BTR: Typhoons missing rocket loadout? (and other 2nd TAF OOB suggestions)

[boogabooga]

The November 2017 OOB changes mentioned "Changed some Typhoon loadouts to rockets," which I remember being the case back then. However, as of the latest patch, in both the 1944 campaign and for example Overlord II, all Typhoon squadrons seem to be equipped with 2x 1000 lb bombs only. Is this an intentional reversion? I did not see anything in the OOB changes. My understanding is that historically, about half of the Typhoon squadrons were bomber specialists and half or slightly more were rocket specialists.

A few other 2nd TAF OOB suggestions:
-I know the fighter-bomber vs fighter distinction could get murky, but I don't think that I would classify the Tempest V as a "fighter-bomber" if you're classifying for example the P-47 and P-38 as "fighters". Similar to those American fighters, the Tempest was a very strong air-to-air performer (albeit at at low level) and had an option for two 45 gallon drop tanks in place of the bombs. Similar to those two American aircraft in game, it would be cool if the player could toggle between the drop tank "fighter" and bomb "fighter-bomber" loadouts.

-For aircraft such as the Spitfires that have a single in-game loadout containing both a drop tank and bombs, do the bombs impose a dogfighting or range penalty? If so, could you make the bombs a togglable option to have an air-to-air configuration?

To back that request up, this is a great series following the actual AARs of 144 Wing (Spitfires) during the early Normandy campaign: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtG5jR7 ... TFtedKfTE3

Not all (or probably even most) of the missions included bombs, and by the end of June or early July they were seemingly getting air-to-air taskings to defend the battlefield airspace as often as not.

If these are way outside of what is practicable, then I'm sorry and thanks for keeping this great game alive.

[Johntxic]

The Tempest V did not carry bombs or rockets until after WWII. It was a fighter.

[simovitch]

Fighters like the P-40 and Spitfires will jettison their bombs before a dogfight to gain a performance boost.

I don't know why these and others never got the toggle option like the P47 etc., but it could be done with a bit of work on the data files.

Except for serious gameplay bugs, at this stage in my life I don't plan on revisiting this or many other ideas without a go-fund-me or paypal account goal of undetermined ($5K+) amounts. Just being honest.

[simovitch]

I thought we reset the Tempest to Fighter class but it looks like I missed it. It is reset now for the upcoming patch and will function like the P-40's and spits where you will have the option to be FB role or escort role.

Mote that data changes don't show up unless you restart a new campaign.

[Johntxic]

Thanks for all the hard work you have put into this game.

[boogabooga]

Thanks simovich.

Any word on the Typhoons missing rocket loadouts? Would it even matter that much?

[warshipbuilder]

RCAF Tiffies were strictly Bomphoons.

[simovitch]

The data chief has spoken. Except for the Tempest fix the data is what it is.

[boogabooga]

RCAF Tiffies were strictly Bomphoons.

I'll respect that the database is frozen, but I don't understand this comment. What about the British, New Zealand, and other non-Canadian Commonwealth units in the 2nd TAF?

Are you saying that all Tiffies in 2nd TAF were Bomphoons? You might be right, but I've never heard that before.

[JeffroK]

Do rockets have any characteristics such as being fired outside of LAA range etc?

2TAF had distinctive Bomb or Rocket equipped squadrons which allowed experience and skill to build in the relevant field. By D-Day 2TAF had 11 Rocket and 7 Bomb equipped Typhoon Squadrons.

Wiki says The top speed of the Typhoon was reduced by some 15 mph (24 km/h) by the non-jettisonable rocket rails. Rockets and rails reduced the speed by 38 mph (61 km/h)

[warshipbuilder]

We don't have a lot of wiggle room in the DB. In an ideal world, every a/c would have an alternate load out. We don't have that flexibility.

I will go back and review what we have with the Tiffies and I will discuss with simovich as to what might get done there. If anything.

[simovitch]

We decided to make it so that the player can switch out rockets or bombs on any Typhoon group. Rockets will be considerably effective against panzers on the ground, but not so much for any other target type.

I'll have another hotfix up within the week with a few other fixes.