Pacific Campaigns- What do WE really want to see!

[BlitzPig_EL]

Ki 61... Oh how I want to fly one again.

[VBF-12_Stele]

I agree that I'd like to see a Guadalcanal first, however I think a Midway is a good starting point for the Pacific games to come in the future. It gives us a core set of planes that could be used for Guadalcanal in the future and carriers. Taking this route may be quicker to develope, which is maybe what the developers are thinking. Once Midway is out then they could focus on future battles; hopefully Guadalcanal, which I'd love to see as well.

[Brano]

I want to see this again 

 

[Legioneod]

Yes, RAAF No 79 Squadron equipped with Spitfires MK Vc was transferred to Goodenough Island on the eastern side of New Guinea in May-June 1943 period and then moved to Kiriwina, Trobriand Islands from where it engaged Japanese Army over New Guinea and Japanese Navy over New Britain. Considering that armament would be same if compared to our Spitfitre Vb I think its closest we could get to.   

 

Yes, Japanese carriers were often around the New Britain, most of the time transferring aircraft for various operations - like I-Go or Ro-Go. 

 

Nice, so we already have 1 aircraft (P-40) and a few others being developed (Spitfire, A-20, P-39) that could be used in New Guinea and other Pacific campaigns.

[=362nd_FS=Hiromachi]

Yes. Only need some Japanese aircraft 

[Gambit21]

I agree that I'd like to see a Guadalcanal first, however I think a Midway is a good starting point for the Pacific games to come in the future. It gives us a core set of planes that could be used for Guadalcanal in the future and carriers. Taking this route may be quicker to develope, which is maybe what the developers are thinking. Once Midway is out then they could focus on future battles; hopefully Guadalcanal, which I'd love to see as well.

 

See the link in my signature

[SvAF/F19_Klunk]

How about adding Wake Island to the Midway pack?

[Gambit21]

How about adding Wake Island to the Midway pack?

 

...and/or a generic "islands" map with a few well placed islands with bases where we can design land-based missions for both sides

along with the carriers, or omit them if we choose. More than one way to skin the cat.

[Pharoah]

what I'm looking forward to is doing torpedo runs on carriers. We used to do this in IL2 and man we'd get plastered by the AAA esp when the carriers were in the middle of the battle group.

[Feathered_IV]

...and/or a generic "islands" map with a few well placed islands with bases where we can design land-based missions for both sides

along with the carriers, or omit them if we choose. More than one way to skin the cat.

The old Aces Expansion pack had a fictitious pacific islands map that is still a favourite today. Something similar for this title would be very useful.

[SvAF/F19_Tomten]

What I hope for is that some community member steps forward and receive the map tools from the developer team (as Jason said they would give to those who they believe can make something) and starts working on Guadalcanal right away, perhaps then we'd have it by release of Midway.. At least you can dream.

[Mustang_45]

...and/or a generic "islands" map with a few well placed islands with bases where we can design land-based missions for both sides

along with the carriers, or omit them if we choose.

 

Yes, that would be a great idea.

 

 

The old Aces Expansion pack had a fictitious pacific islands map that is still a favourite today. Something similar for this title would be very useful.

 

That was indeed a very nice map.

[SvAF/F19_Klunk]

Yeah.. we all had a blast with 46, be it missions based on historical events or totally fictitious events. I guess we could spend dayz discussing "what is simulation... and what is game"..and if its a simulation: what do we simulate?

A combat flight simulator that simulate the behaviours of planes, or a history simulation?

 

A nice mix maybe, but I would suggest.. again.. that there is nothing wrong with missions that not necessarily stick to the absolute historical "truth" but rather take impressions of it and present a scenario that borrows from the truth, take inspiration from it.

 

Honestly, I would not have a clue whether the G6 flew the Kuban or not; if it didn't and still it was flyable in a mission ..I would.. not.. give it a thought. "Hey... that plane never flew over Kuban". I know that many people Do care... full respect for that!.. but sometimes I get the feeling that we are too focused on details.

 

 

Maybe we shouldn't call this genre sims as in " simulation" but rather "reps" as in "representation" or "ports" as in "portrayals"??

Edited December 6, 2016 by SvAF/F19_Klunk

[Gambit21]

The old Aces Expansion pack had a fictitious pacific islands map that is still a favourite today. Something similar for this title would be very useful.

 

Yep, when CoOps were slow sometimes I would host that map.

I was thinking of something bigger in this case, however I would love a replica of that map, or something very similar as well.

[Dakpilot]

Yep, when CoOps were slow sometimes I would host that map.

I was thinking of something bigger in this case, however I would love a replica of that map, or something very similar as well.

 

Am sure I remember that the "Pacific Islands map" although fictional for combat was based on somewhere real? or am I mistaken

 

Cheers Dakpilot 

[Gambit21]

It was just small generic map with 2 islands - loads of fun.

I don't think it was based on a real location.

[Mustang_45]

I think the plane sets should correctly represent the most prominent aircraft as found in the historic timeline, and for them to be modeled as realistically as possible of course.

Like others, the reason why I think a well-thought-out generic map (in addition to historic maps) is a good idea, is because the physical land mass featured in some of these battles (such as Midway) is very small, which might limit replay value.

[Gambit21]

What I hope for is that some community member steps forward and receive the map tools from the developer team (as Jason said they would give to those who they believe can make something) and starts working on Guadalcanal right away, perhaps then we'd have it by release of Midway.. At least you can dream.

 

I'd like to get my hands on the tools to take a look, thus determine if they're within my ability to learn...is there coding involved, etc.

I don't assume that because I can learn 3D programs with help from tutorials that I can easily teach myself the map tools without help...but I won't know until I get

a look at them. For now I remain ignorant. A small team of people could probably make things happen.

If not Guadalcanal, something smaller like the map we were just discussing for starters.

[=362nd_FS=Hiromachi]

I wonder if there will ever be a chance to squeeze somewhere this Curtiss demon :

 

[Pharoah]

It was just small generic map with 2 islands - loads of fun.

I don't think it was based on a real location.

 

is that the map with the crescent moon island in the middle? lots of vpilots died over those islands.

[[CPT]Pike*HarryM]

Yep, aka "the toenail" at least as we called it.

[Feathered_IV]

I think the maker of the map once mentioned that the little horseshoe-shaped island in the middle was inspired by Sakai's story about sighting Green island as he flew home wounded from Guadalcanal.

[Nil]

whatever theater, I am hopping for a C47 to do some cool transport missions!

[MiloMorai]

CBI a/c info

 

http://www.cbi-history.com/part_xvi_b.html

[=362nd_FS=Hiromachi]

I checked all possible bases and main campaign combat areas for Okinawa. Gotta say that the whole map would be huge:

 

 

 

 

 

For the aerial operations in defense of Okinawa Japanese grouped two "fronts", one utilizing Formosa (Taiwan today) airfields and other approaching from Southern Kyushu. Airfields on Okinawa itself were assumed to be impossible to use and defend, soon after American landings they fell into enemy hands anyway and so they became American bases for the rest of the campaign and further operations over Japanese mainland until end of the war.

                Northern “wing” was commanded by Japanese Navy which comprised mainly fresh units of rapidly moved 3^rd Air Fleet and remnants of 5^th Air Fleet which was badly mauled in previous 3 weeks. Japanese Army units of 6^th Air Army were operating under command of Japanese Navy.

                Southern “wing” comprised Japanese Army 8^th Flying Division with three Attack Groups (usually Attack Group would have one or two fighter Sentais and three to five suicide units, ex. 2^nd Attack Group made of 101^st and 102^nd Sentai and three suicide attack units.)

 

The fundamental tactics for the forthcoming battle were to be suicide attacks, the fighter units committed to the area were assigned to escort duties – they would protect vulnerable attack aircraft and then seek to verify the attack results, return and report them. However neither Navy nor Army fighters could really operate at that kind of range and conduct combat operations, particularly Ki-84, Ki-61 and N1K2-J units could only reach about half the way to Okinawa (usually would go no further than Tokunoshima or Amami-Oshima) and so during later periods fewer and fewer aircraft were capable of penetrating thick US CAP and strike any targets.

 

Forward bases were tried to be used, but often they were too close to Okinawa and soon would be overwhelmed. Tokunoshima was used by 103^rd Sentai which tried to escort light bombers on few instances, such as on 29 March, but soon air superiority over island was gained by US carrier aircraft. Further attempts to use the island failed and it was mostly used as emergency field, as well as Amami-Oshima. In similar fashion Kikai island was also used on 17^th April, when Ki-84s and Ki-61s scrambled to engage 20 F6F-5s. 103^rd Sentai was moved to Kikai to undertake escort missions, but this also did not work very well. In case of Southern wing, two small islands were mainly used – Ishigaki-Jima and Miyako-Jima, from where 8^th Flying Division fighters escorted suicide units. By mid-May it became  apparent that Formosa can no longer be reinforced from mainland thus Southern wing was effectively reduced only to suicide role.

 

Overall there will be no conventional attacks, only suicide and escort operations for Japanese. US Navy and Army will have plenty of interceptions and ground pounding. But damn distances to fly are really great :/  

[Heliopause]

 

 

I wonder if there will ever be a chance to squeeze somewhere this Curtiss demon :

 

 

Could be done: Dutch East Indies.

 

 

 

[Gambit21]

I checked all possible bases and main campaign combat areas for Okinawa. Gotta say that the whole map would be huge:

 

 

 

 

 

For the aerial operations in defense of Okinawa Japanese grouped two "fronts", one utilizing Formosa (Taiwan today) airfields and other approaching from Southern Kyushu. Airfields on Okinawa itself were assumed to be impossible to use and defend, soon after American landings they fell into enemy hands anyway and so they became American bases for the rest of the campaign and further operations over Japanese mainland until end of the war.

 

                Northern “wing” was commanded by Japanese Navy which comprised mainly fresh units of rapidly moved 3^rd Air Fleet and remnants of 5^th Air Fleet which was badly mauled in previous 3 weeks. Japanese Army units of 6^th Air Army were operating under command of Japanese Navy.

                Southern “wing” comprised Japanese Army 8^th Flying Division with three Attack Groups (usually Attack Group would have one or two fighter Sentais and three to five suicide units, ex. 2^nd Attack Group made of 101^st and 102^nd Sentai and three suicide attack units.)

 

The fundamental tactics for the forthcoming battle were to be suicide attacks, the fighter units committed to the area were assigned to escort duties – they would protect vulnerable attack aircraft and then seek to verify the attack results, return and report them. However neither Navy nor Army fighters could really operate at that kind of range and conduct combat operations, particularly Ki-84, Ki-61 and N1K2-J units could only reach about half the way to Okinawa (usually would go no further than Tokunoshima or Amami-Oshima) and so during later periods fewer and fewer aircraft were capable of penetrating thick US CAP and strike any targets.

 

Forward bases were tried to be used, but often they were too close to Okinawa and soon would be overwhelmed. Tokunoshima was used by 103^rd Sentai which tried to escort light bombers on few instances, such as on 29 March, but soon air superiority over island was gained by US carrier aircraft. Further attempts to use the island failed and it was mostly used as emergency field, as well as Amami-Oshima. In similar fashion Kikai island was also used on 17^th April, when Ki-84s and Ki-61s scrambled to engage 20 F6F-5s. 103^rd Sentai was moved to Kikai to undertake escort missions, but this also did not work very well. In case of Southern wing, two small islands were mainly used – Ishigaki-Jima and Miyako-Jima, from where 8^th Flying Division fighters escorted suicide units. By mid-May it became  apparent that Formosa can no longer be reinforced from mainland thus Southern wing was effectively reduced only to suicide role.

 

Overall there will be no conventional attacks, only suicide and escort operations for Japanese. US Navy and Army will have plenty of interceptions and ground pounding. But damn distances to fly are really great :/  

 

A well reasoned, well researched post on why Okinawa is far from the best idea for even a 3rd PTO release, never-mind right after Midway.

Any release should offer an in-depth, immersive experience for both sides. Both making good use of the career system, and offering mission

variety...again for both sides. 

 

I'll make the best of it if they continue down this road - but I hope something more balanced in the way of campaings prevails.

I added this post to my thread, as it bears repeating.

[Feathered_IV]

I have to agree. Okinawa doesn't offer the the best solution under close scrutiny. If late-war is to be the subject, then Rabaul, Kyushu, or the Sakishima area would be best. Probably Rabaul, as it gives the best mix of old and new land based, carrier and floatplanes than any other.

[=362nd_FS=Hiromachi]

 

 

If late-war is to be the subject, then Rabaul, Kyushu, or the Sakishima area would be best.

Leyte Feathered. Leyte. I will work that one in hope of replacing Okinawa. I really think Leyte should be the final accord of the Pacific expansions.  

[HeavyCavalrySgt]

I wonder if there will ever be a chance to squeeze somewhere this Curtiss demon :

 

 This is ironic, given what Thompson wound up doing after the war.  A mile a minute would have been unacceptably slow!

[Gambit21]

Leyte Feathered. Leyte. I will work that one in hope of replacing Okinawa. I really think Leyte should be the final accord of the Pacific expansions.  

 

Aye...

 

Midway

Solomons/Guadalcanal

Leyte

 

I do also love the idea of New Guinea as well...and support you in your dream

However given the fact that we'll be looking at a more or less complete Guadalcanal plane set created for Midway - the sensibility

of Guadalcanal/Solomons is impossible to ignore, and frankly impossible for me to shut up about. That's going to be fairly stable

state of affairs I think for the foreseeable future.

 

If they remain hell-bent on this course and all other info and logic be-damned...well it wasn't for lack of informing and trying.

[=362nd_FS=Hiromachi]

Wait. What ?

Climb rate of 1 mile per minute sounds quite good. 

[Gambit21]

...in the end though I'll have the Zeke and Wildcat back...and that's more than I thought possible not long ago.

[Feathered_IV]

...in the end though I'll have the Zeke and Wildcat back...and that's more than I thought possible not long ago.

Have to agree with that. Even just an endless-sea map would probably do me for quite some time.

[HeavyCavalrySgt]

Wait. What ?

Climb rate of 1 mile per minute sounds quite good. 

 

Thompson went on to become the "T" in "TRW".  They led the US' first ICBM project, and went on to do a bunch of stuff with non-atmosphere breathing platforms before getting bought out by Northrop-Grumman.

[Legioneod]

Aye...

 

Midway

Solomons/Guadalcanal

Leyte

 

I do also love the idea of New Guinea as well...and support you in your dream

However given the fact that we'll be looking at a more or less complete Guadalcanal plane set created for Midway - the sensibility

of Guadalcanal/Solomons is impossible to ignore, and frankly impossible for me to shut up about. That's going to be fairly stable

state of affairs I think for the foreseeable future.

 

If they remain hell-bent on this course and all other info and logic be-damned...well it wasn't for lack of informing and trying.

I'd prefer:

 

Midway- early war plane set

New Guinea- Mid-Late war plane set

Leyte- Late war plane set

 

I'd like the plane set to flow and expand over time and not stay too close to the same. The good thing about having New Guinea is that it lasted from 1942 to the end of the war (so did the Solomans) so it would allow for a large variation of aircraft to be used.

 

Guadalcanal is a good choice but I think New Guinea fills the gap much better.

[II/JG17_HerrMurf]

...and/or a generic "islands" map with a few well placed islands with bases where we can design land-based missions for both sides

along with the carriers, or omit them if we choose. More than one way to skin the cat.

Much better than this would be the Hawaiian Islands chain. Multiple airbases with strips ranging from relative wagon trails to paved concrete. It is long enough, roughly 100 miles, from end to end for land based battles and has the obvious benefit of containing Pearl Harbor for historically based operations as well. You can forego a generic map and have a historical map which is at least as versatile if not more. All with the exact same plane set.

 

Not to be discounted Is the fact there are tens of thousands of period photos and maps available.

Edited December 8, 2016 by II/JG17_HerrMurf

[Gambit21]

As long as we have a base at either end of the chain for opposing sides so that I can use it as a faux Solomons map.

We're getting WAY non-historical, but I'll take that over not having an islands map to pit these planes against each other at all.

When you're actually flying, you can't tell what the shape of the island group is anyway. 

 

That would also give us the option for lots of "what if" Pearl Harbor scenarios.

IMHO it's not nearly as good as a Solomons map, even a partial Solomons map...a scaled down Solomons map, a little

better than the partial Gaudalcanal/Florida Island map like we had before - but I'll take it.

 

I built a float plane base at Florida Island and stationed Rufe's there, a Japanese Carrier to the north-east - then Henderson on Guadalcanal and it's planes.

Endless fun. We need something to get the most out of the Midway plane set though, no doubt.

 

Still need the Betty.

[Heliopause]

Malaya - Singapore - Borneo - Sumatra - Java ('41-'42) campaigns!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[HeavyCavalrySgt]

I wonder how navigation would be presented for locating the carrier after a hop.  If you are out and about for a couple hours, the carrier should not be where you saw it last when it is time to come home.

 

I assume the briefings would say something like, "After launch, Mother will turn to heading 050 at 25 knots..." along with any planned course changes over the next few hours.  That would give crews an idea where to look for the boat relative to where they launched from, so it becomes a dead reckoning problem getting home.

 

Alternatively, the briefing might give a course line to intercept and fly a typical DR offset angle to intercept, then head down the course line until they found the ship.

 

The thought of doing DR in a single pilot fighter aircraft where combat is expected is a bit intimidating, although I guess it is mostly watching the compass and the clock because there wouldn't be landmarks, and probably several members of the flight would do the navigation problems while the others looked for ships and aircraft.

 

On the other hand, short of Steven Spielberg, we still don't know what happened to Flight 19 ;-)