Tactics for Cliffs of Dover.

[Ernst]

Originally Posted by Triggaaar

Yes the fighers were well matched. Pilot stories all say the fighters were well matched. Can you quote where someone said this was a tukey shoot (or words to that effect), because we know that wasn't the case. A lot of the pilot losses are down to the fact that when the RAF bailed over Britain, they weren't captured, and British fighters had 1 pilot in them, vs several airmen in a German bomber. With that in mind though, the RAF shot down more German aircraft because of better tactics. One annoying thing for red pilots in IL2 is the lack of ammunition in Spits, but this wasn't such a problem in real life, because pilots don't tend to shoot down 5 opponents per sortie in real life.

I'd give them more credit to be able to read their instruments than that (unless they've been shot and had a fuel leak).

I give them credit, but manage your aircraft in such hostile enviroment and flying in the endurance limits is not so simple.


The fuel comsuption it is not a very clear and fixed variable, if you need to operate at combat RPM for a longer time maybe you ll not have fuel to RTB. A certain amount could give you 20 minutes or 30 minutes more depending on your engine RPM. In battle bad things happen, even you were not shot (malfunction, lose of orientation, if you fly wrong route for only little time etc). If you are near home, you just land. If you are far from home opsss. And considering luftwaffe fighters were flying in their limits, sometimes things get worse.

[Abbeville-Boy]

Originally Posted by Ernst

I give them credit, but manage your aircraft in such hostile enviroment and flying in the endurance limits is not so simple.


The fuel comsuption it is not a very clear and fixed variable, if you need to operate at combat RPM for a longer time maybe you ll not have fuel to RTB. A certain amount could give you 20 minutes or 30 minutes more depending on your engine RPM. In battle bad things happen, even you were not shot (malfunction, lose of orientation, if you fly wrong route for only little time etc). If you are near home, you just land. If you are far from home opsss. And considering luftwaffe fighters were flying in their limits, sometimes things get worse.

you have good understandings

[JG52Uther]

I think its in Steinhilpers book that he talks about many 109 pilots coming down in the channel due to running out of fuel,something like 16 or so (guessing,can't quite remember,but it was a lot) in one day,with most of the pilots drowning.
This is another thing,surely the RAF planes should have a heavier fuel load than the LW fighters?
A 109 should be just around the 50% mark when it gets to the combat area.
So RAF boys,what do you do? Carry a full tank and hope you don't meet a 109 with 50% fuel, or take off with 50% and hope you don't run out and have to land before we turn up...
Will make for some strategic flying on a realistic server!

[Wutz]

Originally Posted by JG52Uther

I think its in Steinhilpers book that he talks about many 109 pilots coming down in the channel due to running out of fuel,something like 16 or so (guessing,can't quite remember,but it was a lot) in one day,with most of the pilots drowning.
This is another thing,surely the RAF planes should have a heavier fuel load than the LW fighters?
A 109 should be just around the 50% mark when it gets to the combat area.
So RAF boys,what do you do? Carry a full tank and hope you don't meet a 109 with 50% fuel, or take off with 50% and hope you don't run out and have to land before we turn up...
Will make for some strategic flying on a realistic server!

Well that is where some flyable seaplanes would come handy to pick up downed airmen out of the drink. The Do 24 did a lot of SAR missions.

[JG52Uther]

Yes,but those dastardly RAF types used to hunt the rescue planes,and I don't think the people flying CoD will take any notice of the red cosses either!

[Xilon_x]

because the fuel ended?
had not previously done a good briefing?
do not calculate how much fuel could he do?
maybe there were losses caused by bullet holes.

[David603]

Originally Posted by JG52Uther

I think its in Steinhilpers book that he talks about many 109 pilots coming down in the channel due to running out of fuel,something like 16 or so (guessing,can't quite remember,but it was a lot) in one day,with most of the pilots drowning.
This is another thing,surely the RAF planes should have a heavier fuel load than the LW fighters?
A 109 should be just around the 50% mark when it gets to the combat area.
So RAF boys,what do you do? Carry a full tank and hope you don't meet a 109 with 50% fuel, or take off with 50% and hope you don't run out and have to land before we turn up...
Will make for some strategic flying on a realistic server!

If it takes you 50% of your fuel to reach the area of combat then how are you going to get home after fighting?

I'm thinking it will be more like Bf109's on 60-70% fuel and Spitfires and Huricanes on 70-80% fuel if the fight takes place over England. Over the Channel this would be reversed, since the RAF fighters would have further to fly.

[JG52Uther]

I won't be fighting,I'll be running
Actually you won't find me,as I'll be hedge hopping on the way to Kenley with some presents...

[SlipBall]

Originally Posted by JG52Uther

I won't be fighting,I'll be running
Actually you won't find me,as I'll be hedge hopping on the way to Kenley with some presents...

LOL, funny


quote
Yes,but those dastardly RAF types used to hunt the rescue planes,and I don't think the people flying CoD will take any notice of the red cosses either!


They will view the cross as a target, and blame poor eyesight

[DKoor]

So you guys really dug up on the 50-60min sorties... great.
I mean all this not-enough-fuel fixations, RAF being in disadvantage with full tanks etc.

About Luftwaffe being in any kind of advantage in this sim... believe me the only advantageous position as I see it is that they have about 20-30mins to change your mind and RTB and save their virtual life.
Quick reality check... in "realistic" game setups, any kind of malfunction with your plane and your life is in danger quite literally... while RAF can more or less just hit CTRL+E unless they are over sea.
Plus they have enough fuel to chase Luftwaffe to France which I'm sure they will do in this game, so LW can say goodbye to their experten fuel management.
Even if Luftwaffe turn back to RAF chasers shot them all down and win they will still probably end up in drink (and most likely die).

Note I'm not saying anything on some big scale tactics I am just talking about micro scenarios that will happen to you on "daily" basis.

In short, I can't wait for this sim to hit the shelves to actually see how many of you elated forumites will still fly after one month of playing such "joyful" scenarios.