Slitherine

quote:

ORIGINAL: Kwik E Mart
understood...but is this because Escort is usually lower than CAP and CAP is usually lower than Sweep and in these cases there is usually more chance for "bounce"? or is there something more at play here?

quote:

ORIGINAL: LoBaron

This is not lack of depth.

quote:

ORIGINAL: EUBanana

Some stratosweeps, restarting the game each time. Tallies taken from air losses alone (no ops) underneath each and so can assumed to be accurate.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Apr 16, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kiska Island , at 157,51

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 26 NM, estimated altitude 30,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 16


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed



CAP engaged:
452 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
11 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters to 25000.
Raid is overhead



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kiska Island , at 157,51

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 2


No Japanese losses

No Allied losses



CAP engaged:
452 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters to 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 117 minutes


P40s 2, Zeroes 1

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Apr 16, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kiska Island , at 157,51

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 16


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed



CAP engaged:
452 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters to 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kiska Island , at 157,51

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 2


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed




CAP engaged:
452 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 26000 and 28000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 77 minutes



P40s 4, Zeroes 1

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Apr 16, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kiska Island , at 157,51

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 16


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed



CAP engaged:
452 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters to 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kiska Island , at 157,51

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 2


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed




CAP engaged:
452 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 26000 and 28000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 77 minutes



P40s 4, Zeroes 1


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Apr 16, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kiska Island , at 157,51

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 16


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed



CAP engaged:
452 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters to 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kiska Island , at 157,51

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 2


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed




CAP engaged:
452 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 26000 and 28000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 77 minutes



P40s 4, Zeroes 1

IN PERPETUUM SINGULARIS SEDES

quote:

ORIGINAL: dr.diplodocus

green button me.. i dont care, it won't hurt my feelings.
this statement makes me a troll? so make sure you know your shi* before you end up making youself look like a dumbass
I'm a troll when I quote TheElf, if i understand correctly the designer of the air portion of the game?
hardly a troll, but better a troll than someone who hides from others they don't agree with.

quote:

ORIGINAL: EUBanana

Someone suggested they'd lose less aircraft at 5000' (de Nile isn't just a river in Egypt you know ), so lets try that out.

Same situation as above, again, I restarted the game for each test.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Apr 16, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kiska Island , at 157,51

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 16


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed



CAP engaged:
452 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters to 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kiska Island , at 157,51

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 2


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed




CAP engaged:
452 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 28000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 56 minutes



P40s 1, Zeroes 3


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Apr 16, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kiska Island , at 157,51

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 16


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed



CAP engaged:
452 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters to 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kiska Island , at 157,51

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 2


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed




CAP engaged:
452 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 28000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 56 minutes



P40s 1, Zeroes 3

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Apr 16, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kiska Island , at 157,51

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 16


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed



CAP engaged:
452 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters to 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kiska Island , at 157,51

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 2


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed




CAP engaged:
452 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 28000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 56 minutes



P40s 1, Zeroes 3


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Apr 16, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kiska Island , at 157,51

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 16


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed



CAP engaged:
452 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters to 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kiska Island , at 157,51

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 2


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed




CAP engaged:
452 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 28000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 56 minutes



P40s 1, Zeroes 3

IN PERPETUUM SINGULARIS SEDES

quote:

ORIGINAL: TheElf

quote:

ORIGINAL: EUBanana

Some stratosweeps, restarting the game each time. Tallies taken from air losses alone (no ops) underneath each and so can assumed to be accurate.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Apr 16, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kiska Island , at 157,51

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 26 NM, estimated altitude 30,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 16


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed



CAP engaged:
452 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
11 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters to 25000.
Raid is overhead



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kiska Island , at 157,51

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 2


No Japanese losses

No Allied losses



CAP engaged:
452 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters to 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 117 minutes


P40s 2, Zeroes 1

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Apr 16, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kiska Island , at 157,51

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 16


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed



CAP engaged:
452 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters to 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kiska Island , at 157,51

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 2


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed




CAP engaged:
452 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 26000 and 28000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 77 minutes



P40s 4, Zeroes 1

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Apr 16, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kiska Island , at 157,51

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 16


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed



CAP engaged:
452 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters to 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kiska Island , at 157,51

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 2


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed




CAP engaged:
452 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 26000 and 28000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 77 minutes



P40s 4, Zeroes 1


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Apr 16, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kiska Island , at 157,51

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 16


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed



CAP engaged:
452 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters to 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kiska Island , at 157,51

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 2


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed




CAP engaged:
452 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 26000 and 28000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 77 minutes



P40s 4, Zeroes 1

Here is what I find to be decisive about this test. No one seems to have consider the impact of what I have bolded above...no...pretty clear that CAP does not have the benefit of radar here. whatr

quote:

ORIGINAL: TheElf
Not sure what this test is supposed to show...Sweeping Zeroes from the sky below 10k' is a good idea?

quote:

ORIGINAL: Sardaukar

BTW, check what is the Defensive skill of the pilots. Maybe trying to train that up for couple of weeks and see how much it has effect on defending against bounce. 

quote:

ORIGINAL: Sardaukar

I ment Defensive skill, which, according to The Elf is important surviving the bounce, not general Exp.

quote:

ORIGINAL: EUBanana

Kinda interesting in it own right, as average pilots in an awful plane (maneuver rating 2 when they fight at 25k feet I think, no?) bouncing expert pilots in a good plane whip them.

quote:

ORIGINAL: EUBanana

quote:

ORIGINAL: TheElf

Not sure what this test is supposed to show...Sweeping Zeroes from the sky below 10k' is a good idea?

It just shows that altitude is the priority. It's always best to be above the enemy, the maneuver bands are very much secondary.

quote:

ORIGINAL: LoBaron
We have a highly abstracted but very well thought out simulation of reality here.

quote:

ORIGINAL: EUBanana

quote:

ORIGINAL: LoBaron
We have a highly abstracted but very well thought out simulation of reality here.

True, but it's leading to 39,000' patrol altitudes being used as the norm. I also don't think I've ever heard of maximum ceiling being a critical statistic in warplane performance before, at least not until you had things like MiG-25s trying to fly higher than the SAMs could reach.

quote:

ORIGINAL: LoBaron

Sardaukar thanks, if the results are conclusive this will be interesting for sure!


EUBanana: Yes. Exactly. Being used as the norm. Usually against opponents who do not admit being outclassed, outnumbered, or don´t go lower to get into better performance envelopes.

quote:

ORIGINAL: LoBaron
EUBanana: Yes. Exactly. Being used as the norm. Usually against opponents who do not admit being outclassed, outnumbered, or don´t go lower to get into better performance envelopes.

quote:

ORIGINAL: LoBaron

No. I don´t need to. Because the only reason for an attacker to go strato is if the defender out of a position of inferiority does the same
even if that does not benefit him.

quote:

ORIGINAL: EUBanana

quote:

ORIGINAL: LoBaron

No. I don´t need to. Because the only reason for an attacker to go strato is if the defender out of a position of inferiority does the same
even if that does not benefit him.

There is no evidence that P40s perform better at 5000' than they do 29,000'. There is your faith that they do, versus my experience and tests that suggests that they do not.

At 29k feet they will be bounced by Oscars, but on the other hand they will always bounce any bomber escort of any bombers that plan on doing any damage. Given they apparently do not better at 5k feet, may as well leave them at ceiling.

Why so stubborn? I like proof. Stick up some proof and maybe I'll change my mind.

quote:

ORIGINAL: LoBaron
The evidence that the P40 performs better at 5k than at 29k is in the plane detail window right where the numerical values next to
the altitude bands stand.

quote:

That the complaining about strato sweeps starts mostly when sombody gets whacked around at 29k because he is facing planes that completely
outclass his available assets at this altitude but refuses to change his tactics or weight of force or pull back is something that I have noticed
quite a lot of times already.

quote:


What exactly was it you need evidence for?

quote:

ORIGINAL: EUBanana

quote:

ORIGINAL: LoBaron
The evidence that the P40 performs better at 5k than at 29k is in the plane detail window right where the numerical values next to
the altitude bands stand.

I say those numbers are irrelevant. They do not measurably influence the outcome of combat, therefore they are irrelevant, except possibly in the very unusual situation where two adversaries are at exactly the same altitude.

quote:

quote:

That the complaining about strato sweeps starts mostly when sombody gets whacked around at 29k because he is facing planes that completely
outclass his available assets at this altitude but refuses to change his tactics or weight of force or pull back is something that I have noticed
quite a lot of times already.

Oh look, yet more veiled insults.

quote:

quote:


What exactly was it you need evidence for?

Because you just make assertions that are not backed up actual results. Apparently you'd rather just believe what you believe than run the risk of being found to be in error. I'm actually interested in the truth, ie what actually happens in the engine in different circumstances, not faith based assertions - especially when those faith based assertions run contrary to the evidence of my own eyes.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Shark7

quote:

ORIGINAL: EUBanana

quote:

ORIGINAL: LoBaron
We have a highly abstracted but very well thought out simulation of reality here.

True, but it's leading to 39,000' patrol altitudes being used as the norm. I also don't think I've ever heard of maximum ceiling being a critical statistic in warplane performance before, at least not until you had things like MiG-25s trying to fly higher than the SAMs could reach.

There probably should be some type of penalty for operating at the max ceiling. Most missions fell between 15-20k feet for a reason. Pilots would require supplemental Oxygen to operate at those very high altitudes, so you are limited to Very High altitude flight time by size of Oxygen cylinder the plane carries.
flying above 10k' without oxygen or pressurization leads to bad things (see "Officer and a Gentleman" pressure chamber scene - "Ace of spades, ace of spades, ace of spades..."). the penalty should be that (depending on weather, ground terrain, sea state, etc) stratosweep should have significant trouble spotting planes below them. in this case, the radar directed CAP would have big advantage, i would think. if no radar, we see similar results to the Kiska test on this thread. the CAP simply didn't have time to respond since the warning was practically nil

Another point...what sense does it make for a P-40 that manuevres like a brick at very high to actually move up there to fight
he's not up there to fight...he's up there to get energy/altitude advantage...if he sees something below, he dives on them...if he encounters something at his altitude, he dives and runs like hell (not sure, but probably outdive and outrun a light Zero)...if he encounters something above him, he may be in trouble.

Final thought, if you get 'the bounce' doesn't that basically mean that you made a dive on the unsuspecting enemy. Past the initial bounce, air combat should take place at the altitude band of the defender or lower, and the stats for that altitude band used to resolve combat.
according to Elf in previous posts, "bounce" includes altitude advantages, but is not limited to it...IOW, it could be surprise or other factors that leads one side to get the "bounce" on another side. agree that it would make sense to continue the combat post-bounce at the defenders alt or lower...unless he climbs to get away!!!

Kirk Lazarus: I know who I am. I'm the dude playin' the dude, disguised as another dude!
Ron Swanson: Clear alcohols are for rich women on diets.