Helicopter

[dkong]

I try to create a helicopter unit to be used in my mod scenario. This unit will be able to dropoff / pickup troop at any location (not just airfields). This unit will be able to stay station above ground to provide support (until it runs out of supply). Can any good people show me the way to creating this type of unit?

I tried using the SFtype 'Transporter' to create this unit, but the helicopter will return to airfield right the after dropping off troop (actually paradrop). which doesn't really make sense. Pls offer your suggestions.

Many thanks.

[Vic]

sorry dkong,
 
it is impossible to create a helicopter with the current engine.
 
or in other words it is impossible to create Air SFType that can land outside airfield and/or move with cargo unit and/or pick up cargo unit from different hex then it is located self in.
 
kind reg,
Vic

[dkong]

I am very new to your great game, but not sure if this could be a possible solution:

- Create a new movegroup: Heli
- Create a new SFtypegroup: Helicopter (it will be setup as a land unit with ability to carry troops...so that it can pickup / dropoff anywhere, and will be modified with high defense for land combat, so that is harder to hit..simulating a heli. And also will modify combat stats to be a higher FAV for Anti-Air units.)
- Set appropriate movecost for both land & sea to simulate heli.

Ahh.....I don't know...just thinking out of the blue. Do u think this will work?

Thanks for your help.

[SSFSX17]

Yes, that should work. I'm not sure how to make refuelling work realistically, though.

[dkong]

Oh man..... theres no boarding option for land units, only works for Air & Naval units only. But Air units are limited to traveling between airbase, and Naval units are limited to traveling within the ocean only.

I really wish there would be an extra option for Theater (under Subformation Types menu) to allow for unit to be both Air + Land.... or ..... Air, Land & Sea. That would create flexibility for new SF types such as Heli and other interesting units...

[dkong]

Based on my last post, another unit that I can create if the Theater option allows multi traits would be Navy Seals. This unit can be paradrop into the ocean and swim to land.

WIth heli and seals, I can really go into creating some great vietnam scenario. Oh well...

[Widell]

ORIGINAL: dkong
This unit can be paradrop into the ocean and swim to land.

Not sure if there are many scenarios with a scale detailed enough to simulate more than the para drop. It's a loooong swim from most sea hexes to the nearest land hex in most scenarios.....

[srndac]

Hmmmmm ... just a thought:
How about making Helicopter a 'naval' unit with a new movement type able to move over land as well?

[dkong]

I had tried that idea with air unit, but didn't work.  I just assumed that is going to be same for sea unit (that it will always be stuck at sea).  Let me give your idea a shot when I get home tonight.  Thanks for your idea!

[welk]

Perhaps a possible way would be :

1- To create a landscape copy of airfield and then rename it :"Possible landing helico area"
2-Create a special graph with "plain" color (so, it will be a "false plain" on the map but in reality a loctype)
3- Attribute this graph to the new "helico landing area landscape"
4- Place some area of this kind on the map of the scenario : the player will have to search them, as in reality (all place are not ideal places for helico landing forces).

Then, new SF named transport Helicopter (air unit in reality) will be able to use the "false plain" as landing place.

No tested, just thought when I have readen this thread exploring the entire forum to found tips and informations

[Jeffrey H.]

What about making all hexes as airfileds and change the graphics around making airfileds transparent or something ? If you aren't mixing fixed wing and helos, you might be able to make that work.