Why not the Mediterranean Theater next?

[*Buzzsaw*]

Originally Posted by DoolittleRaider

All the talk on the forums seems to focus on the Battle of Moscow as the first sequel to COD. Some of this is apparently based upon some hint by Oleg, and/or a poster at an SOW:BOB demo-show(?).

In a recent thread, a discussion began about which aircraft would be needed for such a Battle of Moscow flightsim sequel. Answer:many Russian aircraft would need to be developed/added to the COD baseline, along with additional Luftwaffe aircraft types and models not used in BofB/COD. After all, the invasion of Russia did not begin until June 1941, almost a year after the Battle of Britain began. Also, the new Maps required would have to be failry extensive. It seems that a considerable amount of programming and design, etc, would be required for a Battle of Moscow sequel.


I've long been curious as to why the Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO) would not be the next planned theater for a COD sequel. The role of the Italian Regia Aeronautica in the Battle of Britain was merely a curiosity, insignificant. So, why would so munch programming effort in COD development have been diverted to such a relatively obscure matter. To me, it only makes sense if it were planned by 1C to use those RA aircraft in a Mediterranean scenario/sequel, released relatively quickly after SOW:BoB/COD release.


Battle of the Mediterranean, 1940-1941

Italians aerial assault on Malta beginning June 1940: COD has RAF Gladiators and Hurricanes, and most of the significant Italian RA aircraft. One would just need maps, which would seem to be much less complex maps than the UK/France maps of COD. COD would need to add SM-79.

Italians in North Africa attack British forces in Egypt in Sep 1940. Again, COD has all of the necessary RAF and most of the necessary RA aircraft.

Italians invade Greece in October 1940. Ditto above.

Germans invade Yugoslavia and Greece in April 1941. COD has 90% of the necessary Luftwaffe aircraft and all the RAF aircraft.

Germans attack Crete and British Naval task forces in Mediterranean. COD Luftwaffe has almost all necessary aircraft. COD would have to add British Carrier(s) and carrier-based aircraft.

Rommel battles British in North Africa from Spring 1941. Would only need COD to add P40B/C for RAF, SAAF of Desert Air Force

It would seem that with a relatively small effort/cost, IL-2: MTO could be released very soon after all the major problems with COD are worked out and patched.

imho

Would totally agree the Med is much more logical as a sequel, although there are some errors in your list above.

1) No carriers used in the Crete campaign.

2) Malta would be a good addition, this would require RN Carriers. Aircraft on the Carriers absolutely required would be Sea Hurricane I (same as Hurri I but +16 boost and tailhook) and Swordfish. If you wanted all the seaborne aircraft then you'd need the Fairey Fulmar, Gladiator and Martlet, (Wildcat) and but those were a minority of the fighters used. Game already has the AI Glad so it could be implemented fairly easily. It was also the first defending land based fighter on Malta. The Italians would need the MC-200 for early Malta, and MC-202 for late plus and SM-79.

[DoolittleRaider]

Originally Posted by *Buzzsaw*

Would totally agree the Med is much more logical as a sequel, although there are some errors in your list above.

1) No carriers used in the Crete campaign.

True, not in the May 1941Crete campaign, per se. Other Brit convoys were attacked by LW, with losses of cruisers, destroyers, transports etc...but no Brit carrier operations.

However, Brit carriers Ark Royal and Illustrious and one or two others were active in Med in 1940 (for example, Illustrious in attack upon Taranto in Nov 1940). Later, in summer '42, several carriers were active and Indomitable, specifically, was attacked by LW Stukas.

Originally Posted by *Buzzsaw*

2) Malta would be a good addition, this would require RN Carriers. Aircraft on the Carriers absolutely required would be Sea Hurricane I (same as Hurri I but +16 boost and tailhook) and Swordfish. ...
Game already has the AI Glad so it could be implemented fairly easily. It was also the first defending land based fighter on Malta. The Italians would need the MC-200 for early Malta, and MC-202 for late plus and SM-79.

I agree. Swordfish would be a Must-have aircraft (see note about Taranto, above), and Macchi 200 and 202's also. FYI, if interested in Malta Gladiators, see the "Faith, Hope, and Charity" IL-2 movie here: http://www.flightsimmachinima.com/fa...en-productions