Matrix Games Forums

Hey All, [8D]

Having a blast learning this game. Man what a hoot!!

I have a question about RAF squadrons responding to raids. All the squadrons designated to respond to a raid are all listed with a status of "Takeoff within 5 min". The raid gets detected and I "Authorize" a squadron to scramble to the raid. I watch as time passes, 10+ minutes go by and no scramble. I check the squadron in the Mission chart and they are "Readying". Typical response times are 12-17 minutes before they actually roll.

All the squadrons doing this are listed with a status of "Takeoff within 5 minutes" when the day begins so I am assuming they are on alert from the start, as the manual states. So my question is, when are they actually ready to "Takeoff within 5 min" ???

I mean if I check their status and they are listed as that as of 0630 hours and the raid happens at 0814 why are they still readying at 0827?? The intercept should be in progress with them engaged with the raid by this time. [&:]

I have not messed with the changing their status down to "takeoff withing 2 min" yet. Just trying to get a feel for how this game operates.

Some observations that may be associated with this. I watch Fighter sweeps circle the base when the alerted squadron just sits there instead of scrambling to intercept the Fighter sweep. Is the presence of the enemy fighters near the field throwing some game mechanic that prohibits takeoff? Be aware that the Fighter sweep was detected mid channel and did not cross the English coast until after more than 5 minutes had elapsed. So the RAF should have launched.

Morale of the squadrons in question are very good to excellent. They are all Category A. So far they have all been Hurricane squads.

Would appreciate somebody enlightening me.

THanks,

KayBay [8D]

for the sweeps, are you setting the AI to react to sweeps ?

not sure on the other, I do know and have complained about, how a unit at the start of the day can't take off due to bingo fuel

Hey Sarge [8D]

Good Question....

I checked and I do not have the AI set to react to Fighter sweeps. However when the raid is detected I immediately authorize a squadron to intercept. I start the timer then for the purposes of our discussion.

I did some more checking and this is what I found.

I noticed that when I check the "Route" for that squadrons they have a designated "Takeoff" time that is correllating with this delay. I also had a raid detection that was 36 109's, I did the same "Authorization" procedure and the delay did not occurr, all 3 of the squadrons had a take off time on the "Route" of < 5min from when I issued the command. As the raid neared mid channel a second raid of 36 Ju87's was detected flying along with this sweep. I immediately "Authorized" 3 more squadrons to intercept. No delay for these either.

I will set the response for the AI to react to Fighter sweeps and see what happens.

Thanks,

KayBay[8D]

My preferred method is not to have the AI run the intercepts. As soon as the RDF detects a raid coming in, I 'authorize' a few patrols along the likely path of the raid, and then I sickem onto the bombers. If I let the AI run the intercepts, more often than not my fighters end up tangling with the escort and the bombers get through. If I set up the patrols myself I can wait until the escort is past and hit the bombers in strength.

Not that I want to brag (OK, I do, I just had to share this with someone), but I lost my first two campaigns, and finally won one with the tactics above... it was really touch and go until the Luftwaffe started going for London instead of my airfields, just like in the real campaign! The realism in this game is a blast.