Newbie Question-Transports

[Briant1]

I've looked for this answer in the manual, and I've tried to search for it on the site, but I can't narrow my search down enough. If anyone can help, I'd really appreciate it, or if you can show me to the proper thread, that would be great too.

My problem is I can't load some troops, specifically planes but I've had problems with others, onto transports. I've tried changing the HQ's they belong to, I've tried docking as opposed to just being in port, I've tried different types of transports, and when I go to load troops, the planes (or troops) don't appear. I guess I'm wondering what per-requisites have to be met in order to move troops in general and air units specifically.

Do they have to be from the same HQ?
I think land units have to be in strategic mode, right?
Is there a similar mode for air units?
Do ships have to be docked?

I'm trying to clear out some air units from the Philippines, but I'm having no luck. If anyone can point me in the right direction, I'd really appreciate it.

[Rainer]

Sounds like you try to load units with restricted HQs.
Restricted means those units cannot be loaded (to be moved out).
You can try to change the HQ of a unit you want to move to a HQ which is not restricted. This usually costs PPs (Political Points).

[SuluSea]

Anything belonging to a restricted command needs to be changed to an unrestricted command to move by ship (yellow text) if the text is in white it is hardcoded and the command can't be changed.
Transport task forces move troops in strategic mode and can move air units as well, for amphibious transports troops need to be in combat mode.

[Briant1]

thanks guys. I think that's it, but I'm testing. 

[jcjordan]

IIRC, the Phillippine units are restricted so you can't move them out except by air to another PI base. You do get some of the fighter units back in a sense in that you disband/withdraw them & they come back as a reinforcement in Sydney (IIRC). That may have changed since I started my game ages ago & it's been through many patches since.

[Strike502]

As for loading ACs (planes): Start with AKs that have at least 3200 cargo space. There used to be a limit based on how many planes were in the unit, ie. 3200 space for a 12-16 planes, 4500 space and up for the larger squadrons (25 or more). AKAs and CVLs are the primary plane transports as they do not require a breakdown of planes so no maintance / damaged ones when offloading (squadron reassembles faster).

IIRC, the Phillippine units are restricted so you can't move them out except by air to another PI base. You do get some of the fighter units back in a sense in that you disband/withdraw them & they come back as a reinforcement in Sydney (IIRC). That may have changed since I started my game ages ago & it's been through many patches since.

You will receive 4 squadrons of P-40s in Brisbane in mid Jan 42, but they will start getting withdrawn around the end of May or so for all of those but 1 or 2. So burn them up defending PM.

[dr.hal]

The only troops and A/C that can move out of the PI in the initial set up are only American A/C/troop and you do pay political points for changing command, a move that will allow for the troops and A/C to leave the PI. The PI air force and troops are basically doomed (notice their command reference is in white lettering NOT yellow as indicated by SuluSea above). The best ships to move A/C are AKVs (you do get some pretty early on) as they can carry the planes ASSEMBLED (much like the CVLs) and thus once transferred via a dock to a base, can fly immediately (no assembly required!)...

[Crackaces]

Just a comment from a newbie myself ...

A harsh lesson I learned about transports was 1 -3 level ports. I have concluded it is far better to Amphib in combat mode at 400 points per turn than park and offload into the port. Look at the loading / off loading tables carefully. Also, Naval support provides a bonus .. and if you want to offload stuff onto smaller ports are absoluetly critical to have in place.