Combat Box by Red Flight

[adler_1]

A question

What if a player lands at a friendly airfield wether spawn or secondary close to a mission target say 1 or 2 grids away  and puts off or keeps his engine on and then takes off again , is this allowed ? the purpose being to save gas and wait for the warning to appear of enemy presence nearby before scrambling . 

[71st_AH_Mastiff]

should really do something about these 1 man stats squads or 2 man or even 3 man. Should have a limit on squadrons at 5 or more no less than.

[Voodoo_Slayer]

Hi all. Hope your having a great wkend ?   
Quick simple question. 
If I destroy the BRIDGE  in front of the jet fuel train will this stop it going any further towards Venlo. And will it stop all further trains?

Edited January 26, 2020 by Valkyrie77

[69th_Mobile_BBQ]

46 minutes ago, Valkyrie77 said:

Hi all. Hope your having a great wkend ?   
Quick simple question. 
If I destroy the BRIDGE  in front of the jet fuel train will this stop it going any further towards Venlo. And will it stop all further trains?

 

The bridge "grows" back with every train sent.  You're probably better off attacking the other targets instead of being predictable by trying for the jet fuel depot and train. They ALL know where you're going and they all are going make sure you become a piñata.   The map is designed to give them 262s, and 262s they will have.  Deal with it and attack the other stuff.  

[=TBAS=Sshadow14]

5 hours ago, 71st_AH_Mastiff said:

should really do something about these 1 man stats squads or 2 man or even 3 man. Should have a limit on squadrons at 5 or more no less than.

Why does it matter how many people in a Squad it does not effect anything other than if you dont want to be 49/50th position so with less squads u will be 29/30??

That would get rid of half of the squads on stats page and makes no sense also would remove 6 out of the 10 Top Squads

There are many squads with less than 5 people who do and contribute more to the mission than many large squads with 5-10 players.

What does it matter if someone starting a new squad and is solo in it to begin with or 2 people in a squad who happy and contribute more to the server and Mission then over 65% of the player base Combined. 
 

[=TBAS=Sshadow14]

2 hours ago, Mobile_BBQ said:

 

The bridge "grows" back with every train sent.  You're probably better off attacking the other targets instead of being predictable by trying for the jet fuel depot and train. They ALL know where you're going and they all are going make sure you become a piñata.   The map is designed to give them 262s, and 262s they will have.  Deal with it and attack the other stuff.  

TBH im glad everytime i see Red attackers going for the blue jetfuel train it means they will lose the map 9/10 times as they waste time trying to clear the train and all it stops its a few 262 of which 5/10 crash in first minute or explode on startup and are lost. 
2/10 get lost 100km away from mission as going so fast. 
1/10 are absolute machines in them and get like 10 kills then rtb without damage. 

Ignore the Jetfuel and work on other map targets. 

 

Edited January 26, 2020 by =TBAS=Sschatten14

[Voodoo_Slayer]

5 hours ago, Mobile_BBQ said:

 

The bridge "grows" back with every train sent.  You're probably better off attacking the other targets instead of being predictable by trying for the jet fuel depot and train. They ALL know where you're going and they all are going make sure you become a piñata.   The map is designed to give them 262s, and 262s they will have.  Deal with it and attack the other stuff.  

Well that’s not very realistic now is it lol

[69th_Mobile_BBQ]

10 hours ago, 71st_AH_Mastiff said:

should really do something about these 1 man stats squads or 2 man or even 3 man. Should have a limit on squadrons at 5 or more no less than.

 

If it's any consolation:  =AVG77= can be removed from the squad stats.  Defunct Squad.   I'd do it myself, but forget the login credentials.  

[RedKestrel]

On 1/26/2020 at 2:20 AM, dog1 said:

A question

What if a player lands at a friendly airfield wether spawn or secondary close to a mission target say 1 or 2 grids away  and puts off or keeps his engine on and then takes off again , is this allowed ? the purpose being to save gas and wait for the warning to appear of enemy presence nearby before scrambling . 

I don't see where this wouldn't be permitted. It's not an exploit of any kind really. The only hard rules are don't attack aircraft on the ground and don't disconnect after receiving damage.

Honestly I don't think it will work all that well for you. Any savings in gas would mostly be lost by the need to run up the engine and climb to combat altitude again. You would be putting yourself in a bad position as you would likely be lower and slower than any incoming enemy aircraft. Even if the incoming aircraft are fighter bombers, they may jettison ordnance and dive on you if you're in a bad position.

 

If you are really concerned about fuel, get high and run on lean cruise settings on your patrol. This will give you max fuel efficiency and put you in a position to bounce anyone coming by. The added bonus is that on lean settings you usually leave less of a smoke trail so you will likely be less visible to enemies. 

[=TBAS=Sshadow14]

yeah flying higher on 40% power at like 6K will save more fuel than landing and shutting down the having to start again and take off again 

at sea level you use like 10 times the fuel than at 6K without enough boost to go over 30" 

[Barnacles]

59 minutes ago, =TBAS=Sschatten14 said:

at sea level you use like 10 times the fuel than at 6K without enough boost to go over 30" 

At sea level I can fly for 1 hr on 400l of fuel in a p47. At 6k I cannot fly for 10 hours on the same. 

 

57% of statistics are made up on the spot

[adler_1]

On our Rheine map i never take off with more than 50 % fuel wether defensive  or ground attack missions flying German aircraft . I read if a Mustang or P47 met any model German fighter with over 50 % fuel you were dead . I will try the tactic of flying high around the area to defend on say below 2000 RPM " no mixture adjustments with German attack fighters " and wait for the warning message . Better dive down than climb up  , agreed . thanks comments and tips .

Edited January 28, 2020 by dog1

[Alonzo]

On 1/26/2020 at 7:59 AM, Valkyrie77 said:

If I destroy the BRIDGE  in front of the jet fuel train will this stop it going any further towards Venlo. And will it stop all further trains?

 

On 1/26/2020 at 8:51 AM, Mobile_BBQ said:

The bridge "grows" back with every train sent.  You're probably better off attacking the other targets instead of being predictable by trying for the jet fuel depot and train. They ALL know where you're going and they all are going make sure you become a piñata.   The map is designed to give them 262s, and 262s they will have.  Deal with it and attack the other stuff.  

 

We have to work within the mechanics of the game that we have. You can kill a jet fuel train very easily in a single fighter, single guns pass, so it felt a little too easy for a single bomb on that bridge to knock out all future hope of 262s on that map. Given how easy it is to both see a train from long distance (smoke plume) and kill it (one guns pass in a fighter) I think we're in a reasonable place. 

 

If I wanted to deny the enemy squad the 262, I'd attack the train about half way between the fuel depot and Venlo, come in fast, hit it and get out. Very hard to defend against and a decent chance of surviving if you're in a Tempest or a 150 octane Mustang.

[Voodoo_Slayer]

Hi Alonso. Why are the 100octane limited on your server? Thanks. 

[ATAG_SKUD]

            Hi Alonzo,

Would it be possible to ease up on the perpetual heavy clouds a bit or put them at 6500m so I can see my targets?

Thanks

skud

[J2_raker]

On 1/25/2020 at 4:59 PM, Alonzo said:

 

Did you do something bad, possibly with a different previous username? We haven't banned anyone recently. Usually we hand out long bans for people who are friendly firing from gunners seats, deliberately strafing friendly fields, etc.

 

Nope. As far as I know I've never had any problems. I usually fly by myself or with another mate, maybe once a week, and we usually avoid enemy contacts on bomber missions. 

Could it be that there is a new policy of a fifteen minute ban because of intentional disconnects to avoid the kill that ends up penalizing legitimate disconnects also? 

[Talon_]

5 hours ago, Valkyrie77 said:

Hi Alonso. Why are the 100octane limited on your server? Thanks. 

 

If you mean 150 octane, it's available during the time periods where it was available IRL for units on the Continent. The only exception to this is the very early September-ish times, before the Axis get the D9, because 150 octane Spits and Mustangs vs G-14s and A-8s is just brutal!

[=TBAS=Sshadow14]

11 hours ago, 71st_AH_Barnacles said:

 

 
Lol don't be a smart butt :D 
How long would it fly at 6K @ 22-24" manifold pressure so barely using TBSC, what 25-30% power @ 240-260mph 7-9 hours? 

Irrelevant if its 8 hours, 10 hours 12 hours the point it the same
The example given does not matter nor was it applied to the p47 but all planes globally
The fact is at sea level you use more fuel than at higher altitude.

 

[adler_1]

A question about enemy alert

 At what distance from a mission target is the enemy alerted of your presence in grids , half grids quarter grids please . 

[RedKestrel]

5 hours ago, Talon_ said:

 

If you mean 150 octane, it's available during the time periods where it was available IRL for units on the Continent. The only exception to this is the very early September-ish times, before the Axis get the D9, because 150 octane Spits and Mustangs vs G-14s and A-8s is just brutal!

MFW I watch some luckless Luftwaffle in a G-14 get shredded by a half dozen 150 octane Mustangs: 



 

[Voodoo_Slayer]

12 hours ago, Talon_ said:

 

If you mean 150 octane, it's available during the time periods where it was available IRL for units on the Continent. The only exception to this is the very early September-ish times, before the Axis get the D9, because 150 octane Spits and Mustangs vs G-14s and A-8s is just brutal!

Brutally realistic ??
yhanks for the reply 

[Talon_]

10 hours ago, Valkyrie77 said:

Brutally realistic ??
yhanks for the reply 

 

My preference would be to enable 150 octane on that map however I think it might lead to some serious team stack against Germany which would turn people off sadly.

[Haza]

On 1/27/2020 at 3:52 AM, =TBAS=Sschatten14 said:

TBH im glad everytime i see Red attackers going for the blue jetfuel train it means they will lose the map 9/10 times as they waste time trying to clear the train and all it stops its a few 262 of which 5/10 crash in first minute or explode on startup and are lost. 
2/10 get lost 100km away from mission as going so fast. 
1/10 are absolute machines in them and get like 10 kills then rtb without damage. 

Ignore the Jetfuel and work on other map targets. 

 

 

Ironic how much effort goes into various maps to prevent the 262 from even getting airborne (fuel trains to take out, fuel factories to hit, player ratios etc), that when they are available their usefulness is limited and most players don't even bother. 

The Luftwaffe realised very quickly that the 262 was no good as a bomber, however, as a bomber interceptor is where it did the damage.  However, in just about every map in the game we see tactical bombing at tree top height and not the strategic bombing that is missing from the game.  

Therefore, although I totally agree that 150 octane should be available, I also believe that the 262 rationing should be stopped as no other aircraft is limited in such a way, however, I guess the server Admin's are damn if they do and damned if they don't!!

 

Perhaps if the franchise ever gets 4 engine bombers, we might see the fight up high for a true WW2 experience.

 

Regards

[Talon_]

5 minutes ago, Haza said:

I also believe that the 262 rationing should be stopped as no other aircraft is limited in such a way,

 

We did try this in the early days as soon as the 262 arrived. It destroyed the player balance at first and subsequently the overall server population tanked. We were quite lucky to survive it with a core community intact.

[Barnacles]

6 minutes ago, Talon_ said:

 

We did try this in the early days as soon as the 262 arrived. It destroyed the player balance at first and subsequently the overall server population tanked. We were quite lucky to survive it with a core community intact.

It's interesting that the first cry when you restrict something is 'but people won't fly if they can't fly what they want'. Yet it works the other way too. It's a fine balancing act and you do a great job. 

[=TBAS=Sshadow14]

if there was a way to lock ME262 to only "active pilots" 

To unlock Me262 
- Must be enough red players.
- Train must make it or similar.
- Only active fighter pilots with at least 1 Airkill can use the unlocked 262.
OR
- Only good fighter pilots with at least 2 Airkill per hour can use the unlocked 262

(Only avail to those who actually helped unlock it as to prevent people working 15 mins to save train then new player spawn into their freshly unlocked 262 and waste it blowing up on take off or something)

Edited January 29, 2020 by =TBAS=Sschatten14
For Clarity of Context

[Diggun]

Just now, =TBAS=Sschatten14 said:

Only players with at least 1 Airkill can use the unlocked 262. 

I (very) often make it through maps with 0 air kills. This does not make me an inactive player. 

[=TBAS=Sshadow14]

2 minutes ago, Diggun said:

I (very) often make it through maps with 0 air kills. This does not make me an inactive player. 

Clearly im not counting GK or AAA kills. 
most who GK only wont be worried about me262. 

but if no AK or GK in 2.5 hours flown and 0 points. 
i guess if you spotting for wingman and not firing its ok. 

Edited orig post

 

 

Edited January 29, 2020 by =TBAS=Sschatten14

[Haza]

1 hour ago, Diggun said:

I (very) often make it through maps with 0 air kills. This does not make me an inactive player. 

Diggun,

I guess that is my point with the 262. I have tried it a few times and find that the maps are not suited to my 262 abilities with most engagements at less than 1km and most allied aircraft being able to turn on a six pence to avoid you. However, you don't really get a chance in this server to build up much experience as it is so limited. Anyway, I'm now just looking forward to BoN and the Hurricane.

 

Regards

[Talisman]

1 hour ago, Haza said:

 

Ironic how much effort goes into various maps to prevent the 262 from even getting airborne (fuel trains to take out, fuel factories to hit, player ratios etc), that when they are available their usefulness is limited and most players don't even bother. 

The Luftwaffe realised very quickly that the 262 was no good as a bomber, however, as a bomber interceptor is where it did the damage.  However, in just about every map in the game we see tactical bombing at tree top height and not the strategic bombing that is missing from the game.  

Therefore, although I totally agree that 150 octane should be available, I also believe that the 262 rationing should be stopped as no other aircraft is limited in such a way, however, I guess the server Admin's are damn if they do and damned if they don't!!

 

Perhaps if the franchise ever gets 4 engine bombers, we might see the fight up high for a true WW2 experience.

 

Regards

 

 

Good that you mention 4 engine bombers Haza, because I think it is worth remembering the superior historical capability that the Allies had in this regard, through huge effort and commitment of resources, cannot even begin to be rationed on the map because it is not allowed in the first place as it is not modelled and therefore cannot be simulated.  However, the superior Me 262 fast jet capability for the Axis is modelled and is available on the map.  I raise this point not to argue one way or the other about the Me 262 on the map, but just to point out that we clearly don't have all the historical air capability available to both sides because not all air capabilities are modelled.  Therefore, under the circumstances, I think that map makers with integrity and a nod to history have a difficult balancing act to perform.  For my part I would like to thank Combat Box for their integrity and all their efforts to provide such good maps and gameplay options for the community.

 

As for the jet fuel dump target, my squad and 322 sqn completely destroyed that target in one pass for the loss of one aircraft recently; joint operations in co-operation with other squadrons can work well

 

Finally, when it comes to using the Me 262 for ground attack on the map in IL-2, there is not a lot that can stop a well planned and executed ground strike and not a lot that can stop the Me 262 bomber returning home for more bombs to take out more targets.

 

Happy landings,

 

Talisman

[Talon_]

1 hour ago, =TBAS=Sschatten14 said:

Only good fighter pilots with at least 2 Airkill per hour can use the unlocked 262

 

Giving the best players exclusive access to even better toys is really detrimental to everyone else's experience.

 

 

[NO.20_Krispy_Duck]

Alonzo - much as I hate to suggest it, the server may have to go back down to 72 from 80 (at least I think the old setting was 72). Since the change, it seems like we've had more stuttering and weird server dumps. If there's another source of the problem, then disregard this, but we had two pretty severe dumps last night where the server emptied (one with a few min left on Rhine and the other on Crimea). There was another, smaller problem on Rhine where something like 8 people got booted at once. On the existing server, the lower player number seemed a little more stable and smoother.

 

Ultimately if you're running a full or nearly full server every evening at prime time, it may take a dedicated, stronger server machine. Combatbox is the most popular server overall, from what I can see, and for good reason. Victim of your own success, as it were.

Edited January 29, 2020 by Krispy_Duck

[56RAF_Stickz]

good god, I dont get an air kill a month even with a pe2 supposed robokill gunner

[Creep]

On 1/28/2020 at 12:36 AM, Valkyrie77 said:

Hi Alonso. Why are the 100octane limited on your server? Thanks. 

 

I wish I had a nickel for every time this question has been asked. 

 

I would have a lot of nickels.

[RedKestrel]

11 minutes ago, QB.Creep said:

 

I wish I had a nickel for every time this question has been asked. 

 

I would have a lot of nickels.

You could buy a few litres of 150 octane fuel for all them nickels!

[RedKestrel]

I have a modest proposal. The new data being exported to SimShakers and the like in the last patch lets us have a novel approach to player incentive. Lets give all the players with a positive K:D ratio access to the various Wunderplanes with no limit. Players with a negative ratio will receive automated genital-punches at random, with the overall rate of strikes increasing the worse the K:D ratio gets. This will incentivize people to fly well, and make sure that the truly terrible pilots are never able to reproduce, thus improving the sim community gene pool. It will also immersively simulate your commanding officer busting your balls for wrecking yet another aircraft.
 

[Tipsi]

Hi Owners of Combat Box,

 

Just wanted to offer my appreciation for your server.

 

Very well run server with good community and semi-realistic maps which are constantly updated.

 

Good Job! ?

[Talon_]

5 hours ago, Krispy_Duck said:

Alonzo - much as I hate to suggest it, the server may have to go back down to 72 from 80 (at least I think the old setting was 72). Since the change, it seems like we've had more stuttering and weird server dumps. If there's another source of the problem, then disregard this, but we had two pretty severe dumps last night where the server emptied (one with a few min left on Rhine and the other on Crimea). There was another, smaller problem on Rhine where something like 8 people got booted at once. On the existing server, the lower player number seemed a little more stable and smoother.

 

Ultimately if you're running a full or nearly full server every evening at prime time, it may take a dedicated, stronger server machine. Combatbox is the most popular server overall, from what I can see, and for good reason. Victim of your own success, as it were.

 

In fact the last few days of instability have been caused by hardware testing with the aim of improving things in the future - please bear with us!

[Haza]

11 hours ago, 56RAF_Talisman said:

 

 

Good that you mention 4 engine bombers Haza, because I think it is worth remembering the superior historical capability that the Allies had in this regard, through huge effort and commitment of resources, cannot even begin to be rationed on the map because it is not allowed in the first place as it is not modelled and therefore cannot be simulated.  However, the superior Me 262 fast jet capability for the Axis is modelled and is available on the map.  I raise this point not to argue one way or the other about the Me 262 on the map, but just to point out that we clearly don't have all the historical air capability available to both sides because not all air capabilities are modelled.  Therefore, under the circumstances, I think that map makers with integrity and a nod to history have a difficult balancing act to perform.  For my part I would like to thank Combat Box for their integrity and all their efforts to provide such good maps and gameplay options for the community.

 

As for the jet fuel dump target, my squad and 322 sqn completely destroyed that target in one pass for the loss of one aircraft recently; joint operations in co-operation with other squadrons can work well

 

Finally, when it comes to using the Me 262 for ground attack on the map in IL-2, there is not a lot that can stop a well planned and executed ground strike and not a lot that can stop the Me 262 bomber returning home for more bombs to take out more targets.

 

Happy landings,

 

Talisman

 

Talisman,

Totally agree and I think we will have the same issues with BON and this is a franchise issue not a server one. However, regarding the 262, owing to the fact that it is so limited in this server, it is very difficult to firstly spawn into one and secondly with some airfields it is difficult to even get airborne with a bomb load to have the fuel not to fly directly at a target to get a height/ speed advantage to be effective. So I'm happy with allowing both 150 and 262 full access. 

 

Regards

 

PS Hope to pop in to see your setup in Aug mate!

 

 

@Alonso,

Would it be possible to have weekends with everything unlocked to see what happens with stats etc or is that easier said than done?

At least it would allow all players the chance to try everything in a MP environment.

Just a thought.

 

In addition, could you please confirm how many 262s are available per map, as every time I join the Crossing the Rhine map, the cupboard is always empty!?.

 

Regards

Edited January 30, 2020 by Haza

[Alonzo]

3 hours ago, Haza said:

Would it be possible to have weekends with everything unlocked to see what happens with stats etc or is that easier said than done?

At least it would allow all players the chance to try everything in a MP environment.

 

In addition, could you please confirm how many 262s are available per map, as every time I join the Crossing the Rhine map, the cupboard is always empty!?

 

We have a plan for an 'anniversary event' which will feature more 262s, high altitude combat, and general shenanigans. We'll let you all know nearer the time and once we've tested it.

 

For the 262, in general there are 2 or 3 jets available in each 'unlock'. I'm away from home so this is an answer from memory, might not be 100% exact. On the Eindhoven map, there's an unlock once 25(ish) reds get in the air, and then an unlock each time a jet fuel train makes it to the jet airfield. On Scheldt there is an unlock for each 30-40 minute segment where there are 25 reds flying. On Crossing the Rhine the jets are added when there are 25 reds flying, with 2 jets available + 1 per hour.

 

On all maps if you land a jet safely at the jet airfield it is immediately available for reuse. In theory, if pilots were very careful, they could have a half dozen or so jets flying around by map end.