FSO: Operation Husky - Setting

[Captain Virgil Hilts]

Ghost Dancer, I agree, I see no harm in adding the earlier models to the available planeset, and allowing the Frame CO or the CiC to decide on usage. Perhaps exempting the early models (the P-40 and the Bf 109F4) from the "must fly" list or making sure there are enough planes to cover the ''must use X number of different planes per frame" to keep the older planes from being forced into it.

I certainly agree that the P-40E would be even more hard pressed to compete than the P-38G. In fact, the P-40E would likely be a suicide ride above 10K unless the pilot was REAL good, a lot better than me. It would only be useful for low alt attack.

By no means am I attempting to tell you how to choose planes or run the show. I was mostly just offering an explanation for the P-38G being there instead of the P-38J. Only when you mentioned possibly including the P-38J did I decide to suggest that the idea of adding a percentage of P-38J's to the P-38G's was plausible, in light of your feelings on the P-38G vs. the Bf 109's in the mix.

What I'm trying to do now is get an idea how you and the other guys set these things up and run them. The 327th is NEW to FSO, we're learning. We've been given a pass on CO and CiC duties for a couple of Tours while we learn the ropes. We do plan to contribute, and I'm trying to learn the ropes ASAP so we can. So, I ask a lot of questions, and I toss out ideas to see what you guys think so I can see what you are trying to do and how you do it.

When it comes our turn, we want to be ready, as we feel the job of Frame CO or CiC is VERY important, and we owe it to everyone else to be ready and do the best job possible. The LAST thing we want to do is be assigned one of those jobs and screw the pooch, ruining the fun for everyone else.

On that note, if you need help doing some plane testing or something of that nature, PLEASE, feel free to ask, here or via email, and I'll do my best to help any way I can. As we get our FSO unit better organized, and stabilized, there will be others from our group available to lend a hand where needed.

Thanks again, to the whole group of you who make this happen for us.

[ghostdancer]

Well the original planeset was chosen by me based on rough plane performance of what was historically available for this period and theatre.

What I strive for is an overall planeset that is a good match against each other with no side having a purely dominant advantage that can not be overcome by strategy, tactics, and pilot skill.

For example the 110 and Mosquito balance each other.

I left off the B17 because one heavy 4 engine bomber is really enough for the allied side. Unfortunately the LW only have the JU88 .. so there bomber choices are limited. But the JU88 is a capable bomber .. it just needs some escorts .. well more so than the B17 or B26.

The Brits actually did have Typhoons available during this period .. but I nixed that because there is not a thing on the LW and Italian side that could catch them. If used right the Typhoons would be unstoppable as JABO planes.

As for main fighters .. the Spit IX is a decent match against the C.205 (which I kept in to give an Italian plane), and the 109s and 190A5. It is close enough in speed that its maneuverability makes it player against the LW planes and the C.205.

The P38G is a decent match also. Its only real issue is the lack of WEP .. which could become a severe issue in engaging the 109s and 190A5. With WEP those planes have 15-20 mph advantage. But we really haven't used the P38G in battle .. so I am not sure how it will play out. It could end up being a match for the LW planes but it won't be able to run them down.

So comes down to use and tactics .. if bomber escorts it could be very effective.

So generally there is sort of a fuzzy area that I take in consideration of plane performance (speed, ROC, maneuverability, range, etc.) that I try to make sure many of the planes are close enough that pilot skill/tactics/strategy will make the difference.

As I said don't really want any one plane that will simply blow the others away. Or if we do (say in a late war FSO using 262s) then we limit those planes because they so overmatch the other sides fighters.