^^^
Roj. COs, XOs, Flight Planners welcome to kick around ideas before committing "ideas" to "Orders".
Just a note for general consumption:
From the furthest-away likely Bf 109 base they can be over F-1 at 23 thousand feet in 12 minutes from T=0. Any intermediate shipping would be covered sooner.
In a test flight from F-51, upon arrival at F-1, there was still 80 minutes of fuel remaining in a BF 109 at unwepped power.
Whether or not F-1 can be used to refuel and rearm, or as an initial base during the evacuation is yet to be revealed. We need to learn what services " all but a small rearguard is taken off English soil" are able to offer. We did kill the Refinery, but if they can get their airplanes to run on oil alone, they've got plenty.
F-9 to F-1 --- 26 miles
F-52 to F-1 --- 26 miles
F-51 to F-1 --- 38 miles
F-54 to F-1 --- 20 miles
Defense of London and the surrounding airfields could be offered in at least a couple of ways
CAP over AI Strikes sent after the Channel Shipping. Then when the bad guys get damaged THEY can make it home, but our guys can't. The AIs all die, but they might get points.
BARCAP on a line described by our closed airfields nearer the open airfields and the London area. Then when Allied Aircraft are damaged our guys can make it home, but the LW can't unless they can use F-1. A BARCAP in that area just might give our fighters a shot at the Ju 88s "on the way in" and "on the way out" if necessary.
What to do with the AIs is an open question. We have to run at least one mission with them. If F-1's targets rebuild, the possible points there are interesting for the AIs. How, where, and how many DDs running interference for the "evacuation" remains to be seen. (The script is not running in the Arena) Wether or not the shipping will take "pinwheel" avoidance tactics remains to be seen. Attacks by our AIs over the Channel would require significant fighter cover which would detract from the ability to defend London and the remaining airfields. Keep in mind, we are attempting to defend England with approx. 25 airplanes.
Lots of stuff to consider. Input from the guys who have to do the job is always interesting prior to preparing Orders.
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