New Scenario for testing NF7 Plug the Gap

[Gunner98]

Next in the line of Northern Fury scenarios for testing. This one features the Brits and friends attempting to plug the GIUK Gap. It is not as complex or difficult as some of the other NF scenarios but has a few interesting features.

As always, readily await your critiques and criticisms.

Enjoy

Ver 1.3 uploaded 17 Apr 15

Ver 1.4 uploaded 29 Apr 15

Changes for ver 1.4

1. Biologics are no longer playable
2. Brits have more ammo, not necessarily all they want but a bit more
3. Extended the plots for the Sov TG's and also slowed them down a bit
4. Fixed Sov AAW patrol zones
5. Upgraded all Harriers to the FA.2 model. That should even things up a bit
6. Upgraded the RN sub to the 97 version, the earliest that Spearfish are available in the DB
7. Sovs are now weapons free on Subs
8. Upgraded to latest DB

Final changes, V1.5: (31 May 15)



Changes:
Re-based the CV CAP
Changed load-out for the Bucks at Lossi
Couple other minor changes.

Enjoy

B

B

[magi]

So cool....

[Airborne Rifles]

Thanks!

[magi]

This is going to be hard...... Very unsporting of you.... Red starts with search and recon assets on patrol so they know where my stuff is... and I suspect their bombers start in the air heading to their targets and launch points... All my stuff starts on the cold on the ground.... By the time I get to intercept most have unloaded their ordinance and and are RTB... and then you have that stupid line in the dirt I can't cross and kill that recon unit that's targeting my carrier group.... So it leaves me with the feeling like it's just a loose loose deal for blue.... Like X-ray station.... You become a non partisapant senselessly moving stuff around...... In H hour... It was about attrition.. Preservation of force and delay....
I'm only a few hours into this but it looks like im going to get slaughtered .... But I shall carry on....

[ryszardsh]

ORIGINAL: magi

This is going to be hard...... Very unsporting of you.... Red starts with search and recon assets on patrol so they know where my stuff is... and I suspect their bombers start in the air heading to their targets and launch points... All my stuff starts on the cold on the ground.... By the time I get to intercept most have unloaded their ordinance and and are RTB... and then you have that stupid line in the dirt I can't cross and kill that recon unit that's targeting my carrier group.... So it leaves me with the feeling like it's just a loose loose deal for blue.... Like X-ray station.... You become a non partisapant senselessly moving stuff around...... In H hour... It was about attrition.. Preservation of force and delay....
I'm only a few hours into this but it looks like im going to get slaughtered .... But I shall carry on....

Some of this was exactly my thought - no way, no how, does UK sit its A/C all on the field once war starts - if only to protect them from a SLM strike that pulled a Clark Field. I am playing with a few assets already up, plays better, although the SU-33 are, um, talented....

RAS

[Gunner98]

OK, That's a fare point. Next version I'll put some Tornado's up over Scotland. AWACs and MPA as well. The line in the ..water.. is reasonable I think. You may recall that in Kef Capers there was a Recce bird there as well.

B

[dox44]

i know its NOT about winning and losing but...i got slaughtered.

then i went back and played it in the editor and still got beat.

i've added this to my bucket list.

[:D]

[Gunner98]

Well I might need to adjust the bombers back a bit..

B

[Sakai007]

Just making sure, the version available in the OP in the first you released correct? None of the revisions mentioned after that are in that version?

[Gunner98]

Sakai

Correct. Currently on the road and won't have a chance to get back to the game for a couple days. Will try and upload a modified version Friday.

B

[Gunner98]

Ver 1.3 uploaded here and in OP

Thanks for the comments. Changes:

- AAW, ASW, AEW, MPA and Tanker patrols set up, most have AC airborne at start
- Delayed the WP Recon detection a tad
- Tightened up the TG Invincible formation to a more Air Threat vice Sub Threat posture
- Backed off some of the bombers

As always, welcome comments, critiques and criticisms. I will be heading out for the next 10 days tomorrow, will have email but not the game so will need to fix anything when I get back.

B

[AndrewJ]

Loading this up for the first time, it looks like the Biologic side is playable.

[magi]

ill try this new one.... thank you gunner.....

[Gunner98]

ORIGINAL: AndrewJ

Loading this up for the first time, it looks like the Biologic side is playable.

I'll fix that, thanks

B

[Flankerk]

Nice scenario, most things working very well, the messages and missions worked out nicely.
You're definitely behind the curve in this one and the scoring is a struggle. I peaked at about 70 points, but in the end managed an average -30. (And I worked dam hard for that!)
The biggest problem for me was giving the Flankers a go, this is a high loss rate and at minus five for I think each aircraft you are rapidly losing.

To be truthful you don't have a lot to hit back with, strikes with Jaguars and Buccaneers using dumb bombs was a very low return.
I think In the end I badly damaged the one group, but the Kresta remained afloat and the Baku although damaged wasn't that bad.

You rapidly run out of useful ammunition to be honest. I only managed the one big strike on Baku group, Ruyter Group was down to one ship more or less at scenario start.

Other than being somewhat overmatched, everything looked to work well. I suspect both enemy task forces eventually halted? Baku it could be due to the damage and group being disrupted, but the Varyag group also seemed to halt with about six hours to go?

Orbat wise I wasn't too sure the RN were quite right?

Turbulent had Spearfish loaded. I changed those to Harpoon, then promptly couldn't reload the Spearfish.

Also not totally sure on the Harriers, essentially this is a combat with GR7's and FRS 1 going up against Flankers. Some at least at that date would be FA2, perhaps all?

If only we had a Royal Navy expert who could comment!

[Gunner98]

I think I need to adjust the scoring, and check the Sov move orders.

Not sure about the FA2's that would make a difference I suspect. The DB says 95, a couple other sights say first flight in 88 but nothing on fielding. A vague reference to flying for a decade and retiring in -02 supports your point. Anything more firm?

Than again, being an alternate history, if might be fun to give them a go.

I'll also check the Turbulent. Anything else in the Brit orbat that concerned you?

Thanks again for your help.

B

[AndrewJ]

Still playing, but some observations so far...

The Gorshkov group came to a dead stop with 8 hours to go and just sat there. So did the hovercraft merchants about an hour later, and the main carrier group about an hour after that.

The 'Merchant Sunk' penalty applies if you sink the merchants that deploy the Soviet hovercraft, which seems a bit unkind. Those sneaky commie sympathisers deserve to get sunk! [:D]

The Sovremenny's in the main carrier group fall behind at 20 knots, for some reason.

The main Russian carrier group's CAP is in front of it on a rotating bearing, which means that it does not stay between the carrier and the probable threats. Since the group was headed SE, the CAP was out south of Iceland, leaving a direct unopposed route for me to send my attack through. On the other hand, when the CAP was in my direction the Su-33s would pursue me right back into the SAM umbrella from the British carrier group, which cost them a number of aircraft.

[Gunner98]

Andrew

Thanks, I'll fix those things up. I need to get smarter on Lua to make the Commie sympathizers situation better - on the other hand - they were only delivering goods [:D]

B

[AndrewJ]

Well, finished this one off, and managed to succeed. I fended off the hovercraft with Jaguars and Sea-Skua toting helicopters (which then landed on the islands). I was able to land my paratroopers and liason units without interference later on. Far forward patrols in the NE kept the bombers away. A strong effort to pick off the Russian AEW and long range surveillance units, at the cost some good aircraft, but I think it was worth it to blind them, and their lack of awareness was definitely helpful when it came time to tackle the surface groups.

Once the Baku group was blind, TG De Ruyter was able to stay undetected at long missile range and knock off some of the escorting frigates, while Buccaneers with short range Martels got another one. Moving around the open flank, TG de Ruyter tried a concentrated shot at the Baku with its remaining Harpoons. Three made it through, but that was not enough to sink the tough Baku, which limped along at 50% damage. I could have come in on this with Jaguars and iron bombs, but I think it would have been a total slaughter, so they stayed home. (A test after the game proved this: for the loss of 10 Jaguars I got a destroyer, mildly wounded a Kresta, battered the Baku some more, and briefly set it on fire, but it did not sink. Those SA-9s are nasty...)

My sub was out of position to intercept the Kuznetsov, but did manage to bite off an escorting Sovremenny with Harpoons. Later on, a concentrated off axis BOL attack with every Sea Eagle the British own managed to sink the Kuznetsov, which didn't spot the attack in time for its escorts to weigh in significantly. Most of the Buccaneers and all the Harriers got away, but the ones toting Martel ARMs had to get too close, and didn't escape. (Incidentally, those Martels pack a wallop! They managed to cause significant damage to both the Slava and Kirov, and if I'd concentrated on one they'd have probably sunk it. No piddly HARM warheads there!)

One thing I noticed after the game was that the Russians could see my sub, but weren't engaging it as it was still yellow. Giving them weapons free on sub-surface (and aircraft too) would probably make them a lot tougher. Probably without civilian casualties too, because the civilian planes will be gone by the time the Russians arrive.

[Gunner98]

New version posted here and in original post:

Changes for ver 1.4

1. Biologics are no longer playable
2. Brits have more ammo, not necessarily all they want but a bit more
3. Extended the plots for the Sov TG's and also slowed them down a bit
4. Fixed Sov AAW patrol zones
5. Upgraded all Harriers to the FA.2 model. That should even things up a bit
6. Upgraded the RN sub to the 97 version, the earliest that Spearfish are available in the DB
7. Sovs are now weapons free on Subs
8. Upgraded to latest DB

Enjoy