Maximum Number of Aircraft that allows Air Ops

[Capt Cliff]

I was wondering how come air bases are not as restricted as CV's in the number of aircraft that can operate from them. CV's have a definite number 110% then NO OPS!!! But you can pack an air base full and more, and the CAP still flys. Using the CV algorithm on land bases might be a good idea.

[Commander Stormwolf]

technically you could pack ac somewhere further away, though they couldn't operate well (hence the AC overstack penalty)

whereas a carrier is physically limited by space


i am more troubled that carrier AC fly a lot more often, while land based units are grounded more often than not

[dr.hal]

I've often wondered why the design is that attacks from the sea against naval targets get two shots while land based air only get one. For the 2-4 engine bombers I can see this, but not for the land based single engine aircraft! Can someone enlighten me???? Thanks, Hal

[Capt Cliff]

IMHO if you got too many planes on an airfield the field doesn't just not "operate well" if don't operate at all. So you can pack an airfield with fighters they won't escort but all the cap still flies. That will really eat up a CV TF strike.

[Atilla60]

ORIGINAL: Capt Cliff

I was wondering how come air bases are not as restricted as CV's in the number of aircraft that can operate from them. CV's have a definite number 110% then NO OPS!!! But you can pack an air base full and more, and the CAP still flys. Using the CV algorithm on land bases might be a good idea.

Actually, you can't just pack an airbase with any number of planes/groups, and expect them all to fly.
Each airbase has an administrative stack level. When exceeded, groups stop flying.

[Capt Cliff]

ORIGINAL: Atilla60

ORIGINAL: Capt Cliff

I was wondering how come air bases are not as restricted as CV's in the number of aircraft that can operate from them. CV's have a definite number 110% then NO OPS!!! But you can pack an air base full and more, and the CAP still flys. Using the CV algorithm on land bases might be a good idea.

Actually, you can't just pack an airbase with any number of planes/groups, and expect them all to fly.
Each airbase has an administrative stack level. When exceeded, groups stop flying.

I beg to differ, I packed Darwin with too many planes 10 or 7 ... in red ... very few strikes went out but CAP remained unaffected. That's the point I was making.

[michaelm75au]

Initial CAP launched is limited due to overcrowding. The others would count as normal 'standby' and be delayed in getting to the combat.

Also, CAP patrol launches happen before strikes so a heavy CAP could limit plane strike launches.

[Capt Cliff]

ORIGINAL: michaelm

Initial CAP launched is limited due to overcrowding. The others would count as normal 'standby' and be delayed in getting to the combat.

Also, CAP patrol launches happen before strikes so a heavy CAP could limit plane strike launches.

I did have the CAP set high at Darwin ... at 80 ... the reason no strikes of any value went out. But I ended up with 75 P-40's of the 90 I had there on CAP and they just ate up the Kido Butia air strike. I was amazed how the P-40's destroyed the Zeros, escort of 50. By the time it was done the Japanese had lost 50% of their carrier aircraft. My point of order is that with an over crowded air base CAP should also be affected. Like the Three Stooges trying to get through a doorway at the same time.