Inspired by the post no.21 by wdolson here tm.asp?m=3732327&mpage=1&key=
I decided to make a short sweep test and sweep with fighter units that have low IDs. I wanted my Sweeps to go before bombing missions. Unfortunately, fighters and bombers IDs sit side by side in the Editor and I couldn't find a proper fighter-bomber pair for analysis. Then I fired Tracker and found out that whenever you break a fighter unit into A/B/C subunits the game assigns them temporary ID with very low values from 1 to 100.
So I went to Takao, broke a 45 Zero unit into A/B/C (all three IDs below 100) and started sweeping Clark Field with them. Added was a Nell unit (ID 161) with Zero escort set to attack the airfield.
Here is the breakdown of Japanese air attacks on Clark Field:
Test 1
Sweep
Bombers (escorted)
Sweep
Sweep
Test 2
Sweep
Sweep
Sweep
Bombers (escorted)
Test 3
Sweep
Sweep
Sweep
Bombers (escorted)
Test 4 (45 x Zero unit set to Sweep; unit ID 113), second Zero group escorted Nells
Sweep (only 2 aircraft)
Bombers (escorted)
Sweep (28 aircraft)
I also tried the same with the Nate unit in Canton and Hong Kong.
Nates on Sweep broken into A/B/C - low IDs; Tojos escort Lilys.
Test 1
Sweep (6 Nates)
Sweep (3 Nates)
Bombers (escorted)
Test 2
Sweep (6 Nates)
Sweep (3 Nates)
Bombers (escorted)
Guess more testing is needed, but a pattern emerges. If you want your Sweeps to go before the bombers, use A/B/C with low IDs (lower then the accompanying bombers).
Sweeps - a test
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
RE: Sweeps - a test
Have you noticed a penalty for going in with less fighters than a full squadron?..Would be bad in real life for 6 planes to bounce 40 defenders,(though we all know it happened)..Very curious..
RE: Sweeps - a test
Sweeps went in mostly as 15 aircraft subunits. Sometimes they went in as 13 aircraft, with tiny 2 aircraft packets going with subsequent sweeps (thus I had a 19 aircraft sweep composed of 15+2+2 aircraft) or solo. Weather and distance may play the role in "packeting" of some sweeps. The 15 aircraft sweeps flew in Clear weather.
RE: Sweeps - a test
You do need run the tests a lot more times with a few more variables (aircraft types). It could be something-or it could be nothing.
I am the Holy Roman Emperor and am above grammar.
Sigismund of Luxemburg
Sigismund of Luxemburg
RE: Sweeps - a test
Here is the combat report for December 8,1941.
The bombers face no opposition from Allied CAP.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Clark Field , at 79,76
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid spotted at 45 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
Allied aircraft
P-26A x 5
P-40E Warhawk x 8
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
P-26A: 3 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 11000 feet
CAP engaged:
35th PG/21st PS with P-40E Warhawk (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
6th PS PAAC with P-26A (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Clark Field , at 79,76
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid spotted at 34 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 1
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
Aircraft Attacking:
12 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 11000 feet
CAP engaged:
35th PG/21st PS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Clark Field , at 79,76
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
No Japanese losses
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 11000 feet
2 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 11000 feet
2 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 11000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Clark Field , at 79,76
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 45
G3M2 Nell x 33
Allied aircraft
no flights
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
P-35A: 5 damaged
P-35A: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40B Warhawk: 2 damaged
P-40B Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground
O-47A: 1 damaged
Airbase hits 5
Runway hits 15
Aircraft Attacking:
33 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
The bombers face no opposition from Allied CAP.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Clark Field , at 79,76
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid spotted at 45 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
Allied aircraft
P-26A x 5
P-40E Warhawk x 8
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
P-26A: 3 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 11000 feet
CAP engaged:
35th PG/21st PS with P-40E Warhawk (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
6th PS PAAC with P-26A (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Clark Field , at 79,76
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid spotted at 34 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 1
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
Aircraft Attacking:
12 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 11000 feet
CAP engaged:
35th PG/21st PS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Clark Field , at 79,76
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
No Japanese losses
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 11000 feet
2 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 11000 feet
2 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 11000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Clark Field , at 79,76
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 45
G3M2 Nell x 33
Allied aircraft
no flights
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
P-35A: 5 damaged
P-35A: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40B Warhawk: 2 damaged
P-40B Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground
O-47A: 1 damaged
Airbase hits 5
Runway hits 15
Aircraft Attacking:
33 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
RE: Sweeps - a test
One trick i do to have sweeps first, is to put the bombers in naval attack and then put the secondary mission to what objective i want to attack. Of course this courts disaster if they really attack shipping. So it is only practical when we are almost sure it will not get into a naval attack.
RE: Sweeps - a test
I tried that, but they would react to ships in Hong Kong instead of flying to Clark Field.
Right now I find the new method less cumbersome. I am satisfied with the results so far.
Right now I find the new method less cumbersome. I am satisfied with the results so far.
RE: Sweeps - a test
Also, what Dili proposes has another hidden problem: sometimes during the morning sweeps may not fly due to bad weather over starting base (not destination base), so their flight is postponed in the afternoon. When this happens, the bombers set to Nav+AF bomb will 90% of the times arrive before the sweeps or the sweeps may not come out at all.
I've noticed this trend a lot. The best way to make the sweeps arriving first is to have them starting from a closer (to the target) base than the bombers. Obviously different bases means more weather variables involved...[:D]
I've noticed this trend a lot. The best way to make the sweeps arriving first is to have them starting from a closer (to the target) base than the bombers. Obviously different bases means more weather variables involved...[:D]
RE: Sweeps - a test
Here is another combat report. The plan was to send one 45-strong Zero unit to sweep San Fernando, followed by unescorted bomb raid by IJA bombers. The Zero unit's ID was hundred-something while the Sally unit was probably around 1000.
Once again the Sweep went in before the bombers.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 11, 41
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on San Fernando , at 80,74
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 28
Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 1
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed
Aircraft Attacking:
28 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 10000 feet
CAP engaged:
35th PG/21st PS with P-40E Warhawk (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 12000.
Raid is overhead
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 11th PA Infantry Division, at 80,74 (San Fernando)
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid spotted at 47 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 16
Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 1
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
CAP engaged:
35th PG/21st PS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
Once again the Sweep went in before the bombers.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 11, 41
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on San Fernando , at 80,74
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 28
Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 1
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed
Aircraft Attacking:
28 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 10000 feet
CAP engaged:
35th PG/21st PS with P-40E Warhawk (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 12000.
Raid is overhead
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 11th PA Infantry Division, at 80,74 (San Fernando)
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid spotted at 47 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 16
Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 1
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
CAP engaged:
35th PG/21st PS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
RE: Sweeps - a test
Set the bombers' range to 0. It only applies to the naval mission, they will keep their ground target assignment.ORIGINAL: Yaab
I tried that, but they would react to ships in Hong Kong instead of flying to Clark Field.
Right now I find the new method less cumbersome. I am satisfied with the results so far.
Intel Monkey: https://sites.google.com/view/staffmonkeys/home
RE: Sweeps - a test
Didn't know that. Many thanks!
RE: Sweeps - a test
Seems to me you'd want to do the opposite to confirm...do Bombers with lower ID and see if pattern holds true.
"La Garde meurt, elle ne se rend pas!"
RE: Sweeps - a test
ORIGINAL: witpqs
Set the bombers' range to 0. It only applies to the naval mission, they will keep their ground target assignment.ORIGINAL: Yaab
I tried that, but they would react to ships in Hong Kong instead of flying to Clark Field.
Right now I find the new method less cumbersome. I am satisfied with the results so far.
...shouldn't this make the bombers not fly at all? Or do you set the range to 0 after setting the ground(/airfield/port/city) target?
That seems like a bug, though.
Even if we're onto something here, it doesn't appear conclusive - still looks like there are variable outcomes.
RE: Sweeps - a test
No. And it doesn't seem like a bug, because an assigned target is what you set, and the range applies to the primary (naval) mission.ORIGINAL: Lokasenna
ORIGINAL: witpqs
Set the bombers' range to 0. It only applies to the naval mission, they will keep their ground target assignment.ORIGINAL: Yaab
I tried that, but they would react to ships in Hong Kong instead of flying to Clark Field.
Right now I find the new method less cumbersome. I am satisfied with the results so far.
...shouldn't this make the bombers not fly at all? Or do you set the range to 0 after setting the ground(/airfield/port/city) target?
That seems like a bug, though.
Even if we're onto something here, it doesn't appear conclusive - still looks like there are variable outcomes.
Intel Monkey: https://sites.google.com/view/staffmonkeys/home
RE: Sweeps - a test
ORIGINAL: witpqs
No. And it doesn't seem like a bug, because an assigned target is what you set, and the range applies to the primary (naval) mission.ORIGINAL: Lokasenna
ORIGINAL: witpqs
Set the bombers' range to 0. It only applies to the naval mission, they will keep their ground target assignment.
...shouldn't this make the bombers not fly at all? Or do you set the range to 0 after setting the ground(/airfield/port/city) target?
That seems like a bug, though.
Even if we're onto something here, it doesn't appear conclusive - still looks like there are variable outcomes.
That just seems so backwards. Did not know it behaved like that, and further assumed that it didn't because when on Ground Attack missions against an LCU that is moving, with your range set to 4 when the LCU is at 4 hexes distant...when the LCU moves to 5 hexes distant, the range setting on your air unit will automatically tick up to 5. I believe obvert had an example of this against Jocke?
RE: Sweeps - a test
I've never noticed that.ORIGINAL: Lokasenna
ORIGINAL: witpqs
No. And it doesn't seem like a bug, because an assigned target is what you set, and the range applies to the primary (naval) mission.ORIGINAL: Lokasenna
...shouldn't this make the bombers not fly at all? Or do you set the range to 0 after setting the ground(/airfield/port/city) target?
That seems like a bug, though.
Even if we're onto something here, it doesn't appear conclusive - still looks like there are variable outcomes.
That just seems so backwards. Did not know it behaved like that, and further assumed that it didn't because when on Ground Attack missions against an LCU that is moving, with your range set to 4 when the LCU is at 4 hexes distant...when the LCU moves to 5 hexes distant, the range setting on your air unit will automatically tick up to 5. I believe obvert had an example of this against Jocke?
Intel Monkey: https://sites.google.com/view/staffmonkeys/home
RE: Sweeps - a test
Witpqs is correct. Ground targets are attacked beyond the range limit set for the primary naval attack mission. I have never noticed the set range extending to the ground strike distance on turn execution but this might be an exception only valid to ground attack missions with movin ground units.
There is an interesting catch to secondary missions going beyond the set range by the way: The same does, obviously, not apply to the strikes´ escorts, as escort is the primary mission where the range limitation applies.
This can result in unpleasent situations in case the ground target is beyond the range limit set for the escorts...
There is an interesting catch to secondary missions going beyond the set range by the way: The same does, obviously, not apply to the strikes´ escorts, as escort is the primary mission where the range limitation applies.
This can result in unpleasent situations in case the ground target is beyond the range limit set for the escorts...
RE: Sweeps - a test
Another test.
The Guadalcanal scenario, Allies.
The plan was to sweep Lae with Warhawks from Port Moresby, then bomb the airfield there with Havocs from Port Moresby, and finally strafe the airfield with Aircobras from Port Moresby.
Unit IDs:
Warhawks - 3127
Havocs - 3667
Aircobras - 4160
Results: mission went in as planned. When you watch combat animations, there is a raid number displayed at the beginning. The sweep had raid number 1, Havocs had number 41, and Aircobras had number 44. The lowest ID groups got prioritised again. Remember, Havocs are one of the fastest bombers in game, and should actually go in before Warhawks if speed was a deciding factor.
If the ID theory holds, then sweeping before bombings is just a numbers game.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 13, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Lae , at 99,126
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Raid spotted at 46 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes
Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 12
No Allied losses
Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Kittyhawk IA sweeping at 12000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Lae , at 99,126
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes
Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 2
No Allied losses
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Kittyhawk IA sweeping at 12000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Lae , at 99,126
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes
Allied aircraft
A-20A Havoc x 10
Allied aircraft losses
A-20A Havoc: 6 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
16 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Runway hits 4
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x A-20A Havoc bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x A-20A Havoc bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Lae , at 99,126
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Raid spotted at 34 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes
Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 17
Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 10 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 2 destroyed by flak
Aircraft Attacking:
17 x P-39D Airacobra bombing from 100 feet
The Guadalcanal scenario, Allies.
The plan was to sweep Lae with Warhawks from Port Moresby, then bomb the airfield there with Havocs from Port Moresby, and finally strafe the airfield with Aircobras from Port Moresby.
Unit IDs:
Warhawks - 3127
Havocs - 3667
Aircobras - 4160
Results: mission went in as planned. When you watch combat animations, there is a raid number displayed at the beginning. The sweep had raid number 1, Havocs had number 41, and Aircobras had number 44. The lowest ID groups got prioritised again. Remember, Havocs are one of the fastest bombers in game, and should actually go in before Warhawks if speed was a deciding factor.
If the ID theory holds, then sweeping before bombings is just a numbers game.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 13, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Lae , at 99,126
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Raid spotted at 46 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes
Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 12
No Allied losses
Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Kittyhawk IA sweeping at 12000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Lae , at 99,126
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes
Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 2
No Allied losses
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Kittyhawk IA sweeping at 12000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Lae , at 99,126
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes
Allied aircraft
A-20A Havoc x 10
Allied aircraft losses
A-20A Havoc: 6 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
16 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Runway hits 4
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x A-20A Havoc bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x A-20A Havoc bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Lae , at 99,126
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Raid spotted at 34 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes
Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 17
Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 10 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 2 destroyed by flak
Aircraft Attacking:
17 x P-39D Airacobra bombing from 100 feet
RE: Sweeps - a test
I think that altitude matters too - I am using a calculation of altitude/climb (in minutes) + distance in hexes*40miles/cruise speed (in hours, converted to minutes) to calculate the time of arrival. The shorter time to target, the sooner the strike will arrive.
So far it worked for me. It can also show why bombers flying at 6000ft from base 4 hexes away can arrive before sweep flying at 30000ft from the base even 3 hexes away (because the fighter loses so much time climbing to the altitude).
Beware - if you assign bombers from a distant base and fighters on escort (assigned to target), the calculation you should use for arrival time is for the escort fighters. If you leave escorting fighters target unassigned, then it is bombers calculation that matters. I see it as the "who is initiating the strike" calculation.
I believe unit IDs can get to the calculation if they have same planes, same distance, same conditions (weather, hq, etc) - like two units originating from the same game.
So far it worked for me. It can also show why bombers flying at 6000ft from base 4 hexes away can arrive before sweep flying at 30000ft from the base even 3 hexes away (because the fighter loses so much time climbing to the altitude).
Beware - if you assign bombers from a distant base and fighters on escort (assigned to target), the calculation you should use for arrival time is for the escort fighters. If you leave escorting fighters target unassigned, then it is bombers calculation that matters. I see it as the "who is initiating the strike" calculation.
I believe unit IDs can get to the calculation if they have same planes, same distance, same conditions (weather, hq, etc) - like two units originating from the same game.
RE: Sweeps - a test
Barb, here are the stats:
Port Moresby to Lae distance = 5 hexes
All units flying from Port Moresby.
Warhawk - cruise speed 190 mph, climb 1850 feet
Havoc - cruise speed 295 mph, climb 1960 feet
Aircobra - cruise speed 231, climb 2155 feet
Warhawk and Havocs set to 10,000 feet
Aircobras set to 100 feet strafing
My main worry was Havocs arriving before Warhawk sweep due to the former's higher cruise speed. That did not materialise. Also, I guess Aircobras travel at some different altitude and only drop to 100 feet once the destination is reached.
I wish someone could sand-box the whole thing and give us a definitive answer to sweeps.
Port Moresby to Lae distance = 5 hexes
All units flying from Port Moresby.
Warhawk - cruise speed 190 mph, climb 1850 feet
Havoc - cruise speed 295 mph, climb 1960 feet
Aircobra - cruise speed 231, climb 2155 feet
Warhawk and Havocs set to 10,000 feet
Aircobras set to 100 feet strafing
My main worry was Havocs arriving before Warhawk sweep due to the former's higher cruise speed. That did not materialise. Also, I guess Aircobras travel at some different altitude and only drop to 100 feet once the destination is reached.
I wish someone could sand-box the whole thing and give us a definitive answer to sweeps.