Function of Max Load in Aircraft?

[Dili]

I have a couple of bombers that don't have much space to take cargo : Ju88 and likes.
Is there any ill effect if i reduce the max load to a value less than the typical bomb load?

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: Dili

I have a couple of bombers that don't have much space to take cargo : Ju88 and likes.
Is there any ill effect if i reduce the max load to a value less than the typical bomb load?

I do not know the direct answer to your question. I think I recall that max load would affect how much supply a bomber would carry when used to move supply; and it is used in the calculation to determine the size of the airfield required by the plane.

I suppose if you set it too low then one obvious effect would be to allow the plane to use airfields IRL too small for it.

[Lokasenna]

It also determines how much supply is burned when a bomber flies an offensive mission.

[Dili]

Thanks, that last one is indeed a conflicting problem.

[el cid again]

Max Load is NOT used for actual weapons (unless you happen to make Normal Load = Max Load).
It is used to indicate the nature of the airfield and supply needs of the aircraft to code.

Basically (in military engineering terms) an aircraft has four loads:

no load
extended range load
normal range load
maximum range load

But code limits us to no load (Transfer range), extended range load (what it sounds like),
and Normal load

YOU define Normal load by the weapons you assign.
Note normally (for Allied planes in particular) that is MUCH LESS than Maximum Load.
But you get to fly a lot more range: an Allied bomber with max load has typically very little range!
Doubly so if it has an external load (similar to a Ju-88 - it can carry four large weapons outside -
but not very far!)

Axis planes often have normal load = maximum load. It is a different design philosophy. The Japanese
in particular wanted range more than load. And so their bombers have relatively light loadouts.