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This one is taking a while to play, as it's massive. So, in view of nikel's request for screen shots, I thought I'd throw in a few teasers from the action so far:



Assuming it's visible, this shows the aftermath of the first stage of the Battle of Guantanamo Bay. I have several downed pilots, one rescue shopper, an uncertain time limit and several fighters and SAMs to worry about. Each pilot costs me 5VP if I don't save him. This rule has been a major pain and has cost me 100VP so far, often in ridiculous circumstances - more later.

Oh, well, we seem to have a technical issue with posting screen shots so, pending advice, I'll have to stick to text only.

For the photo, there is a button on the Attachment tab, once you have uploaded the file - it says 'place in line', not intuitive in any way but click on it and it works.

The downed pilot run here is primarily meant to give you heartache in the Git-mo and Key West area. Unfortunately it has to apply across the map.

There is a LOT happening in this one...

B

Sending the Coast Guard to rescue downed pilots in Cuba can also work...

I'm still having problems with the pictures. The issue seems to be that I'm pasting the screenshots to Libre Office (.odt files) and the AAR interface regards these as invalid file extensions and errors them.

You're telling me that there's a lot to this scenario, Bart!. I'm still on Day 1 after playing it off-and-on for over a week. Things are starting to look more encouraging after a highly-pressurised start when I couldn't even think about attacking, but more on this in due course.

As regards the downed pilots, my main gripes are:

1. The time limit generally doesn't give you a fighting chance of rescuing them, as you need to remove what downed them first. I've rescued just one so far... for a whole VP. Losing the rescue chopper will cost another 8 when it generates its owned downed pilot (most of the time). Not a good ratio.

2. Downed pilots are generated even when aircraft are lost on the ground (when their airfield is bombed). Worse, they are then invisible and can't be rescued.

3. I've had planes lost over Florida but, even in US territory, they need to be rescued or they will die. I know the State has its share of alligator-infested swamp, but...

4. Plus the issue of downed pilots being created when UAVs are lost, though this hasn't occurred yet in this playthrough.

Haven't seen them created from AC destroyed on the ground before, that would be a PITA. However, I have seen some of those alligators

The points and time allocated are adjustable in the script, so I can fix that. I might add that this script was pretty new when I added it and I don't think it was properly tested. You can disable the whole thing in editor mode - just go to the events and make that one inactive. It was meant as a neat add on feature not a detractor to the overall scenario.

The most surprising thing I found when building this scenario was the complete lack of any land based SAMs in such a vulnerable area. Speaks volumes for the preponderance of the 'Airforce is the best air defence ' lobby in US military circles. No worries however because as the scenario proceeds you get lots of evidence of the preponderance of the USAF in this part of the world.

Keep an eye to your south sir.

B

I did wonder about the total lack of SAMs in the Continental USA!. Seems it's realistic, even after the Russians moved a strong force of modern combat aircraft to Cuba under the Americans' noses...

You're right, I really can't ignore the South. Every time I try to concentrate on Cuba, another bunch of guerrillas erupt out of the jungle. What might have helped (and did in Belize) would have been some US combat troops (or even, God forbid, artillery) around the Canal. Another place where the Air Force is Everything, I'm afraid...