ORIGINAL: Randomizer
I tried the latest version and my Corsairs were wiped out (11-lost) and I also lost 5-Banshees and a Panther recce version. For that got a Disaster result.
Most of the Corsairs were lost on SEAD Patrol missions where they tended to fly around without attacking the identified AAA but making great targets of themselves. Probably the most effective weapons were the Zuni rockets but the M77 napalm seemed to work fine as well. There was a need for a second strike but not enough aircraft were available. Recommend that the entire air group be at the disposal of the Player even if the other two squadron's aircraft have no initial loadout so that using them on a second strike becomes possible. I realize that in the movie and book the assets were limited but I'm not convinced that the scenario Player can do the job with the forces at hand.
Recommendation at least some of the AAA should be initially visible as the orders seem to imply that the target area has been scouted in advance. High altitude recon flights generally fail to spot the AAA and low- high speed runs get shot up.
This situation is a great example of why SEAD and standoff weapons go well together.
Thanks for the scenario.
-C
I finally finished playing it through this weekend with a severe micro-management frame of mind... I got an "Average" (-20 points) and lost about 75% of my assigned forces... 8 Corsairs, 6 Banshees, and 9 Panthers (8 fighter, 1 recce). Apparently I built a monster, and yes, several times I was wishing for a couple Maverick missiles.
I really like the idea of making the Skyraider squadron available in Reserve status at scenario start. I also like making some of the (heavy) AAA visible at the start. RE Disaster scoring.... you lose points for losing aircraft, but you don't actually gain points until the A-26s hit the bridges. I feel like that's realistic... no one cares how many AAA guns get killed, as long as the bombers get through. But even if you take losses, you can still get a 'win'.
Note to the Devs: I'll post a separate thread, but something screwy is going on with the fuel calculations for the A-26s. There's two three-ship formations that launch, but sometimes one of the three breaks off early for Bingo fuel, and crashes partway home (which, in this case, is also a scoring penalty).
A couple tactics I found worked:
- Keep everyone below 6000 feet at all times... the Chinese radars never spot you, and the Chinese fighters never come hunting. Half my losses were trying to dogfight MiG-15s in Panthers and Banshees. You will eventually have to deal with some of them (they go after the A-26s) but not in the early stages.
- Use the Recce Panthers at min altitude, mil power, a single pass over each AAA area to find/locate as many emplacements as possible. No second passes though, those get you very killed (see below).
- Focus on the 100-mm sites first, once you ID them (that's what the Recce Panthers are for) they carry the radars and make it MUCH more likely your strike forces get spotted and engaged
- Launch attack aircraft in two-ship formations... send them roaring over the target in trail (~2nm separation) at mil power, min-release altitude for whatever weapon they're carrying. The first plane will nail down target location, the second one can release. Then they both haul butt and get back to the ship.
- ABSOLUTELY NO REATTACKS, most of my strike aircraft losses were on a reattack. The OODA Loop for most of the AAA is ~20 seconds... ie, it takes them 20 seconds to recognize a potential target and start firing. At mil power and if you use terrain masking well, it limits exposure. But once you're spotted the first time the OODA Loop no longer applies, and as soon as you're in range you'll get lit up.
- I broke loose one of my destroyers to hit the one AAA site that's (barely) in range... get the DD (or several) in position, send over a recon flight, and let rip. There's no scoring penalty for 127-mm shells, and that's one AAA site your strike pilots don't even have to worry about.
As I said, I like your suggestions, and I'll work them in. I'm off work this week... I'll try to get an update out ASAP.
