RHS Allied Aircraft [Final additions]

[m10bob]

I wonder if there is really a limitation to the number of art files that can be in this game for planes, or if the program can be made to "look" at a certain location for the pics,(ala Steel Panthers)..In SPWAW a Sherman tank might have 20 pictures of the same tank, but coloured different for each nation..

[el cid again]

This is a big deal and it is hard: there not only is a limit on art - it is LOWER than the number of slots!

We lose only one slot for planes (the one that says Allied Aircraft does not work - and should be fixed to work too)

But we lose 3 slots for art - it MUST be in groups of 4 and 251 cannot be divided by 4 - so that is that.

This would be a big deal for us if it could be changed.

[m10bob]

ORIGINAL: el cid again

This is a big deal and it is hard: there not only is a limit on art - it is LOWER than the number of slots!

We lose only one slot for planes (the one that says Allied Aircraft does not work - and should be fixed to work too)

But we lose 3 slots for art - it MUST be in groups of 4 and 251 cannot be divided by 4 - so that is that.

This would be a big deal for us if it could be changed.

Unless maybe some of the art slots lost national identity and freed some slots for other unique pics??

[el cid again]

That isn't how it works. There is no national identity to art. It is a "filmstrip" which plane records point at.
One record has one pointer. The only way to change that would be to put the pointer in the AIR UNIT record - vice the aircraft record.

[el cid again]

Although I have not yet managed to fill the new slots already created (1 was still open) I have figured out how to create still more slots. And Cobra is not available to update art just now. SO

IF anyone has more candidates - now is the time (before we freeze RHS and I leave you guys for a different game) -
to add things

This set is getting better - and it can be better still

I have figured out how to add two slots to ALL scenarios - and we still have yet another in EOS only - for the Allies
[And we have one Japanese option under review]

[el cid again]

The Curtiss SBC Helldiver was operational on the same scale as the Buffalo in 1941 - three squadrons - two on USS Hornet and VMO-151. For some reason it is not popular.

In RHSEOS the two squadrons on Hornet are combined - so there is a way to put the B-25s on board. Hornet is not allowed in the game until spring 1942. But it was commissioned in October 1941.

Should we put the Hornet in sooner - with the SBC?????

[m10bob]

I'm all aboard for that Curtiss Helldiver..It soldiered on stateside till approx '43..

BTW, look at this GREAT site:

http://aboutww2.com/WWII-airplane-pictures.html

[el cid again]

In spite of adding planes -

we now have 2 free Allied slots in non EOS scenarios and no less than 5 in EOS -

so keep lobbying for planes - but ALLIED planes

[m10bob]

Curtiss Helldiver 1942

[m10bob]

Curtiss Helldiver 1942 USMC, California

[m10bob]

Curtiss Helldiver, also 1942

[m10bob]

Martlet 1942 near Madagascar on carrier Formidable

[m10bob]

Brewster Buccaneer

[el cid again]

Until now, Allied plane sets in RHS were substantially similar - differing only insofar as ship compliments change with different ships or versions of ships scenario to scenario.

But now I think why not make the BBO scenario sets (BBO, RPO and PPO) use alternate plans?

The biggest building in the world was Boeing Renton - built with a gigantic (and never used) seaplane ramp into the Southern end of Lake Washington - so gigantic flying boats could be made to fit thinking of 1942. We could build those planes - and float F4Fs - in leiu of bombers and wheeled F4Fs - in some numbers - for those scenarios.

[el cid again]

ORIGINAL: m10bob

Martlet 1942 near Madagascar on carrier Formidable

This aircraft - and its later decendent variation - are in all forms of RHS already - and from next release the later version also will be in FAA colors as well (with slightly different armament).

[el cid again]

ORIGINAL: m10bob

Curtiss Helldiver 1942 USMC, California

This plane should be as important as the Buffalo was - it was in equal numbers in USN and USMC - and in front line service when the war began. I am actively investigating incorporating it.

[m10bob]

The last USMC unit to use the plane in theater was on Samoa in 1942, VMO 151 (which used it for ASW work.)
It should be noted Samoa WAS one of the Japanese future targets, had they not been stopped in the Solomons.
The plane was only used on the carrier Lexington until 1941 but was used by various stateside elements and some Marine squadrons.

http://wp.scn.ru/en/ww15/b/499/3/0/11


(VMO 151 over the jungles of Samoa, 1942)

[el cid again]

My USN air book says it was on Hornet - both squadrons - in 1941.

[showboat1]

Iread that their plan of attack if the IJN was ever spotted was to attack them at maximum range, meaning they would be on a one way trip, and then rendezvous and ditch together.  The idea being the Japanese would not expect to be attacked that far from the target and hence might be caught unprepared giving them a better chance of at least making a coordinated attack.  They didn't think in a nromal range attack, with the IJN CAP fully up and alert, that any of them would get close enough to drop, much less return home afterward.

[el cid again]

In addition to the planes already added/combined/modified in this round,

we are seriously considering adding the following Allied aircraft:

a) The F4F-3S (Seaplane fighter) - ONLY to be implemented in BBO/RPO/PPO

b) The Martin Mars Transport version - to be minimally implemented late in the war in CVO/RAO/EOS but fully implemented in BBO/RPO/PPO late mid war period - as a replacement for the few flying boat transport units

c) The Martin Mars Patrol version - ONLY to be implemented in BBO/RPO/PPO - late mid war period - as a replacement for the Coranado heavy patrol units

We looked at many other combinations. These were viable and might have impacted operations given different priorities. The Mars transports DID complete in the summer of 1945. The Hughes Flying Boat could hardly have completed in time to matter - and would not be much of an improvement anyway. The Mars already out ranges what WITP can handle. Same for the B-36 (re B-39).

Somehow I lost count - this is all the slots we have - for all scenarios there are 3 Allies slots open.