U-2VS Nightwitch forward base solution?

[Crashbangwallop]

I had an idea about the U-2VS and short range 'Nightwitches' missions, and I'm throwing this out there fo someone else to pick up. I'm really not up to speed with this IL2's Mission Editor, so I haven't a clue whether any of this is possible. In the old IL2 46, I could probably could have got this to work – I really got into it, made a few missions, airfield templates, and a campaign or two - but here I'm clueless. So, here goes.

 

As I'm sure we all know, in Nightwitch missions, the aircraft flew from their rear airfields to a rough base field just behind the front line at dusk, flew a succession of short harassing missions throughout the night, then retreated back to their rear base at dawn. It would appear that the major problem we have with constructing these is that the fields and in-game ground

that would have been utilised as temporary forward bases are too 'sticky'. They aren't suitable for normal take-off and landing.

 

So, how about using the frozen lakes on the winter maps as these forward bases? I've tried this out on the Stalingrad winter QMB solo flight with both a fully bombed-up U-2 and a fully-loaded Ju52 and the ice seems to be able to take it - taking off from Verh. Ahtuba and landing on the long lake in 0927.

 

Having landed on the ice, the 'raid' itself - taking off again, bombing the airfield/Spartanovka, and landing back at the lake was a round trip of about ten minutes, obviously more if you wanted to hang about and 'harass' the empty houses a bit more, so quite bite-sized wee missions, and actually maybe a bit more true-to-life than the awfull in-game 'Career' Nightwitch missions we have at present.

 

These experimental flights were from nearby 'proper' airfields, and then contiued 'as if' actual Nightwitch missions, and if anyone fancies taking up the idea – and if it IS possible – that 'flight' could be the first mission in an 'all-night' mini-campaign of one night's continual raiding, maybe six or seven indivual raids. The snow/forest contrast is pretty handy for navigating in the gloom, and the burning city is a constant fairly atmosperic presence. Obviously, the Stalingrad map doesn't HAVE to be used; it works just as well on the wee Novosokolniki map too, where campfires, lorry lights etc would be very effective amongst the forests at low level. Not having a dirty great river to cross would mean that your target areas could be a lot closer too, so more missions possible during the single night.

 

Whatever, it's just an idea I'm throwing out there. If (as probably) someone's already tried this out and it's not possible, then that will be an end to it. But if not, well, maybe someone with actual ability with the Mission Editor, and lots more time than I have, can pick it up and run with it...

 

 

 

(Posted on both in Mission Editor forum, and on Polikarpov U2 ❤️"Kukuruznik" Fan Club lin. Forum mods – you decide... )

[Gambit21]

I have it handled already-but chose a more interesting part of the map.

 

I have to add in sone AI refuel/re-arm mechanics (and re-work other parts of their logic)  and then it will be released.

@busdriver has tested it already extensively.

 

Edited March 1, 2020 by Gambit21

[busdriver]

@Crashbangwallop I've had a ball testing this project. Cruising along at 100 meters and 100 kph in an extremely target rich environment. Attacking convoys, trains, train stations, airfields, supply dumps, and camps. Trying avoid the searchlights, flak traps and pesky FW-190s. Perhaps getting destroyed by German artillery when taxiing for takeoff, or taking shrapnel from a bomb explosion while taking off...or getting hit by friendly artillery that's trading direct fire with Panzers during your landing roll out.

 

This will easily be the most fun you've had in the U-2VS.

 

 

 

 

 

[Nolly]

I have created a search and destroy arty spotting mechanic I ll be deploying shortly in MP. Specifically created for the UV2, but I'm going to set it up for il2s stukas and 110s also.

 

Once it's deployed and working, I 'll share also.

 

 

[Crashbangwallop]

19 hours ago, Gambit21 said:

I have it handled already-but chose a more interesting part of the map.

 

I have to add in sone AI refuel/re-arm mechanics (and re-work other parts of their logic)  and then it will be released.

@busdriver has tested it already extensively.

 

 

Good to hear. Also saw budriver's post below yours and he seems very taken with it indeed!

Am looking forward to it

 

Meanwhile I did wrestle a cheat out of the ME for starting a mission on the ice. I'll write a description and post it in my response a bit later on the other thread - in the U-2vs fan club line on General Discussion

[jollyjack]

RS, nice colors in that video, how did you get that?

 

BTW the U-2VS is good fun in turkey shooting loaded with rockets, bombs etc, but the engine's HP power is kind of weak.  ... accidentally i compared it versus the Bristol with gunner and bombs loaded from FC1 last night; latter has no rockets, but it's easier to keep in the air and faster. Less deadly though. And it's gunner does a better job shooting Pfaltzers in the same mission ...

Edited March 2, 2020 by jollyjack

[Nolly]

Vibrance on reshade. I use that and sharpen only.

[jollyjack]

Reshade, tried that once, was not really successful in my case, but got a better GPU now ...will try that again, Thinks

[Avimimus]

Very neat! Btw. Does anyone know what an actual Soviet WW2 era fire-mission radio conversation would sound like? That'd be fun to research.

 

Do you know if this fire-mission mechanic could be tied to ship based artillery?

 

On 3/2/2020 at 1:23 PM, jollyjack said:

BTW the U-2VS is good fun in turkey shooting loaded with rockets, bombs etc, but the engine's HP power is kind of weak.  ... accidentally i compared it versus the Bristol with gunner and bombs loaded from FC1 last night; latter has no rockets, but it's easier to keep in the air and faster. Less deadly though. And it's gunner does a better job shooting Pfaltzers in the same mission ...

 

It is actually quite fascinating... as there were different design priorities (and the U-2 is a latter aircraft)... the U-2 can actually carry a larger payload with less power but is lacking somewhat in durability and some types of maneuverability... I made a graph somewhere comparing their basic stats (e.g. wing loading)... it was quite interesting.