DBS -> RAF squadron sizes (12/2/2005 9:34:57 PM)
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Is there any scope, given that changes to the exe appear possible, to allow a greater variety of squadron strength for RAF and CW units in BTR? At present in BTR, we have two sizes - recce and NI come in at 12 ready aircraft, while fighter and bombers squadrons are 24 ready plus 3 reserves. For the BTR period, this is seriously wrong for fighters, but perhaps OK for BC squadrons (which by 1945 could be up to 36 aircraft strong, with as many as could possibly be made ready flying on most ops). Ever since 1940, the aim of an RAF fighter squadron was to try to generate 12-16 aircraft for any squadron sized task. As more aircraft and pilots became available, reserves of both would be increased. But one is hard-pushed to find instances when a squadron with, say, 24 pilots would try to put that number in the air at the same time. Rather, it gave a comfortable margin to allow for losses, training, leave, sickness, etc, and gave an increasingly safe guarantee that even after a bad day, the unit could still perform properly the next morning rather than sit around a few days waiting for the replacement system to cough up new bodies and/or airframes. And airframes on squadron strength would outnumber pilots. Thus at present, RAF fighters, if they have not rested for a few days, fly massively overstrength. But because they have far too few spare airframes, they then need to rest again several days before being able to fly at (over-)full strength. And note that airframes tend to be the pinch-point in the game in generating ready aircraft - too many damaged after just flying one uneventful sweep, let alone combat. If we cut ready pilots to say 12 or 16, but kept airframes at say 18 or 24, we should be able: a) to generate 12 aircraft just about every day, rain or shine b) reduce the number of RAF fighters in the air at any one time, but gaining a more even level of effort from them c) reduce the number of pilot slots taken up That said, I strongly believe that we should be restoring the TacR sqns to the game which JCL largely removed during his most recent OB mods. I wholly respect JCL's decision, and understood his "strategic focus of game" argument, but the problem is that all the German defenders remain, yet no longer have to devote any resources to the tactical raiders. David
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