air combat intel

[RogerJNeilson]

I have posted in the main forum, but its been suggested it could be something Michael needs to look at so here it is.

If I am in air to air combat over a hex where I am the attacker I get info on which units the enemy planes are from. If I am in air to air combat over a hex where I am the defender I don't get this info.

I cannot see a logic to this.

Example 1 - Allies defending airspace:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Trinkat at 44,64 Weather in hex: Light rain Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 14 minutes Japanese aircraft G4M1 Betty x 23 Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 3 Allied aircraft P-39D Airacobra x 8 Japanese aircraft losses G4M1 Betty: 3 destroyed, 5 damaged G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed No Allied losses Allied Ships xAP Wakefield CL Trenton Aircraft Attacking: 6 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo 3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo CAP engaged: 12th FS with P-39D Airacobra (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 6 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes ,

Example 2 - Japanese defending airspace:

Morning Air attack on Hankow, at 85,50 Weather in hex: Light rain Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 37,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 9 minutes Japanese aircraft Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 15 Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 3 Allied aircraft Hurricane IIb Trop x 4 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed No Allied losses CAP engaged: 70th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling) 3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 16000 and 31000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes 45th I. F.Chutai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes 54th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters between 28170 and 35000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes ,

As far as I can see its a consistent feature

Reposted here in case its an unintended feature. The above is from the standard AE, but its in the Beta version too.

[obvert]

We can see a lot more than was possible from a plane, like the specific ground unit that is being bombed or reconned.

You can also watch the replay and see which unit and which pilots are even fighting, so it's not just here that this info appears and not just for one side at a time.


Although it's somewhat unrealistic, pilots could in fact see the markings on other planes and might even have been able to read what CV a plane was from using this info. In game anyway I think this is fun and adds a level of intrigue, as it can be used to create deception in interesting ways, say if the CV planes are not on the CVs. I like it. Please don't change.

[RogerJNeilson]

I agree Obvert.

My issue is simply its inconsistent - I quite like the 'chrome' of knowing what unit is chewing up my boys.

I just do not see why its only when my boys are over the enemy airspace they have the ability to id the enemy unit......

Roger

[HansBolter]

IIRC it was few very vocal JFBs that pushed to get it changed because they didn't like their opponents getting free intel.

I tend to agree with you two.

[Alfred]

Sorry Roger but this is not a bug, it is most definitely WAD.  Nor is it without logic.  I'll go into detail on the main forum where you raised the issue.
 
I very much doubt that michaelm will respond.  For quite some time he has only appeared in a very few threads; threads where something significant might be at stake.  He is after all a busy boy in real life.
 
Alfred