Newby red airforce questions

[Scotters1]

After reading the manual and doing the tutorial I have realized that I'm still fuzzy on several aspects of the air war for the Russian side. Feel free to point me to the correct thread if these questions have already been answered.

How can I tell which planes are better in the Soviet Airforce? I'm looking at their cruise speed, reliablity, etc, but it is not helping. I know the difference between a ME 109 and a ME 110 (109 is much better), because I'm more familiar with the German airforce, but I really know very little about the Russians. Is there an easy way to tell which planes are better?

Second, a person recommended to set the Russian air craft upgrades to manaul? Why is this needed, and what do you need to do as a result of this setting to ensure that you are using the best aircraft.


Third, what is a good setting for the airforce docrine screen for the Russians at the start of the war. I want to set my fighters to intercept bombers, but to avoid large groups of German fighters flying alone. Is there a way to do that? I want my bombers to focus on interdiction for now, with limited tactical ground support. Is there a way to do that.

Finally, any other general strategies for the Russian airforce?

[randallw]

You can compare two aircraft at a time: use the C key, select the equipment tab, then scroll down the left side and pick out a plane by clicking it on the left, then you can scroll and click one on the right.
 
The old obsolete/obsolescent Soviet planes are the I-15, I-153, I-16, and their variants.  The Yak-1, Mig-3, and LaGG-3 are more modern, but you have very few at the beginning.
 
On your air doctrine ( D key ) you should push the arrows for the 'ground support' section so the number goes to 0; you can probably leave the fighter ground support number as it is.

[LiquidSky]

a good rule of thumb is if it has more then one set of wings, it is obsolete

[Gandalf]

ORIGINAL: LiquidSky

a good rule of thumb is if it has more then one set of wings, it is obsolete

[Scotters1]

Thanks. And yes LiquidSky, you are a genius! [&o]

Finally, why is it important to set the upgrades to manual?[&:]

[Ametysth]

At 1941 your best fighter plane is MiG-3. Fast interceptor that can keep up with Me 109. You might want to switch I-153 and I-16 fighter bombers to bomber missions as in air combat they are pretty worthless and this is what Russians really did as soon as they had enough modern fighters so it is historical. LaGGs and Yaks are "good enough", but as soon as you can field something better, either upgrade, or switch fighter bombers to bomber missions (good thing about Russian designs is, that pretty much everything has either bomb racks or room for few air-to-ground rockets, so ground support is never going to be short of planes). Land Lease planes are pretty much best you got in 1942, so use those in Air-to-Air only. Later you get La-5 and Yak-9 models, which are going to be the backbone of Red Fighter force, but they only appear in 1943. Other than models, Russians have the numbers, so always use A LOT of fighters.

On bomber side; IL-2 = ground support and good at it. SB-2 Pe-2 and DB-3 are decent and can attack on defended targets, but everything else needs lot of fighters to take them in and if opponent has enough AA in target, you better be prepeared to wait couple of turns before the air regiment is back in business. For long range/strategic bombing go for TB-3 and Il-4 (or Pe-8, which is very limited plane). None of them is very good and TB-3 can't survive enemy fighters at all, so either fly at night or make sure the giant is well escorted. U-2 is only usefull in night missions and even then only just, same goes to Su-2's. Again Land Lease planes (A-20s, B-25s) are good choice when you get them. Save those for targets you really want to hit.

[WilliePete]

Finally, any other general strategies for the Russian airforce?
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I'm in the same boat as you. I never thought about it much, but almost all of my Eastern Front knowledge is on the Germans. While I play, I constantly google maps, unit OOBs and their history, ect. My turns usually take hours simply because I spend a lot of time checking facts. I wouldn't want to play any other way. In just a few weeks I've learned volumes about the Soviets. This is hands-down the best war game out there...

[randallw]

The computer may switch out equipment for something similar already in the unit, instead of picking something better.  It may also decide not to upgrade a unit even if the equipment is old and there is enough of a better item in the pool to upgrade.