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General Forums => Wishlist => Topic started by: shotgunneeley on July 28, 2013, 10:35:36 AM

Title: Flak 88 revisited
Post by: shotgunneeley on July 28, 2013, 10:35:36 AM
Here is an excerpt from the book A Higher Call by Adam Makos.

Quote
It was 11:05 A.M. Charlie Knew that if he could see Germany, then German radar and ground spotters could also see him. At that very moment enemy soldiers were calculating the bombers' speed, course, and altitude and feeding it to flak gunners ahead. Even up so high, Charlie could feel their weighty stare.
(pg. 176)

Quote
Through his windscreen, Charlie saw an oily black puff of smoke. Then another. Then another. Quickly the sky frothed with a man-made storm. Far below, the 250 flak gunners had begun pulling the lanyards of their 88mm cannons while their comrades cranked handles that traverse the guns, tracking the bombers between ear splitting blasts. Every three seconds the cannons kicked, sending twenty-pound shell skyward. Each gun and it's crew operated in a four-cannon battery that fired together to create a "kill zone" – each shell fused to explode at a slightly different altitude in order to embrace a target.
(pg. 177)

Based on this as well as prior references i've come across, I wish we would have four flak 88s grouped together in a battery for high-alt AA defense. These can be located at fields, but I wish they were outside the field on the perimeters - maybe in a wood line. They could also be at the strats and HQ to work alongside AI fire. I wish there was some kind of sight that ranged and led the target - perhaps a reversed version of the manual bomb sight.

The way I see it for game play, the gunner would place the crosshairs on the target. While holding the "u" key for at least 2 seconds, the gunner would have to track the target for the sight to calculate the target range, course, speed and alt. when the gunner presses the "y" key, the sight will compensate the crosshairs for the guns aiming point. Accuracy will be a factor of the target's movement and gunner's calibration. 

And since I've got my head stuck in this book, I would really like to see the B-17F!
Title: Re: Flak 88 revisited
Post by: Karnak on July 28, 2013, 10:37:52 AM
I also suggested changing them to a battery of four for this reason.

I think this would be a nice change.
Title: Re: Flak 88 revisited
Post by: USRanger on July 28, 2013, 10:54:46 AM
I already have built "flak fields" with just what you are asking, but they contain a couple auto acks for close in defense of the field also.  I use them in AvA terrains periodically.  I'll post a pick tonight to see what you think.
Title: Re: Flak 88 revisited
Post by: Tinkles on July 28, 2013, 04:29:59 PM
Here is an excerpt from the book A Higher Call by Adam Makos.
 (pg. 176)
 (pg. 177)

Based on this as well as prior references i've come across, I wish we would have four flak 88s grouped together in a battery for high-alt AA defense. These can be located at fields, but I wish they were outside the field on the perimeters - maybe in a wood line. They could also be at the strats and HQ to work alongside AI fire. I wish there was some kind of sight that ranged and led the target - perhaps a reversed version of the manual bomb sight.

The way I see it for game play, the gunner would place the crosshairs on the target. While holding the "u" key for at least 2 seconds, the gunner would have to track the target for the sight to calculate the target range, course, speed and alt. when the gunner presses the "y" key, the sight will compensate the crosshairs for the guns aiming point. Accuracy will be a factor of the target's movement and gunner's calibration. 

And since I've got my head stuck in this book, I would really like to see the B-17F!


Instead of the bomber gunsight system you described.  Personally, (My opinion) I would like to see it like the 88mm is now, but instead of 1 puff you have 4.  For those who are screaming now "88s are Overpowered NO NO NO". 88mms are actually not easy to shoot, and quite easy to dodge, if you die frequently by 88s your SA has failed you.  Also, I would like to see a potiential perk system with this. If we get a perk system with it, then we can 'die' in the guns if a plane, or tank or whatever kills a mannable gun while a player is inside. But shouldn't get a kill for it, after all, it's just a flak gun.

If these quad 88s are added to fields, then perhaps we could have access to the ones on the strats?  THOSE I would not mind seeing the 'bomber gunsight system' on. Because bombers typically hide on their perch of 25k+ and those are hard to aim at.

Just my opinion.

Tinkles

<<S>>

 :salute
Title: Re: Flak 88 revisited
Post by: Volron on July 28, 2013, 11:07:33 PM
Being able to control a battery of 88's... :x  I know there are those who cry about the 88's.  Well, if you weren't so damn predictable, you wouldn't get greased.  When I'm shooting at a unpredictable target, it's luck when I tag you.  However, if it's a predictable target or "sleepy" target, I take quite a bit of delight in watching that puff bring you down. :t


A thing we've all noticed; The puffy over strats is horridly light considering the target and will only shoot at one plane/set.  I'd like to see at least double of what I'm flying through. :)  Also, is the puffy "zoned" at the Capital?  Because it really doesn't look like it (if it is) when multiple sets are flying over it.  Generally what I see is one set taking all the puffy while the others just carry about as if they didn't exist. :headscratch:
Title: Re: Flak 88 revisited
Post by: Tank-Ace on July 29, 2013, 02:35:48 AM
The auto puffy has always been one of the games biggest flaws.

If we get an overhaul of the FlaK system, number one thing I want to see happen is have an actual shell fired, instead of the bursts just spawning around you. As it is now, evasive maneuvers are useless, because there is no  aiming, and no shell to dodge.
Title: Re: Flak 88 revisited
Post by: shotgunneeley on July 29, 2013, 07:45:15 AM
We could still have the AI puffy ack as a token defense if players aren't around to operate them. The flak guns on the CV would be something else to think about, too. In a bomber, I'd feel less grief being blown away by a fellow player than the random coding of an AI puffy.

In the flak 88, it takes something like 15 seconds for a shell to reach 20k. If a target changes course after the shell is fired, there is no redirecting it. It would take up to 18 seconds (including 3 second reload time) for another shell to reach the new target area. Our AI puffy ack seems to magically predict this and we get flak following airplanes continuously despite evasive action.
Title: Re: Flak 88 revisited
Post by: jeffdn on July 29, 2013, 09:28:41 AM
We could still have the AI puffy ack as a token defense if players aren't around to operate them. The flak guns on the CV would be something else to think about, too. In a bomber, I'd feel less grief being blown away by a fellow player than the random coding of an AI puffy.

In the flak 88, it takes something like 15 seconds for a shell to reach 20k. If a target changes course after the shell is fired, there is no redirecting it. It would take up to 18 seconds (including 3 second reload time) for another shell to reach the new target area. Our AI puffy ack seems to magically predict this and we get flak following airplanes continuously despite evasive action.
Yes, this is hugely frustrating. There have been several times where I'm flying high up in a Ta-152, over 30,000 feet, going more than 400 mph, and weaving, yet still the pings are getting me, and I've even been shot down a couple times. One high-speed high-altitude fighter that is performing evasive maneuvers would be pretty much impossible to hit.
Title: Re: Flak 88 revisited
Post by: Vinkman on July 29, 2013, 09:33:10 AM
I like the idea of gun batteries (4) +1
Not sure about the calibration, auto aimer. Could be too accurate especially with 4 guns.  -1
Title: Re: Flak 88 revisited
Post by: R 105 on July 29, 2013, 09:47:02 AM
 If the 88mm flak gun was no better than what we have in the game I can see why the allies bombed Germany into the dust. They did work in groups of 4 to 6 guns and all 88MM flak guns came with a ground target sight as part of it's table of organization and equipment to engage tanks and other targets in the direct fire role. Also the 88 we have in the game turn about a third of how fast they did turn. I have seen a towed German 88mm flak gun at a reenactment and it turned very fast. I also have sat on and turned a US made 3 inch 50 antiaircraft gun used by the Coast Guard and it turned way faster than our 88s so I am not just talking what I read in a book I got first hand experience.
Title: Re: Flak 88 revisited
Post by: HighTone on July 29, 2013, 10:04:34 AM
Lets try getting people into airplanes and out of field guns.

-1

Title: Re: Flak 88 revisited
Post by: jeffdn on July 29, 2013, 11:11:44 AM
Lets try getting people into airplanes and out of field guns.

-1


Agreed. In the Operation Husky "this day in WWII" earlier this month, it was German pilots against... American ship gunners? That's not fun, and it makes the scenario pointless. It's even worse in the MA, in my humble opinion.
Title: Re: Flak 88 revisited
Post by: shotgunneeley on July 29, 2013, 11:30:56 AM
Lets try getting people into airplanes and out of field guns.

-1



It's just point defense. I like to jump into the AA when I have an enemy coming in and I know I don't have time to intercept it with a plane before it reaches the target. Sure, i would much rather fly a plane than to take on an enemy but when they're sitting on top of the field I'm going jump into AA gun. Its not that I'm scared of fighting in a plane or am trying to destroy the enemy at no risk to myself - I just like to gun sometimes and would like to see that aspect of the game enhanced.

I like the idea of gun batteries (4) +1
Not sure about the calibration, auto aimer. Could be too accurate especially with 4 guns.  -1


HTC can make it as accurate or as inaccurate as they like for gameplay reasons. All I know is that we need some kind of sight targeting system to get those 25-30k buff raids. As it stands now we don't even know the angle or bearing of the gun to perform any trig calculations on our own initiative. My record in the flak 88 is D6.4k yards and that lanc was only at an altitude of 11,000 feet. Best guess like we have now just doesn't cut it for the higher stuff.
Title: Re: Flak 88 revisited
Post by: lyric1 on July 29, 2013, 12:53:09 PM
If the 88mm flak gun was no better than what we have in the game I can see why the allies bombed Germany into the dust. They did work in groups of 4 to 6 guns and all 88MM flak guns came with a ground target sight as part of it's table of organization and equipment to engage tanks and other targets in the direct fire role. Also the 88 we have in the game turn about a third of how fast they did turn. I have seen a towed German 88mm flak gun at a reenactment and it turned very fast. I also have sat on and turned a US made 3 inch 50 antiaircraft gun used by the Coast Guard and it turned way faster than our 88s so I am not just talking what I read in a book I got first hand experience.

There is two speeds for rotation of the 88's in real life.  
http://www.lonesentry.com/manuals/88mm-antiaircraft-gun/88mm-antiaircraft-gun-introduction.html
"Time to traverse 360 degrees"
     High gear  33.90 sec
     Low gear   69.79 sec
Guess what gear we have. :(

Plus the ground target sight had a 4X zoom. OMG It had a real ground sight as well. :O
http://www.lonesentry.com/manuals/88mm-antiaircraft-gun/sighting-equipment-german-artillery-88mm.html

Every thing you need to know about the 88MM in the link below.

http://www.lonesentry.com/manuals/88mm-antiaircraft-gun/index.html
Title: Re: Flak 88 revisited
Post by: Mister Fork on July 29, 2013, 01:54:45 PM
I met a AAA gunner who worked in London back in 1997 (my ex-wife's dad) and he was AAA gunner during WWII.  Funny thing was that he was only 15 when he started gunning in 1939 as a lot of the AAA crews were younger soldiers with most of their support staff for the AAA batteries were just teenager volunteers (i.e. cadets) who were ammo, supply and message runners. We talked for over 3 hours on stories he had first as a runner in London, then ammo, then gunner, then a battery commander during the 6 years he worked in AAA all over Europe.

He talked about the quad-88 setup in the war where each had a device where they could triangulate with just three guns to determine the altitude of the bomber/fighter and then the skill was determining speed and direction.  He also said it was almost impossible to hit a dive bomber (i.e. Stuka) as the rapid altitude change made triangulation near impossible and then the bomber would extend their dive out and climbing to the left or right which made re-acquiring them near impossible so they would just set up a flack layers near the target.  

Then throw in wind, weather, rain, fog, clouds, sleet, hail, snow, ice, freezing rain, rust, humidity, fatigue, sickness, mental strain, stress, crew stress (not everyone got along), weapon issues like jamming or ammo-misfires, hands/fingers getting chopped off or chewed, shrapnel from dropped enemy iron bombs, strafing from fighters, training issues from the 'pinkies' replacement crews (I heard a few stories how a new lad would end up losing a hand or end up with a hot empty shell case down the back of their coat - that's the life of a AAA crew.  In other words, it was a pretty hard and crappy job - you were always outside in the elements and you didn't have the easiest position as it was a hard job to do when you did have to engage an enemy fighter or bomber formation and  were sitting ducks to what every facility or building you were on top of.

So, when you sit behind your screen in the comfort of your living/computer room or with your low-geared AAA 88, give yourself a reality check when you think it's turning too slow... the version HTC has modelled is just fine... ;)
Title: Re: Flak 88 revisited
Post by: danmac on July 29, 2013, 02:17:57 PM
I think anymore ack will ruin more than help we already have people who just sit in guns on cvs and rack up kills with impossible shots I've been one shot In a 500 dive their are guys who have aimbot style accuracy in guns now so you want to make it easier I gota say be careful what you wish for I see this backfiring badly due to the uber gunners
Title: Re: Flak 88 revisited
Post by: shotgunneeley on July 29, 2013, 02:56:58 PM
I think anymore ack will ruin more than help we already have people who just sit in guns on cvs and rack up kills with impossible shots I've been one shot In a 500 dive their are guys who have aimbot style accuracy in guns now so you want to make it easier I gota say be careful what you wish for I see this backfiring badly due to the uber gunners

You do realize don't you that, unlike the flak 88s, the CV 5 incher shells have proxy fuzes that explode only when within range of a target. It doesn't matter how fast you are coming straight down in a dive, that just makes it that much easier to pop you.

If y'all think I'm asking for quick, laser accuracy with a small pattern then you'd be wrong. There could still be shell randomization and it would require work to get the targetting system calibrated. I'm asking for is a method to get player controlled flak within the vicinity of a target. Obviously the sight would become less accurate with more altitude, speed, cloud cover and other factors. If the target changes its trajectory, then the gun would have to be recalibrated - something that takes time rather the instant AI tracking we have now.

Edit: I'll tell y'all what my drive is behind this wish. I'm drawn more to immersion and realism. I'd be very interested in occasionally being able to direct AA fire at a high-alt buff mission as it briefly came over me. On the flip side, It might as well be other players ahooting at me rather than coded AI.
Title: Re: Flak 88 revisited
Post by: Zoney on July 29, 2013, 02:57:56 PM
No, just say No to GV's of any type.  Way too many people in them for my taste.  Every now and then, fine, but when I see more kills by GV's then by aircraft, well........ :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Flak 88 revisited
Post by: Eric19 on July 29, 2013, 05:19:12 PM
No, just say No to GV's of any type.  Way too many people in them for my taste.  Every now and then, fine, but when I see more kills by GV's then by aircraft, well........ :rolleyes:
but this ain't a GV wish zoney... :headscratch: but +1 to OP Shotgun :)
Title: Re: Flak 88 revisited
Post by: Zoney on July 29, 2013, 06:15:09 PM
Is is in the air?

Is it on the water?

Lets see, what does that leave us?

Yeah, I get it, it is not a vehicle, still it's on the ground.

Grab a plane and fly.
Title: Re: Flak 88 revisited
Post by: Eric19 on July 29, 2013, 10:58:02 PM
its a combat sim not a flight sim correct so the more the merrier
Title: Re: Flak 88 revisited
Post by: lyric1 on July 29, 2013, 11:16:22 PM

So, when you sit behind your screen in the comfort of your living/computer room or with your low-geared AAA 88, give yourself a reality check when you think it's turning too slow... the version HTC has modelled is just fine... ;)



Interesting read although I can't agree with the last part. Why are some AA units in AHII set to the high gear such as the Wirbelwind & the Ostwind & the 88'S set to the low gear? I would like to know what are the quad 20MM auto acks are set to? Every thing I can find about German AA units the guns seem to all have two speeds.
Title: Re: Flak 88 revisited
Post by: shotgunneeley on July 29, 2013, 11:22:27 PM

Grab a plane and fly.

(http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l575/shotgunneeley/rickybobby_zpsc1b28116.jpg) (http://s1124.photobucket.com/user/shotgunneeley/media/rickybobby_zpsc1b28116.jpg.html)

 :D
Title: Re: Flak 88 revisited
Post by: R 105 on July 30, 2013, 09:23:04 AM
 :aok
There is two speeds for rotation of the 88's in real life.  
http://www.lonesentry.com/manuals/88mm-antiaircraft-gun/88mm-antiaircraft-gun-introduction.html
"Time to traverse 360 degrees"
     High gear  33.90 sec
     Low gear   69.79 sec
Guess what gear we have. :(

Plus the ground target sight had a 4X zoom. OMG It had a real ground sight as well. :O
http://www.lonesentry.com/manuals/88mm-antiaircraft-gun/sighting-equipment-german-artillery-88mm.html

Every thing you need to know about the 88MM in the link below.

http://www.lonesentry.com/manuals/88mm-antiaircraft-gun/index.html
Title: Re: Flak 88 revisited
Post by: danmac on July 30, 2013, 04:22:42 PM
You do realize don't you that, unlike the flak 88s, the CV 5 incher shells have proxy fuzes that explode only when within range of a target. It doesn't matter how fast you are coming straight down in a dive, that just makes it that much easier to pop you.

If y'all think I'm asking for quick, laser accuracy with a small pattern then you'd be wrong. There could still be shell randomization and it would require work to get the targetting system calibrated. I'm asking for is a method to get player controlled flak within the vicinity of a target. Obviously the sight would become less accurate with more altitude, speed, cloud cover and other factors. If the target changes its trajectory, then the gun would have to be recalibrated - something that takes time rather the instant AI tracking we have now.

Edit: I'll tell y'all what my drive is behind this wish. I'm drawn more to immersion and realism. I'd be very interested in occasionally being able to direct AA fire at a high-alt buff mission as it briefly came over me. On the flip side, It might as well be other players ahooting at me rather than coded AI.
I get that what I'm saying is people will sit in it for 3 hours rackin up kills and will in my opinion have a draw down on high alt missions I'm not saying it wouldn't be a cool add cuz it would but who wants to fly for 2 hours to get shot down by a tard in a gun who won't leave it
Title: Re: Flak 88 revisited
Post by: Rino on July 30, 2013, 04:39:21 PM
its a combat sim not a flight sim correct so the more the merrier


      Calling what GVs and field guns do in AH simming is a real stretch.
Title: Re: Flak 88 revisited
Post by: Eric19 on July 30, 2013, 05:33:05 PM
      Calling what GVs and field guns do in AH simming is a real stretch.
but its still a sim no??
Title: Re: Flak 88 revisited
Post by: Tinkles on July 30, 2013, 06:05:44 PM
      Calling what GVs and field guns do in AH simming is a real stretch.

War simulator. Not flight simulator :)
Title: Re: Flak 88 revisited
Post by: Tank-Ace on July 30, 2013, 11:15:16 PM
The GV work load more closely matches reality than the A/C work load does.

The combat is also probably a bit more realistic, as far as tactics, etc.
Title: Re: Flak 88 revisited
Post by: Bino on July 31, 2013, 03:42:50 PM
According to technical manual E9-369A, "German 88-mm Antiaircraft Gun Materiel", issued by the US War Department on 29 June 1943...

(http://kenshelby.us/images/88-traverse-times.jpg)
Title: Re: Flak 88 revisited
Post by: USRanger on July 31, 2013, 03:59:01 PM
People that snub their noses at GVs & only fly planes because they think it puts them in some higher class are missing half the game. Their $15 though.
Title: Re: Flak 88 revisited
Post by: Tinkles on July 31, 2013, 04:38:13 PM
People that snub their noses at GVs & only fly planes because they think it puts them in some higher class are missing half the game. Their $15 though.

Well they think that it was just supposed to be a fly simulator rather than a war simulator. They view that since its name is Aces High that it should only have planes.

 I honestly don't see how they could hate tanks GVs or AAA, they have all been saved and killed by them.

Thus my sig. You can do anything that you are a victim of in Aces High.

Tinkles

<<S>>

 :salute
Title: Re: Flak 88 revisited
Post by: Zacherof on July 31, 2013, 09:27:42 PM
I'm not sure why, but I couldn't hit crap with the old gv sights so I stayed in the air.
Once they were re-worked I found I was a killer :t

met new players and had more fun :banana:
Title: Re: Flak 88 revisited
Post by: Volron on July 31, 2013, 09:44:13 PM
People that snub their noses at GVs & only fly planes because they think it puts them in some higher class are missing half the game. Their $15 though.

snub their noses?  With what they post, looks more like they are trying to dictate how the game should be played to me.
Title: Re: Flak 88 revisited
Post by: lyric1 on August 18, 2013, 03:47:35 AM
There is two speeds for rotation of the 88's in real life.  
http://www.lonesentry.com/manuals/88mm-antiaircraft-gun/88mm-antiaircraft-gun-introduction.html
"Time to traverse 360 degrees"
     High gear  33.90 sec
     Low gear   69.79 sec
Guess what gear we have. :(

Plus the ground target sight had a 4X zoom. OMG It had a real ground sight as well. :O
http://www.lonesentry.com/manuals/88mm-antiaircraft-gun/sighting-equipment-german-artillery-88mm.html

Every thing you need to know about the 88MM in the link below.

http://www.lonesentry.com/manuals/88mm-antiaircraft-gun/index.html

Found the actual book.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/100770513/TME9-369A-German-88mm-Antiaircraft-Gun-Materiel-1943
Title: Re: Flak 88 revisited
Post by: SmokinLoon on August 18, 2013, 09:14:57 AM
The auto puffy has always been one of the games biggest flaws.

If we get an overhaul of the FlaK system, number one thing I want to see happen is have an actual shell fired, instead of the bursts just spawning around you. As it is now, evasive maneuvers are useless, because there is no  aiming, and no shell to dodge.

Are you trying to say that you can't see in the coming 88mm shells now?  They are there, go F3 view sometime and get that sinking feeling like those of us who watch those things come up and say "hi".  Also, are you trying to say that you'd jink and weave your heavy bombers loaded with fuel and ordnance in evasive maneuvers?  The only thing you can do is gently turn to force them to correct on two vectors.  I beg to differ on the "no aiming" thing, I know I have to certainly aim and try to hit bombers as they fly over a field.  The only 88mm I've actually ever dodged was while I was in a light fighter and all I did was immel and split S 3000 yards out while the jabos ripped the field apart.   
Title: Re: Flak 88 revisited
Post by: Lusche on August 18, 2013, 09:19:57 AM
Are you trying to say that you can't see in the coming 88mm shells now?  They are there, go F3 view sometime


He was talking about auto puffy ack. Which indeed does not have any actual shells flying around.