Olham 164 Posted March 19, 2009 (edited) This is just a thought - haven't tried yet, if it works. But: I realised, when going through the choice of Jastas, that some are labeled as "defensive". They are often based further away from the front lines. Could it be, that they really do only defensive flights? Over own territory? (Winder? Pol?) Cause, if that is true, it would be the perfect choice for longer life and more flight hours. And still though, they should meet enemies now and then? Ernst Udet was in a defensive Jasta later on - perhaps his luck; so he survived the war. Edited March 19, 2009 by Olham Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cameljockey 3 Posted March 19, 2009 Actually Olham, I've encountered large amounts of EA flying defensive patrols in the Spring and Summer of 1918, flying for Jasta 11. But there again, at this stage of the war, the GAF was pretty much on the defensive anyway. The best available planes were the DrI and the DVa, both nearing the end of their operational usefulness, and the DVII hadn't shown up yet or was very limited in number. It gets pretty hot over German held territory in 1918 but you do have some advantages if you're flying for the Dark Side. If you go down, at least you're over friendly territory, and the enemy usually has a headwind on the way home, so they're easier to catch. CJ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olham 164 Posted March 19, 2009 Hi, Cameljockey! Yes, 1918 is damn tough. I have started a carrer there with Jasta 15, at Bonneuil Ferme, April 1918. We fly Albatros D Va, and it's a bit like with the Bf 109 late versions - they made them stronger, but couldn't get much improvement out of them anymore. But I will do my very best to get better with her. And the lady still could bite (The D Va has 1.100 rounds)! Since I changed my behaviour (I'm doing the wingman for my wings now - I really save their asses all the time!), I see a chance to make it through April, day after day. We are mostly confronting SPAD XIII, and they are no big problem, as long as they don't outnumber us too much. It's even fun - the crazy extasy of the moribund... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Siggi 10 Posted March 19, 2009 Anything that keeps me on my side of the lines is good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olham 164 Posted March 19, 2009 Yes, Siggi, English campaign must be hard in parts. I had started one, but the flights were long from St.Omer, befor we even reached the front. And then, we had to go deep into German terrain even. But I'll start another, and maybe use warp more. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rick Rawlings 137 Posted March 20, 2009 Hey Olham, you could start in a defensive squadron and then transfer later if this is what you wanted to do. To transfer, you open up your pilot dossier under the campaigns folder. You will notice that the squadron name is very plainly listed in only a couple of places. Swap these out for the new squadron name (you can get this from starting a new pilot in the squad you want.) Then just make sure the current date is one for which the sqaudron is in service. If not you can change the (i believe it is the top) date in the dossier to the earliest one for that squad. Then save the pilot. I have tried this and it does not seem to mess anything up, but, as always when changing files, make sure you have copied your pilot to another folder for safe keeping just in case I don't know what I am talking about! I was planning to do this for when I eventually get to May of 1917 so that Rick Rawlings can be "recruited" to #56 squadron from #40. Hope that helps! RR Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
themightysrc 5 Posted March 20, 2009 Hi Rick, That's very interesting indeed! I know there's no formal transfer mechanism in BH&H, so i may well give this a try later today. For those of you who'd like to build up flying hours on a new pilot in a fairly safe manner, I can strongly recommend joining an RFC outfit dedicated to home defence in 1915/16. I've got a Strutter pilot who's already clocked up about 9-10 hours without seeing any enemy aircraft whatsoever. A very peaceful existence indeed, although the temptation to go and dive bomb Clacton is beginning to prey on my mind a little. I might get him to about 20 hours and use your transfer thing to send him to...{gulp!}....France... For the moment though, a warm billet, regular British ale and weekends spent at The Ritz in his splendid uniform, enjoying the admiration of young gels and Home Counties fillies is a splendid way to spend a war. Cheers! Si Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olham 164 Posted March 20, 2009 Hi, Rick Thanks for the idea. I need to survive long enough though, to do that. My idea was meant rather for others. I myself alway join Jastas, were the action is. But I'll recreate "Ernst Mahlo" now, and try a very serious "war survival tour". Hey, Mighty were in the sim is that "Ritz / young girls" section you mention? Neither found it in campaign nor QC (Lol!) Quote: A very peaceful existence indeed, although the temptation to go and dive bomb Clacton is beginning to prey on my mind a little. Hahaha!!! Good one - time for France, I'd say! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Siggi 10 Posted March 20, 2009 Hi Rick, That's very interesting indeed! I know there's no formal transfer mechanism in BH&H, so i may well give this a try later today. For those of you who'd like to build up flying hours on a new pilot in a fairly safe manner, I can strongly recommend joining an RFC outfit dedicated to home defence in 1915/16. I've got a Strutter pilot who's already clocked up about 9-10 hours without seeing any enemy aircraft whatsoever. A very peaceful existence indeed, although the temptation to go and dive bomb Clacton is beginning to prey on my mind a little. I might get him to about 20 hours and use your transfer thing to send him to...{gulp!}....France... For the moment though, a warm billet, regular British ale and weekends spent at The Ritz in his splendid uniform, enjoying the admiration of young gels and Home Counties fillies is a splendid way to spend a war. Cheers! Si That's a bloody good idea! It always feels a bit 'wonky' having a pilot with kills after just a few missions and a couple of hours. Filling one out nicely with a bunch of missions and hours but no kills would feel 'right'. Home defence, like a kind of extended training. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rick Rawlings 137 Posted March 20, 2009 Presumably, this could also be used to switch from an observer role to a fighter pilot role just like many of the real aces did. That's what I'm going to try once my current pilot dies and I test the whole transfer thing out a little bit. Someone with some basic programming skills could probably set up a little app for us that could do this without too much fuss, unless it introduces bugs later on that I haven't encountered yet. RR Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
