New planes requests (from other threads/please pin it)

[gaunt1]

Fw-189 flyable, why not? It would even have a minimal ground attack capability, with 4x 50kg bombs, and of course the two MGs. Quite able to devastate a lightly defended truck convoy, especially due to its slowness (= easier aim, just like the R-5, which is inredible fun to fly)

Anyway, Im still hoping for a flyable Ju-88C6a

[Verdun1916]

Would it be difficult to introduce a BoB era Spitfire with the aid of the allready present ones?
Or would it have to be scratch built?

[HBPencil]

I'm no 3D modeler so my opinion won't be worth much but I suspect it'd be a lot of work even if an existing version is used as a starting point. I'd suggest the Vc trop as at least some of the external elements (especially the length of the engine cowling) are transferable and one wouldn't have to deal with the poor mapping of the Vb if that was used. But regardless there'd have to be a whole raft of detail changes both externally and in the cockpit to make it a mid 1940 MkI.

Having said that, in my previous post on this thread I too suggested a MkI but as the August 1944 map will be first perhaps an F.XIVe would be a good idea, although as we already have plenty of era appropriate aircraft (and the MkIX would be the most numerous anyway) perhaps the XIV wouldn't be a priority.

[Pursuivant]

Would it be difficult to introduce a BoB era Spitfire with the aid of the allready present ones?
Or would it have to be scratch built?

It's probably not that hard, considering that a Mk I Spitfire was the first modded plane in the game.

I believe that the cockpits are identical between the Mk. I and Mk. V versions. The only 3d work needed would be to remove the cannon barrels which extend ahead of the wings. FM and DM work would need to be a bit more extensive.

[HBPencil]

It's probably not that hard, considering that a Mk I Spitfire was the first modded plane in the game.

I believe that the cockpits are identical between the Mk. I and Mk. V versions. The only 3d work needed would be to remove the cannon barrels which extend ahead of the wings. FM and DM work would need to be a bit more extensive.

Sorry but I'm inclined to disagree. I guess it depends on what one considers to be hard or to be a lot of work but to expand on my previous post and after a quick look at the stock Vb and Vc in-game, the "whole raft of detail changes" includes, but isn't limited to, the following:

External
New spinner and prop blades (regardless if the Rotol or DeHavilland type is chosen), new exhausts, new oil cooler radiator, cannon barrels and bulges removed, mg's added and a new canopy.

Cockpit
New gunsight, radio controller, landing lamp controls, radiator flap control and of course a revised boost gauge.

There're other details I could add but this gives an idea of what would need to be changed... and also I'd just end up looking like toooo much of a rivet-counter! ;)

[gaunt1]

Ah, Spitfire I... Who needs that... Hurricane Mk.I, british, 1940 variant! That is what we need! :) Seriously, that would be the easiest thing to do. Only FM change is needed! Also, contrary to the myth, it wasnt the Spitfire that won BoB for Britain. It was the Hurricane!

[Pursuivant]

Sorry but I'm inclined to disagree.

I agree. I was mistaken. That's what I get for posting without looking carefully source materials first. There are lots more internal and external 3d changes than I first imagined.

Apparently, there are some mapping problems on the Mk. V skins as well, which make it difficult to make good skins.

Arguably, the Mk V Spitfire could be used as a base model, but it wouldn't be nearly as simple as I thought.

But, what might be simple to do is create an "A Wing" Mk. V Spitfire, as were used in 1941. That really would just require simple modifications to the wings. FWIW, Douglas Bader was flying a Spitfire Mk.Va when he was shot down.

Were a Mk I Spitfire added to the game, the logical version to add would be the MK. Ia, brought up to June 1940 production standards (3 bladed constant speed prop, rearview mirror, 2-step rudder pedals).

Other than that version of the Mk. I , the only other early Spitfire version which was built in significant numbers is the Mk. II, which was commonly used in early 1941. The Mk. IIa could use the "A wing" of the Mk. Ia, while the Mk. IIb could use the "B wing" from the Mk. Vb. But, both versions would need 3D changes to cockpit and fuselage.

[Verdun1916]

Ah, Spitfire I... Who needs that... Hurricane Mk.I, british, 1940 variant! That is what we need! :) Seriously, that would be the easiest thing to do. Only FM change is needed! Also, contrary to the myth, it wasnt the Spitfire that won BoB for Britain. It was the Hurricane!

Well, I don't agree. I do thing early spits are needed aswell for the upcomming channel map. But I do agree that a 1940's bersion of the Hurricane is needed. So is a few Sea Hurricanes.

Flyable Blenheims, Beauforts, Wellington and Swordfish are also both needed and wanted.

[Verdun1916]

CAC CA-13 Boomerang would be a great addition to the stock game for the SE Asian theater of operations.

[gaunt1]

Well, I don't agree. I do thing early spits are needed aswell for the upcomming channel map. But I do agree that a 1940's bersion of the Hurricane is needed. So is a few Sea Hurricanes.

Flyable Blenheims, Beauforts, Wellington and Swordfish are also both needed and wanted.

You misunderstood me. You didnt notice the smiley. Of course we need the Spitfire I! My point was that the british 1940 Hurricane variant would be so much easier to do, (only FM) and so should be done first. After that, obviously Spitfire Mk.I! I'd also love to fly it! (Ok, I admit, if we are talking about the Spit, my preference would be the XIV...)

[Pursuivant]

There's a whole airport's worth of UK and British Commonwealth aircraft that aren't in the game. Along with an equally large airport's worth of French aircraft.

But, +1 to the 1940 Hurricane Mk. I.

It would be an easy addition, for the reasons Gaunt said.

It was more numerous and got more kills in the Battle of Britain (although the more kills thing might be because Hurricanes were detailed to attack bombers, while Spits dealt with the Bf 109s).

Hurricane squadrons were actually sent to France in 1940 as part of the BEF.

[Verdun1916]

There's a whole airport's worth of UK and British Commonwealth aircraft that aren't in the game. Along with an equally large airport's worth of French aircraft.

But, +1 to the 1940 Hurricane Mk. I.

It would be an easy addition, for the reasons Gaunt said.

It was more numerous and got more kills in the Battle of Britain (although the more kills thing might be because Hurricanes were detailed to attack bombers, while Spits dealt with the Bf 109s).

Hurricane squadrons were actually sent to France in 1940 as part of the BEF.

I agree about the French aswell! I've been hopeing for years that the M.S. 406 and the 410 would be made flyable and a bit larger generic western/central Europe map for some Phony War and Battle of France action. The Hawk 75 was a great addition but te M.S. made flyable would be awesome aswell since they will be just as useable for the Finnish front.
Off course the D.520 would be nice to! :D

[Pursuivant]

I agree about the French aswell! I've been hopeing for years that the M.S. 406 and the 410 would be made flyable and a bit larger generic western/central Europe map for some Phony War and Battle of France action. The Hawk 75 was a great addition but te M.S. made flyable would be awesome aswell since they will be just as useable for the Finnish front. Off course the D.520 would be nice to! :D

The channel map under construction actually covers a fair bit of the area that was fought over during the "Battle of France". It cover the area which was fought over at the culmination of Fall Gelbe, and the eastern portions of action during Fall Rot.

A flyable MS.406/410 is on my short wish list, too.

It would also be nice if the French had at least one bomber type. I've always assumed that turning the A-20C Havoc into a French DB7A would be the simplest route, since there isn't that much 3D work needed. But given that cockpits and crew stations would have to be extensively reworked, I'm not sure it would be that much of a time savings.

[Verdun1916]

The channel map under construction actually covers a fair bit of the area that was fought over during the "Battle of France". It cover the area which was fought over at the culmination of Fall Gelbe, and the eastern portions of action during Fall Rot.

A flyable MS.406/410 is on my short wish list, too.

It would also be nice if the French had at least one bomber type. I've always assumed that turning the A-20C Havoc into a French DB7A would be the simplest route, since there isn't that much 3D work needed. But given that cockpits and crew stations would have to be extensively reworked, I'm not sure it would be that much of a time savings.

Yeah, your right! But it would be very nice to have an area that could be used as the French-German border area so it could be used for th Phony War scenarios or Campaign just as much as late 1944, early 1945 ones aswell. And if generic It could off course be used for other scenarios in other areas aswell. THe stock game has one such map but I feel it's just a tad to small haha

[Pursuivant]

Yeah, your right! But it would be very nice to have an area that could be used as the French-German border area so it could be used for th Phony War scenarios or Campaign just as much as late 1944, early 1945 ones as well.

The only problem is that the area you describe didn't see that much aerial action - either tactical or strategic.

In 1939, both sides flew occasional patrols along the French-German border, but there wasn't that much action. There's a good reason why the period on the Western Front from September 1939 to May 1940 gets called "The Phoney War."

The Colmar Pocket (in the Vosges Mountains, just west of the Rhine) was a scene of intense action during 1944-45, but due to the weather, tactical air ops were limited. Same for the capture of the Saarland in 1945.

A potentially more useful map would be one that follows the Belgian-French border from approximately Saarbrucken to Lille and Nancy to Amiens. (Or, perhaps 2-3 maps, depending on actual population density.) Ignoring its potential to be modded as a WW I map, this area saw a plenty of action both in 1940 and in 1944-45.

In 1940, the map covers both the Sedan bridgehead, and the middle phases of Fall Gelbe. In 1944-45, it covers Western Allied Tac Air Ops during the Lorraine campaign and the liberation of Northern France.

This map also more or less follows a line from southeast England to southern Bavaria, which literally makes it "flyover country" for USAAF or RAF strategic bombing raids aimed at Augsburg, Munich, Regensburg or Stuttgart.

[Pursuivant]

The announcement of the English Channel map and discussions on this thread got me wondering about what a decent order of battle would look like for the Armee de l'Air in May 1940.

Note that this post is not a request, since it would take a massive amount of effort to even produce a stripped-down selection of French aircraft!

Anyhow, here's my list of which French aircraft were used in significant numbers during the Battle of France. Note that it doesn't take into account the fact that some types were obsolete and were quickly withdrawn from the combat zone.

Starred entries represent particularly important aircraft. Numbers in parentheses represent number of aircraft in service at the start of the campaign - more or less.

Attack: Breguet Bre.693 AB.2 (~200)* (Also used by Vichy France and Italy)

Bomber, Medium: Amiot 354 (86), Amiot 143 (138 ), Bloch MB.200 (200) (also used by Vichy France, Bulgaria, Luftwaffe), Bloch MB.210Bn (257), Liore et Olivier LeO 451* (~373)(also used by Italy, Luftwaffe), Martin 167 (<200) (also used by South Africa, UK, Vichy France).

Bomber, Light/Recon: ANF Les Mureaux 115 R2B2 (119), Bloch MB.131RB4 (121), Bloch MB.174A.3 (56), Breguet Bre.270, Douglas DB-7 B-3 (64), Potez 63.11* (730+) (also used by Greece, Italy, Romania, Vichy France, Yugoslavia, Luftwaffe)

Dive Bomber: Latecoere Late 298D (<121)*, Liore Nieuport LN.411 (45), Vought V-156 (40)

Fighter: Bloch MB.152 (482) (also used by Greece, Romania, Vichy France, Luftwaffe trainer), Caudron C.714 (~90) (also used by Finland, Free Polish), Curtiss H75-C1 (316), Dewoitine D.520 C1 (~900) (also used by Bulgaria, Italy, Vichy France, Luftwaffe), Koolhoven F.K.58A (11), Morane-Saulnier MS.406* (~1,000) (also used by Finland, Italy, Switzerland, Luftwaffe)

Fighter, Heavy: Potez 630 (85) (also used by Vichy France), Potez 631.01* (206) (also used by Greece, Vichy France, Luftwaffe), Potez 633 (63)

Liaison: Caudron C.270 Luciole (>700)*, Caudron C.635M Simoun (489), Hanriot H.182 (346)

Patrol: Liore 130 M (125)

Trainer: Hanriot H.436 (50), Hanriot H.230 (35) (also used by Finland), Mauboussin M.123 (65), Morane-Saulnier MS.230 (~1,000)(also used by many other nations), Morane-Saulnier MS.315 (350), Nardi FN.305A, Nieuport-Delage NiD 629 (50), North American NA-57 (also used by Vichy France, Luftwaffe), Romano R-82 (177)

Transport: Dewoitine D.338 (30) (also used by Lufthansa),

Utility: Caudron C.445M Goeland (404) (also used by Belgium, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Luftwaffe)

In my arrogant opinion, there's a good case to be made for adding any of the following aircraft to the game, either because of numbers of aircraft involved, subsequent use in other theaters of war, or both:

Breguet Bre.693 AB.2, Caudron C.270 Luciole, Latecoere Late 298D, Liore et Olivier LeO 451, Morane-Saulnier MS.406 (flyable), Potez 631.01, Potez 63.11.

Arguably:

Douglas DB-7 B-3 (could converted to Havoc Mk. I or Mk. II without too much trouble), Dewoitine D.520, Liore Nieuport LN.411 (dive-bomber float plane, major plane of Aeronavale during the campaign, and very effective), Martin 167 (AKA Martin Maryland), Vought V-156 (AKA Vought Vindicator - could be more or less easily modified to USN standard).

[Pursuivant]

Continuing my list of common 1939-40 aircraft

RAF British Expeditionary Force

Light Bomber: Fairey Battle Mk II

Medium Bomber: Blenheim Mk. I, Blenheim Mk. IV

Fighters:

Hurricane Mk I Early (1,029 HP Merlin II engine, 2-bladed wooden Watts Propeller, 87 octane fuel, fabric-covered wings, no armor glass, no armor or self-sealing fuel tanks, "rod" radio antenna mast, ring and bead sight)

Hurricane Mk I 6-Lb. Boost (Merlin II engine, 100 Octane fuel reserve, GM2 reflector gunsight, otherwise as Mk. I)

Hurricane Mk I 12-Lb. Boost (Merlin III engine, 3-bladed constant speed metal propeller, 100 Octane fuel, metal-covered wings, armor-glass windshield, head and back armor, "Linatex" fuselage fuel tanks, tapered radio antenna mast, revised engine exhausts)

Hurricane Mk. IIA Series 1 (Merlin XX engine, revised wing - blisters for cannon breaches, 4 20mm Hispano Mk. II cannons. Actually not involved in Battle of France, but did appear in September 1940)

Liaison: Westland Lysander Mk. II, De Havilland Tiger Moth


Royal Belgian Air Force

Light Bomber: Fairey Battle Mk. I (18 ), Fairey Fox II (43).

Fighter: Fairey Fox IIIC (48 ), Fiat CR.42 (24 or 27), SABCA Hurricane Mk. I (As for Hurricane Mk. I early, but 4 12.7mm FN-Browning MG instead of .303 Browning MG) (~12).

Reconnaissance: Fairey Fox VIR (24)

Liaison/Coop: Renard R.31 (20)

[Verdun1916]

The only problem is that the area you describe didn't see that much aerial action - either tactical or strategic.

In 1939, both sides flew occasional patrols along the French-German border, but there wasn't that much action. There's a good reason why the period on the Western Front from September 1939 to May 1940 gets called "The Phoney War."

The Colmar Pocket (in the Vosges Mountains, just west of the Rhine) was a scene of intense action during 1944-45, but due to the weather, tactical air ops were limited. Same for the capture of the Saarland in 1945.

A potentially more useful map would be one that follows the Belgian-French border from approximately Saarbrucken to Lille and Nancy to Amiens. (Or, perhaps 2-3 maps, depending on actual population density.) Ignoring its potential to be modded as a WW I map, this area saw a plenty of action both in 1940 and in 1944-45.

In 1940, the map covers both the Sedan bridgehead, and the middle phases of Fall Gelbe. In 1944-45, it covers Western Allied Tac Air Ops during the Lorraine campaign and the liberation of Northern France.

This map also more or less follows a line from southeast England to southern Bavaria, which literally makes it "flyover country" for USAAF or RAF strategic bombing raids aimed at Augsburg, Munich, Regensburg or Stuttgart.

That's why I said I wanted a GENERIC Northwest Europe map a bit bigger than the one already present in the stock game. And that it COULD be used for Phony War missions or Campaigns, not that it had to. A generic map like that can stand in for any number of areas for any number of types of missions and campaings, historical or fictional. The key bit here is generic and a bit bigger! That's what I'm after since the already present one is so tiny.

And besides a Phoney War Campaign in the area Lorraine-Alsace and into the Eastern side of the Franco-German border would be a perfect campaing from a training point of view. Relative little action and enemy encounters that then finally escalates into the Batte of France is perfect for that. The inexperienced pilot will get time to learn before he gets to the real action.

[Janosch]

With 389 flyable planes, perhaps aesthetics should be the one and only deciding factor. And by golly, does the Fairy Fox look cute or what! Another beautiful plane I didn't know that existed.

[Pursuivant]

That's why I said I wanted a GENERIC Northwest Europe map a bit bigger than the one already present in the stock game.

Due to the way that maps are created, it's actually easier to create a map of real area of the world as to create a fictional map.

Most fictional maps in the game are probably maps of real parts of the world but scaled up or down. The exceptions are things like the online islands or the online mountains maps. But, they're probably very small because it takes time to create an original map rather than just importing satellite data.

Sadly, the fact that it's easiest to import STRM data, but hard to create maps "from scratch" or from historical documents means that some existing maps have errors in them, since there has been 70+ years of development, as well as changes to coastlines, river courses, and forest boundaries.

In particular, development and changes in physical geography make it impossible to make accurate period maps of places like China, the Netherlands, Indonesia, Hawaii, Philippines, or Rabaul.

[Pursuivant]

With 389 flyable planes, perhaps aesthetics should be the one and only deciding factor. And by golly, does the Fairy Fox look cute or what! Another beautiful plane I didn't know that existed.

The Fairey Fox is one of the prettiest biplanes out there. The Hawker Hart and its derivatives are also very nice looking. Some saw limited action in WW2.

If you can stand to use hacks, the Avia B.534 is a reasonable stand-in for both the Fox and the Hawker Fury (fighter version of the Hart).

An utterly obscure Belgian plane which also looks very sweet is the Renard R.31. 20 were built and it was used in limited numbers during the invasion of Belgium, although most were destroyed on the ground. I forgot to include it in the list of Belgian recon aircraft.

But, if you're just going by esthetics rather than criteria like "actually entered production" or "actually used in combat", that opens hundreds of possibilities. Too many to possibly be added to the game.

[Pursuivant]

Continuing my posts on early war RAF aircraft which are appropriate for the new English Channel map.

This is a very stripped down listing of RAF aircraft in service on "Eagle Day" (August 18, 1940). Starred aircraft are those which played a particularly important role in the Battle of Britain.

Heavy Bomber: Stirling I

Medium Bomber: Blenheim IV, Hampden I, Whitley I

Light Bomber/Patrol: Anson I, Beaufort I, Battle I, Hudson I

Flying Boat/Heavy Patrol: Lerwick, Stanraer, Sunderland I

Fighter: Hawker Hurricane I (mid)*, I (late)*, IIA, Supermarine Spitfire I, IA*, II*, IIA*

Night Fighter: Blenheim IF, IVF

Turret Fighter: Defiant I

Coop/Liaison: Lysander I, Anson I.

To have a decent "Battle of Britain" order of battle for the RAF, at minimum the early marks of Hurricane and Spitfire are needed for the UK (Say Hurricane I (late), Spitfire IA and IIA). "Nice to have" aircraft for the RAF would be a flyable Blenheim IV and the Defiant (AI).

There's a good enough selection of early war Luftwaffe aircraft that no additions are needed. But, "nice to have" Luftwaffe aircraft which were commonly used during the battle are the Bf 109E-1, Bf 109E-1/B, Bf 109E-3, Do 17Z-2, He 111A-1 (flyable), and He 115B-1.

Aircraft which weren't that important to the actual battle, but which became more important later on, are the Anson, Beaufighter IIF, Hampden, Hudson, Stirling, and Sunderland.

[Pursuivant]

This is a listing of RAF aircraft in service as of June 1942 serving in the UK. Many were used over the English Channel.

Heavy Bomber: Halifax I, II, Lancaster I, Stirling I, III

Medium Bomber: Blenheim IV, V, Hampden I, Manchester I, Mosquito IV, Wellington IA, IC, II, III, IV, Whitley V

Flying Boat/Patrol: Catalina IB, IIIA, Sunderland I, II, III

Light Bomber/Patrol: Boston III, IIIA, Hudson I, II, III, V, VI

Heavy Bomber/Patrol: Fortress I, II, IIA, Liberator I, II, III

Fighter/Attack: Hurricane IIA, IIB, IIC, Mustang I, IA, II, Spitfire IIA, IIB, IV, VA, VB, VC, Tomahawk I, IIA, IIB, Typhoon IA, IB

Night Fighter/Intruder: Beaufighter IIF, Defiant II, Havoc I, Mosquito II

Heavy/Strike Fighter: Beaufighter I, II, VI, VIC, Mosquito II, IV, Whirlwind I

Coop/Liaison: Lysander II, III, IIIA, Dominie, Hudson IV

Note that many of these aircraft are already in the game, although some aren't flyable.

To my mind, the most iconic mid-war RAF planes are probably the early Beaufighter and Typhoon variants, as well as the Stirling and Sunderland.

For early Lend-Lease aircraft the big omission is the Boston III (and possibly the easiest to add since it possibly could be converted from the A-20C), although the Hudson would be almost as useful to have.

Note that this list just covers RAF aircraft and omits useful FAA aircraft types like the Fairey Albacore and Supermarine Walrus.

[Verdun1916]

A nice list, Pursuivant!

To bad we can't hope for the Catalina in the stock game though! :(

[Pursuivant]

This is a simplified listing of aircraft which were used operationally by the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm from 1939 to 1942.

In the first part of World War II, the Royal Navy had three major goals: Keep the German fleet "bottled up," protect convoys from patrol bombers and U-boats, and maintain control of the Suez Canal by controlling the Mediterranean. It was also called upon to protect evacuation operations as British and allied forces were evacuated from the continent in Norway, France, and Greece.

Due to pre-war treaty and budget constraints there were relatively few FAA aircraft and just a few large aircraft carriers. Rapid changes in aircraft technology, as well as some faulty assumptions about carrier aircraft performance, meant that many FAA aircraft were obsolete before they entered service.

Starred aircraft are those which played particularly important roles that year. Depending on which element of the FAA's history you are studying certain aircraft become more or less important.

1939
Carrier Fighter: Sea Gladiator I, II
Carrier Fighter/Dive Bomber: Skua II*
Carrier Torpedo Bomber: Swordfish I*
Carrier Turret Fighter: Blackburn Roc
Catapult Recon Seaplane: Seafox, Swordfish I (float)
Catapult ASR/Recon Flying Boat: Seagull V, Walrus I
Liaison & Transport: Dominie II, Flamingo

1940
Carrier Fighter: Martlet I*, Sea Gladiator I, II*, Field Mod (extra guns)
Carrier Fighter/Dive Bomber: Skua II
Carrier Heavy Fighter: Fulmar I*
Carrier Turret Fighter: Blackburn Roc
Carrier Torpedo Bomber: Albacore I, Swordfish I*
Catapult Fighter: Sea Hurricane IA*
Catapult Recon Seaplane: Seafox, Swordfish I (float)
Catapult ASR/Recon Flying Boats: Seagull V, Walrus I*
Land-based Fighter: Buffalo I.
Land-Based Recon/Light Patrol Bomber: Maryland I
Liaison & Transport: Dominie II, D.H. 86 Express, Flamingo.

1941
Carrier Fighter: Martlet II*, III*, IV*, Sea Gladiator II*, Field Mod (extra guns), Sea Hurricane IB, IC*
Carrier Fighter/Dive Bomber: Skua II
Carrier Heavy Fighter: Fulmar I, II*
Carrier Night Fighter: Fulmar NF II
Carrier Torpedo Bomber: Albacore I, Swordfish I*
Carrier Torpedo/Dive Bomber: Barracuda II*
Catapult ASR/Recon Flying Boat: Seagull V, Walrus I, II
Catapult Fighter: Sea Hurricane IA*
Catapult Recon Seaplane: Seafox, Swordfish I (float)
Land-based Fighter: Buffalo I
Land-based Recon/Light Patrol Bomber: Maryland I
Liaison & Transport: Avro 652, Dominie II, D.H. 86 Express, Flamingo, Lysander IIIA

1942
Carrier Fighter: Sea Hurricane IB, IC, IIC*, XIIA, Seafire IB, F.IIc*, L(F).IIc*
Carrier Heavy Fighter: Fulmar I, II*
Carrier Night Fighter: Fulmar NF II
Carrier Recon Fighter: Seafire FR.IIc
Carrier Torpedo Bomber: Albacore I*, Swordfish I*
Catapult ASR/ Recon Flying Boat: Sea Otter I, II, Walrus I, II
Catapult Fighter: Sea Hurricane IA
Catapult Recon Seaplane: Kingfisher I, Seafox, Swordfish I (float)
Land-based Recon/Light Patrol Bomber: Maryland I
Liaison & Transport: Avro 652, Dominie II, D.H. 86 Express, Flamingo, JRF Goose I, Lysander IIIA.

[Pursuivant]

This is a simplified listing of aircraft used operationally by the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm from 1943-45, with a few aircraft which were introduced just too late to see service in World War II but which were important in Britain's post-WW II conflicts.

This period of the war sees the UK gradually winning its battles in the Atlantic and Mediterranean and then going on the offensive, with strikes against the remaining German capital ships in Norway and support of allied invasions of North Africa and Europe. 1943 saw the culmination of the "Battle of the Atlantic," where combined US and UK forces were finally able to destroy U-Boats in large numbers.

Starting in late 1941, the Royal Navy also had to divert some of its forces to protect its remaining territories in the Far East from Japanese invasion, and to keep supply lines open to India, Ceylon (Sri Lanka), Australia, and New Zealand. With the rapid pace of Japanese expansion, and with the battles for the Atlantic at the Mediterranean becoming more intense, there was little the RN could do in 1942. But, starting in 1943 the Royal Navy began to stage offensive operations in the South Pacific, preventing the Japanese fleet from attacking Ceylon and India, and supporting US and Commonwealth forces as they pushed north and east from New Guinea.

In part due to lavish US military aid, as well as an economy fully-converted to war production, the late war Royal Navy had more ships than it ever had before, with numerous aircraft carriers. Smaller carriers were used to escort convoys and used older aircraft types such as the Martlet and Swordfish, while the big fleet carriers were equipped with newer and more powerful aircraft - both British and US.

Starred aircraft are those which were particularly important that year, although importance might vary depending on your area of interest.

1943
Carrier ASW Patrol: Swordfish III*
Carrier Dive/Torpedo Bomber: Barracuda I, II*
Carrier Fighter: Corsair I*, II*, Gannet (Hellcat) I*, Martlet (Wildcat) IV*, Sea Hurricane IIC, XIIA, Seafire F.IIc*, L.IIc, III (hybrid), F.III*, L(F).III
Carrier Heavy Fighter: Firefly F.I*, F.IA, Fulmar II
Carrier Night Fighter: Fulmar NF II
Carrier Recon Fighter: Firefly FR.IV, Seafire FR.IIc, FR.III
Carrier Torpedo Bomber: Albacore I*, Tarpon/Avenger I*, II, Swordfish II
Catapult ASR/Recon Flying Boat: Sea Otter I, II, Walrus I, II
Catapult Recon Seaplane: Kingfisher I, Swordfish I (float)
Land-based Recon/Light Patrol Bomber: Maryland I
Liaison & Transport: Dominie II, D.H. 86 Express, Flamingo, Harrow, JRF Goose I, Lysander IIIA.

1944
Carrier ASW Patrol: Firefly AS.5, AS.6, Swordfish III
Carrier Dive/Torpedo Bomber: Barracuda II, III*
Carrier Fighter: Corsair I, II*, Hellcat I, II*, Seafire F.III*, L.III, F.XV*, F.XV (late), Wildcat VI*
Carrier Heavy Fighter: Firefly F.I, F.IA, F.IV*, Fulmar II
Carrier Night Fighter: Firefly NF.I, NF.II, Fulmar NF II, Hellcat NF.II
Carrier Recon Fighter: Firefly FR.I, FR.I (late), FR.IV, Seafire FR.III
Carrier Torpedo Bomber: Avenger II, III*, Swordfish II
Catapult ASR/ Recon Flying Boat: Sea Otter I, II, Walrus I, II
Helicopter: R-4B Hoverfly
Land-based Recon/Light Patrol Bomber: Maryland I, Baltimore IV, Va, V
Liaison & Transport: C-45 Expeditor, Dakota IV, Dominie II, D.H. 86 Express, Flamingo, Hudson III, IV, V, VI, JRF Goose, Lysander IIIA, UC-81 Reliant I

1945
Carrier ASW Patrol: Firefly AS.5, AS.6, Swordfish III
Carrier Dive/Torpedo Bomber: Barracuda II, III, IV*
Carrier Fighter: Corsair II, IV*, Hellcat I, II*, Seafire F.III, L.III, F.XV, F.XV (late)*, F.XVII (early)*, F.XVII
Carrier Heavy Fighter: Firefly F.I, F.IA, F.IV*, Fulmar II
Carrier Night Fighter: Firefly NF Mk.II, Fulmar NF II, Hellcat NF.II
Carrier Recon Fighter: Firefly FR.I, FR.I (late), FR.IV, Seafire FR.III
Carrier Torpedo Bomber: Avenger II, III, Swordfish II
Catapult ASR/ Recon Flying Boat: Sea Otter I, II
Helicopter: R-4B Hoverfly
Land-based Recon/Light Patrol Bomber: Maryland I, Baltimore IV, Va, V
Liaison & Transport: C-45 Expeditor, Dakota IV, Dominie II, D.H. 86 Express, Flamingo, Hudson III, IV, V, VI JRF Goose, Lysander IIIA, UC-81 Reliant I

1946
Carrier Fighter: Sea Fury, Seafire XV, XVIII
Carrier Heavy Fighter: Firebrand F.I
Carrier Fighter/Torpedo Bomber: Firebrand TF.II

[Spudkopf]

46' ...............

What about the Sea Hornet F.20, NF.21 and PR.22?

Not to mention a Sea Vampire FB.5, seeing that on the 4th December, 1945 Eric "Winkle" Brown made the first jet landing on the aircraft carrier HMS Ocean with a modified prototype Vampire.

[Pursuivant]

What about the Sea Hornet F.20, NF.21 and PR.22? Not to mention a Sea Vampire FB.5 . . .

Very good calls for a Korean War plane set, or for a hypothetical "Cold War Goes Hot" campaign ca. 1946-48.

But, I had to draw the line somewhere, so I limited my "1946" selection to just planes which were in testing (and went into service after the war in 1945-46) or were "working up" for the Invasion of Japan when the war ended in August 1945.

IMO, the regular D.H. 103 Hornet Mk. I (not the Sea Hornet) and the D.H. 100 Vampire Mk. I would count as a "1946" aircraft for the RAF, since they were in production in early 1945.

[JacksonsGhost]

Heinkel He 115 please (non-flyable is fine by me :))

[Verdun1916]

Heinkel He 115 please (non-flyable is fine by me :))

I second that! The He 115 would be a great addition! A big plus if flyable off course. ;)

[Pursuivant]

This is an extremely simplified list of operational RAF Coastal Command aircraft from 1939-42.

Coastal Command was charged with protecting Great Britain's coasts and shipping. Its primary task was to destroy U-Boats and to provide convoy protection, but Coastal Command aircraft were also used to attack German shipping and patrol aircraft.

Additionally, Coastal Command provided an unsung but vital service with its meteorological flights, which gave the Allies advanced knowledge of likely weather conditions over Occupied Europe. This research was typically used to plan bombing raids, but most famously was used to determine that there would be a break in bad weather on June 5-6 1944.

There was a constant tension between Bomber Command and Coastal Command for priority in getting medium and heavy bomber types, and between Coastal Command and Fighter Command in obtaining heavy fighter types. Coastal Command variants of common aircraft types were typically fitted with Air-to-Surface Radar, extra navigation aids, and weapons systems which were specific to hunting submarines.

Coastal command also operated a few lighter aircraft, such as fighters, but these were primarily used for recon and meteorological work.

Coastal Command Aircraft 3 September 1939
Light Patrol Bomber: Anson
Medium Patrol Bomber: Hudson
Heavy Patrol Bomber Seaplane: London, Stranraer, Sunderland
Light Torpedo Bomber: Vildebeest


Coastal Command Aircraft 1 November 1940
Carrier Torpedo Bomber: Swordfish
Heavy Patrol Bomber Flying Boat: Lerwick, London, Stranraer, Sunderland
Heavy Patrol Bomber: Whitley
Heavy Strike Fighter/Torpedo Bomber: Beaufighter
Heavy Torpedo Bomber/Light Patrol Bomber: Beaufort
Liaison/Light Bomber: Battle
Light Patrol Bomber: Anson
Medium Patrol Bomber: Blenheim, Hudson
Transport/Medium Bomber: Botha


Coastal Command Aircraft 12 February 1942
Fighter/Light Recon: Gladiator, Spitfire
Heavy Patrol Bomber Seaplane: Catalina, Sunderland
Heavy Patrol Bomber: Fortress, Liberator, Whitley
Heavy Strike Fighter/Torpedo Bomber: Beaufighter
Light Bomber/Torpedo Bomber: Beaufort
Light Patrol Bomber: Anson
Medium Patrol Bomber: Blenheim, Hampden, Hudson, Wellington

[Pursuivant]

This is a very simplified list of common RAF Coastal Command Aircraft from 1943-45.

1943 saw the Allies beginning to win the Battle of the Atlantic, in part due to more and better patrol bomber types, as well as improved ASR and other submarine detection aids. This period also saw the first airborne Magnetic Anomaly Detector (MAD) equipment, which was fitted to certain specially modified aircraft. If properly used MAD allowed aircraft to detect even deeply submerged submarines. Additionally, improved Air-to-Surface radar made detecting surfaced submarines even easier.

By 1944 the U-boat menace was almost defeated, and Coastal Command turned its attention more to providing convoy protection and air superiority over the English Channel, both before and after D-Day.

By late 1944, with the capture of the majority of the Kriegsmarine's U-boat pens in France, and with strategic bombing seriously damaging German industry, Coastal Command saw reduced action, although it still staged anti-shipping strikes against targets along the Norwegian and Dutch coasts.

Coastal Command Aircraft 15 February 1943
Carrier Torpedo Bomber: Swordfish
Fighter/Light Recon: Gladiator, Spitfire
Heavy Patrol Bomber Seaplane: Catalina, Sunderland
Heavy Patrol Bomber: Fortress, Halifax, Liberator, Whitley
Heavy Strike Fighter/Torpedo Bomber: Beaufighter
Heavy Strike Fighter: Mosquito
Liaison/Light Patrol Bomber: Anson
Light Bomber/Torpedo Bomber: Beaufort
Light Patrol Bomber Seaplane: Northrop N-3PB (Norwegian)
Medium Patrol Bomber: Blenheim, Hampden, Hudson, Ventura, Wellington


Coastal Command Aircraft 6 June 1944
Carrier Torpedo Bomber: Avenger, Swordfish
Fighter/Light Recon: Spitfire
Heavy ASW Patrol Bomber: Whitley (ASW)
Heavy Patrol Bomber Seaplane: Canso, Catalina, PBY Catalina, Sunderland
Heavy Patrol Bomber: B-17 Flying Fortress, Halifax, B-24 Liberator, Liberator, PB4Y-1 Privateer
Heavy Strike Fighter/Torpedo Bomber: Beaufighter
Heavy Strike Fighter: Mosquito
Liaison/Light Patrol Bomber: Anson
Light Flying Boat ASR: Walrus
Light Recon/Liaison/Fighter: Gladiator
Medium ASW Patrol Bomber: Hudson (ASW)
Medium Patrol Bomber: Hampden, Hudson, Ventura Wellington

[Verdun1916]

This is a very simplified list of common RAF Coastal Command Aircraft from 1943-45.......

These are some very interesting lists, Pursuivant! You should compile them in a thread of their own for reasearch/facts purposes. :)

[Verdun1916]

The B-25H would be nice to have in the stock game as a flyable!

[Sita]

Would it be possible to get the following flyables?

RAF
Gladiator I and II (just needs a cockpit revision)


...

[Pursuivant]

...

Thanks Sita!

Wonderful that we'll be getting flyable Gladiators! It will fill a huge hole in the early war RAF Order of Battle, especially for the Mediterranean Theater.

It will also also give the Belgian, Chinese, Greek, Iraqi, and Norwegian air forces more of a presence in the game. Admittedly, they'll mostly serve as targets for Bf-109 and A5M2, but I'm looking forward to biplane vs. biplane match-ups against the CR-42.

[dimlee]

Lovely. We'll read gauges without Swedish dictionary. ;-)

[Orangeman]

...

Looking epic, Sita!

[Sita]

in that case step two

https://img-fotki.yandex.ru/get/142729/107711741.d/0_130673_efaac03f_X4L.jpg (https://fotki.yandex.ru/next/users/sitniknikita/album/258267/view/1246835)

https://img-fotki.yandex.ru/get/68946/107711741.d/0_130672_d3bfc800_X4L.jpg (https://fotki.yandex.ru/next/users/sitniknikita/album/258267/view/1246834)

[Verdun1916]

Looks really good, Sita! Well done TD! :D

[ddr]

Looking epic, Sita!
Actually it IS epic! :)
THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!11!!! 1000++ :)

[gaunt1]

Its fantastic, thank you TD! :grin:

[Verdun1916]

I'd like to see the addition of a realism setting to block all other stations than the pilot seat on multicrew aircraft. As was pointed out to me a few moments ago in another thread here on the forum it's not realistic to be able to change position in the aircraft during a mission. So for the sake of realism it would be nice to have the option in the settings to be able to choose if one can play as pilot only or be able to switch positions. Or maybe even settings for playing gunner, bombardier and so on only.

[KG26_Alpha]

Historically the He111 Ju88 crews flew the aircraft if the pilot was wounded/killed.

[Verdun1916]

Historically the He111 Ju88 crews flew the aircraft if the pilot was wounded/killed.

sure, in an emergency you would do that. Who wouldn't. But it wouldn't be normal for the pilot to change places with his gunners unless he was so badly wounded that he could not continue flying the plane now would it.

[Pursuivant]

Historically the He111 Ju88 crews flew the aircraft if the pilot was wounded/killed.

This wasn't unheard of for any plane where other crew members could reach the pilot.

The only problem was that few crewmen had any piloting skill, and almost none were likely to have had experience piloting a heavy, multi-engined plane under combat conditions.

For example, in the USAAF aviation cadets who failed to complete primary or secondary flight training were often sent to flight engineer, navigator, or bombardier school.

Very rarely, you'd have a private pilot who somehow didn't qualify for pilot training in the military (mostly due to educational requirements), but who was still qualified for some other crew position.

Ideally, IL2 would allow different crewmen to have different skill areas, so you could have experienced gunners who are poor pilots or bombardiers, or some other combination.

Older combat flight sims which specifically focused on heavy bomber operations would often give you the ability to assign different crew to different positions in the plane as sort of "3rd person" plane commander, and give the different crewmen different skill sets. You could play as any crew member, and change positions as the various crewmen died or were too badly injured to fight.

[Marabekm]

I'd like to see the addition of a realism setting to block all other stations than the pilot seat on multicrew aircraft. As was pointed out to me a few moments ago in another thread here on the forum it's not realistic to be able to change position in the aircraft during a mission. So for the sake of realism it would be nice to have the option in the settings to be able to choose if one can play as pilot only or be able to switch positions. Or maybe even settings for playing gunner, bombardier and so on only.

Well you could always come fly some co-ops with us. If another player is in the plane, then you cant switch to that spot.

Alternatively, and for single player just switch to whatever position you want and the reassign you switch key. So you cant switch. As I pointed out to the individual in the other thread. I don't believe we need extra settings for things that are already there. Otherwise it gets cluttered and confusing.

[Nil]

When we fly a bomber, we must be multi task: bombing , aiming for ground targets, navigating and defend the plane against fighters.
And that is why many people like me love to fly bombers

If we get stuck in a single seat, it would be boring . Going straight from A to B in a slow and big plane is not very entertaining . Especially in this IL2 with its outdated graphics.

And when a fighter comes, we want to do our best to defend the plane because it is OUR plane, our property.
So not being able to do that would be very sad and will make flying bomber much less attractive.

It is not what we want as most players choose to fly fighters, and a battle depends on destroying ground units.

[shelby]

i found something intersting
https://html2-f.scribdassets.com/9tnm00emkg3lkjwi/images/106-981fd3b56d.jpg
i didnt know that Russians used hurricane IId also

[Verdun1916]

Well you could always come fly some co-ops with us. If another player is in the plane, then you cant switch to that spot.

Alternatively, and for single player just switch to whatever position you want and the reassign you switch key. So you cant switch. As I pointed out to the individual in the other thread. I don't believe we need extra settings for things that are already there. Otherwise it gets cluttered and confusing.

I don't fly online at all. I only do single player stock game.

But I do understand your point. But to me it feels far more cluttered or complicated to go in changing control keys mid game. As a diciplined person I can just choose not to change crew station station.

But to me a realism setting, just like the rest of them, were you have the option "Pilot only - on/off" for example I don't see making anything cluttered. It would be useful for mission or Campaigns for multicrewed aircraft were the maker only intends for the player to fly as the pilot and nothing else.

Anyway, it's not a big deal. Personally I'm fine with things the way they are when it comes to this. I don't have any problem with it. But since others seem to have big issues with the way the multicrew aircraft works if you like to jump around all the stations during missions to "multitask" and using realism as a reson for complaint I thought this was a good solution for it in the name of a bit of extended realism. ;)

[Verdun1916]

A flyable Letov S-328 would be nice! It would be a nice Axis counter weight to the R-5/SSS and the upcuming U-2.

[iMattheush]

Ju 52/3mg3e - bomber version :)

[Sita]

Ju 52/3mg3e - bomber version :)


interesting proposition... but i've got a BIG question ..

do you saw which bomb sight was using on that version?

anybody saw?

[iMattheush]

I don't know.. Maybe at least for AI only model?

[Pursuivant]

do you saw which bomb sight was using on that version?

The ventral turret gunner was also the bombardier. It seems that he had basic instruments (altimeter, airspeed indicator) and a simple joystick which he could use to maneuver the plane.

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find detailed pictures of this crew position, much less diagrams.

In any case, the Ju-52/3e appears to have just been used during the Spanish Civil War and the Polish campaign, until better aircraft replaced it. It never made a very good bomber, despite its excellent load-carrying capacity.

[iMattheush]

Yup, you're right, but still it can be a really nice addition :) Like a Li-2 that can be equipped in cargo, bombs or paratroopers :)

[gaunt1]

I'd rather have a flyable Ju-88C6, or a B-25C. Far more useful, and far easier to make.

[ddr]

Flyable B-25C (and G/H) will be great adds to the game :)

[gaunt1]

Flyable B-25C (and G/H) will be great adds to the game :)

And relatively easy to make, especially the B-25C. The whole cockpit of the "J" can be used for it. Probably the instruments need a few changes, but nothing radical I think. The ventral turret can be playable too, because it needs no cockpit, just a gunsight.
Ju-88C6 day fighter version is a bit harder, but not by too much. Most of the A4 cockpit can be used direclty, it needs only a modified instrument panel, + an MG-FF and 3 MG-17s.

[Pursuivant]

I'd rather have a flyable Ju-88C6, or a B-25C. Far more useful, and far easier to make.

Beggars can't be choosers. Any new flyable planes are welcome.

Assuming that pilot, co-pilot and dorsal gunner (and possibly cargo handler) crew stations have been made for the Ju-52, it wouldn't be that much trouble to add the ventral gunner/bombardier position - assuming good quality documentation can be found. Some exterior 3D work and animation would be needed to model the bomb bay and ventral turret.

Adding the Ju-88C6 to the game would require extensive 3d work inside and out based on existing Ju-88 models (Ju-88C-2 is probably closest), with different variants for the heavy fighter and night fighter.

Making the B-25C flyable would also require a fair bit of work. There were lots of little changes between the earlier models and later models of Mitchell. Cockpit, bombardier, nose gunner, and dorsal turret positions might all need to be reworked.

The ventral turret gun position could be modeled as just a "gun sight" view rather than a true crew station, which would save a lot of work. But, getting good detailed information on how the gun was aimed and how the turret worked might be tricky.

If the ventral turret station was modeled as a full crew station, with ability to look out nearby windows, etc. good pictures of the interior of the ventral turret and the surrounding area exist.

Slightly simpler to add to the game would be a B-25C/D strafer field mod with solid nose and no ventral turret (it was typically removed in the field). Bombardier/nose gunner and waist gunner positions omitted would be omitted. Dorsal turret crew station and cockpit would need to be reworked. Obviously, exterior 3D work would be needed, too.

[Orangeman]

Does anyone know if a Ki-44 Tojo is coming? Over a thousand were produced and they served in many areas of the Pacific War

[Pursuivant]

Does anyone know if a Ki-44 Tojo is coming? Over a thousand were produced and they served in many areas of the Pacific War

There's a pretty good Tojo available as a mod. I haven't seen any indication that the Ki-44 will be added to the official game, however.

[Verdun1916]

I really want the Dewoitine D.520. I know I've said it before but it's just such a lovely bird!

[Sita]

I really want the Dewoitine D.520. I know I've said it before but it's just such a lovely bird!

will be... Thanks to Kashiide and Macwan

[Verdun1916]

will be... Thanks to Kashiide and Macwan

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :grin: :grin: :grin:

That will be amazing! I've been wanting the D.520 for years! And now you guys are making it happen! I can't thank you all enough!!! :grin:

[RPS69]

D 520 plus Bf 100 and 109 E1 will be really nice

[GSkoko12]

Yessssssss!!!!

[Verdun1916]

Are you planning the D.520 for 4.13.3 or for a later update?
It will be one of the greatest additions in terms of fighters of all time for the IL-2 1946 stock game! :D

[HBPencil]

will be... Thanks to Kashiide and Macwan

That's awesome! If you don't mind me asking, if Macwan is working on the this then can I ask what's happening with the P-40K, F and N variants?

[Sita]

for 4.13.3 or for a later update?


or for a later update))

[Sita]

That's awesome! If you don't mind me asking, if Macwan is working on the this then can I ask what's happening with the P-40K, F and N variants?

sure) don't mind) may be he will answer by him self ... but if i remember correctly that model almost ready ...but not finished ...

[HBPencil]

Cheers for the update Sita.

[Verdun1916]

I might have wished for this before. But here goes anyway: the Handley Page Halifax B.II and B.III would be nice! I'd prefere it to the Lancaster as it was in service from earlier on.

The Wellington, the Blenheims and the Swordfish would also be appreciated to be upgraded to flyable status.

[Sita]

i see here a lot requests ...

but i must ask ... may be some one of persons which presents here have experience in 3D work? Especially in work with External 3d model ...
i asking because we have few unfinished models ... and for one of it few days ago was made Awesome skin-template by one person from here ... Thank you Mate btw)))

but that model didn't have lods and dm meshes ... may be some of you have force and wish to take a part in that process)

[Verdun1916]

I wish I could help you guys out, Sita! But sadly I have no such skills! :(

[Verdun1916]

A flyable Curtiss SB2C Helldiver would be nice to fill the lack of a late war carrier born dive bomber and a carrier born torpedo bomber not affected by the N-G-issue.
Not one of the prettiest war planes to take to the sky during the second World war and not the most popular either apparantly. But it would fill a need for those who like caccier born operations.

[iMattheush]

Another pretty easy plane to add - F4U-4 Corsair, why?
1) Because is the fastest carrier based plane that actively sees combat in WWII
2) Was used in both WWII and Korea scenarios
3) Simply - it's awesome!
Ok, i forgot, Northrop Grumman issue :( :(

So, maybe P-47N? :)

[Marabekm]

A flyable Curtiss SB2C Helldiver would be nice to fill the lack of a late war carrier born dive bomber and a carrier born torpedo bomber not affected by the N-G-issue.
Not one of the prettiest war planes to take to the sky during the second World war and not the most popular either apparantly. But it would fill a need for those who like caccier born operations.

:grin:
I like carriers.
There were 5 such engagements:
Coral Sea, Midway, Eastern Solomons, Santa Cruz, and the Philippine Sea.

The first 4 took part in 1942. We have the plane sets available for those. Just need a flyable TBD. With the exception that the D4Y1. (But it was more of a reconnaissance plane at this time. Standard ship board dive bomber was still D3A) And the TBF and TBD are AI only. I know the TBF can't be made flyable but perhaps someone can work on the TBD.

The Philippine Sea would require a little more. For the Japanese the only flyable plane currently available is the A6M5. The B6N is in game as AI only. So maybe this could be made flyable? And then as mentioned above, the is no D4Y model at all.
For the U.S. its a little better, the F6F, and SBD-5 are available and flyable. And again unfortunately the TBM is out of the question. Like the D4Y there is no SB2C.

Just an interesting fact, the SB2C was very unpopular, most VB units preferred the SBD. During the Philippine Sea, the only 2 squadrons equipped with the SBD, were VB-10 and VB-16. Of the 26 SBD-5s used, only 4 were lost. Of the 51 SB2Cs used, 43 were lost. But the problem was, the government had already agreed to purchase the SB2Cs from Curtiss.

[gaunt1]

Well, there are pictures about both the B6N and D4Y cockpits, so it would be possible to model these... The problem is that there is nobody to do it.

But, in my opinion, D3A2 would be more important to have first...

[majorfailure]

:grin:
I like carriers.
There were 5 such engagements:
Coral Sea, Midway, Eastern Solomons, Santa Cruz, and the Philippine Sea.

The first 4 took part in 1942. We have the plane sets available for those. Just need a flyable TBD. With the exception that the D4Y1. (But it was more of a reconnaissance plane at this time. Standard ship board dive bomber was still D3A) And the TBF and TBD are AI only. I know the TBF can't be made flyable but perhaps someone can work on the TBD.

The Philippine Sea would require a little more. For the Japanese the only flyable plane currently available is the A6M5. The B6N is in game as AI only. So maybe this could be made flyable? And then as mentioned above, the is no D4Y model at all.
For the U.S. its a little better, the F6F, and SBD-5 are available and flyable. And again unfortunately the TBM is out of the question. Like the D4Y there is no SB2C.

Just an interesting fact, the SB2C was very unpopular, most VB units preferred the SBD. During the Philippine Sea, the only 2 squadrons equipped with the SBD, were VB-10 and VB-16. Of the 26 SBD-5s used, only 4 were lost. Of the 51 SB2Cs used, 43 were lost. But the problem was, the government had already agreed to purchase the SB2Cs from Curtiss.

You argue against the SB2C with loss statistics, and want a flyable TBD? I'm a bit puzzled. SB2C had bad statistics initially but turned out fine in the end -though crews still didn't like it.

A flyable TDB would not be viable for most carrier battles, as after Midway they were finished as a front-line plane. So TBD would be useful for one and half a battle. What we would need is a flyable TBF -erm, yes, not viable either. So a replacement for the TBF would be good - and there are few options, the SB2C or with a little leeway a B6N or even a Barracuda, and I'd take any of them, just to have a bomber/torpedo bomber for mid to late war allied carrier operations.

[Marabekm]

I believe you misunderstand. I was not arguing against a Helldiver being added. It and any other planes that anyone chooses to add is greatly appreciated, even the early war ones.. I was simple saying, the TBD and B6N are already in game. Just not flyable. The dive bombers (SB2C and D4Y are not in the game and would require more work)

The bit about the SBDs and SB2C losses during the Philippine Sea Battle was just an interesting fact I thought, and in no way made to say that a Helldiver should not be added.

[stugumby]

Those hell divers ran out of gas?

[GSkoko12]

I think Years ago Team Daidalos wrote that Helldiver was in the works, is that still possible Sita?

[Sita]

I think Years ago Team Daidalos wrote that Helldiver was in the works, is that still possible Sita?

somewhere in dark farthest hangar covered by layer of dust stand unfinished model ... if i remember correctly ...

[GSkoko12]

Well speaking about unfinished model, You have asked one month ago for help to finish some unfinished model, has anybody volunteered for that. What skills and tool are needed to bild 3d model? Who will build FM is 3d model is finished?

[Sita]

))))
how many attempts guess i must give to you?)))

skils.... hmmm ... need know 3d max ... may be not perfect ... may be even little ... need know how copy mesh ..and how to remove from it excess edges or poly....

[majorfailure]

I believe you misunderstand. I was not arguing against a Helldiver being added. It and any other planes that anyone chooses to add is greatly appreciated, even the early war ones.. I was simple saying, the TBD and B6N are already in game. Just not flyable. The dive bombers (SB2C and D4Y are not in the game and would require more work)

The bit about the SBDs and SB2C losses during the Philippine Sea Battle was just an interesting fact I thought, and in no way made to say that a Helldiver should not be added.

Okay then I think I got you wrong. Sorry for that.

[GSkoko12]

Well Sita, in about one month I will have some excess time maybe I can try, I will let You know then, OK?

[Sita]

one brave man)))

ok... pm me when you will ready)

[GSkoko12]

We will see will I be off any use, but I will not know if I do not try :), I will