COs for the frames are instructed to do their best at assigning that squadron to that aircraft.

In order to prevent switching the favorite everytome a new TOD came up, the squadron choice would only be able to be changed once every six months or year. Basically, the squad makes a choice and has to stick to it.