Matrix Games Forums

I understand that some squads have special weapon loadouts and those squads (if US) have this fact indicated in their name.
In my game for example the "USAAF 11th Bomb(AP)" squadron flying the B-17E/F carries 1000lb AP bombs whereas the "USAAF 431st Bomb(GP)" flying the same plane carries 500lb GP bombs (double the amount though). Nice feature so far.

Apparently only some planes are able to use this feature though as for example both flavours of squads (AP and GP) flying the older B-17D aircraft have the same loadout of GP bombs. This might be dependant on the aircraft type (rightfully), so I'd like to know which aircrafts can make use of the (AP) feature of a squad.
I upgraded one AP squad through all of the bomber types in Jan/42 but none of them showed an AP loadout afterwards. Even upgrading to the B-17E/F did not show the AP loadout as expected. I assume this would change if i let the turn run through but unfortunately I cant test this as it is an pbem.

So the question remains, which aircraft types let a squad benefit from it's AP bomb or torpedo carrying ability?

Only original starting plane type can use this special ordnance. If you upgrade the squadron you lose this capability.

ORIGINAL: Elladan

Only original starting plane type can use this special ordnance. If you upgrade the squadron you lose this capability.

But how comes some of the AP squads have GP bombs from the start? Do I need to follow the upgrade path with those, or how can I get them to carry AP bombs?

I guess you didn't have enough planes of the needed Type in pool, the the units appeared with another model that had sufficiant numbers in the pool.

It's like the Hurricane-Lysander story, I think...

ORIGINAL: Historiker

I guess you didn't have enough planes of the needed Type in pool, the the units appeared with another model that had sufficiant numbers in the pool.

It's like the Hurricane-Lysander story, I think...

No, I'm talking about player controlled update, so the squads are already on the map and I have sufficient planes in the pool.

They are on map at the beginning, are called (AP) and don't have AP bombs before you've done anything?
Then this is a db bug, nothing else. Either the units have the wrong name - or the wrong equipment...

ORIGINAL: Historiker

They are on map at the beginning, are called (AP) and don't have AP bombs before you've done anything?
Then this is a db bug, nothing else. Either the units have the wrong name - or the wrong equipment...

Just checked the start of the CVO scenario. There are four 'special' US squadrons. The two torpedo carrying B-26A units (unit numbers 1234 & 1143) - both looking good.
Then there is one B-17E/F squad (unit number 1183) also looking good and finally one squad flying the B-17D (unit number 1162, starting at Clark Field) this one carries GP bombs and even after upgrading through various aircraft types it still says GP bombs (without proceeding the turn though).

GP is the standard equipment. So when you upgrade them, they will still carry GP - of course.
As AP isn't standard, the unit will loose this special ordnance when upgraded.

It's a mistake in database. Basically assume this B-17D squadron name is ...(GP) not (AP).

I was greatly disappointed by this earlier and converted to the B-17E and B-24D to see if it changed. Still, it's nice to have the others able to drop Bad Boys [:)]!

ORIGINAL: Mistmatz

ORIGINAL: Elladan

Only original starting plane type can use this special ordnance. If you upgrade the squadron you lose this capability.

But how comes some of the AP squads have GP bombs from the start? Do I need to follow the upgrade path with those, or how can I get them to carry AP bombs?

A nomal loadout occurs only with an original squadron and only at normal range. Some special loadouts are lost at extended range - depending on the code. For example, a torpedo bomber will drop bombs at extended range - and this is hard coded - and there is no way to change it even if we wanted to.

A special loadout should always occur on an original unit unless it was upgraded to a different type - or double upgraded back to itself.

ORIGINAL: Historiker

They are on map at the beginning, are called (AP) and don't have AP bombs before you've done anything?
Then this is a db bug, nothing else. Either the units have the wrong name - or the wrong equipment...

This is correct.

ORIGINAL: Mistmatz

ORIGINAL: Historiker

They are on map at the beginning, are called (AP) and don't have AP bombs before you've done anything?
Then this is a db bug, nothing else. Either the units have the wrong name - or the wrong equipment...

Just checked the start of the CVO scenario. There are four 'special' US squadrons. The two torpedo carrying B-26A units (unit numbers 1234 & 1143) - both looking good.
Then there is one B-17E/F squad (unit number 1183) also looking good and finally one squad flying the B-17D (unit number 1162, starting at Clark Field) this one carries GP bombs and even after upgrading through various aircraft types it still says GP bombs (without proceeding the turn though).

This unit should be labeled GP. It carries 18 x 250 lb GP bombs. The only AP available for it is a 1000 pounder - and it would only get 4 of these - which seems a poor option. Also there are a lot of 250s around at that time. It will be corrected at some unspecified future date - when we do an update. I did already fix it - but am not issuing the correction at this time.