Aircraft limits on DF maps

[CFC_Conky]

I apologize for my abrupt departure today, there I was, extending from a failed bounce on a Hurricane when all of a sudden it started to climb vertically at a prodigious rate. Four red bars and that was it for me!

I like having aircraft limits on the map. I found myself flying much more conservatively than usual, no more flying until you're destroyed.

Good show!
Conky

[=CfC=Bounder]

Much more tweaking needed on the early maps like the Italy 42 map we flew last night.

The aim is to provide a variation in aircraft and last night we still spent most of the evening flying F4 and F2 for Blue / Spitfire for Red (although the Hurricane MkIIC proved a lethal machine). It would be nice to fly some of the Italian machinery and to provide a match for them we could reduce both Spitfire and F4/F2 numbers by half to say 5 of each variant with an additional limit on 4 canon Hurricanes so that we end up for maybe half an hour with G50's, CR42 MC200 / Hurricane MKIIb and Gladiator (as in the early 1941 Malta Campaign that we are trying to recreate.)

Alternatively, I could build a separate 1941 version of the map with no aircraft limits and the above 1941 a/c content.......it's up to you guys to ask for what you want.

Makes no difference to me....and it seems to Ted either as we both end up dead....it's just giving us both a more varied means of meeting our Maker.......Ted I want a Sermon on this?

Bounder

[=CfC=Father Ted]

My feeling is that there are too many variables for us to get a satisfactory solution to this.  A couple of nights back Woof and I were flying for the IJA against Bounder, Baldaddy, and Silverback.  My opinion is that we had less combined talent and soon lost our best machines, without reducing that of our opponents.  Once this had happened we really had a mountain to climb (as footie commentators like to say).  In situations where there are only a few of us playing the differential in skill levels can make limiting the aircraft available unfair.

Sure, if it's 4 or 5 a side, I think the limitation is an interesting variation.  As Conky pointed out it makes you a little less cavalier.  But then again different pilots get different things out of different machines, making balance harder to achieve. A few posts back Silverback suggested personal limits and I think this would be the best idea as you could manage your own "stable" - but I guess we can't implement this.

If the aim is to balance things,  how about going in the other direction and limiting the planeset to one or two per side, but unlimiting their availability?  A bit boring I know, but at least everyone would know where they stand.

In short: a good idea for large-ish DFs with balanced teams, but not so good for smaller affairs.

End of sermon

[=CfC=Bounder]

Any other views chaps?

All missions will have a complete re-vamp with UP 3.0 coming out but it looks like several versions of our current DF maps with very limited aircraft types and no limits to aircraft numbers will be the only way if that is what everyone wants.

Time we had a poll!

Bounder

[CFC_Conky]

Well, I suppose you could build the map with no Spits or 109F's and fly that for a while before adding new kites. Hurris vs Italian kites can be quite fun.

Pip, pip,
Conky

[=CfC=Bounder]

Judging by the poll, most want variation....so that will be the way forward.

To enable the use of some of the less uber machines, I will build some dedicated maps to reflect a defined battle or era with no aircraft restrictions e.g:-

- Desert early 1941 featuring only Bf109 E series with Hurricanes and Tomahawks (no Spits/P40's either)
- Early Malta scenario on the Italy map with MV200's/G50/CR42 against Hurricane Mk1/Gladiator

These can be used when we all want a break from the inevitable Spitfire/109F series battles.

[=CfC=Father Ted]

Sounds a good solution Bounder

Ted

[=CfC= Silverback]

Bounder I know it sounds kinda harsh but I will always fly the best aircraft at my disposal so as defeat the best aircraft my opponent can muster. Skill being about the same with our more experenced sim pilots(Gizmo, Palmtree,Fitz to name few) Skill can only get anyone just so far. It all boils down to a marrage of talent, teamwork and tech. With the emphisas on teamwork. Anyway if we are to fly lessor aircraft that's great as long as the playing feild is even tech wise.
Anyway I'm off  with a case of Jack Daniel's's to talk the Sheik into putting a pool in at the palace. That's my going away ramble. Good luck with Farber and his boys and ALWAYS FLY IN PAIRS IE lead and wingman (know the difference your virtual life depends on it). I'll see y'all in six weeks. Maybe sooner if my missions are at night.

                             P.O. Silverback
                             WSWA Detachment.
                             Mosul, Iraq

[=CfC=BlueDog]

Good luck with Farber and his boys and ALWAYS FLY IN PAIRS IE lead and wingman (know the difference your virtual life depends on it)

Wise words indeed, SB.

Seconded!

[=CfC=Bounder]

Oh dear!

The thread was originally intended to discuss flying all the other types of a/c that we have available. When Badger tried to get us all "flying outside our comfort zone", that failed too!

I agree with all that has been said about teamwork etc., but it has nothing to do with mission building and trying to get some interest in flying all the other wonderful machinery we have available.

I hope when UP3.0 comes out with even more choice we will somehow manage to encourage the occasional foray into the unknown?

Bounder

[=CfC=Woof]

Hey, Bounder, to get us all flying the strange and seldom loved or used aircraft why don't we simply have one type of a/c on each side?  Each member gets a day to pick a map and the two airplanes.  Alphabetically.

[=CfC=Bounder]

Hey, Bounder, to get us all flying the strange and seldom loved or used aircraft why don't we simply have one type of a/c on each side?  Each member gets a day to pick a map and the two airplanes.  Alphabetically.

That might work well with some teamwork training included. We could set a scenario for escort, ground attack, DF etc. with each side taking-off together and attempting to achieve the set task.

With UP3.0 this could include multi-crew operation included. I see lots of opportunity here.

While we are waiting for UP3.0, we could make a start on Thursday..........how about reversing the alphabet and starting with Woof choosing a map, two aircraft types and a goal for each side to complete? 30 minutes a side so everyone gets to fly both types. To keep it simple, we could for instance require one side to escort one of the AI seaplanes on a map through to landing (they fly for 30 minutes before a new one takes-off)

With a little notice, I can easily build a simple MDS DF with appropriate added AI participation.

Any other ideas?

[John Cartwright]

I suggest that Silverback should always be confined to Tiger Moth only...even then he would mange to chuck a Toilet roll into my rad intake I shouldn't wonder

[=CfC=Woof]

Bounder said:

"While we are waiting for UP3.0, we could make a start on Thursday..........how about reversing the alphabet and starting with Woof choosing a map, two aircraft types and a goal for each side to complete? 30 minutes a side so everyone gets to fly both types. To keep it simple, we could for instance require one side to escort one of the AI seaplanes on a map through to landing (they fly for 30 minutes before a new one takes-off)"

Sounds good to me, all except the training.  So if I'm going first, let's use the Krauts in TA 152 H-1s and the mustachiod heroes in P47 D-27s.  Put them on the CFC Italy map and let's see some awesome T and B around the flying boats down at sea level.  Yowzza!!

[=CfC=Bounder]

Consider it done Woof. I have a feeling we might be up and running with UP3.0 next Thursday, but I will build a first mission anyway....30 minutes a side.

Red will escort a Sunderland to recon an Italian convoy steaming down the East coast of Corsica. Blue will provide cover. TS whisper used by both sides.

Do you want a co-op, MDS with limited a/c each for re-spawn....or unlimited MDS re-spawn?

Bounder