Using wingmen to spot aircraft in SP

[carve_gybe1]

Hi All

 

I am a newbie to IL but am managing to fly in expert. I am flying Lagg-3 to achieve proficiency on this plane before upgrading.

 

I have the TrackIR but really struggle with spotting during SP campaign missions. I reluctantly flip to the map and cheat to find the aircraft on it, which is neither realistic nor effective. I keep flying around while my wingmen either kill or get killed. Earning XP points without victories is not rewarding.

 

So I am thinking I should use my wingmen who seem to have xray vision and are able to spot planes through clouds. The problem is that they are behind me. Is there a way to create formation so that I am the last one and so that I can follow them to target?

 

Also, what are the top three hardware/software tweaks that help in spotting? Large monitor, sweetfx, nvidia control panel vs in-game tweaks? I know there is a dedicated section to this, but it is way to advanced for me and I don't have the time to try everything out...

 

Thanks

 

carve gybe

[Bando]

In the campaign it was terrible. I never saw the enemy before my wingman did. What I learned was: Wait till you're over the action point, the controller will give you a target warning. As soon as the controller starts talking, look at your wingman and high yoyo behind them to follow. They see the targets, you don't. It's AI, so assume the enemy "sees" you to.

 

After flying the campaign I tried the Pitomnik missions and the Veteran missions. It's a lot better there. I think the enemy planes spawn somewhat closer (?) I'm not sure.

Maybe I got better in spotting them.

 

About your questions: AFAIK you can change the formation as much as you want, you will always be the leader and they (wingman) will always fly behind you. Hard/software tweaks I don't know, although I use SFX to sharpen and enhance the picture somewhat.

 

Good luck.

[Veteran66]

Try AI orders when you are in combat zone or in my missions when you hear the radio call (text) enemy spotting:

F2- orders and gestures/ F3- patrols:

F1- patrol the area

F2- patrol for air enemies

F3- patrol for ground enemies

 

the AI will fly to the enemy you can follow them.

[SharpeXB]

Is there a way to create formation so that I am the last one and so that I can follow them to target?

 

Yes, just pull your throttle back ;-)

I use the wingmen to find targets all the time. Wait till they call them out and watch. Also listen to the radio calls. If you see two aircraft shooting at one another and hear "I'm on fire" the bad guy is doing the shooting.

If you've lost track of a bandit and don't know where he is, look behind you. You'll find him there.

The wingmen will call out the bearing too like "11:00" although I just did a solo intercept mission and my non existent wigman called out. Maybe I'm flying with Ben Kenobi?

BoS is very good with its detail and ability to spot objects. It is difficult like it should be though. Icons really spoil players into thinking this task should be easier than it is. Once your past the learning stage its best to leave this aid turned off or you won't develop the skill. Remember to use the Zoom view command a lot.

Obvious a decent size monitor helps but BoS plays very well at 1080p

[unreasonable]

The wingmen will call out the bearing too like "11:00" although I just did a solo intercept mission and my non existent wigman called out. Maybe I'm flying with Ben Kenobi?

I think you will find that that was "you" - ie the game sends a radio message from you to base when 1) entering the combat area, and 2) on spotting the enemy. The subtitles for the radio message (as I do not speak either German or Russian) say that this is Stork 1 or whatever, which is your callsign.

 

I almost fell out of my chair the first time that happened, especially as 1) I did not have a clue where I was, and 2) I could not see any enemy.

 

I hope this mechanic is not activated in the upcoming career generator.

[Bando]

Well Sharpe, what you say is true, no doubt.

Point is, in Campaign mode it's odd.

Let's say you fly a 109 and are tasked to intercept bombers. Those bombers will be depicted by PE 2 aircraft. Let's assume the intercept height is 6000mtr.

Contrails are visible (in real life) from a considerable distance. In game when the ground operator calls the bombers, the wingman will go there immediately. However zoomed in you are, you will not spot them, or the contrails until they are much closer. 

So therefor I follow the wingman instead of leading them to something they can see, but I cannot.

[carve_gybe1]

Thank you Gentlemen. So when wingmen call out bandits I will do a high yoyo to see where they are going. I must say this poses the challenge of keeping visual of my wingmen during a high yoyo...

 

I keep trying this on he-111 during quick missions after i overshoot them and still too often I lose them. I suspect inexperience is primary reason but trackir profile may also be problematic.

 

Speaking of which do you gents zoom in to spot planes using z axis on trackir (aka head banging) or by using joystick buttons?

 

Final question: since i am not using pov hat switch due to trackir, is it a good idea to configure the hat switch to operate flaps for combat flaps purposes?

 

Thanks again!

 

Carve gybe

[SharpeXB]

Speaking of which do you gents zoom in to spot planes using z axis on trackir (aka head banging) or by using joystick buttons?

 

I actually have the zoom mapped to my right rudder pedal toe brake. Having an easy zoom view is more useful than R/L brakes, I have those assigned to hotas buttons. Brakes aren't used very much whereas zoom view is used constantly. Having it on an axis lets you have better control of the speed. I do other more complex sims that use up every single button so it's nice to be able to use this command hands free.

[6./ZG26_Emil]

My head zoom is also on a hat switch and I disable head zoom in TIR as I really don't like it.