LVMC SDKFZ-6 in 'Following the Light Brigade'

[alexcraig]

Morning folks.

I've just entered the 'Following the Light Brigade' scenario in Lost Victories.

While taking inventory of the available men/equipment, I noticed 4 88MM Flak18's with an SDKFZ-6 in close proximity to each.

According to the description when you right click them, the SDKFZ-6's are only rated to carry light guns and infantry and are useless for the 88's.

It is obvious this is going to be a very difficult scenario and I really don't want to start it without the 88's being mobile.

I've got all 3 patches installed and I am playing the mega campaign on V 7.1.

Is this a bug in the scenario, or a planned operational glitch where Vebber is supposed to be left muttering to himself about equipment incompatability? <smile>

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Warrior2]

I'm not positive, but I suspect this was a design error that never got caught. I've seen it before in other scenarios (not MC), and even gotten tripped up by it in some of my own. Nothing can be done for it. It's easy to make the mistake.

Try to find other transport.

[Resisti]

Hi AlexCraig.

I’ve some doubts this is an overlook by designer.
I’m basing my assumption on the fact that, while checking several scenarios for next 8.2 patch, I stumbled in one of the Brent Richards’ “Wittman Trilogy” (don’t remember which one), and found the same “error” in it: 88’s LOADED (so already on board) on Sdkfz-6, which had not the necessary capacity to carry them..
Brent has been the Team Leader for "Lost victories", btw.
I fixed this by switching to Sdkfz-7.

So this finding, plus the fact that both this scenario and the MC are rather old , makes me believe (I’m positive on this, in fact) that this “bug” is due to the fact the carry capability of the Sdkfz-6 has been reduced in one of the following Spwaw releases.

If you can find the scenario # of the battle where this occurred and you have a save of the MC at the end of previous battle, try to do this:

rename the "bugged" battle as “scenxxx” (whatever empty scenario slot you have), and place it in your scenario folder;
open it in the editor, change the Sdkfz-6 units into Sdkfz-7, then save it;
rename the just saved file, after the name it had in the Mecacampaign, then place it back in the MC folder;
start again playing the MC from the last save, and see what happens

I’m less than sure this could work, but it worth a try…

[Warrior2]

ORIGINAL: Resisti

Hi AlexCraig.

I’ve some doubts this is an overlook by designer.
I’m basing my assumption on the fact that, while checking several scenarios for next 8.2 patch, I stumbled in one of the Brent Richards’ “Wittman Trilogy” (don’t remember which one), and found the same “error” in it: 88’s LOADED (so already on board) on Sdkfz-6, which had not the necessary capacity to carry them..
Brent has been the Team Leader for "Lost victories", btw.
I fixed this by switching to Sdkfz-7.

So this finding, plus the fact that both this scenario and the MC are rather old , makes me believe (I’m positive on this, in fact) that this “bug” is due to the fact the carry capability of the Sdkfz-6 has been reduced in one of the following Spwaw releases.

If you can find the scenario # of the battle where this occurred and you have a save of the MC at the end of previous battle, try to do this:

rename the "bugged" battle as “scenxxx” (whatever empty scenario slot you have), and place it in your scenario folder;
open it in the editor, change the Sdkfz-6 units into Sdkfz-7, then save it;
rename the just saved file, after the name it had in the Mecacampaign, then place it back in the MC folder;
start again playing the MC from the last save, and see what happens

I’m less than sure this could work, but it worth a try…

The Sdkfz-6 was unable to carry 88's in v's 7 & 7.1 also, and probably v6. I don't think the Sdkfz 6 & 8 could ever both carry a big gun like an 88. If an 88 was loaded on the "6" during design it would be like overloading a truck, you can do it, but as soon as it unloads, you can't reload. In the scenario Alex mentions, the movers are parked next to the guns and obviously meant to be their transport. It is a design error, so let's not let whoever did it off the hook. [:-] I caught the very same error while testing LV.

Your solution should work, but might be daunting if the player isn't computer savvy, and he should save the original LV scenario somewhere in case the fix doesn't work or he will lose it. I think it will be more of a challenge to him to have to find alternate transport (like he needs more challenge in LV). [;)]

[alexcraig]

Afternoon Resisti,

I really appreciate the suggestion and as Warrior indicated in his reply I believe it should work.

I also agree with him that the 'fix' could be troublesome for users who are less vs. more computer literate. FWIW, part of my job description includes the administration of 4 W2K and NT4 servers. Thus, I expect I'll muddle through. <smile>

One minor problem. I'm one of these players who doesn't do "do overs". Thus, I don't do saves beyond the results of my last turn in the MC. For me, it is the "thrill of victory" or the "agony of defeat". I take my lumps and try to learn from them. Ü

As an aside, in my wayward youth, I found myself involved in a few scrapes in a jungle paradise to which I had received a year's, all expense paid vacation .... referred to with less and less frequency these days as the "Tet Offensive". Trust me. We were not afforded any "do overs". <smile>

However, I'll take a look at our backup tapes and see if I can find a save from a late turn from the last scenario in the MC.

Worst case, I'll chalk it up to a well known fact of war (and life for that matter) .... "stuff happens" <smile>

Once again, thanks a lot to both of you for your advice.

[alexcraig]

Afternoon Resisti,

FWIW, the fix worked just fine.

My 88's are now loaded on SDKFZ-7's and headed for whatever fate awaits them. Ü

Actually, found two scenario maps involving the same basic senario with the same 'bug'.

The files are scen222.dat and scen223.dat and, of course, are located in the Lost Victories sub-folder.

The toughest part of it was determining which of the 300 files were the ones I wanted. I've noticed the file names are on at least some of the maps in Operation Watchtower, but not in Lost Victories (at least not on this map).

Should anyone stumble across this thread as a function of the same issue, feel free to email me directly and I'll be happy to email the corrected files as an attachment.

[Resisti]

ORIGINAL: alexcraig

Afternoon Resisti,

FWIW, the fix worked just fine.

My 88's are now loaded on SDKFZ-7's and headed for whatever fate awaits them. Ü

Actually, found two scenario maps involving the same basic senario with the same 'bug'.

The files are scen222.dat and scen223.dat and, of course, are located in the Lost Victories sub-folder.

The toughest part of it was determining which of the 300 files were the ones I wanted. I've noticed the file names are on at least some of the maps in Operation Watchtower, but not in Lost Victories (at least not on this map).

Should anyone stumble across this thread as a function of the same issue, feel free to email me directly and I'll be happy to email the corrected files as an attachment.

Roger, Alexcraig.

Your brother will be happy, too

Semper Fi!