fighting dirty

[tiemanjw]

Does the game model fighters flying with loads? For example, if I set a group of fighters to ground attack and they fly [unescorted] what happens when they meet enemy CAP:
1) do they jettison their loads to clean up before mixing it up?
2) do they keep their loads, and fight dirty with a speed / maneuver [or some other type of] penalty?
3) is it not modeled, the fighters keep their loads, but flight with clean speed / maneuver ratings then go on to deliver their ordinance?

[dr.hal]

My experience is that when they engage with CAP, they do not engage in ground attack, thus they have shed their load.

[Amoral]

This is entirely anecdotal, but I find Nicks on ground attack missions get chewed up a lot more than Nicks on sweep missions.

[crsutton]

ORIGINAL: Amoral

This is entirely anecdotal, but I find Nicks on ground attack missions get chewed up a lot more than Nicks on sweep missions.

That is most likely because they are at low altitude when engaged giving the opposing fighters the bounce

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: tiemanj

Does the game model fighters flying with loads? For example, if I set a group of fighters to ground attack and they fly [unescorted] what happens when they meet enemy CAP:
1) do they jettison their loads to clean up before mixing it up?
2) do they keep their loads, and fight dirty with a speed / maneuver [or some other type of] penalty?
3) is it not modeled, the fighters keep their loads, but flight with clean speed / maneuver ratings then go on to deliver their ordinance?

Pretty sure that they jettison their loads. Its either in the manual or in one of the update notes. However, as crsutton notes, they will likely be at a huge initial disadvantage.

If Alfred picks up on this, I'm sure he would find chapter and verse to confirm.

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: Amoral

This is entirely anecdotal, but I find Nicks on ground attack missions get chewed up a lot more than Nicks on sweep missions.

I would imagine so, but don't you think this is due to AAA and small arms ground fire modelling?

[Capt Hornblower]

ORIGINAL: tiemanj
...
3) is it not modeled, the fighters keep their loads, but flight with clean speed / maneuver ratings then go on to deliver their ordinance?

ordinance = law; ordnance = ammunition

I can think of NO circumstances on this forum in which one would use ordinance. So, remember, there is no I in ordnance. (And if you can't remember, then use weapons or ammo instead.)

[tiemanjw]

I was hoping to legislate them to death. Enough ordinance and they should get a sizable morale hit.

[rustysi]

I can think of NO circumstances on this forum in which one would use ordinance. So, remember, there is no I in ordnance.

But there is and 'I' in win.[:D]

[Alfred]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

ORIGINAL: tiemanj

Does the game model fighters flying with loads? For example, if I set a group of fighters to ground attack and they fly [unescorted] what happens when they meet enemy CAP:
1) do they jettison their loads to clean up before mixing it up?
2) do they keep their loads, and fight dirty with a speed / maneuver [or some other type of] penalty?
3) is it not modeled, the fighters keep their loads, but flight with clean speed / maneuver ratings then go on to deliver their ordinance?

Pretty sure that they jettison their loads. Its either in the manual or in one of the update notes. However, as crsutton notes, they will likely be at a huge initial disadvantage.

If Alfred picks up on this, I'm sure he would find chapter and verse to confirm.

They will drop their loads and a message is flashed during the combat animation.

Not a subject replete with many dev comments but I have dug up this very old post (#166) from theElf in this thread.

tm.asp?m=1933265&mpage=6&key=jettison&#1935978

For further confirmation that this is the practice players will just have to be satisfied with accepting PaxMondo's and my word that our praxis is such.

Alfred