Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: paulieb on October 21, 2002, 11:25:04 PM
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First, thanks to those who rang in on the P-40 use and tactics thread. Lately, I have been checking into tactics when up in a supposedly "inferior" aircraft. And yes, I do have a bit of an obession with P-40s. (note to HTC: can we have a better model P-40 with AVG markings? say, an K or N model? PLEASE?) :D
Anyway, here's the question: have any of you here ever upped in a group (say, 2-5) in the same type of aircraft with a pack-hunting type mentality? ie flying as a unit, staying together no matter what, sharing kills to get the job done, etc.? If you are in a squad, is this what squad flying is about, in your opinion? Did this tactic actually gain you anything, or did it just paint a big bullseye on your backs?
Here's why I'm asking: I think it would be a TON of fun, and an extremely intimidating tactic. Picture if you will, you're vulching or cherry picking in your perked ride, feeling like a real hot stick, lots of friendlies around, when suddenly 5 D-hogs (or whatever sufficiently lethal plane you'd like to use in its place, maybe even a P-40, I just said D-Hog for argument's sake) that you didn't even realize were there make a firing pass as a unit and cut you to ribbons. Or worse yet, they make a buzz pass from your 9 or 3 position first then come back and slice you up. Wouldn't you have to change your drawers? Personally, I'd excrete a brick from a well-known orifice.
Still, I think it would be a ton of fun to pull psych job tactics like this in the MA. Have any of you done it, and how effective do you think it was as a morale-killer when done repeatedly? Moreover, was it as fun to do as it sounds? If you have a story to tell from either end of this scenario, please... I'd like very much to read it! Thanks for reading! :D
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Squads do it all the time.
13th TAS and 412th Braunco up in P51's and hunt in their respective squads.
56th FG "Zemke's Wolfpack" hunts in their P47's. If you see a flight of 4 of them, You'd better head for home.
272 Squadron recently did a 4 ship of Me-262's. That was a blast. Alone, its not so dangerous to a con who has good SA, but when you get them in packs? You'd best be careful.
Lots of other squads do the same. Most fly their particular type of aircraft, squads like 272 simply fly whatever comes to mind.
Hunting together help teamwork and squadron tactics evolve. Plus, it can take the game to a whole new level when you know there are definitely some friendlies back there who are watching your six. You can be just a bit more aggressive than when your flying alone.
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Exactly the kind of response I was hoping for... thanks!!!
Anyone else??
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My squads gone up in 262s 190s and the most fun 109Es and 110Cs. Our main goal is to kill as many enemy as possible and get everyone back to base.
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hmmmmmmm, obviously he has not run into fester&kappa in 262's
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Nothing cooler than being in the tower at a field and watching an jabo attack on the field by a tight group of P-38s. Watching them come in line-abreast and salvo their rockets - I found myself wanting to duck!
Really impressive stuff!
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Originally posted by paulieb
Anyway, here's the question: have any of you here ever upped in a group (say, 2-5) in the same type of aircraft with a pack-hunting type mentality? ie flying as a unit, staying together no matter what, sharing kills to get the job done, etc.? If you are in a squad, is this what squad flying is about, in your opinion? Did this tactic actually gain you anything, or did it just paint a big bullseye on your backs?
I've been on both ends of these types of raids.
The Shillelagh Squadron will sometimes run P-51D fighter sweeps after a Friday night TOD (or FW190A8, or P47-D or Typhoon, whatever we decide on). Its a ton of fun having other folks to keep you updated on what's coming up behind you - big help for my SA. Its also pretty cool seeing us all lined up on the runway prior to launch. Yeah, it is pretty cool. We've also done massive GV assaults when the situation was right.
I've also been on the receiving end of a P-51D raid. About 7 or 8 Mustangs did a NOE sweep over my airfield - all fighters, no JABO - strafing and popping our guys left and right. They came in low and caught us napping. Talk about a shock tactic! They didn't do much damage to the field, but they did bag a lot of kills. If they had been toting bombs we would've had more luck shooting them down, but because they were light and we expected them to be heavy, they caught us by surprise when they came around and jumped on our sixes.
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we do it all the time... as soon as there's enough vikings on we make missions together...
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It's a hell of a lot more fun flying with your Sqd.
Plus them "Knuckleheads" keep me alive longer.;)
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The MOL doesn't do much in the way of tactical support, but we did a pretty fine barbershop quartet, until LLB went AWOL and we lost our soprano.
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The ultimate test of group tactics is the Squad vs. Squad dueling ladder. :)
So far, these are the only squads with the cajones to put their tactics to the test:
1. Shillelagh
2. 9GIAP VVS RKKA
3. -=Most Wanted=-
4. =Groverats=
5. Marine Air Wing
6. 13th TAS
7. "firebirds" 56 sqn 2TAF
8. The ASSASSINS
9. 332nd Viking Squadron
10. 327th Steel Talons
11. Nightmares VMF-101
12. 3./JG2 "Richthofen"
13. Arabian Knights
14. 418 Sqn RCAF ~ the Hornets
15. VMF-323
16. 308 (Polish) Sqn "City of Cracow
to them! :)
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I've found that two guys in voice communication and using wingman tactics can easily defeat more numerous opponents that aren't.
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3/JG2 will often fly as a squad.
While each member's perspective kills may vary up or down depending on their aggressiveness, I have to say that the chance for each pilot's death dramatically decreases across the board during squad flights.
To put it simply :D
You may or may not get more kills but you almost always die less.
Using vox helps tremendously also along with using wingmen within the squad.
Keeping two planes high (one and his wingman ;)) while attacking a base is incredibly helpfull also as an ultimate clear six if a wingie can't do it.
Regards,
Drunky
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So, if I understand all of you correctly, the best way to experience this for myself would be to join a squad?
Thanks for the responses, and keep 'em coming please!
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Yes, with a squad you have many wingmen on at diffrant times of day.
-look me up if you need a wingman on Bishops handel:ManeTMP
My main wingmen tend to be Lazer/Kappa/Fester but play with everyone in TED from time to time (except some of the newer guys, I haven't had time yet)
We often up in Large groups but I find we usally fall into wingman pairs quickly after fighting starts.
I find it hard to keeo track of more than one freindly with cons around tring to shoot me and vise~versa. I can watch others in the squad, but find it hard to fomulate manuvers to avoid enemy fire while leaving me on my wingmans 6 for a cover shot. (don't say that in one breath)
I don't think anyone's SA is great enf to track multi-cons and many squadies, while shooting the guy infront of you.
So I'd recommend keeping your fighting tactis to a single wingman. (Just try to stay with all the other wingman pairs)
I could get into the nasty details of wingman fighting but much easier to learn by doing and asking I think, so see you folks in MA :D
ManeTMP
=Twin Engined Devils=
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On our squad nights, the =Ghosts= fly only two different aircraft. I think November will be Tyhoons and 109s. On those nights, the Bish or Knits can expect to encounter about 10 of each type flying in wings of fighters and jabos. Jabos have predesignated targets and secondary assignments. Fighters have coverage assignments and secondary assignments should opposition be light. During RJO events, the =Ghosts= prefer to be at the pointy end of the spear. We like to be the first in. It suits our strong point, which is ground pounding. Then again, we have several really good Buff jockeys, and a massive Buff raid is common too, usually with P-51s, F4U-4s or Doras for escort. However, I like to see commonality in type for escort.
My regards,
Widewing
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Yup, this is one thing that squads do.
If you play AH for any period of time, you should be in a squad. (unless your a loner freak :) )
But be sure to shop around before picking a squad. A good "fit" is important.
Don't advertise on channel 1 "i'm looking for a squad to join" -- most of the established squads avoid such nonsense.
Do your research:
some squads are MA-only; some concentrate on events.
Some are dedicated to flying a single plane, or a single mission (bombing, a2a); others have absolutely no affiliation.
Some emphasize the low-alt furball, others are cherry-pickers.
Some are big on "hot sticks", others have poor pilots who read a lot of shaw and practice section and element tactics.
Check the recruiting BB for information on who's out there.
Most squads will let you fly with them on some missions. This is the best way to find the differences between squads.
And if you're interested in events, read the events boards. Check out the AARs to get an idea of how squads and their leaders function in combat; I'm not just talking about how effective they are at shooting stuff down, but how they understand the fight around them.
And then you can always ask a squad for a guest slot in a TOD.
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Dinger
Your entire post was full of good, informative points. Bravo m8.:D
Having a squad is like having an extended family. You will have to endure each others foibles. Choose carefully. :p