Should I train or withdraw?

[btd64]

Yeah, Tough crowd.[:D][:D][:D]....GP

[Rexor]

I'm back! Sorry, real life interjected, and things can get pretty dicey here in the Oort Cloud.

Thanks for the advice on posting images, I'm a pillock when it comes to computers. Which is a shame seeing as my life seems to revolve around one....

In the meantime, I'll just explain my question (it's pretty straightforward): It's the very beginning of the game, I'm looking at Pearl, and I click on a squadron of Bolos. There are only two planes left, and I realize that this little air unit is emblematic of my confusion over air matters in general. Do I simply tell these guys to start training? Should I upgrade to B-17s (I'm thinking not)? Should I withdraw the unit (and if so, why?)

Overall, I want to start as many of my on-map units training as possible, while sifting out the ones that are ready for frontline service (or at least suitable for kicking up some dust into Japanese eyes). But then when I start clicking on these little squadrons all over the place, I get all deer-in-the-headlights.

[Lowpe]

Look at the stickies and find the one about basic training videos and watch some of those, then find an old AAR and read some of it. There is one specifically for getting going as the Allies.

Search maybe for training or tutorial AAR?

Enjoy, and don't sweat the little details.

At Pearl, wait for the air field to repair, and put all bombers on 40 train, 40 asw, and 20 rest normal range, 1-2K altitude and look at all those Japanese subs!

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Rexor

In the meantime, I'll just explain my question (it's pretty straightforward): It's the very beginning of the game, I'm looking at Pearl, and I click on a squadron of Bolos. There are only two planes left, and I realize that this little air unit is emblematic of my confusion over air matters in general. Do I simply tell these guys to start training?

Yes. You need ALL groups that you can have on map to be either filled with decent airframes or with things like Bolos for training your pilots. Bolos are fine for training. They'll train just a bit slower with only two planes as opposed to a full complement of planes. You can fill the pilots to the max though, find a good leader for the group and train in ground bombing skill.

Train at 100% at 0 range in ground bombing. Choose a group leader with high 1) leaderships 2) inspiration. train until they're at 40-45 exp and 70 ground bombing skill. Then repeat. Then repeat. Then repeat ...

Should I upgrade to B-17s (I'm thinking not)? Should I withdraw the unit (and if so, why?)

Why? B-17s are precious. Fill up groups and train when they're not in use bombing things, but generally have separate combat groups with fully trained pilots and your best airframes, then have other groups dedicated to training with replacement pilots to start and an old airframe, like the Bolos. be careful with your pools of Allied aircraft, and use at least 1/3 of the groups to train pilots exclusively.

Don't withdraw unless you have to withdraw at a certain date. When you withdraw you'll get the pilots and airframes back into your pools. When you must only disband (withdraw grayed out, not available) make sure to release your trained pilots to the pools before disbanding or you will lose them. You will also lose the airframes, so don't ever fill these groups with any airframes, even obsolete ones.

Overall, I want to start as many of my on-map units training as possible, while sifting out the ones that are ready for frontline service (or at least suitable for kicking up some dust into Japanese eyes). But then when I start clicking on these little squadrons all over the place, I get all deer-in-the-headlights.

Pick a few groups per turn. Maybe CONUS first. Then PH. Then OZ. And so on. don't do it all at once. Spread it out and you'll be fine.

[Rexor]

Thanks for the replies. I'm reading some newbie AARs, which are also helping.