Intercepting a V-1

[BlitzPig_EL]

Not at low level.

[LukeFF]

I've seen at least one AI P-47 down a V1 in career mode, but it definitely takes an ideal set of circumstances. 

[LukeFF]

Okay, at this point I think I need an instructional video about how to best intercept these damn things. Even when I give myself enough altitude and position myself to try to intercept them, I can never, ever seem to place myself in position to actually shoot at one. I'm not a quitter, but right now I'm at the point of frustration with this. 

 

EDIT: also, I've always disabled on-map aircraft markers, because I think it makes it too easy to locate where I am on the map. Should I just bite the bullet and start using that feature, give that it is part of the harder difficulty preset?

Edited December 19, 2022 by LukeFF

[Gingerwelsh]

4 hours ago, LukeFF said:

Okay, at this point I think I need an instructional video about how to best intercept these damn things. Even when I give myself enough altitude and position myself to try to intercept them, I can never, ever seem to place myself in position to actually shoot at one. I'm not a quitter, but right now I'm at the point of frustration with this. 

 

EDIT: also, I've always disabled on-map aircraft markers, because I think it makes it too easy to locate where I am on the map. Should I just bite the bullet and start using that feature, give that it is part of the harder difficulty preset?

Given that Radar would supply Speed/altitude/course and a vector to intercept and we don't get that, I would say most definately use what we are given in the game.

 

This would give you a chance to get the hang. You can always revert, if you feel the need.

 

What I don't like are V-1 flying above 4000', making things unrealistic for career.

They only flew at  2-3000'.

 

 

 

 

..

[sevenless]

5 hours ago, LukeFF said:

EDIT: also, I've always disabled on-map aircraft markers, because I think it makes it too easy to locate where I am on the map. Should I just bite the bullet and start using that feature, give that it is part of the harder difficulty preset?

 

Without markers on the map you will have ZERO chance to intercept the Doodlebugs. Look at enabling on-map symbols as a means of the radio/radar operator to give you heading and height of an incoming airthreat. Good hunting!

[LukeFF]

23 minutes ago, Gingerwelsh said:

Given that Radar would supply Speed/altitude/course and a vector to intercept and we don't get that, I would say most definately use what we are given in the game.

 

This would give you a chance to get the hang. You can always revert, if you feel the need.

 

What I don't like are V-1 flying above 4000', making things unrealistic for career.

They only flew at  2-3000'.

 

14 minutes ago, sevenless said:

 

Without markers on the map you will have ZERO chance to intercept the Doodlebugs. Look at enabling on-map symbols as a means of the radio/radar operator to give you heading and height of an incoming airthreat. Good hunting!

 

Thanks and yes, very good points there. ?? Back to trying again!

[LukeFF]

Yep, much better progress with having on-map aircraft markers enabled. I had several successful cases where I was able to at least get into sight of a few V1s after making that change. In the last mission on the night, I was giving chase to one and was closing in when an AI Spitfire IX stole the kill. ?

 

But, it's much more encouraging now that I know how to fly a proper intercept and actually catch sight of the things. Now to just shoot one down. ? 

[migmadmarine]

14 hours ago, LukeFF said:

Okay, at this point I think I need an instructional video about how to best intercept these damn things. Even when I give myself enough altitude and position myself to try to intercept them, I can never, ever seem to place myself in position to actually shoot at one. I'm not a quitter, but right now I'm at the point of frustration with this. 

 

EDIT: also, I've always disabled on-map aircraft markers, because I think it makes it too easy to locate where I am on the map. Should I just bite the bullet and start using that feature, give that it is part of the harder difficulty preset?

I have a mod that Milktoast made that disables your own location on the map if you want me to pass it along. Made it for our co-op as we like navigating without markers but some of us weren't comfortable doing it yet. 

[AndyJWest]

5 hours ago, LukeFF said:

Yep, much better progress with having on-map aircraft markers enabled. I had several successful cases where I was able to at least get into sight of a few V1s after making that change. In the last mission on the night, I was giving chase to one and was closing in when an AI Spitfire IX stole the kill. ?

 

But, it's much more encouraging now that I know how to fly a proper intercept and actually catch sight of the things. Now to just shoot one down. ? 

 

The trick is to get really close. That way you don't have to fly home... ?

[LukeFF]

1 hour ago, AndyJWest said:

The trick is to get really close. That way you don't have to fly home... 

 

That's one way of looking at it. ?

[LukeFF]

Speaking of Mustangs and 316 Squadron, I'd overlooked something really interesting in their squadron logs - they were flying diver intercept patrols at night! ? That's definitely going onto my to-do list for updating the Normandy phase of career mode:

 

(EDIT: I've also seen the same thing with 91 Squadron's Spitfire XIVs, in case anyone thought this was just a crazy Polish thing ?)

 

 

Edited December 19, 2022 by LukeFF

[Talon_]

15 minutes ago, LukeFF said:

Speaking of Mustangs and 316 Squadron, I'd overlooked something really interesting in their squadron logs - they were flying diver intercept patrols at night! ? That's definitely going onto my to-do list for updating the Normandy phase of career mode:

 

(EDIT: I've also seen the same thing with 91 Squadron's Spitfire XIVs, in case anyone thought this was just a crazy Polish thing ?)

 

 

 

As a resident of the area in the height of summer it really doesn't get all that dark here!

[AndyJWest]

The exhaust flame from a V-1 was probably relatively easy to spot at night.

 

[Gingerwelsh]

Night time ops were favourite, as you can spot them up to 20 miles.

 

..

[LukeFF]

Another night of frustration - I tracked one really well, and it was going to be my first kill, for certain, until an effing AI P-47 decided to steal the kill away from me.?(seriously, guys, quit being so greedy). Had another I had spotted over the water with plenty of time to set up for a shot, but then I lost it in the glare of the early morning sunlight as I turned to line up with it. Others were picked up too late before they hit their targets.

 

I have to say, even with on-map aircraft icons, this is sure frustrating all too often. With contact reports that only give heading but not altitude, wingmen that are mute and instead fly several thousand feet above you, doing nothing useful, and other AI flights that are super-greedy, it'll be a miracle if I shoot down one of these blasted things before this career comes to an end.

[Gingerwelsh]

3 hours ago, LukeFF said:

Another night of frustration - I tracked one really well, and it was going to be my first kill, for certain, until an effing AI P-47 decided to steal the kill away from me.?(seriously, guys, quit being so greedy). Had another I had spotted over the water with plenty of time to set up for a shot, but then I lost it in the glare of the early morning sunlight as I turned to line up with it. Others were picked up too late before they hit their targets.

 

I have to say, even with on-map aircraft icons, this is sure frustrating all too often. With contact reports that only give heading but not altitude, wingmen that are mute and instead fly several thousand feet above you, doing nothing useful, and other AI flights that are super-greedy, it'll be a miracle if I shoot down one of these blasted things before this career comes to an end.

 

I've started a career with 605 squadron, but this first mission was the same as a 306 mission

The bug starts at the south of the zone, flys over Friston and ends at Newhaven.

 

Ditch your partner and go straight to the spawn point. There's plenty of time to intercept.

P-47 is very slow. It has bomb racks on, ffs.

 

 

 

605 Squadron, Manston. 3600' 2020 day1 mission 1.

 

 

 

 

The last mission of the day is at 2345. This one should be fun (scary).

..

 

 

 

[LukeFF]

3 hours ago, Gingerwelsh said:

I've started a career with 605 squadron, but this first mission was the same as a 306 mission

The bug starts at the south of the zone, flys over Friston and ends at Newhaven.

 

Ditch your partner and go straight to the spawn point. There's plenty of time to intercept.

P-47 is very slow. It has bomb racks on, ffs.

 

LOL yeah, that always gets me about the P-47s shooting down V1s - it's only because they're positioned like vultures over the coast that they even catch these things. ? 

 

Yep, I've been ditching my partner and doing my own searches. Much more efficient that way. I guess what I meant is that when I'm the flight leader, my wingmen just flies several thousand feet above me and doesn't try to attack the same targets I do.

 

Question for you: what is your strategy in setting up for a firing pass? Do you plan your intercept path so that you end up behind it and slightly to one side? I've noticed a few times now that I'm actually ending up in front of these things and so then it's that much harder to set up an attack run.

 

Also, how do you judge at what altitude you think it'll be flying? I've been "cheating" a bit by using Ctrl + F2 to see how far they are above the water, but if there's a better way I'd like to know what it is.

[Gingerwelsh]

1 hour ago, LukeFF said:

 

 

 

Question for you: what is your strategy in setting up for a firing pass? Do you plan your intercept path so that you end up behind it and slightly to one side? I've noticed a few times now that I'm actually ending up in front of these things and so then it's that much harder to set up an attack run.

 

Also, how do you judge at what altitude you think it'll be flying? I've been "cheating" a bit by using Ctrl + F2 to see how far they are above the water, but if there's a better way I'd like to know what it is.

I have a carefully thought out plan, which rarely works. ?

 

I tend to plan an intercept path then stay at altitude behind it, but I can end up with excess speed and overshoot, which I have to bleed off with a zoom or weave.

 

I have completed 11 missions with 316, for 15 V-1s and I see a pattern emerge, just like it did back in the day.

I pass through the patrol zone and meet them head on, do a 180 and sit behind on one side to rebuild speed, then reduce alt, might have to reduce speed to tuck in behind.

That's another plan which doesn't always go to plan.

Bare in mind V-1s at 8000' are much slower than those at 2000'.

 

605 Squadron Mosquitos, has required a rethink, but it's going well.

V-1 at night is a dissappointment, as it has no long trail bright exhaust as it should have.

 

..

[LukeFF]

4 minutes ago, Gingerwelsh said:

I have a carefully thought out plan, which rarely works. ?

 

I tend to plan an intercept path then stay at altitude behind it, but I can end up with excess speed and overshoot, which I have to bleed off with a zoom or weave.

 

LOL nice! Yeah I'll sometimes be rocketing along at 400 mph, and then the contact report will show that it's behind me instead of in front of me. Gotta find the right balance between speed and altitude and as a result being able to spot the thing. 

 

6 minutes ago, Gingerwelsh said:

605 Squadron Mosquitos, has required a rethink, but it's going well.

V-1 at night is a dissappointment, as it has no long trail bright exhaust as it should have.

 

I'll file a report about that and see if anything can be done. Agree they should be much more visible at night, kinda like when a plane fires its guns in the darkness.

[LukeFF]

Glory, hallelujah, the curse has finally been broken, and I have the receipt to prove it. ? Flying with 316 Squadron out of Friston, I led my wingmen south and picked up a contact at the southwest edge of the patrol zone. @Gingerwelsh, I used your tactic of flying straight towards it, but once I lost radar contact and I knew it had passed me by in the other direction, I reversed course and resumed the chase. Once I had a good radar contact again and was sure of my intercept course, I engaged full boost and anxiously began searching for it. Sure enough, I soon found it, but I needed a bit of a dive to catch up with it. Finally I got within range and after a few bursts, I blasted the thing south of Seaford. Phew!

 

But wow, yeah, look at that altitude at which I shot it down. That is crazy high. I've filed a report about that as well.

 

Edited December 21, 2022 by LukeFF

[Gingerwelsh]

@LukeFF

 

Congratulations. I'm almost excited as you are.

 

Drinks are on you in the mess tonight. ?

 

..

[Trooper117]

At least you shot it down over the sea... no poor pixelated civilians were killed...

[LukeFF]

11 hours ago, Gingerwelsh said:

@LukeFF

 

Congratulations. I'm almost excited as you are.

 

Drinks are on you in the mess tonight. ?

 

..

 

Cheers, and thanks for dealing with all of my questions. It really is fun once you figure out to fly this very unique sort of mission. ?

[Gingerwelsh]

For anyone wanting to start out with a career Diver mission, I recommend this one, as it is the easiest one I've found so far.

 

129 Squadron, RAF Ford, mission 1, 4/7/44, Mustang. (Normandy).

 

All 3 V-1 are flying high, so the P51B outpaces them without difficulty and I shot all 3 down.

 

Missions also include armed recce and GA so it's a good all rounder.

 

GL.

..

Edited December 25, 2022 by Gingerwelsh