Friday 2010-12-03 Dev. update and Discussion

[FG28_Kodiak]

Hi Oleg,
can we group Objects together and save this group to disk for later use?

[slm]

..and it would be great if one could copy/paste thouse object groups.
And rotate them (like often possible in vector drawing programs) once placed on map.

[ECV56_Lancelot]

Originally Posted by T}{OR

There is a clear distinction between bomber and fighter formations.


Lets talk about fighter formations first:

According to Wikipedia the Luftwaffe was the first to use a finger four formation in World War II. This tactic consisted of two pairs (Rotte) flying together (in a Schwarm): the leader and his wingman, and leader's "deputy" and his wingman. This gave them an advantage over outdated 3 plane VIC's that RAF flew in the beginning which required all three planes firing at the bombers, and while in formation at the same time (for "added punch" of all their guns combined).

As anyone who has ever flown in formation will tell you: when in a formation you're not flying at your top speed, and your maneuvers are strictly limited. Needles to say, this outdated 3 plane VIC attack strategy was invented by someone had no idea on how to attack a bomber stream. Logically, the tactic was abandoned in favor of the finger four formations and flying in pairs (and not attacking while flying in formation, naturally).

I would be interested to know when it was abandoned, prior or during BoB - because it might be another cool feature we could see in SoW - 3 plane VIC's attacking bombers...


Anyway, back to the bomber formations. Lets discuss basics:

• A bomber stream usually consist of many groups flying in formation.
• A group (Gruppe) formation consists of several squadrons (Staffel) flying together, or just a single squadron.
• A group/squadron formation consist of elements. Element (Kette) is a basic formation, and depending how Elements are arranged one to another and in relation to the leader - defines a formation type.
• Elements can number from 3 to (usually) 7 planes or even more.
• The smallest element is a 3 plane VIC formation with one plane flying on each wing of the leader. Small elements can form larger elements.

So, we are talking about Elements here.

Bombers depended on their defensive guns - the goal was to put as many defensive guns on each side of the formation, and to spread them out evenly. Therefore a finger four would be an incomplete formation for an element, and you would need to add another plane to it. In other words - you need a VEE formation with 2 planes on each wing of the leader.

From my understanding, some of the formation types Luftwaffe used were:

• 5 plane VEE formations (Elements) stacked one behind and below another (~5 such VEE's forming a group). With more groups flying nearby (i.e. one on each side of the lead group).
• 3 plane VIC formations (smaller elements), stacked closely behind and below one (forming a large element), with other large elements flying on each side of the lead one - all together forming a group.
• 3 plane VIC formations (smaller elements), with additional elements on each side of the lead element (forming a large element), with other such elements flying behind or behind and below one another.

^^
The last one (just a large element) or a bomber Schwärme with 3 plane VIC formations (smaller elements or Kette), we were able to see in preview videos released so far.


I hope that this answers your question why I am interested in what is the limit on how many planes per element and what kind of formations will bombers fly in SoW.


This is something we were never able to experience in IL2 as the limit per element was only 4 planes. While IIRC (I never played the game) Rowan's Battle of Britain: Wings of Victory simulates this very nicely.

Crystal clear Thor, i thought it was about fighters.

[phoenix1963]

Originally Posted by Oleg Maddox

Yes, it is for triggers.

Oleg - Does this mean there will be a scripting language available in SoW for mission programmability? If so, that's really great news and will allow much more complex scenarios.

Long, long ago, you promised the SoW:BoB would include AI information flow from the Observer Corps (used inland where radar didn't work) to Sector Control Rooms, is that still true and are these events able to be used as triggers?

Thanks for the update,

56RAF_phoenix

[ECV56_Lancelot]

Originally Posted by Flying_Nutcase

Hi Oleg,

- As mentioned by others, at least the ability to add images to briefings (for 'recon' and 'intel' photos). Being able to add video would be a nice extra, but photos would be a huge improvement over just text.

For all those that don't remember, it was confirmed long ago by Luthier that we will be able to add images to the briefings.
Can't tell about videos though!

[choctaw111]

Wow! Loads of great settings in there.
Thanks for this informative look into the mission builder.

[zakkandrachoff]

you can shows us how is the improvement to make different enemy route and this are aleatory at the moment of flight.

For example: make different options of chckpoint for bombers and when we die and want to play again the same mission, we have a surprise, is not the same that the last we flight.
that could be nice. the surprise element. jeje

[ElAurens]

Originally Posted by Former_Older

Looks like a fairly good selection of options so far

I know this is WIP.

Will we have option to set damage on aircraft?

Chris,

I cannot wait till you get your hands on this, even if it isn't "our" favorite theater, your abilities will really shine with these new tools. Heck, even my little single missions will become even more alive.

Cheers,

Terry


P.S. Triggers. *Insert drool smilie here*

[tomaz]

Oleg;
I'm hoping my title says "thank you" (I used an online translator).

Disregard the negative jerks like Redwan and Seeker. They'll never be satisfied and are probably console gamers anyway (sarcasm intended LOL).

The FMB looks great, lots of options. Yes it may take some time to learn how to use it but that's the price for having a great game like this. I love the IL2 FMB and it looks like you've added so much more to this next iteration of flight sim.

I won't ask the standard "what about X? Can you change Y?" It's a bit late in the process to be still asking for this type of stuff.

I'm sure you know from experience you will never please everybody but you will definitely please enough!

All the best.

[Bastor1981]

Looks like great news!

Although I have rather little experience with the FMB I immediately spotted some features that I was missing in the Il-2 FMB and some I didn't even know I might miss
(The interpolate alt/spd options haven`t been around in Il-2, or have they?, +weathering, +weather conditions, +apparently much more precise fuel/loadout options, +,+,+)

What intrigued me most, however, was the ammo belt option - can you tell us to what degree it will be possible to manipulate this as mission builder/player?

In any case: thanks a lot for the update, Oleg!