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Hi all. I've been testing my testbed a bit, and seeing if I had the factors correct to figure out if this idea of a low CAP could really combat high level sweeps.

Consider this a practice test, but let me know if I'm not considering something I should be here.

I ran two 27 plane P-47D2 groups with identical stats and similar leaders at three groups of 45 plane Ki-84r groups with identical stats and similar leaders. The base was 4 hexes away (PM to Lae) and Lae has 6 x type 3 radar, both an IJA and and IJN Air HQ and lots of supply in a level 9 base. Just learning to use the editor, so I've taken a long time to set this up here. [:)]

The weather in my first tests was too rough, so moved the test a few days ahead every other test after the first few looking for clear skies. Did get different weather, but nothing conclusive would show (so far) that weather is a factor that balances results to one side or the other.

The Ki-84 didn't do badly at all, but I'm et to run the high CAP test to see how they'll fare differently there.

Let me know if this looks like enough factors. The only thing changing beteen tests is the day and/or some group flying 10% CAP at Milne Bay to create random change in the situation.

How about assuming a half smart Allied player and send in sweeps at different heights.

Its not only the japanese player who can use his forces to their advantage.

ORIGINAL: JeffK

How about assuming a half smart Allied player and send in sweeps at different heights.

Its not only the japanese player who can use his forces to their advantage.

This is test 1. Hold your horses! [:D]

Just checking the setup now, but I'm definitely open to the factors you'd like to see tested.

Do you send your sweeps at differing altitudes? Which ones, and is there a differentiation as to which planes you'd send at those altitudes?

I'm trying to see what IS smart here. I've not actually had an Allied player regularly send sweeps at different altitudes (with different airframes) against me, although i know some players do, so I might learn something.

Can I be the first to mention that in about a couple of months after this someone is going to take a beating with their P-47s and then blame you, the test and the game for the inherent randomness of some results.

Thanks in advance! [;)]

ORIGINAL: Encircled

Can I be the first to mention that in about a couple of months after this someone is going to take a beating with their P-47s and then blame you, the test and the game for the inherent randomness of some results.

Thanks in advance! [;)]

Ha! Yes.

The cool thing even in these first results is that you could run this low CAP and get creamed one day, but a few days later with the same settings and same groups could achieve a solid win against the Thuds. Crazy! [:)][X(]

Total losses though are good for Japan here. 253 Ki-84r lost vs 169 P-47D2 lost.

I started with one of the IJ's best late airframes. The results will be different I assume with Ki-44 or N1K2 or J2M2.

ORIGINAL: Encircled

Can I be the first to mention that in about a couple of months after this someone is going to take a beating with their P-47s and then blame you, the test and the game for the inherent randomness of some results.

Thanks in advance! [;)]

Your work and dedication is appreciated, mate! I done my bit for the Jerries with a Tutorial AAR, too.

Klink, Oberst

Very interesting, and I think when you are finished we will be find what we already know:

The air model is complex.[:D]

There is a random, or seemingly random element that might be a large factor.[:D]

There is no one right setting and tactics continually evolve. Counter the Low CAP with a sweep at lower altitude with LRCAP for example. Counter that with this and so on.

Personally, I would like to see you change that third squadron to Oscar IVs and put them at 3k to 5k & change the 2nd squadron to a George/Jack/Tony and put them at 8k.

I want to know when you are going to break down and start a game?[:D]

I don't know about y'all, but if I'm sweeping I'm doing it at an altitude below what I think the maximum is for the CAP. However, if I come in too low and the CAP's too high, there may be no engagement. Likewise if I come in too high and the CAP's too low there may be no engagement. If you're using Sweep as a tactic, and no engagement occurs, that is what some people call a failure. Attrition may go against you on any given day, but if it is the right tactic to use (you desire to achieve air superiority and you believe you have the means to do it) attrition is what happens. Don't try to be too cute. The only reason to sweep at max alt is because you don't have air superiority or any hope of getting it but just want to stir things up so maybe some of your bombers get through.

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Very interesting, and I think when you are finished we will be find what we already know:

The air model is complex.[:D]

There is a random, or seemingly random element that might be a large factor.[:D]

There is no one right setting and tactics continually evolve. Counter the Low CAP with a sweep at lower altitude with LRCAP for example. Counter that with this and so on.

Personally, I would like to see you change that third squadron to Oscar IVs and put them at 3k to 5k & change the 2nd squadron to a George/Jack/Tony and put them at 8k.

I want to know when you are going to break down and start a game?[:D]

You'll be VERY interested in the next results. [:D]

I'm starting with one of the best available airframes for Japan in good numbers. The Frank here is not the Symon version but the 399mph stock Ki-84r. I'll try other things later. This seems a good blend between really high performance airframes later and the mid war airframes.

I will though add in the factors of different airframes later. First I am trying this setup at different altitude settings for defenders and for the sweepers eventually.

I've just sent a note about my game with Historiker to see if he does want to restart or potentially pass it on to another player. [;)]

ORIGINAL: geofflambert

I don't know about y'all, but if I'm sweeping I'm doing it at an altitude below what I think the maximum is for the CAP. However, if I come in too low and the CAP's too high, there may be no engagement. Likewise if I come in too high and the CAP's too low there may be no engagement. If you're using Sweep as a tactic, and no engagement occurs, that is what some people call a failure. Attrition may go against you on any given day, but if it is the right tactic to use (you desire to achieve air superiority and you believe you have the means to do it) attrition is what happens. Don't try to be too cute. The only reason to sweep at max alt is because you don't have air superiority or any hope of getting it but just want to stir things up so maybe some of your bombers get through.

Why would you sweep at an altitude lower than the highest CAP? Don't you then have the CAP gain the dive?

I've not experienced the CAP not being engaged by even a 42k sweep so far, and the next test has the highest CAP at 9k.

For the next test i've used all three Ki-84r groups in a layered CAP low against the 42k sweeps. At 9k, 7k, and 5k.

This worked a bit too well! Yikes!

EDIT: I added a column for time to target, but this is incomplete as I didn't save all CR's. I can redo though and I think this is an important piece.

For future reference, can you record detection range? As in, in the CR where it says "Time to target X minutes"?

ORIGINAL: obvert

For the next test i've used all three Ki-84r groups in a layered CAP low against the 42k sweeps. At 9k, 7k, and 5k.

This worked a bit too well! Yikes!

Bingo! I could tell you why, but lets see if you can figure it out.[;)]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: obvert

For the next test i've used all three Ki-84r groups in a layered CAP low against the 42k sweeps. At 9k, 7k, and 5k.

This worked a bit too well! Yikes!

Bingo! I could tell you why, but lets see if you can figure it out.[;)]

Could it be that the CAP outnumbered the individual sweeps by more than 5:1, or the total sweep by more than 2.5:1? I mean, maybe....

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: geofflambert

I don't know about y'all, but if I'm sweeping I'm doing it at an altitude below what I think the maximum is for the CAP. However, if I come in too low and the CAP's too high, there may be no engagement. Likewise if I come in too high and the CAP's too low there may be no engagement. If you're using Sweep as a tactic, and no engagement occurs, that is what some people call a failure. Attrition may go against you on any given day, but if it is the right tactic to use (you desire to achieve air superiority and you believe you have the means to do it) attrition is what happens. Don't try to be too cute. The only reason to sweep at max alt is because you don't have air superiority or any hope of getting it but just want to stir things up so maybe some of your bombers get through.

Why would you sweep at an altitude lower than the highest CAP? Don't you then have the CAP gain the dive?

I've not experienced the CAP not being engaged by even a 42k sweep so far, and the next test has the highest CAP at 9k.

Well, I have experienced having CAP too high and not intercepting bombers, much less sweeps. My position stands.

edit: I've also experienced having my sweeps too high and not encountering CAP,

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: obvert

For the next test i've used all three Ki-84r groups in a layered CAP low against the 42k sweeps. At 9k, 7k, and 5k.

This worked a bit too well! Yikes!

Bingo! I could tell you why, but lets see if you can figure it out.[;)]

Could it be that the CAP outnumbered the individual sweeps by more than 5:1, or the total sweep by more than 2.5:1? I mean, maybe....

[:D]

How to explain the comparative change?

ORIGINAL: geofflambert

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: geofflambert

I don't know about y'all, but if I'm sweeping I'm doing it at an altitude below what I think the maximum is for the CAP. However, if I come in too low and the CAP's too high, there may be no engagement. Likewise if I come in too high and the CAP's too low there may be no engagement. If you're using Sweep as a tactic, and no engagement occurs, that is what some people call a failure. Attrition may go against you on any given day, but if it is the right tactic to use (you desire to achieve air superiority and you believe you have the means to do it) attrition is what happens. Don't try to be too cute. The only reason to sweep at max alt is because you don't have air superiority or any hope of getting it but just want to stir things up so maybe some of your bombers get through.

Why would you sweep at an altitude lower than the highest CAP? Don't you then have the CAP gain the dive?

I've not experienced the CAP not being engaged by even a 42k sweep so far, and the next test has the highest CAP at 9k.

Well, I have experienced having CAP too high and not intercepting bombers, much less sweeps. My position stands.

edit: I've also experienced having my sweeps too high and not encountering CAP,

What you might be seeing is sweepers engaging a training squadron and there is no actual combat but the replay pops up for second or two.

I have never seen no combat between dedicated sweepers and enemy fighters on CAP. I have seen drastically short combats though because of the altitude difference and it seems more pronounced for Japan (as the sweepers) than the Allies.

I think Obvert vs the Gorn would be a great match. Geoff always finishes his games to quickly.[:)]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: obvert

For the next test i've used all three Ki-84r groups in a layered CAP low against the 42k sweeps. At 9k, 7k, and 5k.

This worked a bit too well! Yikes!

Bingo! I could tell you why, but lets see if you can figure it out.[;)]

I'm curious to what you know here.

This, I think, agrees with my (untested) observations in our game.

I have nothing of value here to add, but I'm very curious about any results you uncover. Thanks for the work.

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

I think Obvert vs the Gorn would be a great match. Geoff always finishes his games to quickly.[:)]

It is true that I am always swift. That is why Queen Gorn of the planet Gorn has exiled me to this miserable planet. She heard that female earthlings had lower standards. I have yet to confirm that, however.
I could be merciful to Obvert as long as he doesn't give me any more flak of any caliber.