Spotter Aircraft to add to gameplay

[jarbo]

Add spotter aircraft as an addition to gameplay.  Enable certain planes to carry "pseudo-radar" on board. 


Hypothetical Example: A Catalina could be launched from ports and airfields.  A "short distance" radar ring forms around the Catlina.  Radar distance would be a function of Alt from some min to some max number.  (maybe min to max (5-15K AGL) w/ range going from 5miles at 5 to max of 10miles at 15+K) ...to avoid "friendly base runway sitting"

Allows spotting of CV groups (e.g. CV becomes map visible).  Could allow lessening of airfield based radar.  Could identify targets below nominal radar thresholds (e.g. spotter aircraft "sees" NOE raids).   Points would be accrued as a function of number of NME a/c identified over time.  Allows players to manually fill in radar gaps on the map. 

Jarbo

[Jayhawk]

You reminded me of another idea I had for the PBY from the other thread.  When a PBY gets in range of an enemy CV (range to be determined by HTC), the enemy carrier's last position and direction of travel would show up on map for a predetermined amount of time.  So if a PBY gets over an enemy CV, the carrier will show up with an arrow pointing Northwest for 15-30 minutes.

[Plazus]

I believe this has been asked before. If I am not mistaken, Hitech said himself that it would be a PITA to implement this feature. If you're going to be a spotter, you might as well up a fighter and scout instead. They're faster, manueverable, and can defend themselves. And you can still report enemy movement.

[jarbo]

I still think more synergy is established via "in game" feature as opposed to a country text in all caps, but valid point nonetheless

[LLogann]

Agreed!  +1

I still think more synergy is established via "in game" feature as opposed to a country text in all caps, but valid point nonetheless

[SlapShot]

Geeesh ... I have always found that when spotting a CV and then typing in the CV position using sector grid markings has always worked like a champ ... if you were truly interested in where it was and wanted to destroy it.

Did the PBY that spotted the Japanese fleet heading to Midway automatically show markings on the "war board" back at Command HQ or did the PBY have to relay their coordinates back to Command HQ ?

[ImADot]

What might be interesting is this:

If you spot a CV, you issue a dot command like .cv 9,4,2,nw and it marks it on the map in that approximate position.  Players can right-click on it and get some information such as:

• Who reported it
• How long ago it was reported
• Last known heading (the nw in the dot command)

To keep turds from spamming the map with false reports and showing dozens of markers, make it so an actual CV has to be within 1 keypad of your position when your report in.  After some pre-determined time, the marker will disappear.

[M0nkey_Man]

What might be interesting is this:

If you spot a CV, you issue a dot command like .cv 9,4,2,nw and it marks it on the map in that approximate position.  Players can right-click on it and get some information such as:

• Who reported it
• How long ago it was reported
• Last known heading (the nw in the dot command)

To keep turds from spamming the map with false reports and showing dozens of markers, make it so an actual CV has to be within 1 keypad of your position when your report in.  After some pre-determined time, the marker will disappear.

I like this idea

[Ghosth]

Interesting idea Dot.

[jarbo]

Did planes have in flight radar...heck no.  Its an implementation to add to gameplay.  I think this would support that endeavour.  I think more indirect war complimentary options would allow players to further create unique dynamics on the semi-static map options.  My 2 cents.

Oh and 1 question..whats a PITA?

[Dichotomy]

Pain In The .... you get the point

[gyrene81]

What might be interesting is this:

If you spot a CV, you issue a dot command like .cv 9,4,2,nw and it marks it on the map in that approximate position.  Players can right-click on it and get some information such as:

• Who reported it
• How long ago it was reported
• Last known heading (the nw in the dot command)

To keep turds from spamming the map with false reports and showing dozens of markers, make it so an actual CV has to be within 1 keypad of your position when your report in.  After some pre-determined time, the marker will disappear.

That would be a nice feature for special events.