Author Topic: FSO: Bangkok or Bust, 1945 (Read 1554 times)

APDrone · « **on:** August 20, 2007, 07:54:54 PM »

Ladies and gents, our next FSO is posted.

http://ahevents.org/pacific-theatre/bangkok-or-bust-1945.html

Please get your side requests in.

Due to the upcoming Labor Day weekend ( another excuse to party and grill critters here in the colonies ) we will conduct frame 1 on Sept. 7.

Please have side requests and squad commitment updates in place by 8/23.

Thanks and good hunting!

Squire · « **Reply #1 on:** August 21, 2007, 08:41:15 AM »

Just a humble suggestion if I may.

the Spitfire VIII should really be in there rather than the IX, as it was the CBI Spit 44-45.

I know the event was designed prior to its inclusion in AH.

...I doubt its really a big deal balance wise or anything.

Regards.

Krusty · « **Reply #2 on:** August 21, 2007, 09:15:14 AM »

I don't know how it will change the balance of gameplay for the overall event, but the Spit8 is far superior to the spit9 as modeled in-game. The raw horsepower gives it +20mph top speed, greatly improved climb rate, acceleration, all while retaining nearly identical turn radius, but with a longer flight range (wing tanks).

IMO the 8 is superior to the 9 in every way, with pure turn performance being so close that pilot skill is the deciding factor.

Again, how that changes the planeset balance I don't know, but I'd guess it would only get better for the allies.

On the other hand, if the writeup is to be believed, the CBA was the arse-end of the supply chain, which is why it has -51Bs instead of Ds, -47D-25s instead of D-40s, so it's not too hard to think they'd have Spit9s instead of 8s, but I totally see what you're saying.

EDIT: Turns out the 8 beats the 9 in turn also, without flaps, by a large margin. They are almost equal with full flaps, but you use flaps in a spit and you're already lost

Bronk · « **Reply #3 on:** August 21, 2007, 10:16:47 AM »

http://www.spitfireperformance.com/spitfire-VIII.html
81 and 152 Squadrons became operational with Spitfire VIIIs at Baigachi and Alipore, India respectively during December 1943. By June of 1944 seven more Squadrons in the China/Burma/India (CBI) theater had converted to Spitfire VIIIs, namely; 17, 67, 136, 155, 273, 607 and 615 Squadrons. These squadrons played a significant role in breaking the siege of Imphal. They met with good success against the Japanese Army Air Force's Oscars. By late 1944 Nos 1, 2, 3 and 8 of the Indian Air Force were operational with Spitfire VIIIs. They were followed in 1945 by Nos 4, 6, 7, 9 and 10 Squadrons IAF. Early in 1945 two more RAF units, 131 and 132 Squadrons, re-equipped with Mk VIIIs. The Spitfire VIII units supported the Fourteenth Army during its offensive through central Burma, the capture of Rangoon and Mandalay as well as the slaughter of the hemmed-in Japanese on the Mandalay Plain.

Seeing how they were there in late 43, it should be added.

Bronk
Edit: Also what version of the Mk. IX was operational at this time period in this theater.

TUXC · « **Reply #4 on:** August 21, 2007, 10:34:21 AM »

Considering that Japanese have N1K2s and Ki84s the Allies should probably at least get a mix of Spit 8s and 9s.

Squire · « **Reply #5 on:** August 21, 2007, 01:23:24 PM »

Well, what is the point of having a Spitfire VIII added to Aces High if its not used in historical setups where it was present?

As for the comparison re: VIII to IX, FSOs are not 1 vs 1 duels. I think the IJ will do fine, and btw, the Spit IX has a lighter weight and lower wing loading compared to an VIII, the IX is a great dogfighter. Anyways im not going to get into a debate on the attributes of them, plenty of very capable fighters are used in FSOs, not just Spitfires.

Considering the IJAAF has the Ki-84, Ki-61, and N1K2 (which never served in the CBI), I hardly think they will be hard done by for a decent ride.

If some rebalancing has to be done, go ahead (maybe put a limit on it), but I think it really belongs in a 1944 Burma setup.

humble · « **Reply #6 on:** August 21, 2007, 01:36:57 PM »

I have to agree that the FSO isnt a "dogfighting" enviornment. While the XIII is easily the most formidable of the spits IMO its not going to overpower the Ki-84s. Given the fuel burn rates in the FSO I dont think range will be an issue either way. I dont recall ord loadout for the spitIX. Inkow the 8 only has single centerline hardpoint. If the combination of 20 51B's + VIII's and 38J's dominates the mix of axis (how many Ki-61's?) then you might have an issue. If the 38's and jugs are tasked with jabo roles while the 8's and B's are escort and intercept then you have a nice mix of Ki's and Nikkis vs 8's & B's in the hunt and be hunted role while the Ki-61's can reasonalby handle field defense vs Jabos and buffs...

APDrone · « **Reply #7 on:** August 21, 2007, 01:48:33 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Squire
Just a humble suggestion if I may.

the Spitfire VIII should really be in there rather than the IX, as it was the CBI Spit 44-45.

I know the event was designed prior to its inclusion in AH.

...I doubt its really a big deal balance wise or anything.

Regards.

Thanks for the info, guys! You're right.. I don't think the VIII was around when this was written.

I'll take a look, but I agree that if the plane was present in the area, it should be utilized.

Thanks again!

Bronk · « **Reply #8 on:** August 21, 2007, 02:05:37 PM »

Hope this is alright with dan.

I pmed him a question here is the answer I got.

Quote

Guppy35 wrote on 08-21-2007 01:34 PM:

No Spit IXs went to the CBI. The VIII was meant for overseas use. The IX was home based, although clearly the IX went to the MTO.

For the CBI you would have Spitfire Vcs and Spitfire LFVIII. The XIV arrived in theater right at the end, but I don't believe it saw any air combat.

Dan is a closet spit dweeb so I figured this is worth mentioning.

Bronk

Krusty · « **Reply #9 on:** August 21, 2007, 02:09:13 PM »

I think he's out of the closet now

Bronk · « **Reply #10 on:** August 21, 2007, 02:11:58 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Krusty
I think he's out of the closet now

All you need do is mention a Mk XII. That usually draws him out.

Bronk

Guppy35 · « **Reply #11 on:** August 21, 2007, 03:55:59 PM »

Someone say XII?

VIII was built with overseas, tropical use in mind, hence the tropical filter from the start, internal wing tanks added etc.

The IX was intended for home use only which is why it didn't have the tropical filter to start etc.

While some IXs went to the MTO, they didn't go to the CBI.

You'd have Spit Vcs and Spit VIIIs there and LFVIIIs too as the airwar was not fought at high alt.

Guppy35 · « **Reply #12 on:** August 21, 2007, 04:03:14 PM »

BTW the 51D and 38L were certainly present in the CBI

51Ds first arrived in January 45. First 51Bs were May 44.

38Ls were arriving roughly the same time as they did in other theaters, as in late 44 early 45. PTO had their first in September 44, ETO had their first in October 44 from what i can find.

Both the RAF and USAAF had P47D-30s in the CBI also

Bronk · « **Reply #13 on:** August 21, 2007, 07:28:47 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Guppy35
Someone say XII?

See.

Be afraid, very afraid.

Bronk

scottydawg · « **Reply #14 on:** August 21, 2007, 09:02:14 PM »

Is it just me, or is the font on that ahevents page so big and cramped it's hard to read? I thought my contacts were going out.

I use Firefox.