June, 2017 Scenario design discussion

[Brooke]

The initial writeup for the June Scenario:

http://electraforge.com/brooke/flightsims/scenarios/201706_BigWeek/rules.html

[BFOOT1]

Any chance of adding the 4th FG, and increasing squadron numbers?

[Brooke]

Any chance of adding the 4th FG, and increasing squadron numbers?

I think we could probably change the 352nd or the 355th to the 4th.  Do you know if either of those has an AH contingent?

We will definitely increase the squadron numbers if registration fills up, but I am hesitant to increase it right now because we are averaging (over last 3 scenarios) 75 players and had to go to extreme lengths to fill even to those levels.  This one is already set for 94, a substantial increase.  It's probably best to make sure it fills before we increase anything.

[Devil 505]

I think we could probably change the 352nd or the 355th to the 4th.  Do you know if either of those has an AH contingent?

We will definitely increase the squadron numbers if registration fills up, but I am hesitant to increase it right now because we are averaging (over last 3 scenarios) 75 players and had to go to extreme lengths to fill even to those levels.  This one is already set for 94, a substantial increase.  It's probably best to make sure it fills before we increase anything.

You might be better off reducing the P-47 and 109G-6 squads by one each and raising the pilot count for the remainder of those specific types.

[Guppy35]

Just to appease the history junkies on the Allied side.  Can we make it either the 354th for the 51s or the 4th FG?  It will drive me nuts to see the 357th default with the D-Day stripes flying in February 44

I'll get you a dozen 51B pilots if we can have more than just the measly 6

Give the 56th 12 Jugs too since I would imagine the AH 56th guys could make a good showing.

[Guppy35]

Come to think of it, I'd think the LW guys would probably prefer less units but more guys in each too.  Something about having a squadron vs a flight

JG 11 12 109

JG 26  12 190A

JG301 12 109

JG 3 8 109

Maybe the LW guys wouldn't care, but I figured it can't hurt to suggest it.

[Brooke]

We already have in this writeup 70% more P-51's and 70% more P-38's than were there historically in the proportion of allied fighters.  (In Big Week, only 10% of the escorting fighters were P-51B's, and 10% were P-38's -- 80% were P-47's.)

For the 190's vs. 109's, I'm not sure what the historical proportion was in Big Week.  I used the proportion from Battle Over Germany.

For group sizes, I know they seem small.  However, I have to plan for what we really get in scenarios these days.  Folks have in the past said that they will get their whole MA squad to join and want 15 planes in a group.  Then registration opens, and they get three guys who sign up, and it takes them four weeks even to get to 3.  We have been getting 70 people per scenario.  This one currently is sized for 94 (expecting 8th AF action to be more popular).

Let's see if we can fill this one early enough in registration.  If we fill it, then we can expand -- no problem at all.  That way, we don't build it for 150 players, then find that only the P-51's and 190's fill up, or find that the allies have 20 more players than the axis, or things like that.

[Guppy35]

Fair enough

And forget the 4th in Mustangs.  They were transitioning but flew their Bigweek missions in Jugs.  Had to double check.  Does seem like the 4th ought to be in there anyway with Jugs.    

There is a correct 354th FG 51B skin for the time, but not 357th. For us immersion types, that does make a difference

[Brooke]

Just to appease the history junkies on the Allied side.  Can we make it either the 354th for the 51s or the 4th FG?  It will drive me nuts to see the 357th default with the D-Day stripes flying in February 44

I'll change the 357th to the 354th.

I'll probably change one of the P-47 groups to the 4th as per Bfoot's request.

[Fencer51]

We already have in this writeup 70% more P-51's and 70% more P-38's than were there historically in the proportion of allied fighters.  (In Big Week, only 10% of the escorting fighters were P-51B's, and 10% were P-38's -- 80% were P-47's.)

For the 190's vs. 109's, I'm not sure what the historical proportion was in Big Week.  I used the proportion from Battle Over Germany.

For group sizes, I know they seem small.  However, I have to plan for what we really get in scenarios these days.  Folks have in the past said that they will get their whole MA squad to join and want 15 planes in a group.  Then registration opens, and they get three guys who sign up, and it takes them four weeks even to get to 3.  We have been getting 70 people per scenario.  This one currently is sized for 94 (expecting 8th AF action to be more popular).

Let's see if we can fill this one early enough in registration.  If we fill it, then we can expand -- no problem at all.  That way, we don't build it for 150 players, then find that only the P-51's and 190's fill up, or find that the allies have 20 more players than the axis, or things like that.

Brooke, remember that they didn't fight in percentages, but in groups of aircraft.  It was possible that one portion of the bomber train would not see any of a particular aircraft type.  Yet it was possible that they might only see a single aircraft type.  Worry less about the percentages/proportions and more about the fight and enjoyment.

[Brooke]

Good point.  Choice A was small number of P-51's, though, and choice B was more P-51's.  Folks voted for A over B, so I figure they want it this way.  I'm hesitant to take what people voted for then turn it into one of the choices that didn't win the voting.  Also, I think that all choices, including A, would have good fights and enjoyment.

Basically, choice A was BOG frame 1 period and aircraft mix (except that I increased P-51's by 50% compared to BOG frame 1 mix), choice B was BOG frame 3 mix, and choice C was BOG frame 6 mix.

Folks, let's see if this thing fills in a week once registration is open.  If so, we'll all be happy, happy, happy to increase things.

[Devil 505]

I think the alt caps should be lowered for playablity reasons. Set the fighter max to 30K and the bomber cap to 23K. This will help close the high alt performance gap a bit and allow for a fair chance of bomber intercept

Also, I'd like to see a proper 50/50 split on players. The overall trend seen in single side attacker events over the last couple of years has shown that the defending side has had little success in making an even fight based on kills made vs losses suffered. Increase Jg26 to 8 190A's and add four 110G-2's from Zg76.

[Kanth]

I just wanted to note that it's currently 78 Allies to 44 Axis. Due to formations.

[Kanth]

I'd also like to see a third of the bombers be b24s like it was in big week. Instead of all b17s.

[oboe]

I'd also like to see a third of the bombers be b24s like it was in big week. Instead of all b17s.

+1 for this idea.