Few ready aircrafts in squadrons - How to replace fastest possible?

Matrix Games Forums

Forums Register Login Photo Gallery Member List Search Calendars FAQ

My Profile Inbox Address Book My Subscription My Forums Log Out

Few ready aircrafts in squadrons - How to replace fastest possible?

View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as: Guest

Users viewing this topic: none

Printable Version

All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> Gary Grigsby's War in the West >> Few ready aircrafts in squadrons - How to replace fastest possible?

Page: [1]

Message

<< Older Topic Newer Topic >>

Few ready aircrafts in squadrons - How to replace faste... - 8/17/2020 9:07:15 AM

Hoggorm

Posts: 199
Joined: 1/31/2016
Status: offline

I have a few squadrons with just a handful of aircraft ready. How can I replace the lost and damaged aircraft in the fastest possible way?

I see that I receive the same aircraft type as RESERVE and it appears to be full squadrons. Can I use these aircraft to "fill" the squadrons missing planes?

Post #: 1

RE: Few ready aircrafts in squadrons - How to replace f... - 8/17/2020 11:16:13 AM

The_Serious_Strategy_Gamer

Posts: 19
Joined: 7/11/2020
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Hoggorm

I have a few squadrons with just a handful of aircraft ready. How can I replace the lost and damaged aircraft in the fastest possible way?

I see that I receive the same aircraft type as RESERVE and it appears to be full squadrons. Can I use these aircraft to "fill" the squadrons missing planes?

Check whether you actually have enough airplanes in the "Pool" (i.e. planes unassigned to any squadron). You can do so in the production menu (hotkey p or the gear symbol). Look at how many planes are in the pool (middle column and how many your squadrons need to reinforce (red number after the last column). If you need more than you have there might be a problem. But also keep in mind the first column (planes produced per turn). Maybe the problem will be short lived.

If there is a problem: Best change the planes of a couple of squadrons via the "Aircraft Change" button on a squadron. You can see all eligible planes, their number in the pool and how many are produced per turn (but not how many are needed to reinforce other squads).

(in reply to Hoggorm)

Post #: 2

RE: Few ready aircrafts in squadrons - How to replace f... - 8/17/2020 11:20:36 AM

The_Serious_Strategy_Gamer

Posts: 19
Joined: 7/11/2020
Status: offline

Also: "Reserve" actually refers to squadrons that have not yet been deployed on the map (i.e. full units that are waiting for you to tell them were to go, not just the hardware). You might want to deploy them in a suitable airfield ("assign from national reserve" button).

Theoretically you could also disband them, but for the allies that seems like waste as you typically have more than enough planes in the pool to shore up existing squads. With my limited playtime the only time I had to disband a squad was for the Norwegians as they did not have enough pilots; airframes would have been plenty.

(in reply to The_Serious_Strategy_Gamer)

Post #: 3

RE: Few ready aircrafts in squadrons - How to replace f... - 8/17/2020 11:59:11 AM

Hoggorm

Posts: 199
Joined: 1/31/2016
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: The_Serious_Strategy_Gamer

Check whether you actually have enough airplanes in the "Pool" (i.e. planes unassigned to any squadron). You can do so in the production menu (hotkey p or the gear symbol). Look at how many planes are in the pool (middle column and how many your squadrons need to reinforce (red number after the last column). If you need more than you have there might be a problem. But also keep in mind the first column (planes produced per turn). Maybe the problem will be short lived.

If there is a problem: Best change the planes of a couple of squadrons via the "Aircraft Change" button on a squadron. You can see all eligible planes, their number in the pool and how many are produced per turn (but not how many are needed to reinforce other squads).

I seem to be unable to upload a screenshot, so here is a link:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/y8xzgr23m5dtxrs/Skjermbilde%202020-08-17%2013.46.43.png?dl=0

What do you get from this?
If I understand it correctly, this is what I see:
I need a lot of Spitfire VBs, but none are produced. What does the # in front of the AC type mean?
I need a lot of P-38F, but none are produced and none are in the pool. Should I change to P-38G?
The same with the P-40F vs P-40K

How about the C-47s? I need 58, I have 85 in the pool, and 17 are produced each turn? How do I transfer 58 from the pool to the squadrons?

quote:

ORIGINAL: The_Serious_Strategy_Gamer

With my limited playtime the only time I had to disband a squad was for the Norwegians as they did not have enough pilots; airframes would have been plenty.

Too bad... A neighbor of mine was a maintenance crew on the Norwegian Spitfires during the war. He had lots of good stories to tell.

(in reply to The_Serious_Strategy_Gamer)

Post #: 4

RE: Few ready aircrafts in squadrons - How to replace f... - 8/17/2020 12:07:16 PM

The_Serious_Strategy_Gamer

Posts: 19
Joined: 7/11/2020
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Hoggorm

I seem to be unable to upload a screenshot, so here is a link:

What do you get from this?
If I understand it correctly, this is what I see:
I need a lot of Spitfire VBs, but none are produced. What does the # in front of the AC type mean?

Exactly, you would need 93 US spitfires to reinforce your two airgroups that are flying them, but you have 0 and are not producing any. Time to switch to new planes! For example you would have plenty of P-40K.

The "#-" means the type is considered obsolete. Also an indication you might want to change/upgrade.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Hoggorm
I need a lot of P-38F, but none are produced and none are in the pool. Should I change to P-38G?
The same with the P-40F vs P-40K

Yeah, although the F-variant is still produced so you dont need to change quite as aggressively. Still a 90 plane shortfall is significant and would take months to backfill even if there are no further losses.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Hoggorm
How about the C-47s? I need 58, I have 85 in the pool, and 17 are produced each turn? How do I transfer 58 from the pool to the squadrons?

This should sort itself out if you have enough pilots and the airgroups are in supply. You dont need to do anything manually (but check pilots).

< Message edited by The_Serious_Strategy_Gamer -- 8/17/2020 12:10:54 PM >

(in reply to Hoggorm)

Post #: 5

RE: Few ready aircrafts in squadrons - How to replace f... - 8/17/2020 12:30:50 PM

The_Serious_Strategy_Gamer

Posts: 19
Joined: 7/11/2020
Status: offline

Oh one more thing: take the first column with a grain of salt: Some airplanes types are not directly "produced" (which would show up in this column), but instead "converted" from other models (which does not show up here). This is typically the case for Recon Aircraft and some aircraft exchanged between the US and the UK.

For example in your screenshot on the Spitfire VC (US) there is no production, but since it is still active (no #- symbol), I bet you still get some imports from the UK which is still producing the VC variant (a couple of rows down). You can check the imports on the "show events" screen under "Production -> Aircraft exports"

(in reply to The_Serious_Strategy_Gamer)

Post #: 6

RE: Few ready aircrafts in squadrons - How to replace f... - 8/17/2020 3:45:47 PM

The_Serious_Strategy_Gamer

Posts: 19
Joined: 7/11/2020
Status: offline

One last note - and apologies for the piecemeal answers, but I was just about to close the tab with the screenshot and this last thing sprang to my attention:

It seems like you are overtaxing your US Recon squadrons somewhat. In that category you have a shortfall of 36 planes on 4 squads (i.e. on average 9 per squad for airgroups that normally have 16 planes) and no pool of any other viable type. This will take a while to replenish.

On the other hand you have a significant pool of British Recon planes (Spitfire PR and Mosquito PR). So maybe push the Brits a little forward in the more dangerous spots, while the Americans might take little breather for a moment.

(in reply to The_Serious_Strategy_Gamer)

Post #: 7

RE: Few ready aircrafts in squadrons - How to replace f... - 8/17/2020 5:05:02 PM

loki100

Posts: 8571
Joined: 10/20/2012
From: Utlima Thule
Status: online

quote:

ORIGINAL: The_Serious_Strategy_Gamer

...
It seems like you are overtaxing your US Recon squadrons somewhat. In that category you have a shortfall of 36 planes on 4 squads (i.e. on average 9 per squad for airgroups that normally have 16 planes) and no pool of any other viable type. This will take a while to replenish.

On the other hand you have a significant pool of British Recon planes (Spitfire PR and Mosquito PR). So maybe push the Brits a little forward in the more dangerous spots, while the Americans might take little breather for a moment.

be careful here. In 1943 it looks like the CW have recon to burn, the problem is that production tails off rapidly in 1944 to the point where you need to scrap formations to keep others flying. You also, usefully, get a number of fully equipped US formations as reinforcements.

_____________________________

(in reply to The_Serious_Strategy_Gamer)

Post #: 8

RE: Few ready aircrafts in squadrons - How to replace f... - 8/17/2020 9:00:45 PM

Hoggorm

Posts: 199
Joined: 1/31/2016
Status: offline

This is great! Thank you very much!

quote:

ORIGINAL: The_Serious_Strategy_Gamer

This should sort itself out if you have enough pilots and the airgroups are in supply. You dont need to do anything manually (but check pilots).

What do you mean by checking pilots? Should I transfer them somehow? How does this work?

quote:

apologies for the piecemeal answers

Not at all, this is very, very useful! Thank you again!

Regarding recon, I see that many of my squadrons have few airplanes left. Take the one flying the F-9 Fortress for example. It has no more than 3 aircraft left. It has too few aircraft to fly at all. Trying to change the aircraft type I can not find any to replace them with. What should I do with this squadron? Can they not get a few "regular" B17?

(in reply to The_Serious_Strategy_Gamer)

Post #: 9

RE: Few ready aircrafts in squadrons - How to replace f... - 8/18/2020 6:54:57 AM

The_Serious_Strategy_Gamer

Posts: 19
Joined: 7/11/2020
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Hoggorm

This is great! Thank you very much!

quote:

ORIGINAL: The_Serious_Strategy_Gamer

This should sort itself out if you have enough pilots and the airgroups are in supply. You dont need to do anything manually (but check pilots).

What do you mean by checking pilots? Should I transfer them somehow? How does this work?

When you look at the commanders report (c) -> airgroups the third-to last column shows you the number pilots in the airgroup (plt). If there is a "*" symbol it means the group is not at capacity. You can then add pilots, either to all selected squads (depending on your filter settings) via the symbol in the top right of the commanders report ("Add Pilots"), or individually for each airgroup via the airgroup screen (add max pilots or add pilots).

quote:

ORIGINAL: Hoggorm
Regarding recon, I see that many of my squadrons have few airplanes left. Take the one flying the F-9 Fortress for example. It has no more than 3 aircraft left. It has too few aircraft to fly at all. Trying to change the aircraft type I can not find any to replace them with. What should I do with this squadron? Can they not get a few "regular" B17?

Yeah that's what I meant, all your American recon squads have been ground down pretty heavily and you now have to few recon frames overall, so switching aircraft types around wont help.
You will be getting some B-17 converted to the F-9 over time, but bluntly this will take a while to recover from. In the meantime there is little you can do, but try to tax the American squads a bit less: Fly in safer areas, use brits for more dangerous missions, fly on fewer days and only in better weather, use more escorts. All of this should lead you to more sustainable levels.

Just a couple of further notes:
-Note that airgroups are out of action for a turn when you switch air models. Thus try to time that correctly, e.g. when weather is bad or the groups have low morale or high fatigue.
-When you switch to a plane with a different number of engines (e.g. Spitfire to P-38) you loose some experience. Not great, not terrible if done once, but dont do it every other turn.
-Remember its not just about losses, but also upgrades. For example you still have plenty A-20B to replenish the losses, but you might still want to switch to the A-20G-K model since it will have better performance (That 4x0.50cal nose for the win!)

(in reply to Hoggorm)

Post #: 10

RE: Few ready aircrafts in squadrons - How to replace f... - 8/18/2020 7:44:42 AM

Hoggorm

Posts: 199
Joined: 1/31/2016
Status: offline

Thank you The_Serious_Strategy_Gamer, you are indeed serious =D

So that is what the asteriks * mean! I`ve been wondering about that. Nearly all my squadrons have it...

So if I understand you correctly, pilots will not transfer to squadrons automatically? Or perhaps not at the rate I need them to if the losses are high?

Your notes are noted =D I saw the 100% travel after a replace, but it was somewhat expexted. Sounds reasonable.

The loss of experience happens only when they change the engine number? So there will be no loss of experience going from a Spitfire to a Hurricane or P-40? That does not sound very realistic hough.

(in reply to The_Serious_Strategy_Gamer)

Post #: 11

RE: Few ready aircrafts in squadrons - How to replace f... - 8/18/2020 10:01:21 AM

The_Serious_Strategy_Gamer

Posts: 19
Joined: 7/11/2020
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Hoggorm

Thank you The_Serious_Strategy_Gamer, you are indeed serious =D

So that is what the asteriks * mean! I`ve been wondering about that. Nearly all my squadrons have it...

So if I understand you correctly, pilots will not transfer to squadrons automatically? Or perhaps not at the rate I need them to if the losses are high?

Honestly, I do not quite know for sure. From what I can tell, the game will actually try to pull new pilots when you have less pilots than ready aircraft, but not otherwise. Personally I have made a habit of pulling them in before as they appear with some fatigue, which then has time to go down until they get replacement aircraft.

quote:

ORIGINAL: HoggormYour notes are noted =D I saw the 100% travel after a replace, but it was somewhat expexted. Sounds reasonable.

The loss of experience happens only when they change the engine number? So there will be no loss of experience going from a Spitfire to a Hurricane or P-40? That does not sound very realistic hough.

Correct. Ultimately it is a bit of a simplification, but I don't think its altogether too gross. Sure a Spitfire will fly differently to a Thunderbolt, but at least with the week downtime the pilots do get some time to train on the new plane. The experience in that sense might reflect more the general awareness of air warfare principles applicable to their role. That role might differ somewhat between a two-engine and single engine aircraft.

(in reply to Hoggorm)

Post #: 12

RE: Few ready aircrafts in squadrons - How to replace f... - 8/18/2020 10:04:05 PM

Hoggorm

Posts: 199
Joined: 1/31/2016
Status: offline

I understand! Thank you!

(in reply to The_Serious_Strategy_Gamer)

Post #: 13

RE: Few ready aircrafts in squadrons - How to replace f... - 8/19/2020 2:21:10 PM

cfulbright

Posts: 2684
Joined: 5/7/2003
Status: online

Make sure the airbases at which those groups are stationed have sufficient Supply, Fuel, and Ammo, and also that the airbases aren't over-capacity. Those all will limit available aircraft in an air group.

Cary

(in reply to Hoggorm)

Post #: 14

RE: Few ready aircrafts in squadrons - How to replace f... - 8/19/2020 2:26:29 PM

cfulbright

Posts: 2684
Joined: 5/7/2003
Status: online

The short answers are:

1. Upgrade all your P-38F groups to P-38G's
2. Upgrade your US air groups flying Spitfire VB's to P-40K's (sorry)
3. Upgrade your other Spitfire VB air groups to VC's

"#" means the aircraft model is no longer in production, so you should plan to swap out of those obsolete models.

You shouldcheck the Production Pool screen at the beginning of every turn and see if there are any upgrades you can make. Best to upgrade airgroups with low morale that you should be Resting anyway.

Cary

(in reply to Hoggorm)

Post #: 15

RE: Few ready aircrafts in squadrons - How to replace f... - 8/19/2020 8:11:51 PM

Hoggorm

Posts: 199
Joined: 1/31/2016
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: cfulbright

Make sure the airbases at which those groups are stationed have sufficient Supply, Fuel, and Ammo, and also that the airbases aren't over-capacity.

Capacity is known, but how can I easily see if the airbases have sufficiently supply, fuel and ammo?

(in reply to cfulbright)

Post #: 16

RE: Few ready aircrafts in squadrons - How to replace f... - 8/19/2020 8:26:13 PM

cfulbright

Posts: 2684
Joined: 5/7/2003
Status: online

You can click on the airbase symbol. You also can use the Commanders Report. Filter to Airbases only, click on Current Supply tab, sort Sup%, Fuel%, etc. You can filter "Air Base" to "With AC" to narrow the results.

Cary

Attachment (1)

(in reply to Hoggorm)

Post #: 17

RE: Few ready aircrafts in squadrons - How to replace f... - 8/19/2020 9:05:27 PM

Hoggorm

Posts: 199
Joined: 1/31/2016
Status: offline

Ah, yes of course! I know this, so I must have thought of something else

Thank you!

(in reply to cfulbright)

Post #: 18

Page: [1]

All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> Gary Grigsby's War in the West >> Few ready aircrafts in squadrons - How to replace fastest possible?

Page: [1]