Why I can send planes on raids longer than its radius?

[fbs]

For example, I can send Typhoon IBs (combat range 340 miles) from Needs Oar Point to Coxyde Radar Station (554 miles on a straight line). What I'm missing here? Is the game adding some drop tanks to my Typhoons or something?

Cheers [:D]
fbs

[E]

Generically speaking, "Combat Range" is the point where your plane is about half empty of fuel after a little dogfighting, leaving just enough fuel to reach home (in modern terms: "bingo" fuel).  "Range" is at least double that distance, in a straight line. Which leaves you with zero fuel to reach home. Not knowing where the points you mentioned are, I cannot comment specifically.

[Hard Sarge]

that is a oddie

range is going to base on load, combat radius is with the basic bomb load, there is also a extended range, you trade some bomb weight for more fuel

[fbs]

ORIGINAL: E

Generically speaking, "Combat Range" is the point where your plane is about half empty of fuel after a little dogfighting, leaving just enough fuel to reach home (in modern terms: "bingo" fuel).  "Range" is at least double that distance, in a straight line. Which leaves you with zero fuel to reach home. Not knowing where the points you mentioned are, I cannot comment specifically.

Oh... I think I got it. The Typhoon IB has a combat radius of 340 miles, so it can fly a range of 680 miles (340 inbound + 340 outbound). The straight line flight path to Coxyde has a range of 540 miles (inbound+outbound), so it is actually within the combat radius of the Typhoon.

Very nice, thank you. I didn't notice that "combat radius" is inbound only, while the range on the mission plotter is inbound+outbound.

Thanks, [:D]
fbs

[E]

ORIGINAL: fbs

Very nice, thank you. I didn't notice that "combat radius" is inbound only, while the range on the mission plotter is inbound+outbound.

Thanks, [:D]
fbs

Think of "combat radius" as a "round trip." But (generically speaking again), remember that "combat radius" is usually under ideal conditions. If a major dogfight occurs, that radius is often drastically reduced.

"Shuttle missions" (range) will be covered in a future lesson. *grin*