Zeros vs Hurricane IIb Trop fighter

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All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> The War Room >> Zeros vs Hurricane IIb Trop fighter

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Zeros vs Hurricane IIb Trop fighter - 5/2/2014 9:44:15 PM

sufa101loofa

Posts: 52
Joined: 8/7/2013
From: Las Vegas, NV
Status: offline

It's March 1942, I am playing my first PBEM game as the Allies, stock game, scenario #1. I am putting up a very good ground fight in Rangoon but I continue to lose the air battles in the Burma skies. IMHO, the Hurricane IIb is my best fighter at this moment in time. I have vigorously trained my pilots, they all have Air ratings of 65 or better. With all these factors I expected to have better results vs the Jap Zeros. The ratio is 3-1 or better, Japs favor. Since the Hurricane closes the Maneuverability rating vs the Zero to a 17 to 14 (Zero favor) at >32k I have set my altitude to 33k. Any advise out there?

_____________________________

We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender...Winston Churchill

Post #: 1

RE: Zeros vs Hurricane IIb Trop fighter - 5/2/2014 10:22:17 PM

Lokasenna

Posts: 9297
Joined: 3/3/2012
From: Iowan in MD/DC
Status: offline

You could try setting your guys lower. Yes, he'll get the dive bonus, but isn't the Zero far superior to the Hurricane at say...10k altitude?

If not, then I'd stagger your CAP. Set one group at 10k or 15k, and another group at 15k or 20k, so that once the Hurricanes dive down your higher band of CAP gets a dive bonus on the Hurricanes themselves.

(in reply to sufa101loofa)

Post #: 2

RE: Zeros vs Hurricane IIb Trop fighter - 5/2/2014 10:42:48 PM

mind_messing

Posts: 3393
Joined: 10/28/2013
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: sufaloofa

It's March 1942, I am playing my first PBEM game as the Allies, stock game, scenario #1. I am putting up a very good ground fight in Rangoon but I continue to lose the air battles in the Burma skies. IMHO, the Hurricane IIb is my best fighter at this moment in time. I have vigorously trained my pilots, they all have Air ratings of 65 or better. With all these factors I expected to have better results vs the Jap Zeros. The ratio is 3-1 or better, Japs favor. Since the Hurricane closes the Maneuverability rating vs the Zero to a 17 to 14 (Zero favor) at >32k I have set my altitude to 33k. Any advise out there?

Who has the most aircraft in the air? Numbers matter, even more so when aircraft statistics and pilot quality are roughly equal.

(in reply to sufa101loofa)

Post #: 3

RE: Zeros vs Hurricane IIb Trop fighter - 5/3/2014 12:53:59 AM

Louisvillan

Posts: 74
Joined: 1/18/2014
From: Louisville
Status: offline

Mind_Messing got my point. In March '42 you are struggling to get numbers of fighters to all the key places you need them. That's more of the battle than your aircraft types.

33k feet seems too high for early '42. I only play against the AI, so I'm not sure if both you and your opponent are trying to out climb each other. (both ending up above your best performance altitudes). I kept my early fighters at the 15k level (if they were decent). My rule of thumb was to set them at their best/highest maneuver rating altitude (the AI seems to use these altitudes as well).

As frustrating as it may seem, keep in mind your airgroups are working some attrition on the other guy. Look forward to the Hurricane IIc.... those cannons are great!!

_____________________________

Fair Winds and Following Seas

(in reply to mind_messing)

Post #: 4

RE: Zeros vs Hurricane IIb Trop fighter - 5/3/2014 12:36:43 PM

PaxMondo

Posts: 9750
Joined: 6/6/2008
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quote:

ORIGINAL: mind_messing
Numbers matter, even more so when aircraft statistics and pilot quality are roughly equal.

+1

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Pax

(in reply to mind_messing)

Post #: 5

RE: Zeros vs Hurricane IIb Trop fighter - 5/3/2014 12:39:59 PM

msieving1

Posts: 526
Joined: 3/23/2007
From: Missouri
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: sufaloofa

With all these factors I expected to have better results vs the Jap Zeros. The ratio is 3-1 or better, Japs favor.

If you're outnumbered 3 to 1, you're not going to do well.

_____________________________

-- Mark Sieving

(in reply to sufa101loofa)

Post #: 6

RE: Zeros vs Hurricane IIb Trop fighter - 5/3/2014 1:01:21 PM

Lowpe

Posts: 22133
Joined: 2/25/2013
Status: offline

High air rating is only one factor, you need high exp and defense too.

You are always at a disadvantage when on CAP, your planes are not all flying like the enemy sweep. So the zeroes come in a nice big group and only a fraction of you CAP can initially meet them.

Have radar. Plenty of radar. This will help give the CAP time to organize.

Stagger your CAP in 5,000 foot increments.

Have two to three times his numbers. If he sweeps with 24 have 72.

Finally, you don't have to fight. Pack your bases with AA and pick and choose your air battles.

(in reply to msieving1)

Post #: 7