Requests for Bombers in the MA

[stephen waldron]

      This wish is directed to everyone playing in the MA's.  When you request bombers for a "mission" or to generally "support" a push to take an enemy base...  PLEASE consider the slower flying times involved with bombers and the distances bombers routinely fly compared to fighter planes.    Making a request for a mission that has to be filled in the next three or four minutes pretty much precludes any participation by most bomber pilots who are already in the air.  It would be better to give a 15 minute pre-mission warning and get all the bombers you need, than to give a three minute warning and fly a FUBAR MISSION that goes BUST.

      This way all the fighters and bombers arrive at the target at about the same time.   I can't even say how many times i have responded to a request for level bomber support, only to see the friendly fighters flying back to base or the CV for more fuel.  Leaving maybe one late arriving fighter to cover the bombers against a sky full of enemy planes.  The outcome is predictable and frustrating.   Almost to the point i'm hesitant to repond to such ill timed requests for bomber support.

      But if a little more attention was given to bomber speeds and the ranges they operate at, You might just find your success rate on base takeovers in the MA multiplied many times over.   Of course this will involve a shift from the "Fighter-centric" mindset that prevails in the MA making the play very chaotic and sloppy.   Sigh.  i'm probably wasting my breath.  But it's worth a shot.

[Rich46yo]

Unfortunately this is just something your going to have to live with Steve. Many players just want to furball and base taking comes second, if it comes at all. I myself have really missed the presence of rook bombers in the air lately. Unless its a squad night you just dont see rook bombers a lot, where'as I see Bish and Nit ones all the time when they are hoarding.

I suggest two thing for you to do. 1 would be never go below 15,000'. 2 would be attack bases at different angles from the general fighter one.

Yesterday I had 2 cons on my tail in a P-38. I aimed the plane at the incoming conga line and requested support from the high friendlys flying over me. Last time I looked 4 had flown right past, not responded to comms, and not helped. Eventually I just ran out of moves and got shot down.

What can you do dude? Except forget about it and upp another cartoon airplane?

To me the fun of the game is the historical recreation of the war I studied ever since I learned to read. And in that context a friendly always drops to help a friendly. I got shot down a few times yesterday cause I dropped to help a friendly with multiples on them.

I think most would, surely "most" rooks would. But there are some who would watch their grandmothers get shot down rather then risk their score helping someone.

If it makes you feel better heres one rook who appreciates bombers coming in and hitting hangars/ords. I spent many a lonely night flying such missions myself and they are key to keeping your team in the game.

I used to get up to Alt around flashpoints and wait for targets to be called for, or, wait for targets of opportunity.

[Hap]

Steve, during busy times, there's always a need for buffs.  Just up 'em sectors out; get to alt, and about 2 sectors away begin eyeballing action and using radio to find where you can do the most good.

I know there's a push to be part of "that" mission, but in reality, most of those guys will be dead within 5 mins or less of arriving at their destination.

Get her to 20 - 25K and salvo here and there.  You can take part in several ops as long as your gas and bombs hold.

[NHawk]

posted reply in wrong message.