Developer Diary, Part 191 - Discussion

[blockheadgreen_]

The reason that the Spitfire IX and XVI were more prominent on the Western Front at the time is because a) they were by this point operating purely in the ground attack/low altitude air superiority role, and b) Luftwaffe fighters were rarely faced and even then they were more than capable of matching and destroying German fighters down on the deck where they were flying, 2TAF developed some very good low-level tactics with late Merlin-engined Spitfires. 

 

The XIV or 21 would be nice, but at the time they were of such low frequency as their high altitude role was almost redundant at this point in the war.

 

So as strange as it sounds, I’m more excited for bombing Tigers and Panthers in the Spit than taking on 190s, which I’ll be able to do adequately either way, I can see the Tempest being my dogfighting machine.

Edited April 15, 2018 by Lythronax

[falle96]

4 hours ago, Lythronax said:

The reason that the Spitfire IX and XVI were more prominent on the Western Front at the time is because a) they were by this point operating purely in the ground attack/low altitude air superiority role, and b) Luftwaffe fighters were rarely faced and even then they were more than capable of matching and destroying German fighters down on the deck where they were flying, 2TAF developed some very good low-level tactics with late Merlin-engined Spitfires. 

 

The XIV or 21 would be nice, but at the time they were of such low frequency as their high altitude role was almost redundant at this point in the war.

 

So as strange as it sounds, I’m more excited for bombing Tigers and Panthers in the Spit than taking on 190s, which I’ll be able to do adequately either way, I can see the Tempest being my dogfighting machine.

I thought the Tempest was a far more adept craft at the ground-attack role than any of the Spitfires, even though neither of them was explicitly built for ground attack (as far as I know).

[ShamrockOneFive]

29 minutes ago, FarflungWanderer said:

I thought the Tempest was a far more adept craft at the ground-attack role than any of the Spitfires, even though neither of them was explicitly built for ground attack (as far as I know).

 

Essentially all aircraft assigned to the RAF's 2nd TAF were pressed into the ground attack role. The Tempest V was actually used less in this role than some Spitfire units.

 

In the mix of the 2nd TAF you had Typhoon, Tempest, Spitfire IX, Spitfire XIV, Mosquito (both FB and night fighter), Boston/Havoc, and Mitchell. I'm leaving out a few but you get the idea. The Typhoons had transitioned in 1943 and 1944 into a fighter-bomber force and flew primarily attack missions. The Tempests were initially held back for V-1 defense but as that threat to Britain faded, they were sent forward and by the fall of 1944 they were flying tactical reconnaissance fighter sweeps. Primarily hunting for fighters but if an enemy train or truck convoy appeared... they would attack those too.

 

Spitfire IXs were used for those tactical recon sweeps but were also frequently assigned fighter-bomber missions loaded with a 500lb bomb centreline and a pair of 250lb bombs on the wings.

 

I've read less about the Spitfire XIV squadrons but they seemed to be almost purely engaged with fighter sweeps. That would make sense given the Spitfire XIV's medium and high altitude superiority as well as its superior climb rate. The Tempests handling lower altitude sweeps with the Spitfire XIVs up top.

[blockheadgreen_]

I think the Gloster Meteor F.3 and the Ar 234B would do well the extra collector's aircraft that'll come later.

[sevenless]

On ‎11‎.‎04‎.‎2018 at 2:22 PM, Mac_Messer said:

Any chance of including Collector Tanks? I`d like to see tanks such as Wespe, Hetzer, Jagdpanter, Matilda, Stuart...?

 

More likely they include tanks which were involved in Prokhorovka 1943. Certainly no fancy 1944/23 stuff.

[EAF19_Marsh]

Quote

In the mix of the 2nd TAF you had Typhoon, Tempest, Spitfire IX, Spitfire XIV, Mosquito (both FB and night fighter), Boston/Havoc, and Mitchell.

 

2nd TAF Collectors Pack?

 

Quote

I think the Gloster Meteor F.3 and the Ar 234B would do well the extra collector's aircraft that'll come later.

 

My money is on Ar. 234 and Mossie if the team thinks it would be profitable.

[sevenless]

7 minutes ago, EAF19_Marsh said:

 

2nd TAF Collectors Pack?

 

 

My money is on Ar. 234 and Mossie if the team thinks it would be profitable.

 

They sure need to think about how they integrate something like bomber interception missions or recce interception missions in Bodenplatte. My speculation is that they will take already available models, like A-20, Ju 88 etc. and supplement them with AI-only planes which fit the theatre of war. Mossies, B-25s B-26s and A-26 would fit pretty good for the allied side and could be reused for a PTO expansion which is announced for the future. Some of those also could be retrofitted to the eastern front modules. I´m really excited to learn what their plan will be. 

[Royal_Flight]

19 hours ago, Lythronax said:

I think the Gloster Meteor F.3 and the Ar 234B would do well the extra collector's aircraft that'll come later.

 

I would be thoroughly happy with this. 

[=621=Samikatz]

Flyable B-25 matched with Ar-234

 

Spitfire XIVe matched with the Fw-190A-9 or Bf-109G-10 (if they aren't saving those for a late-war eastern front expansion)

 

I would buy ten mosquitos, though

[SCG_Space_Ghost]

35 minutes ago, =621=Samikatz said:

-snip-

 

I would buy ten mosquitos, though

 

Here's 100 larvae - not certain on pricing though. 

 

https://www.carolina.com/live-food-for-freshwater-fish/mosquito-larvae-unit-of-100/143815.pr

[=621=Samikatz]

33 minutes ago, Space_Ghost said:

 

Here's 100 larvae - not certain on pricing though. 

 

https://www.carolina.com/live-food-for-freshwater-fish/mosquito-larvae-unit-of-100/143815.pr

 

Wow no wonder the luftwaffe was defeated, you can't keep up with this level of production

[Habu]

I finished to read the book from Bruce Miles about the Night Witches, and i learn that the PO2 carried canisters on Kuban. Night Witch have to supply russian troops when rusian land near Novorossiyck.

 

So , maybe it's early to ask, but can we have canister with the PO2 ?

 

 

 

For those who want to read good books about Night Witches with combat flights, you can read these books.

In english :

https://www.amazon.com/Night-Witches-Amazing-Russias-Pilots/dp/0897332881/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1524377984&sr=8-1&keywords=night+witches+book

 

The same in french :

https://www.amazon.fr/sorcières-nuit-Lextraordinaire-aviatrices-soviétiques/dp/2226058400/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1524378351&sr=8-2&keywords=les+sorcieres+de+la+nuit

 

Another one which is very good (should be avaliable in russian, but not in english) :

In french :

https://www.amazon.fr/Combattantes-Liouba-Vinogradova/dp/2350873781/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1524378392&sr=1-1&keywords=les+combattantes

 

Both book are very good and if some stories are the same, there are some informations in one book which are not in the other one. So both book are must be read, if you are interrest in the story of the Night Witches.

[No.238_TotoFree]

 The Spitfire Mk IX ? What Merlin engine variant?     61 or 66 or 70???? Octane fuel ? 100 is only a 16 pounds boost engine or is it the better performing 25 pound boost using the 150 octane  fuel.  Clip wings are great but I would much rather have the 25 pound boost engine in my Spitfire with regular wings.  So which one are we going to get?

[Danziger]

They haven't made the official timeline announcement yet. They will put up a page on the store website with all the specific models.

[TBD2TAF_Topsy]

Just a short note to the developpers about the MkIX and MkXVI Spitfires

 

IFF Aerials :

The MkIX and MkXVI no longer had the IFF aerials between the tailplanes and the fuselage. The last Merlin engined Spitfire to have these was the MkVI.

 

Broad Chord Rudder :

Not all Mk XVI's had the broad chord rudder, this only becoming standard on late production low back aircraft, so this is a developpers choice and it is not a distinctive feature of the Mk XVI. Late production MkIX's were also fitted with this rudder.

 

MkXVI distinctive feature :

The Mk XVI is a MkIX airframe fitted with a Packard licence built R-R Merlin M66 designated M266 (see below), the distinctive feature of this engine being the round tube shaped exhaust pipes. The MkIX with the R-R built Merlins 61, 63, 66 or 70 has the fishtail type exhaust pipes.

 

Clipped Wing :

Likewise, the clipped wing is not a distinctive feature of LF version Spitfires. Wingtips are interchangeable and aircraft could be fitted with either according to mission profile or pilot preference. It is not unusual to see period photographs of several aircraft from the same squadron in formation fitted with both types of wingtip.
 

LF/F/HF designations :

These derive from the type of engine fitted which were optimised for different altitudes, respectively LF MkIX M66 (R-R Merlin) or LF  MkXVI M266 (Packard Merlin)/ F Mk IX M61 or M63A/ HF MkIX M70.

 

In conclusion

As has already been said in this subject, 2ndTAF aircraft were mainly tasked with ground support, so most Spitfires used were the Mk IX and MkXVI versions  fitted with low altitude engines. At low altitude there was little difference in wing loading between normal and clipped wing versions, so it is logical that many 2nd TAF Spitfires had clipped wings which improved roll rate.

 

It is nice to see Spitfires with the broad chord rudder for a change, it would have been even nicer to see the MkXVI in it's late production low back bubble top version.

[1./KG4_OldJames]

All these Spitfires are in danger of turning this into Battle of Britain, and not the Russian front.

I am all for that, but this is a Russian based sim, and there weren't a lot of Il2s in the BoB (the sim is called Il2 Sturmovik after all)

Edited April 27, 2018 by 1./KG4_OldJames
poor spelling

[Archie]

31 minutes ago, 1./KG4_OldJames said:

All these Spitfires are in danger of turning this into Battle of Britain, and not the Russian front.

I am all for that, but this is a Russian based sim, and there weren't a lot of Il2s in the BoB (the sim is called Il2 Sturmovik after all)

Well it will still be called Il2 Sturmovik when you're flying P47s over Belgium so not sure of your point...

[RedKestrel]

29 minutes ago, 6./ZG76_Archie said:

Well it will still be called Il2 Sturmovik when you're flying P47s over Belgium so not sure of your point...

I think its kind of like MarioKart - most of the Karts aren't even driven by Mario. I mean, who the heck ever plays as Mario anyway? It should be PrincessKart.

 The kart model for Bowser is completely out of whack, btw. Typical Koopa bias. Devs pls nerf. 

[DD_Arthur]

2 hours ago, 1./KG4_OldJames said:

All these Spitfires are in danger of turning this into Battle of Britain, and not the Russian front.

I am all for that, but this is a Russian based sim, and there weren't a lot of Il2s in the BoB (the sim is called Il2 Sturmovik after all)

 

Eh?  

[Trooper117]

3 hours ago, 1./KG4_OldJames said:

All these Spitfires are in danger of turning this into Battle of Britain, and not the Russian front.

I am all for that, but this is a Russian based sim, and there weren't a lot of Il2s in the BoB (the sim is called Il2 Sturmovik after all)

 

And just what will your comments be when the team take us to the Pacific?

[1./KG4_OldJames]

9 minutes ago, Trooper117 said:

 

And just what will your comments be when the team take us to the Pacific?

Probably the same, I am stubborn like that

3 hours ago, 6./ZG76_Archie said:

Well it will still be called Il2 Sturmovik when you're flying P47s over Belgium so not sure of your point...

My point is more to do with the multiplayer side of the game.

I find immersion is not ruined, but not helped when I see a spitfire in RAF colours or a p40 in USAAF colours on the eastern front. But, as far as I know, that may have happened.

And then again, the Devs put those skins in the game, so obviously the creators don't mind it.

Just posting my opinion is all.

...and before I get flamed, I know I can always fly on a different server if it bugs me.

Edited April 27, 2018 by 1./KG4_OldJames

[Trooper117]

You might be stubborn James, but you understand the dev team have to make a living?

I'm sure you have also seen the large influx of new members since Bodenplatte was announced and there will be more revenue when the team produce the tank sim, plus Flying Circus?

The Pacific will get another large response I suspect as well...

In the long run, more revenue means the team will be able to produce more eastern front material, it's not rocket science mate.

 

[Wolfram-Harms]

11 hours ago, 1./KG4_OldJames said:

My point is more to do with the multiplayer side of the game.

I find immersion is not ruined, but not helped when I see a spitfire in RAF colours or a p40 in USAAF colours on the eastern front.

 

That always depends on those who create the omline MP servers.
There should be historically correct ones, where you only see those aircraft which really operated at the Eastern front.
Others may be "Dogfight Mix" servers with everything, and LABELS etc.

It is not the devs duty to sort anything out there.

 

Always your own decision, which servers you join, to have your cup of tea.

[=362nd_FS=RoflSeal]

13 hours ago, 1./KG4_OldJames said:

Probably the same, I am stubborn like that

My point is more to do with the multiplayer side of the game.

I find immersion is not ruined, but not helped when I see a spitfire in RAF colours or a p40 in USAAF colours on the eastern front. But, as far as I know, that may have happened.

And then again, the Devs put those skins in the game, so obviously the creators don't mind it.

Just posting my opinion is all.

...and before I get flamed, I know I can always fly on a different server if it bugs me.

That would no be a problem if the devs added the customization system from 1946

[Royal_Flight]

21 hours ago, 1./KG4_OldJames said:

All these Spitfires are in danger of turning this into Battle of Britain, and not the Russian front.

I am all for that, but this is a Russian based sim, and there weren't a lot of Il2s in the BoB (the sim is called Il2 Sturmovik after all)

 

All these Bf 109s are in danger of turning this into the Air Defence of the Reich.

I am all for that, but this is a Russian-based sim, and there weren’t a lot of Il-2s in the ADotR (the sim is called Il-2 Sturmovik after all). 

[BOO]

"All these (pick aircraft, period and preferred mix of such in preferred map) are in danger of making this sim very popular and even slightly profitable.

 

I am all for that but this is a flight sim, and there shouldn't be any feasible way a developer should be able to sustain life on the megre income it should generate (the sim exists in a niche market after all)"

 

I hope BoBp makes the Dev's rich. I hope it makes 1CGS a decent nest egg too. I wanna see Mr Williams's hardest choice being whether to take the Lambo, the Veyron or the Jet Ranger to the office. I want the devs to be able to take a day off without stressing something is going to fall behind in a ridiculously tight schedule. I want to see the devs having to book more than one table for their Christmas staff party.  And I want all this because I want to see more, and more. 

 

I'm a cynic at heart buts its impossible (or at least very hard) to be when it comes to BOX and I see where it has come from, even in the 3 years Ive had it. It took a long time to win me over. Nothing is perfect but the good far outweighs the not so good and the trend of that ratio increasing seems a steady upwards one.

 

Seeing the WIPs of the landscape and the attention to detail in the patchwork winter/spring scapes really excites me (as a JU52 junkie I'll have lots of time to look at it). Flying in the latest iterations of the existing maps already puts a big smile on face. Having access to so many elements in skinning adds even more value for me. Changing up a gear to a late war scenario (with or without Il2s) is, in my opinion,  absolutely the correct thing to do.

 

And it looks already like its being done excellently. 

 

Fan boy mode off.