Plane Questions

[Califvol]

I am a long time WITP player and very much enjoy the AE so far. I do have some game play questions that I can’t seem to find an answer for in the manual. I just haven’t seen these, doesn’t mean they aren’t there:

The US air squadrons have a HQ squadron of like one or two planes. Do they serve any game purpose other than being a 2 plane squadron? They appear to be more of a burden than a benefit.

WITP had skip bombing at 100 feet, has that been eliminated in AE?

I can’t find mention of the Norden Bombsight in the game material. In WITP there was an advantage given to US planes for this sight. Has that been deleted from the game?

Follow-up to the above, is there an optimal bombing altitude for each kind of bomber aircraft based on target? In WITP one could take their lumps and just send the bombers in at 1,000 feet for best results on Naval attacks. I assume this has had a radical change in AE, but is there any info on it? If so, is there a place to look this up?

Thanks!

[PeteG662]

The HQ squadrons seem to have better skills than the line squadrons with associated above average skills in a few areas. I use these to train along with the line squadrons and get the skills up. They are useful for replacements of lost planes/crews for the line squadrons if they are not restricted. If restricted they become a supply source for the reserve pilot pool and airframes which are in short supply for the allies early on.
 
I believe skip bombing is still in and there is even a pilto skill category (Low Bombing?) which helps with this mission.
 
Haven't seen anything yet in my experience regarding the Norden or optimum altitude but from other's posts you go too low and flak will get you and too high and the accuracy sucks so you will have to get a "feel" from trying it out in game.
 
Hope this helps.
 
Pete

[Califvol]

Thank you!

[Mynok]

Low Naval would be skip bombing (and any mission below 6000').