Wingman / Squadron Mates are Worthless!

[zzHOOTERzz 0]

Hello!

 

I've been playing WOI just recently and I've found that every pilot in my "squadron" sux. They can't hit anything on the ground or in the air. (At least in the 6 day war) I'll launch the whole squadron for example on a fighter sweep and we outnumber the Migs greatly. They get slaughtered (on normal difficulty). Not a single kill from them and 6+ will get shot down. I searched the forum as best I could. I'll double check that I've got the latest patch. (I think I do though). I thought the Israelis were supposed to be pretty good. Would there be an ini file I could edit to make them smarter?

 

Thanks!

[Rambler 1-1 9]

well, I'm assuming that you know about hitting "tab" to give your flight orders. Other then that, you could go to "Israel" in the Nations.ini and change the pilot training quality to "excellent".

[Lt. James Cater 62]

It takes some doing to get the best out of your Squadron.

 

At the moment, i have two AI aces in my F-102 outfit in WOE and about a half dozen with 3-4 kills. With a single exception, everyone has scored. And believe me, it's not easy in the Deuce.

 

For starters, are you doing everything possible to get the maximum advantage? You always have to think about that when planning the missions. For example...A basic thing, do you note the direction and distance from the nearest enemy bases to where you are going to operate? Also, are you manuvering your flight(s) into a position of maximum advantage at the (possible) moment of engagement?

 

How about knowing the the envelopes of the aircraft and weapons that will be brought to bear in an engagement?

 

Knowing what both you and the enemy can and cannot do helps immeasurably.

Edited May 25, 2009 by Lt. James Cater

[JRA 0]

Really ?? I play WoI too but my mates are good. Try giving them the more advanced weps from the loadouts. I mean, if I had a squad of 4, we're able to take down (most of the time) a larger number of migs, or, even better, hunters and IL's. When it comes to ground targets, they're pretty inaccurate with bombs in the 6 day war but then they do manage to hit... sometimes...

 

I also hope you're giving them commands from the TAB button. Unless you do that, they're flying ducks...

[MAKO69 186]

Yes 1 task at a time for them. Or you could just send them home and be the hero.

[SayethWhaaaa 245]

I agree completely with Lt. Jim. My guys get my back when I'm down in the weeds, my number 2 will hit targets I request and generally does what he/she's told, although not necessarily instantly, but then again, that's not a realistic expectation in SAM country. If you issue your orders before you reach the AO (although not too far out), they will work for you. Take in some bombers and you'll easily see their efforts as they'll practically carpet bomb the area.

 

Although, if I start a sortie, I'm not completely sure I get results from my number 3 if I start with a three ship flight...

[zmatt 2]

I am always barking orders to my flight/squadron. The wingman is always on me, and I am organizing the group as best I can.

 

For example, if its a strike mission and you have 2 flights, then equip your second flight for SEAD. When you are a little ways out from the objective have flight 2 attack ground targets ahead of flight 1.

If you start thinking more strategically then it will pay dividends in the field.

[Lt. James Cater 62]

I am always barking orders to my flight/squadron. The wingman is always on me, and I am organizing the group as best I can.

 

For example, if its a strike mission and you have 2 flights, then equip your second flight for SEAD. When you are a little ways out from the objective have flight 2 attack ground targets ahead of flight 1.

If you start thinking more strategically then it will pay dividends in the field.

 

One thing i like to do at the moment of decision is to order my wingman to attack the target i have chosen while everyone else engages (air or ground). In the case of A2A, getting quick attention on the enemy gives you the inititave as well as concentrating fire upon the foe.

[zzHOOTERzz 0]

WOW... I must saw this is an awesome forum. Thanks for all the input. Yep I had been using the TAB commands. But... I found out that I actually didn't have the latest patch (I'm an idiot) I patched it and 2 got a shack on "attack my target"! Before the patch, my wingmen did not have the same load out as me but I haven't double checked that they do after the patch yet. Is there a separate load-out screen for the wingmen? (I haven't seen that....)

 

Interesting... they travel in route and when I send them to box they're only go about 500' away. But if I hit "spread out" about three times they go out to about 4k or so (my guess on the ranges)

 

The map function is much better now. Great idea to note my ingress vice enemy airbases. I still haven't flown a fighter sweep yet but 2's shack has my hopes up.

 

I agree that weapon envelopes are critical. I couldn't find this info in the Weapons Delivery Manual, Weapon Pack, or Manual. (BTW I just found that forcing the Weapon Pack onto WOI kills all the weaopns.) I downloaded the Weapon Editor and CAT extractor and dug out the info. I wish there was a table somewhere with all the data. For example, the Matra 530 has a seeker max range of 18km and a 60s TOF. There's data in there for boost and sustain as well and I added that up to get a Mach number but I don't know how to calculate decel from drag plus Vc has a huge effect.

 

It was really cool to see the Shafrir-1 get way more effective with 300kts closure on a bandit.

[zzHOOTERzz 0]

Is there a separate load-out screen for the wingmen? (I haven't seen that....)

 

Found it.

[zmatt 2]

One thing i like to do at the moment of decision is to order my wingman to attack the target i have chosen while everyone else engages (air or ground). In the case of A2A, getting quick attention on the enemy gives you the inititave as well as concentrating fire upon the foe.

 

agreed. I always have him go in with me just in case I miss.

[jomni 6]

In my case, the AI is more accurate in ground attack compared to myself. Especially rockets.

Assigning targets useful in CAS so that you make full use of available ordinance.

My wingman is also good at protecting my tail as long as I order him to do so before you break off an engage the enemy.

They do have problems in the self preservation department...

Edited May 25, 2009 by jomni

[+PureBlue 71]

I usually study the map at mission briefing and figure out what other flights will be participating and their call signs. Depending on the target and if there'll will be migcap or sead flights in hand, I determine the loads. I load Flight 2 with A2A if there will be no escort or Sead loadouts otherwise. Then I check for the best ingress and egress route. (Remember some of the waypoints can be changed from the planning map).

 

During the mission, I follow the radio chatter w/ call signs of other flights and watch their progress. Making sure to keep my flight away from migs so they dont freak out and jettison all ordanance. Then over target area give the usual attack ground order to flight 2 and keep w/ my wingman to go for the primary.

 

There's a formations mod in the downloads section. Adds a few more options, eg top cover.. Also a Communications mod that allows to give your wingman a formation order. But unfortunetly no way to make other flights strike primary or do other clever stuff.

[+KnightWolf45 1,147]

But unfortunetly no way to make other flights strike primary or do other clever stuff.

I think that the main lack in this game i whould great to have that option specialy in WW2 mission asing all bombers to prime target like they did in RL i hope that TK i can make this happen in patch until sp4 the wingman didnt atack the primary and that was solve

[Lt. James Cater 62]

Did a Recce mission yesterday and took along some fellows.

 

Flew high and fast and right at the objective a pretty good dogfight was going on below us. I set the flight loose and down we went. When all was said and done, we got 5 kills. Both me and my #3 (also an Ace) got one apiece. My wingman bagged three 21s to to make ace! #4 didn't fire a shot. Since he currently has 4 kills, i'll fly him until he gets one.

Edited May 27, 2009 by Lt. James Cater

[+EricJ 4,199]

I've had to give my wingies missiles or JDAMS when doing CAS missions. Since they tend to even miss with LGBs for those missions, giving them mainly prevents fratricide, which is the main problem I've had.

[Lt. James Cater 62]

A last example on how how good certain AI pilots can be...

 

#4 from above? I had him as an element leader on a mission over Brandenburg and he got 4 kills. I on the other hand, not only failed to scored but was shot down by a MIG-19 and captured!

 

In total i had 5 AI Aces in my unit (35th FIS). Just goes to show what can happen if you take care of your people.

Edited May 27, 2009 by Lt. James Cater

[JRA 0]

A last example on how how good certain AI pilots can be...

 

#4 from above? I had him as an element leader on a mission over Brandenburg and he got 4 kills. I on the other hand, not only failed to scored but was shot down by a MIG-19 and captured!

 

In total i had 5 AI Aces in my unit (35th FIS). Just goes to show what can happen if you take care of your people.

 

Uh, what do you mean by 'take care'? Is it send them home after the run in?

 

Yeah... My No.69 Hammers Squadron has 8 aces including myself. The lowest scoring having 9 kills A2A.

[Lt. James Cater 62]

Take care of your pilots by not exposing them to unnecessary risks. If the mission objective is complete and i know more enemy planes are heading towards the area than yes, i will send them home if i know they are low or out of ammo.

 

Alternately, i'll call for a regroup and lead them away from danger.

Edited May 28, 2009 by Lt. James Cater

[JRA 0]

Take care of your pilots by not exposing them to unnecessary risks. If the mission objective is complete and i know more enemy planes are heading towards the area than yes, i will send them home if i know they are low or out of ammo.

 

Alternately, i'll call for a regroup and lead them away from danger.

 

Hmmm... You got a good point... Anyhow, I just lost 2 of my aces today... Maybe because I had to post it on the net... LOL

[+hgbn 91]

Just finnished the best campaign I've ever flown. Flying the Deuce in the NFIV 62 Campaign.

 

My squadron ended up having a active tripple AI ace. 5 double aces and 4 aces. Lost 3 KIA and 1 MIA total not bad for the AI wingies

[+KnightWolf45 1,147]

Just finnished the best campaign I've ever flown. Flying the Deuce in the NFIV 62 Campaign.

 

My squadron ended up having a active tripple AI ace. 5 double aces and 4 aces. Lost 3 KIA and 1 MIA total not bad for the AI wingies

you cheated right!

Just kinding man

Edited May 31, 2009 by cocas