How do I upgrade Minors' Air Frames to modern types?

[blueatoll]

I've got a Filipino squadron of P-26s that escaped the Philippines and several Dutch squadrons (Fighters, LBs, PBs) who have managed to escape the collapse of the ABDA. Unfortunately they are unable to upgrade to any new airframes. This would seem a bit odd, especially for the Dutch and Filipino fighter squadrons who are filled w/pilots over 70 experience.

Is there anyway for me to upgrade them?
Thanks

[wneumann]

I have the same Filipino P-26 squadron - it came back in San Francisco as a reinforcement without being evacuated or any other action on my part. Unfortunately the (Filipino P-26) squadron does not upgrade to any other plane type, nor are any replacement pool planes available - this true even to late 1944. Liberation of the Philippines could change that (something I haven't done in my campaign).

Plane type in Dutch air units can be upgraded, provided there are Dutch planes available in the aircraft replacement pools.

[BBfanboy]

Check the squadron in the Editor to see if there is an upgrade path defined. If there is, and the issue is the lack of a Philippine National Base, you could try withdrawing them and see if they come back with the upgrade.

Aside from that the P-26s can attack shipping and do low level CAP. They seem to be hard for the Zeros to hit! [:)]

[btd64]

What Scenario? The Philippine air units do upgrade. Many of the PI squadrons are under US Army control and can upgrade to P-40's and possible further up the food chain. If you withdraw the unit it will show up at San Francisco with the same airframes if they are in the pool or zero planes and you upgrade manually....GP

[CaptBeefheart]

In most, or possibly all, stock scenarios you get that PAF P-26 squadron back in San Francisco (if you withdrew it) and there usually is nothing you can do with it since you are either out of aircraft, pilots or both. Ditto for Dutch squadrons arriving at Aden, although you might get a bit more use out of them before they run out of aircraft. On the positive side, it's a good idea to save Dutch pilots since they will end up manning some of the RAAF squadrons.

Cheers,
CC

[wneumann]

FYI (to Gen Patton) - I am playing a stock scenario (scenario 6) in my campaign.

Ditto for Dutch squadrons arriving at Aden, although you might get a bit more use out of them before they run out of aircraft. On the positive side, it's a good idea to save Dutch pilots since they will end up manning some of the RAAF squadrons.

+1. Dutch air units can be useful, especially the small naval search squadrons. As said... Dutch pilots and planes must be conserved, use wisely and keep them out of harms' way as much as possible to extend their useful life span.

[blueatoll]

I have the Dutch units training in Aden (when there are no planes but still squadrons) and flying Search or ASW patrols in areas where there is limited possibility of sub attack (like Western coast of India and around Calcutta). I've got 1 Dutch fighter squadron at Lashio as CAP for the transports based there, they are all 75+ air skill so their little bumblebee fighters are pretty effective against anything that can reach that far.

[Dili]

Put that pilots on front line and use rear guard squadrons for a mix of training and operations.