P40 in West Coast

[Tankograd]

Hi folks,

I'm an absolute newbie here. I started few days ago a great campaign, playing carefully (we're December 9th, 1941).

Before I start I saw great tutorials on Youtube and on a Google website. Of course I'm also reading the manual of the game [:)]

My problem is that I can't load on ships (AKs) two groups of P-40 based on the West Coast of the US. Someone can explain me why, please ? Perhaps, must I change their HQ before (but I can't)

Thanks for your ideas or replies,

Cheers,

Tk

[sanderz]

no expert either but...

AKs may need to be in Transport mode (and docked?) - really not sure about this and don't have game loaded up to check

for some units you cannot change HQs - can you load any unrestricted plane onto a ship?

do you have enough political points to make the change - this early in the game maybe you don't

[zuluhour]

check:
aircraft not restricted
one ship per squadron (always)
 

[Tankograd]

Thanks for your help. I appreciate!

I have created a Transport TF (with few AKs and DD) and docked it to Frisco. However the P-40s are "unable to load on TF". The aircafts belong to the 20th Pursuit Group and their HQ is the IV US Fighter Cmd. I can't change this setting, perhaps because I don't have enough political points, indeed. In the same time I have successfully loaded two groups of B-17 on AKs.

I will try in few turns. Thanks.

[wdolson]

If the HQ is restricted and can't be changed, the unit must remain in North America. There are quite a number of these which are good training units.

Bill

[Tankograd]

Thanks Bill. It seems to me that you are right. It's a pity to see all these beautiful P-40 and don't be able to use them against the ennemy ! Fortunately, I've got some nice P-26 ! [:D]

Thanks

[Jorge_Stanbury]

If you are playing with player defined upgrades (PDU) = "ON"
then you can swap obsolete planes for "good" restricted units' planes.
P-26s/ P-35s/ P-36s are perfect trainers, better to say they are as good as any front line plane for training purposes. They, in the other hand, will be completely outclased by any Japanese aircraft except the Ki-27s and A5Ms. And remember the main outcome of using obsolete planes against Zeros/ Oscars will be quick experience gains for Japanese pilots.

Notice there are 3 squadrons flying P-38s... and they will withdraw out of theatre sometime in the near future. They should be 1st priority for swaping

[Tankograd]

PDU is on "OFF" in my game. However thanks for the tips. I realize that I've so many things to learn yet !

[Lecivius]

ORIGINAL: Tankograd

PDU is on "OFF" in my game. However thanks for the tips. I realize that I've so many things to learn yet !

You are just beginning, padawan learner. Some of us have been at this game for years, and learn new things every day [;)]

[dr.hal]

Welcome aboard Tankograd and enjoy the ride. It's a great game with LOTS of hidden features that, as Lecivus indicates, creep up on veteran players as well as newbies. The PDU on or off feature is really important as it makes a lot of things possible or impossible depending upon the setting (in the campaign games). Read some of the after action reports and you will get a feel for how some of the players tackle some of these interesting points. Good luck. Hal

[pelthunter]

Unfortunately plenty of airgroups in West Coast are restricted or permanently restricted.

I would swap those P-40s to something older and use them via aircraft pool.

[dr.hal]

In addition, make sure you do not have replacements or upgrades on for these units...allow mother nature to take its course through natural attrition.

[Tankograd]

Thanks guys ! For the moment I try (not always with success) to remember why I've created this TF and why I decided two turns before to send it at the other side of the Pacific ! [:)] Success of the day : I saved the HMS Prince of Wales (sadly, the Repulse sank) which was under the attack of some Bettys.

For sure, the journey promises to be exciting!

Thanks

[JohnDillworth]

not sure if they are restricted or not but if and when you do get some aircraft loaded you want to protect those ships with escorts. you don't have enough of anything in the beginning and there are sub lurking off the West Coast. that will break your heart if you lose these.

[pelthunter]

Sub problem seems to be much lessened with use of faster cargo ships.

Escorts may not have the legs if you are shipping to Australia front.

[Alfred]

No cargo ship is fast enough to avoid subs.  Unescorted cargo ships are just waiting targets to feed the sharks.  Short range escorts can be refuelled either from the bunkers of longer legged ships in the task force or from docking at en route ports.
 
Alfred 

[crsutton]

The early P38 has a service number of 4, so I have not found it to be critical to get it into combat where it is usually a "one trick pony" for me. More important is the get all the p39s and P40s out of restricted squadrons. By all means turn off replacements and upgrades for all of your restricted squadrons. It is an acquired skill but if you are careful you can milk all of the good aircraft out and replace them with older models. Also, many squadrons that you are required to withdraw will award you PP if you remove them in time. However, you have the option of disbanding most of these squadrons and keeping the aircraft. You will not get any PP but my experience is that the planes are more important than the PPs.

[Tankograd]

Thanks crsutton, I will try ! For sure this first campaign will be a disaster, but I hope to learn a lot !

Yesterday evening, my PBY found the Ryujo lurking off the Philippines, but the B-17 were unable to hit her.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

He is playing PDU OFF... he can't swap obsolete models.

And if he disbands/ withdraws, he has to be careful because in some cases the planes will go to the pool, in other cases, they will be lost.
Best is to read carefully the messages that pop up when disbanding/ withdrawing

Another challenge is the abysmal quality of pilots in early game, it is crucial to use these west coast squadrons to train/ retrain pilots


P-38 is a one trick pony... but what a wonderful trick it is to beat the hell out of those damned Zeros and Oscars!!! that is something you won't see often with P40s, P39s
I just use big airbases, with plenty of supply, support and of course I need to be patient as it will need time to get ready and then to recover

[geofflambert]

In my opinion, regardless of side, I think you should have at least half your squadrons doing nothing but training. That said, the training squadrons do not have to have a full complement of aircraft to do that task. Three or four planes has usually worked fine for me. I turn off automatic replacements on all squadrons and turn it on only for front line squadrons and even then I often take replacements manually. I think it's real important to turn off automatic almost anything and do it manually and have a good reason why you're doing it, that goes for LCUs too. Turn off auto replacements and auto upgrades so that you can decide when and where to deploy the resources available. In some cases it may make sense to divide a squadron and keep one or two of the detachments training and the other(s) active. If you have PDU "on" downgrade to older models on the training units, putting newer models in the replacement pools.