Please help with a few missions (long)
 

I got the game about a week ago for PS3 and I'm addicted. I have the Thrustmaster Hotas stick; I can't imaging how hard the controls would be on a regular controller. Anyway, there are a couple missions I can't get over the hump on, some of which I know have been discussed.

First is the initial "single mission" in the Battle of Britain, called Manston. I play in Arcade mode because I have a lot of trouble in Realistic (tried it-- I'll play in this mode after I beat Arcade). There are 8 Bf109s that I have to take out, and as many have mentioned, the rest of the flight/wingmen aren't very helpful. The best I've done is 5 kills, but the mission always ends in exactly 4 min 54 sec. I can't destroy that many aircraft in that little time. Any tips on how I can do this? From what I've read, Realistic mode drops the enemies to only 4 bogies, but I still won't be able to shoot them down in 5 min. Are my wingmen better in Realistic?

The second single mission giving me trouble is the one in which I have to inspect 3 airfields. I have a couple problems with this; the airfield on the top right is easy to land in because it's a very long strip. However, after I stop, the engine cuts out and I can't throttle up anymore. That's essentially like losing one pilot. The second airfield is MUCH shorter and seems to be grass; I have a lot of trouble even seeing where it starts and ends, and because it's so short and I have no brakes, I always roll off into the surrounding field and crash. End of mission. How do I land on these short fields? The thing that I hate about this mission is that it takes almost 5 minutes just to get from one field to the next, very annoying.

Finally, the third mission is in the Russian campaign-- yes, the Hornet's Nest. I read the 3 or so threads about this, and concluded that the only way to beat it is in Realistic mode. Is this really the case? I've shot down 12 Ju52s and still lost the mission, I've read about how some guys shot down 30 and still lost! The wingmen help a lot in this mission, but still not enough. I've tried shotting rockets into the bomber formation but it didn't work. Is the strategy to send the flight to one formation, while I head to another formation? Is it possible to beat this in Arcade mode?


edit: one more thing-- the Hotas stick has a HUGE deadzone in the throttle, at 55%. Any way to remove this? I'm less distracted by the deadzone in the stick.

Well in regards to your second problem, the actual problem is that your playing in arcade; and of course the lack of brakes. If you really cant play in realistic, which is much easier due to the physics at landing (even easier in sim because you have control of flaps) then dont touch down till your at 110 mph, practice this on the largest airport.
When it comes to the airfields, always, ALWAYS do a fly-over before attempting a landing, note that the bottom left airfield's main strip runs from west-to-east and I believe the other is south-to-north; simply fly over to verify its the airfield, then fly over again and line up correctly.
Of course, the main problem you have is the lack of brakes which i cant get over, your gonna find it hard to find space to turn around. When turing increase throttle to 20% to pickup speed, then once you hit 15 mpg reduce to 13%.

Any questions, let me know.

Landing in Realistic is easier than in Arcade? :confused: When I played the tutorial in Realistic, it took me 6 tries before I could land successfully, and even then it was a rough landing. I guess I need to slow down a lot. So your throttle still going when you touch down?

The inspect airfields done the same thing to me. Here,s the key. You don't have to stop. A touch and go will do. In landing, these airplanes in the game will glide for one hellava long way in arcade. They won't stall. Come in at a shallow angle and chop the throttle early in the pattern to 0. keep the nose pointed at the beginning of the runway. When you've got the angle right. don't try to fly it, just let it glide and it will fly itself. Just keep the nose pointed at the runway. Right before you get to the runway, give it a little up elevator, level it out, and let it gently touch down bt itself. The rudder works real well in turning the plane. Leave the ailerons alone. Basically, let the dang thing glide itself right in. They will go realy slow. I can almost land on a dime in Capture airfields. Just takes some practise. And remember, you don't have to come to a complete stop. Just make sure you hit the end of the runway and give yourself enough room to work with. Speed (or lack of it, I should say)and using all the runway are the keys.

In Stalingrad, you have to shoot them down as fast as you can. Period. Keep using the WEP. Screw the engine and your mates. Tell them to attack the targets in the beginning and then forget about them. They are useless. Haul ass from one yellow target marker to the other. There are 3 JU52's in each flight. Here's the key. They all fly right at you. They are going the opposite direction. Don't take them head on or you'll waste too much time turning around and chasing them. Come at them from the left or right and turn in behind them as the get close. Get close and slow down to their speed. DONT PASS THEM UP. Click on a target and hose him. The second he goes, click the next target. Point the nose at him (rudder works extremely well here) and hose him. Ditto with the third target. They don't take much damage. Heal over and haul ass for another yellow target on the map. Repeat.

1) Its trial and error, make sure you use your wingmen effectively, issue them commands to attack the primary targets (D-PAD down, then up) it will soon come to you relatively easily :)

2) Switch to the control pad!! the problem is the joystick. It doesnt have a brake, so you'll take an entire runway to stop. Dont worry though, this issue is being addressed in the patch. If your engine is cutting out though, it prob means you've struck the prop.

3) All i can suggest for this is you look up how people on this forum have done it (as you already have checked :) ) thats the best advice i can give you, its a tough nut to crack but with patience and luck you will get it done.


Need any more help then just post and we'll do what we can to help.

I've read that one guy used rockets in the HOrnet's Nest mission. Anybody else have success with this? I tried, didn't do much.

Also, in Arcade, it seems like there are more than 3 Ju52s per bunch. Maybe 3 per group, but there are 2 groups per wave. Based on what you guys are saying, I think Arcade has 2x the enemies in some missons as there are in Realistic.

on the whole i found the wingmen to be pretty damn good!! they helped out alot.

I wouldn't bank on it. :) That guy got real lucky I think, Air to Ground rockets aren't meant to take down transports. :) The Ju planes are pretty tough though, they take a while to down even with the firepower on your IL2.

Manston Mission and Hornets Nest. I found it easier to do these missions in 'realistic' since there are only half as many enemy a/c in this mode.

The Inspect Airfields I found difficult too untill I went to the Northern airfield first and then to the other two flying south. The runways lined up far better on approach. I watched my rate of descent and touched down at about 100mph all guns firing and at about 40mph used rudder. Never tried the touch and go as I didn't know that would be acceptable.....Doh! Rather than fly to the airfields I practiced a few touch downs on any suitable fields as soon as the mission starts, theres quite a few and it helped me fine tune my rate of descent and speed.

rockets work extremely well in realistic ( I found it easier to beat than arcade because there are less planes) To use the rocket get close to the JU-52 and fire off a couple. If you are close and they are in your sight reticle, one rocket blows them up nicely. The key is to be pretty close when you fire.