S3 Series

Is it possible to update the Spitfire IXe with a droptank, or would it take to many hours of coding? From all sources I've read, including pilot manuals, the Spit IX's could be fitted either a single 36 gal, 54 gal or 108 gal external tank, but just a 108 gal would do nicely .


/Robert
Acting XO 4th FG

I am just discussing tactical doctrine so everyone is on the same page. Close escort needs a significant speed advantage on the bombers to be effective in clearing them as the enemy will come ripping through the formation in a stream and the escort will be required to make multiple rejoins on the bombers to counter the attacks.

Absent this speed advantage, the escorts are better utilized in a remote role.

So communication is key.

If the bombers are going to go fast, this needs to be communicated so the fighters can array into remote and forward sweep dispositions.

If the bombers want close escort then they need to commit to a cruise speed dictated by the fighters providing the escort.

And the final point is close escort protects a single point in space. Any formation more than a mile long is much harder to defend.

I have no idea what the frame orders will be. We may not even have any escort assignments. Not escorting worked pretty well last frame.

Most of the 352nd was in the 202, which they flew according to its profile, lowish, with the rest in strike 190's. The buffs didn't have to deal with them which may be the reason they got away with little escort.
Heck, they may not care about our buffs with this setup, who knows.

Frame 2 is the best one for the axis as the beachheads are right under their noses and an early strike can hit the static ships parked there. After that it will be harder as the Allies secure landing strips on Sicily. In Frame 1 the axis found out the hard way that they need to hit AI ships with bombs or torps to damage them. If the Allied strike force goes deep after the Axis convoy routes they should use an a/c with capable bombs or rockets.
In frame 2 I would expect the Axis to hit the beaches to the northwest of Malta as they are the farthest to cover. The Allies have three nice targets in the southern most tip of Sicily and the Ragusa supply depot and attached bridges make a good points target if the bombers can take out the depot itself and the strike or heavy fighters the bridges. Again its important to scout all targets before the frame begins so you can find some of the more distant target objects.
Bombers have a good bufftuff at 1.5 that makes them very hard to attack especially with 2 AI wingman. Note that the wingman will go down easier as they are always stuck at a 1.0 bufftuff. Getting as many sorties into closer targets will score bigger points allowing fighters to go heavy to finish off the few remaining targets. P40s would do well at this cleanup job.

Good Luck