Suggestion for use of Polikarpov U-2: New Role Flight Instructor?

[Majakowski]

Hello,

 

playing along in PWCG FC I had an idea for the only biplane in BoS. Maybe we could get the role of Flight instructor (or flight student if not leading the squadron) to perform navigational flights way behind the front (essentially flying a circuit, the same like recon missions) for the squadron. Then maybe the pilots in the squadron can gain experience over time and enter the fighting units as regulars instead of raw recruits.

 

Those new to the game or certain maps (or those who are flying just for the flying itself) could learn the features of the terrain, location of cities, rivers and so on while performing those flights and when entering the combat squadrons already have a more thorough knowledge of orientation and navigation and the feel for it. Also one can concentrate on this purpose without the fear of being bounced as these flights would be conducted in the hinterland.

 

Just an idea to bring a little more (hopefully easy to implement) variety into this already great utility.

[Beebop]

I like the idea of being able to have another person fly with you in the Po-2.  It's what it prime function was in the first place.  Night Witches and the like were created out of necessity and the Po-2's unique properties for that task.

At the least I would like to be able to choose to have or not have a passenger and to "drop" the passenger which would be great for "Agent Insertion" missions.

[PatrickAWlson]

I'm not really sure about training flights.  A player can do those by cranking up a quick mission.  PWCG really starts at the point where a player has been assigned to a  frontline unit. 

 

Frontline orientation flights make sense.  These were certainly done by squadrons in WWI and WWII.  One will definitely have a fear of being bounced as they are, after all, front line.  Existing patrol missions could be easily converted to an orientation flight.  Mostly making the waypoints medium instead of low priority, which will cause the AI to defend itself but not look for trouble.  Maybe also add a trigger to run for home if enemy planes get within visual range.

 

I had insertion/extraction flights in RoF.  Bringing them back for the Po2 and WWI two seater units is a possibility.

[Majakowski]

This would be great. I just thought some second line duty would add a little more use to the Po-2 which imo is a great plane and deserves some love.

 

Or maybe flying VIPs like generals or commanders from one airfield to another? I don't know if that was done with the Po-2 but it would seem logical. As well as medical flights (which could be the aforementioned extraction mission) although we do not have the strecher equipped plane model. Well, just some ideas.

[PatrickAWlson]

36 minutes ago, Majakowski said:

This would be great. I just thought some second line duty would add a little more use to the Po-2 which imo is a great plane and deserves some love.

 

Or maybe flying VIPs like generals or commanders from one airfield to another? I don't know if that was done with the Po-2 but it would seem logical. As well as medical flights (which could be the aforementioned extraction mission) although we do not have the strecher equipped plane model. Well, just some ideas.

 

The ferrying thing could also be mission types for Ju52 and He111 units.  The transport mission type already exists for Ju52s.  There is no difference from a flight between transporting a person vs cargo.  Just need a different mission description, and maybe an explanation when you are transporting AH to a field in easy artillery range of the front  

[Beebop]

1 hour ago, Majakowski said:

Or maybe flying VIPs like generals or commanders from one airfield to another? I don't know if that was done with the Po-2 but it would seem logical.

It was a regular mode of transit for Commanders and Generals throughout the Eastern Front.

-Source;  "Red Star Against the Swastika" by Vasily B. Emelianenko