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Carrier Aircraft Settings - 5/2/2010 4:26:09 PM

Grit

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When you know your carriers are going into harms way. What do you have your Aircraft Settings at? I would ask specific questions about CAP or LRCAP or Naval Attack but I'd probably ask the wrong questions, so you decide what info I need. If it makes any difference I'm playing Allied.

Thank you very much.

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RE: Carrier Aircraft Settings - 5/2/2010 4:36:01 PM

LoBaron

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I won�t be much of help here.

Just the following: the settings completely depend on

- available assets
- mission (or: what you want to achieve)
- expected opposition
- date
- your CV squadron setup
- if your mission priorities outweight the survival of your own forces or vice versa...

and probably a couple of others...

To become predictable in your setup and not to change it according what you want to do is the sure way to defeat.

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Post #: 2

RE: Carrier Aircraft Settings - 5/2/2010 4:45:51 PM

Grit

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Joined: 4/7/2010
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quote:

ORIGINAL: LoBaron

I won�t be much of help here.

Just the following: the settings completely depend on

- available assets
- mission (or: what you want to achieve)
- expected opposition
- date
- your CV squadron setup
- if your mission priorities outweight the survival of your own forces or vice versa...

and probably a couple of others...

To become predictable in your setup and not to change it according what you want to do is the sure way to defeat.

Thanks.

I figured it would be complicated that's why I didn't get specific.

Date is Feb/42
Opposition, another carrier force.

I'm just trying to get an idea so I don't completely get slaughtered. When I played the Guadacanal Scenario i just used the setting the AI had. I figure it's time to do it right or at least get some general ideas of what experience has taught people.

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Post #: 3

RE: Carrier Aircraft Settings - 5/2/2010 5:11:30 PM

SuluSea

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If you're carrier hunting in early 42 expect to be humbled . The Japanese have crack airmen & long legged torpedo bombers . In early 42 the more prudent move would to be searching for targets of opportunity, later on in 42 you'll have better trained airmen, TBFs and very good AA if you get all the upgrades.

If it's mid to early 42 you better make sure you have enough ASW assets (6-8) and I like to put 50% of the float planes on ASW (1,000 ft) and 10-20% of TBDs if I don't expect combat. Japanese subs will ruin your day.

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Post #: 4

RE: Carrier Aircraft Settings - 5/2/2010 5:16:56 PM

khyberbill

Posts: 1941
Joined: 9/11/2007
From: new milford, ct
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quote:

Date is Feb/42
Opposition, another carrier force.

Unless I know I have good odds, I avoid a fight that early in the game. As for settings, I set fighters on 60 escort, DB's 10 search and 10 naval and same with TB's. At your date, I usually have my carriers doing Home water defense near Tahiti or Melbourne. That is if I am playing PBEM. I dont play the AI so I cant help you there.

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Post #: 5

RE: Carrier Aircraft Settings - 5/2/2010 6:04:33 PM

Joe D.

Posts: 4004
Joined: 8/31/2005
From: Stratford, Connecticut
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Grit

When you know your carriers are going into harms way ...

One of my CVE TFs acting as cover for amphib ops in the Philipines recently had a night engagement w/a small IJN surface fleet; despite the presence of a BB, CA and numerous destroyers, an IJN CL scored fatal hits on 3 out of 4 CVEs while the rest of these surface vessels only took pot shots at it.

Is there a better way to protect my carriers from surface vessels, short of staying out of from harm's way?

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Post #: 6

RE: Carrier Aircraft Settings - 5/2/2010 7:16:14 PM

Icedawg

Posts: 1610
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From: Upstate New York
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quote:

ORIGINAL: khyberbill

quote:

Date is Feb/42
Opposition, another carrier force.

Unless I know I have good odds, I avoid a fight that early in the game. As for settings, I set fighters on 60 escort, DB's 10 search and 10 naval and same with TB's. At your date, I usually have my carriers doing Home water defense near Tahiti or Melbourne. That is if I am playing PBEM. I dont play the AI so I cant help you there.

Does the use of DB's and TB's for ASW and Naval Search seem like a waste to anyone else other than me? Especially from the Japanese side, you've got tons of float planes for that. Why not just use those?

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Post #: 7

RE: Carrier Aircraft Settings - 5/2/2010 7:54:15 PM

Misconduct

Posts: 1864
Joined: 2/18/2009
From: Cape Canaveral, Florida
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Joe D.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Grit

When you know your carriers are going into harms way ...

One of my CVE TFs acting as cover for amphib ops in the Philipines recently had a night engagement w/a small IJN surface fleet; despite the presence of a BB, CA and numerous destroyers, an IJN CL scored fatal hits on 3 out of 4 CVEs while the rest of these surface vessels only took pot shots at it.

Is there a better way to protect my carriers from surface vessels, short of staying out of from harm's way?

Here are some tricks you can use to prevent this -
Have a really high Aggressive CA or slow battleship with your CVE's, I believe CVE's travel slow from WITP, so the 21 knot ships will keep up fine, remember to give that one or two capitol escort ships a high aggressive rating otherwise they won't return fire as often. Secondly if you don't have enough ships available, put a surface taskforce to escort your carriers, all ships with highest aggerssive commander you can give them, and including a Surface reaction rating of 2-3. and Finally, where ever you are having your carriers, bring along submarines. Bases like rabaul you have to plot where you think the KB is most likely to come from, and deploy a half dozen to defend an opening, I believe there are 3 likely places so I stationed 18 subs in the particular area, 6 to west, 6 to south, 6, off Japan in a late game, I would place every sub between Formosa and Okinawa.

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Post #: 8

RE: Carrier Aircraft Settings - 5/2/2010 7:57:18 PM

Misconduct

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Icedawg

quote:

ORIGINAL: khyberbill

quote:

Date is Feb/42
Opposition, another carrier force.

Unless I know I have good odds, I avoid a fight that early in the game. As for settings, I set fighters on 60 escort, DB's 10 search and 10 naval and same with TB's. At your date, I usually have my carriers doing Home water defense near Tahiti or Melbourne. That is if I am playing PBEM. I dont play the AI so I cant help you there.

Does the use of DB's and TB's for ASW and Naval Search seem like a waste to anyone else other than me? Especially from the Japanese side, you've got tons of float planes for that. Why not just use those?

Curious question to add to this, not sure if SBD's for allies carry 1,000 or 500lb bomb when doing ASW, but I would assume the 500lb bomb. But to answer your question, look at the bombs your Float Planes carry, its probably a heck of alot smaller then the dive bombers, bigger bomb does more damage, however I rarely do 10% ASW.

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Post #: 9

RE: Carrier Aircraft Settings - 5/2/2010 9:21:45 PM

LoBaron

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From: Vienna, Austria
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You can be aggressive with your CVs quite early with the Allies if you fight in an area you can support with LBA and you don�t go against the complete KB IMO.

The main task of such a fight would be to kill as many Japanese crack pilots and treat hitting the IJN CVs as a secondary (but thats for sure not the only way to go).
But if this is your goal, id set a high percentage of fighters on CAP and a relatively low percentage on escort. You can afford the losses a bit better, and you will get better planes
for your naval squads anyway, and this way you have the highest chances to kill some experts.

As for naval search: DL is one of the major modifiers for hit accuracy, just my 2 c�s.

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Post #: 10

RE: Carrier Aircraft Settings - 5/2/2010 9:47:58 PM

topeverest

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From: Houston, TX - USA
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Agree that KB is very dangerous early in the game, and that I tend to avoid a head on clash if I am up against the bulk of the enemy force. When playing allies I tend to send several single DD's with aggressive commanders well ahead of my main force once the enemy is spotted and attempt to disrupt the expected enemy positions by engaging in a little pot shot surface combat. not only does it help disrupt and slow down enemy amphibious operations, it can distract enemy CV attacks. When lucky you can get a shot at enemy CV's - perhaps a torpedoe or 2. Hey, it can happen... Also know that with FOW on, the eney cannot know for sure if the 'scatter convoys' as I like to call them are the primary enemy. Any edge helps early on against KB.

Also, The more land based air, surface, and sub attacks you can place on the enemy in the turn you expect the main CV combat to occur, the more likely your main attack is to succeed. Early on, I tend to split fighters 50/50, until I can deploy more to CAP.

So, dont think Jutland from a force deplyment perspective.

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Post #: 11

RE: Carrier Aircraft Settings - 5/3/2010 12:35:43 AM

Joe D.

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From: Stratford, Connecticut
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Misconduct

Here are some tricks you can use to prevent this -
Have a really high Aggressive CA or slow battleship with your CVE's ...

I did, but not in a separate TF: is that what you're suggesting?

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"The Angel of Okinawa"

Home of the Chance-Vought Corsair, F4U
The best fighter-bomber of World War II

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Post #: 12

RE: Carrier Aircraft Settings - 5/3/2010 1:09:51 PM

Sardaukar

Posts: 9847
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My default is for USN/RN:

Fighters: 15k, 50% CAP/50% Escort
DB: 10k, Naval Attack/20% search
TB: 10k, Naval attack

I am not sure if changing TBs to 10k from 5k is beneficial, but I think it helps with strike co-ordination. I have not seen torpedo accuracy to decline too much.

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Post #: 13

RE: Carrier Aircraft Settings - 5/3/2010 1:13:15 PM

Grit

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Joined: 4/7/2010
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Thank you for the replies and good discussion.

It's not really my intention to fight carriers this early if I don't have to. The Japanese had taken Baker and Canton and I took 2 carriers down there to bomb ports and transport ships. I was thinking a Japanese carrier may show up and I wanted to be ready.

I found myself pretty much confused on how to set my aircraft up. I'm sure with more practice it will become easier.

Thanks.

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Post #: 14

RE: Carrier Aircraft Settings - 5/3/2010 2:04:45 PM

Misconduct

Posts: 1864
Joined: 2/18/2009
From: Cape Canaveral, Florida
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Grit

Thank you for the replies and good discussion.

It's not really my intention to fight carriers this early if I don't have to. The Japanese had taken Baker and Canton and I took 2 carriers down there to bomb ports and transport ships. I was thinking a Japanese carrier may show up and I wanted to be ready.

I found myself pretty much confused on how to set my aircraft up. I'm sure with more practice it will become easier.

Thanks.

There's nothing you can do to stop the KB even at canton, i tried holding it with a marine defense bat. and some AA units, however KB showed up and flattened the airfield/port and landed 5000 men on the island wiping me out. However after I seen it take Baker Island, I threw some long range subs to outline the area around Baker, however this was before the last patch when submarines got nerfed.

I Think it was the Wahoo who sank 3 carriers in 1 turn from the KB sitting and bombing Canton I.

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Post #: 15

RE: Carrier Aircraft Settings - 5/3/2010 2:08:43 PM

Sardaukar

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You'll have better chance if you have Marine Def Bn and Tank Bn there. Latter is very resilient to bombardment.

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Post #: 16

RE: Carrier Aircraft Settings - 5/3/2010 3:03:53 PM

Grit

Posts: 142
Joined: 4/7/2010
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Misconduct

quote:

ORIGINAL: Grit

Thank you for the replies and good discussion.

It's not really my intention to fight carriers this early if I don't have to. The Japanese had taken Baker and Canton and I took 2 carriers down there to bomb ports and transport ships. I was thinking a Japanese carrier may show up and I wanted to be ready.

I found myself pretty much confused on how to set my aircraft up. I'm sure with more practice it will become easier.

Thanks.

There's nothing you can do to stop the KB even at canton, i tried holding it with a marine defense bat. and some AA units, however KB showed up and flattened the airfield/port and landed 5000 men on the island wiping me out. However after I seen it take Baker Island, I threw some long range subs to outline the area around Baker, however this was before the last patch when submarines got nerfed.

I Think it was the Wahoo who sank 3 carriers in 1 turn from the KB sitting and bombing Canton I.

Thanks.

I don't have any intention on trying to take them back, for awhile anyway. But I don't want them to be places he (the AI) can stage attacks on Christmas or my southern shipping. I've reinforced Christmas quite a bit and Pago Pago is being reinforced also.

I'll keep harassing him there and move some subs down like you suggested.

I do have some tank units sitting around drinking coffee. Maybe I should put them to work also as defense.

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Post #: 17

RE: Carrier Aircraft Settings - 5/3/2010 3:29:50 PM

PMCN

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I tend to set it up with:

fighters: Escort-CAP: 50%, Training 20%, Alt: 15K
SBD: Naval Attack-20% ASW, 20% Search, 20% Training, Alt: 11K (so they dive bomb) I use one group to cover 270�-80� while the other covers 90�-260�.
TBD: Naval Attack-50% training, Alt: 5K

This is for when I am transiting or just patrolling.� If I know combat is in the offing then I take the training off but leave 40% of my SBDs scouting.� I would also recommend going in and changing the float planes to search specific sections but since the number of float planes is so low they should not be your only search/asw platforms.� I also limit the SBDs to flying only 7 hexes since otherwise they might launch a strike without fighter cover.

It is important to look at the air field ratings of the small islands down there many of them are not much of a threat.� I'm planning on taking Canton back but mainly because I want a small invasion to practice with and I have loads of units prepared to defend it.� So once my assault force is finished I can get a strong garrison (infantry Bn., AA Rgt, Marine Defence Bn., ARTY Bn plus a base force) in quickly.� Another thing is to get an AS down into say Pego Pego, Christmas Isle, or Tahiti (even Bora Bora) and start basing your S class subs out of there to interdict supply transport to those bases.� Make the fact the IJN has to keep those bases in sake and rice work for you.� The S class use torpedoes which more often then not actually explode rather than just give the japanese freighter crew customs problems on arriving at their destination.� "Ah so.� I do not see 4 21" Mk 14 torpedoes on your manifest Captain.� Yet they are in your hold.� You must the tax for those pay!"

As this is new player helping other new player take this with a grain of salt, and if it all goes belly up please feel free to blame me.

< Message edited by Paul McNeely -- 5/3/2010 3:35:50 PM >

(in reply to Grit)

Post #: 18

RE: Carrier Aircraft Settings - 5/3/2010 3:49:24 PM

Grit

Posts: 142
Joined: 4/7/2010
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Paul McNeely

I tend to set it up with:

fighters: Escort-CAP: 50%, Training 20%, Alt: 15K
SBD: Naval Attack-20% ASW, 20% Search, 20% Training, Alt: 11K (so they dive bomb) I use one group to cover 270�-80� while the other covers 90�-260�.
TBD: Naval Attack-50% training, Alt: 5K

This is for when I am transiting or just patrolling.� If I know combat is in the offing then I take the training off but leave 40% of my SBDs scouting.� I would also recommend going in and changing the float planes to search specific sections but since the number of float planes is so low they should not be your only search/asw platforms.� I also limit the SBDs to flying only 7 hexes since otherwise they might launch a strike without fighter cover.

It is important to look at the air field ratings of the small islands down there many of them are not much of a threat.� I'm planning on taking Canton back but mainly because I want a small invasion to practice with and I have loads of units prepared to defend it.� So once my assault force is finished I can get a strong garrison (infantry Bn., AA Rgt, Marine Defence Bn., ARTY Bn plus a base force) in quickly.� Another thing is to get an AS down into say Pego Pego, Christmas Isle, or Tahiti (even Bora Bora) and start basing your S class subs out of there to interdict supply transport to those bases.� Make the fact the IJN has to keep those bases in sake and rice work for you.� The S class use torpedoes which more often then not actually explode rather than just give the japanese freighter crew customs problems on arriving at their destination.� "Ah so.� I do not see 4 21" Mk 14 torpedoes on your manifest Captain.� Yet they are in your hold.� You must the tax for those pay!"

As this is new player helping other new player take this with a grain of salt, and if it all goes belly up please feel free to blame me.

Exactly the information I was looking for. The percentages and altitude is very helpful. Thank You.

I just read Lobaron's post on A2A, not sure how I missed it.

I have a much better handle on this for the future.

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Post #: 19

RE: Carrier Aircraft Settings - 5/3/2010 4:09:43 PM

PMCN

Posts: 625
Joined: 9/8/2000
From: Germany
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It is probably worth doing a google search for the wiki for AE because there are a lot of things on altitude settings not in the manual.

1. Escorts fly at the altitude of the strike package from what I have seen. I just had a bunch of Hurricanes shot up by Oscar's of Akyba while escorting bombers coming in at 6K feet even though they were set to 15K, and the oscar's were at 9K.
2. TBDs will "glide bomb" at a certain altitude...my vague memory says 10-15k they glide bomb. I have no idea what that is but...
3. SBD and other dive bombers will only dive if they are set to 11-15K below or above that they level bomb.
4. Low level bombing and strafing is apparently very effective but I've never tried it as I have no pilots skilled in low level attacks.
5. Fighters (and maybe fighter bombers) set to ground attack at 6K often execute their attack lower. I had P40Es set to ground attack at 6K and in the CR they were reported attacking at altitudes from 4K to 6K. Not sure what is going on there...maybe weather.
6. 6K uses ground attack but 5K uses LowG. The same is true for Naval strikes. I like 6K as a bombing altitude for attacks on ground units without air cover, with air cover it is probably better to go in higher to keep the escort alive since they are going to get dove on and then shot up from the rear.

I hope this helps and that it is all correct, the glide bombing is the most dubious thing there. Most of the rest of it comes from experience.

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Post #: 20

RE: Carrier Aircraft Settings - 5/3/2010 4:17:16 PM

castor troy

Posts: 14330
Joined: 8/23/2004
From: Austria
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Joe D.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Misconduct

Here are some tricks you can use to prevent this -
Have a really high Aggressive CA or slow battleship with your CVE's ...

I did, but not in a separate TF: is that what you're suggesting?

I would go with a separate TF but be aware that you can also run into the scenario that your SC TF doesn�t engage at all (or not first) and your CV TF is pummeled completely. Best is to have strong SC assets in the CV TF and having a separate SC TF in the hex too.

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Post #: 21

RE: Carrier Aircraft Settings - 5/3/2010 4:25:03 PM

Sardaukar

Posts: 9847
Joined: 11/28/2001
From: Finland/Israel
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Paul McNeely

It is probably worth doing a google search for the wiki for AE because there are a lot of things on altitude settings not in the manual.

1.� Escorts fly at the altitude of the strike package from what I have seen.� I just had a bunch of Hurricanes shot up by Oscar's of Akyba while escorting bombers coming in at 6K feet even though they were set to 15K, and the oscar's were at 9K.
2.� TBDs will "glide bomb" at a certain altitude...my vague memory says 10-15k they glide bomb.� I have no idea what that is but...
3.� SBD and other dive bombers will only dive if they are set to 11-15K below or above that they level bomb.
4.� Low level bombing and strafing is apparently very effective but I've never tried it as I have no pilots skilled in low level attacks.
5.� Fighters (and maybe fighter bombers) set to ground attack at 6K often execute their attack lower.� I had P40Es set to ground attack at 6K and in the CR they were reported attacking at altitudes from 4K to 6K.� Not sure what is going on there...maybe weather.
6.� 6K uses ground attack but 5K uses LowG.� The same is true for Naval strikes.� I like 6K as a bombing altitude for attacks on ground units without air cover, with air cover it is probably better to go in higher to keep the escort alive since they are going to get dove on and then shot up from the rear.

I hope this helps and that it is all correct, the glide bombing is the most dubious thing there.� Most of the rest of it comes from experience.

1. Escorts fly 2k above strike package, IIRC.

2.-3. Altitudes are here: http://hc-strategy.com/ae/wiki/index.php?title=Bombing_Altitudes

4. Low Level attacks are really effective, especially 100ft "skip bombing" against ships. You do have increased chance of losses and damage by flak.

5. Fighter bombers will also make glide attack when set to bomb

6. 6k is indeed the divider between Low and Normal skill

Some other good stuff here: http://hc-strategy.com/ae/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page

_____________________________

"To meaningless French Idealism, Liberty, Fraternity and Equality...we answer with German Realism, Infantry, Cavalry and Artillery" -Prince von B�lov, 1870-

(in reply to PMCN)

Post #: 22

RE: Carrier Aircraft Settings - 5/3/2010 4:39:11 PM

Grit

Posts: 142
Joined: 4/7/2010
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Paul McNeely

It is probably worth doing a google search for the wiki for AE because there are a lot of things on altitude settings not in the manual.

1.� Escorts fly at the altitude of the strike package from what I have seen.� I just had a bunch of Hurricanes shot up by Oscar's of Akyba while escorting bombers coming in at 6K feet even though they were set to 15K, and the oscar's were at 9K.
2.� TBDs will "glide bomb" at a certain altitude...my vague memory says 10-15k they glide bomb.� I have no idea what that is but...
3.� SBD and other dive bombers will only dive if they are set to 11-15K below or above that they level bomb.
4.� Low level bombing and strafing is apparently very effective but I've never tried it as I have no pilots skilled in low level attacks.
5.� Fighters (and maybe fighter bombers) set to ground attack at 6K often execute their attack lower.� I had P40Es set to ground attack at 6K and in the CR they were reported attacking at altitudes from 4K to 6K.� Not sure what is going on there...maybe weather.
6.� 6K uses ground attack but 5K uses LowG.� The same is true for Naval strikes.� I like 6K as a bombing altitude for attacks on ground units without air cover, with air cover it is probably better to go in higher to keep the escort alive since they are going to get dove on and then shot up from the rear.

I hope this helps and that it is all correct, the glide bombing is the most dubious thing there.� Most of the rest of it comes from experience.

Great information, thanks for passing your knowledge on, I appreciate it.

As soon as I get some gas in my carriers I'm going to try out all this stuff.

I know the ship information shows how much ammo they have expended. I tried finding if the carrier air units have used up their torpedoes and I couldn't find it. Is the information available or did I miss it?

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Post #: 23

RE: Carrier Aircraft Settings - 5/3/2010 4:48:32 PM

Grit

Posts: 142
Joined: 4/7/2010
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Sardaukar

quote:

ORIGINAL: Paul McNeely

It is probably worth doing a google search for the wiki for AE because there are a lot of things on altitude settings not in the manual.

1.� Escorts fly at the altitude of the strike package from what I have seen.� I just had a bunch of Hurricanes shot up by Oscar's of Akyba while escorting bombers coming in at 6K feet even though they were set to 15K, and the oscar's were at 9K.
2.� TBDs will "glide bomb" at a certain altitude...my vague memory says 10-15k they glide bomb.� I have no idea what that is but...
3.� SBD and other dive bombers will only dive if they are set to 11-15K below or above that they level bomb.
4.� Low level bombing and strafing is apparently very effective but I've never tried it as I have no pilots skilled in low level attacks.
5.� Fighters (and maybe fighter bombers) set to ground attack at 6K often execute their attack lower.� I had P40Es set to ground attack at 6K and in the CR they were reported attacking at altitudes from 4K to 6K.� Not sure what is going on there...maybe weather.
6.� 6K uses ground attack but 5K uses LowG.� The same is true for Naval strikes.� I like 6K as a bombing altitude for attacks on ground units without air cover, with air cover it is probably better to go in higher to keep the escort alive since they are going to get dove on and then shot up from the rear.

I hope this helps and that it is all correct, the glide bombing is the most dubious thing there.� Most of the rest of it comes from experience.

1. Escorts fly 2k above strike package, IIRC.

2.-3. Altitudes are here: http://hc-strategy.com/ae/wiki/index.php?title=Bombing_Altitudes

4. Low Level attacks are really effective, especially 100ft "skip bombing" against ships. You do have increased chance of losses and damage by flak.

5. Fighter bombers will also make glide attack when set to bomb

6. 6k is indeed the divider between Low and Normal skill

Some other good stuff here: http://hc-strategy.com/ae/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page

Thank You.

Thanks for the links.

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Post #: 24

RE: Carrier Aircraft Settings - 5/3/2010 4:55:03 PM

sfbaytf

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I keep mine at 30% for CAP for most of the war. Otherwise it's hard to break through the KB CAP. Later in the war I may bump it up to 40 or 50% when the IJN is less of a threat and I know I'll have mass kami attacks.

Don't play much against the AI so mabye that is different. As mentioned before my opponent doesn't do what Japan did historically. He doesn't split up the Japanese carriers. So when I face a carrier threat it's going to be huge. Later on in he war when Japan gets more carriers you can have 2 or more big carrier fleets. IMO breaking up the Japanese carrier early in the war into smaller elements gives the allieds a chance to pick them off. Keep them concentrated and it will take longer for the allieds to be capable of hitting and sinking your carriers.

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Post #: 25

RE: Carrier Aircraft Settings - 5/4/2010 7:32:11 AM

PMCN

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Ah 2K above.� That is useful to know.� Of course 2K+6K is less than 9K so they got dived on *sigh*� I believe the skip bombing thing but pilots with skills in the 20's don't hit much.� When my better pilots are ready, I hadn't noticed how green the first bunch were, I'll send the bombers in again at 7K or 8K and see if the Oscar's are still putting about at 9K.

Looked at the Wiki again and the question occurs to me: what is glide bombing? How do you convince other plane types (torpedo and fighter bombers)? Same altitude selections as for dive bombers or something else?

If you ground attack with fighters and set the altitude to 100' they strafe correct? Not sure I have sufficient fighters around to do this but one group of hurricanes has this as a primary skill.

< Message edited by Paul McNeely -- 5/4/2010 8:12:45 AM >

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Post #: 26

RE: Carrier Aircraft Settings - 5/4/2010 9:12:34 AM

Sardaukar

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Paul McNeely

Ah 2K above.� That is useful to know.� Of course 2K+6K is less than 9K so they got dived on *sigh*� I believe the skip bombing thing but pilots with skills in the 20's don't hit much.� When my better pilots are ready, I hadn't noticed how green the first bunch were, I'll send the bombers in again at 7K or 8K and see if the Oscar's are still putting about at 9K.

Looked at the Wiki again and the question occurs to me: what is glide bombing? How do you convince other plane types (torpedo and fighter bombers)? Same altitude selections as for dive bombers or something else?

If you ground attack with fighters and set the altitude to 100' they strafe correct? Not sure I have sufficient fighters around to do this but one group of hurricanes has this as a primary skill.

Yes, skip bombing comes really dangerous to enemy only when pilots reach skill levels 50 or above. Of course, one can always get lucky. Lot of people have house rule against 4E bombers below certain level, because for example B-17 can be very deadly in this role (very durable against flak). In fact, skip bombing was first practiced by B-17s, before the role was given to 2E bombers like A-20 or B-25 (better to lose smaller crew and easier to replace plane).

USN explanations about dive, glide and skip bombing: http://www.eugeneleeslover.com/USNAVY/CHAPTER-23-E.html

Torpedo bombers glide bomb if they are below certain altitude, they never dive bomb. I think they do level bombing if 16k or above, but don't take my word for that, it can be 10k, for what I know.
Fighter bombers equipped with bombs will always glide bomb, IIRC.

Fighters set to 100ft will strafe. Also, if plane is designated with class Attack Bomber, it'll also strafe, no matter what the altitude is set.

< Message edited by Sardaukar -- 5/4/2010 9:22:50 AM >

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Post #: 27

RE: Carrier Aircraft Settings - 5/4/2010 9:22:31 AM

PMCN

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Thanks Sardaukar.� Sorry I didn't mean to imply torpedo bomber will dive bomb...my comment I just realized was incomplete.� I was asking how you make torpedo and fighter bombers glide as opposed to level bomb.

< Message edited by Paul McNeely -- 5/4/2010 9:23:15 AM >

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Post #: 28

RE: Carrier Aircraft Settings - 5/4/2010 9:24:48 AM

Sardaukar

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Paul McNeely

Thanks Sardaukar.� But what exactly is "glide bombing" in reality?� I've never heard of it before.� Sorry I didn't mean to imply torpedo bomber will dive bomb...my comment I just realized was incomplete.� I was asking how you make torpedo and fighter bombers glide as opposed to level bomb.

I edited my post above to clarify that the link above gives explanation of dive, glide, skip and toss bombing.

Glide bombing is similar to dive bombing except that the attack angle is less than 60 degrees. This technique is better adapted to fighter-type aircraft which tend to develop excessive speeds in steep dives. Glide bombing is high-speed attack and bombs are released at an altitude of from 2,000 to 3,000 feet. Advantages over horizontal bombing include surprise and quick getaway. The disadvantages are that the bomb velocity is less than in dive bombing and AA vulnerability is greater than in dive bombing.

AFAIK, torpedo bombers will glide bomb automatically if they are within certain altitudes and equipped with bombs. Those limits I don't know for sure, but probably similar to DB settings in AE Wiki. TBs can only glide bomb or level bomb (not sure if they can skip bomb too, likely they can), thus I said they'll never dive bomb. Dive Bombers can dive bomb, glide bomb or level bomb (no idea about their ability to skip bomb).

So, for torpedo bomber, I'd deduct that:

< 1 k (100 ft) skip bomb (?)
1-9 k level bombing
10-19 k glide bombing
20k and above, level bombing

These are just my thoughts and not verified by devs etc.

< Message edited by Sardaukar -- 5/4/2010 9:33:51 AM >

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Post #: 29

RE: Carrier Aircraft Settings - 5/4/2010 9:41:11 AM

PMCN

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I just edited mine when I looked at your link and realized it explained what it was. I'd never heard of "glide bombing" but I'm more a gun person then an air power person (regardless of that I build many model aircraft and ships I'm more into ground combat).

Anyway many thanks for the link it was a right interesting read. At least now I have a better idea what is going on. My army dive bombers (the Banshee's) did very poorly but they were piloted by people fresh from ground school, didn't seem to matter what target I gave them (port attack, naval attack, ground attack) but my marine/naval dauntless squadrons at Midway did a number on an IJN SAG (or bombardment group). 4 1000 lbers into the CA, and 1 into the CL. They put another 1000 lber into a DD some day later. Pests those IJN ships.

The plane that really impressed me was the float fighters that start in Manila. I evac'ed them to Ambon and after wards to Darwin but they had a good success bombing transports.

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Post #: 30