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Does speed really mean anything?

Posted: Wed May 29, 2002 3:59 am
by John Galt
I have been playing SPWAW for over a year including PBEM. But the speed factor of vehicles still baffles me. I read quotes that say "motorcycle recon is fast" or a "fast moving recon vehicle", seeming to insinuate that the speed of a vehicle will make it difficult to hit. Am I wrong about that? If I want a jeep to make a run across open territory at top speed, how is that possible? It enters the first hex at 2 MPH. The second hex is 3 or 4 MPH. Maybe 7 MPH in the third hex. By this point it gets whacked, usually by a tank. Realistically the jeep would be going much faster than 2 MPH in the first 50 yards. And would certainly be going at top speed during the next 50 yards (second hex). Am I making false assumptions here?

Posted: Wed May 29, 2002 4:11 am
by Goblin
The speed of a vehicle, according to the manual, affects its chance at being hit. Myself and a lot of guys move the vehicle back and forth out of the enemies sight to get its speed up, then finish its movement towards the bad guys. I agree one hundred and two percent that the jeep could, and should be able to, accelerate to top speed much more quickly.

Goblin- A Goblin put the pedal to the metal;)

Virus alert

Posted: Wed May 29, 2002 5:51 am
by chief
Goblin go to Matrix Games General Discussion forum and note virus alert...we have communicated and you may be infected, if so I am sorry I have no idea how, when, or where it came from and we may be passing it on.....bob (chief)

Posted: Wed May 29, 2002 6:04 am
by Goblin
We communicated by PM system, chief. Anyways, that was a hoax, see the thread. Thanks.;)

Goblin- A Goblin was worried!

Posted: Wed May 29, 2002 6:09 am
by chief
If it was a hoax its gone now Now i have to find what I got rid of...

Posted: Wed May 29, 2002 6:50 pm
by bigtroutz
speed supposedly alters the possibility of being spotted, also.

I agree the mechanism of speed increase is bogus....another example is that infantry speeds are rediculously high when traversing their full movement points on a paved road.

Posted: Wed May 29, 2002 7:11 pm
by Belisarius
I've had paratroops dropped on me, that are listed with "moving 13 mph" when touched down. That's ridiculous :)

Posted: Thu May 30, 2002 8:18 pm
by Jasper
Originally posted by Belisarius
I've had paratroops dropped on me, that are listed with "moving 13 mph" when touched down. That's ridiculous :)
Hahahahaha... if you felt that that is ridiculous, you havent met the future sniper whom are armed with gauss rifle............. They take out tanks like nothing......

Posted: Thu May 30, 2002 10:23 pm
by challenge
Let's see ....

The four minute mile converts to 15 mph;
13 mph is 1140 f/min or
381.3 yds/min or
7.6 hexes/min.

That's fairly close to terminal velocity for a human body. Are you sure they had 'chutes?

Posted: Thu May 30, 2002 11:00 pm
by Belisarius
Originally posted by challenge
Let's see ....

The four minute mile converts to 15 mph;
13 mph is 1140 f/min or
381.3 yds/min or
7.6 hexes/min.

That's fairly close to terminal velocity for a human body. Are you sure they had 'chutes?
Hmm.. the terminal velocity for a human (horizontal) body is closer to 2000 yds/min (~140 kph), but anyway. :p

13 mph is a good running speed. It's close to world record speed for a Marathon run, if you get the picture...maybe they forgot the chutes and decided to cannonball out of the aircraft, rolling along the ground at touchdown? :)

Posted: Fri May 31, 2002 9:00 am
by Capt. Pixel
Originally posted by Belisarius


Hmm.. the terminal velocity for a human (horizontal) body is closer to 2000 yds/min (~140 kph), but anyway. :p

13 mph is a good running speed. It's close to world record speed for a Marathon run, if you get the picture...maybe they forgot the chutes and decided to cannonball out of the aircraft, rolling along the ground at touchdown? :)
I remember hearing somewhere that the Russians tried this method for vertical insertion of troops. Fly low, slow, and dump the paras out the back. :rolleyes:

Posted: Fri May 31, 2002 6:46 pm
by challenge
Can you say, "road rash"?

I knew ya could.

Posted: Fri May 31, 2002 11:17 pm
by Belisarius
Originally posted by Capt. Pixel


I remember hearing somewhere that the Russians tried this method for vertical insertion of troops. Fly low, slow, and dump the paras out the back. :rolleyes:
Yep. Thing is it was kinda successfull.

IIRC, today it's a standard insertion procedure for pallet cargo and light AFV's? Take e.g. an AC-130, fly 5 ft above ground, drop cargo bay ramp and let everyting slide out... road rash alright. :D

I've seen some clip of Soviet Aircraft releasing MBT's on a 60ft level with rocket thrusters attached to the tank :p

Posted: Sat Jun 01, 2002 3:24 am
by Fallschirmjager
I thought speed was only used for the number of hexes a unit can move.
Hmm....
I learn something new every day.

Posted: Sun Jun 02, 2002 7:56 am
by Thomas D Curry
The russians would use low flying biplanes and drop the troops onto snow to soften the fall. The finish and germans began white wasing large areas of bare rock much to the massive discomfort to the Russian troopers. Another problem is the pack the troopers carried would cause them to hit head first and bury them in the snow another major problem.

Posted: Sun Jun 02, 2002 10:34 pm
by stevemk1a
Now I've heard everything!! Only the Soviets in WWII would force paratroopers to jump without 'chutes! I can picture the first unit to try this cunning tactic: " Don't worry, men I've warned the pilot to go really low and really slow... remember to drop and roll Urrrrahhhh!!!!!" Were these guys in Penal units or just incredibly brave? :eek: :confused: