understanding combat

[bhutnath]

I am playing the BOB campaign. Can some one help me understand what's happening with the planes in combat? Once two groups engage,
I want to be able to understand the combat by looking at the icons and the messages. I noticed that the squadrons break into groups of planes 1,3,5 etc. What determines the numbers? How do I make out which icon/planes is bounding which? there is a jumble of icons one over the other each at similar but different alt and speed. I don't understand why one plane like the hurricane would be at 300+ speed while the Me109 right there with the hurricane at the same alt (in combat?) is at 240? What determines speed and alt in combat?


Can anyone help me with this?

[JeffroK]

In lieu of a proper answer:

What you describe sounds like combat over Britain 1940. A lot of your answers are decided by the game engine, the size of the groups is too random to be a set "Flight size" which would be 2 "Rotte" or 4 "Kette" (or the other way round) for the Luftwaffe and 3 "Flight" for the RAF.
For the speeds, maybe Baders Hurricanes have flown at "Buster" to intercept Gallands 109's which are tied to the tails of the bombers?

I'm a lazy gamers that doesnt worry about the number of rivets in the wings, as long as they stay on. Looking too hard at the details you will see very odd results, but they balance out over time to a result you can understand.

Have fun, deep down its a good game.