30 replies to this topic

[Captain_Rownd]

I started the Seversky/Republic line today, and doing a little research I found the following series of youtubes about the P-47 Thunderbolt to be very interesting: 

 

https://www.youtube....h?v=mzQuq2FHdeE

 

 

[trikke]

such beautiful planes...  i just have trouble flying MRs in general since i started this game, so i've never really experimented with them

 

my brain craves a single task     i'm just not that versatile 

 

if i could fly them strictly as a fast GA, i could see myself contributing to the team 

 

can anyone think of a MR that is low and slow but has GA-sized guns and ordnance load?

[DangerDoskit]

I see flipping the cap as my single task.  And will do what it takes to make it happen.  

Drop a cupple bombs √

Eliminate enemy planes ✓ 

Cap flipped ✓

Rinse, repeat

[Captain_Rownd]

DangerDoskit, on 12 January 2019 - 09:14 PM, said:

I see flipping the cap as my single task.  And will do what it takes to make it happen.  

Drop a cupple bombs √

Eliminate enemy planes ✓ 

Cap flipped ✓

Rinse, repeat

 

You forgot task #3 - don't get killed in the cap 

[wylleEcoyote]

THink of a MR as a GAA that trades toughness guns and to a lesser extent ordinance for more altitude speed and agility.

[DangerDoskit]

Captain_Rownd, on 12 January 2019 - 11:14 PM, said:

 

You forgot task #3 - don't get killed in the cap 

 

Aye that's a important one

[Bobby_Tables]

I got a Flying Raider award in my fully loaded P-47N the other day.  I know some of you were wondering how to get one.  I didn't even try for it, it just popped up.

 

Was playing it as others have mentioned, drop bombs, maybe rocket something, then keel planez and onto the next one.  

[Captain_Rownd]

So far I'm terrible in the Lancer and Rocket when bottom Tier.  I'm trying to "zoom" through the cap, but I usually lose half my hit points to AA and whatever latches onto my tail each pass and I can't get the guns on anything that's flying past me long enough to do any damage in return.  Two passes and I'm dead.  Top Tier I can shoot bots pretty well, but some times better than others. 

Edited by Captain_Rownd, 13 January 2019 - 04:21 PM.

[qu33kKC]

I fully endorse that Youtube channel.  I have learned a LOT from Greg's videos, about things that I'd never been able to grok before. 

[LMG]

trikke, on 12 January 2019 - 09:19 AM, said:

such beautiful planes...  i just have trouble flying MRs in general since i started this game, so i've never really experimented with them

 

my brain craves a single task     i'm just not that versatile 

 

if i could fly them strictly as a fast GA, i could see myself contributing to the team 

 

can anyone think of a MR that is low and slow but has GA-sized guns and ordnance load?

 

The XP-44 and Typhoon have decent ordnance with fairly fast reloads. The Hurricane II though has decent ordnance that reloads fast and GAA-levels of dps, but you have to manage the heat on the guns quite a bit 

[qu33kKC]

Another option is to fly them as fighters with an "option" to hit a ground target when needed.  I tried to start with rockets in my heavies, but that put them down low, not where they were at their best.  So, fly high, to the B&Z, and if there is a loose ground target part standing between you and a capture, dive down and put a rocket or three into it.  The Tiny Tims on the Pancake are WONDERFUL for this.   Semi-related example in the Snowflake Plane (I-207/4) I once had a game, while down-tiered, with 3 kills and two ground targets, and captured 4 sectors. . .  .

 

Timing can be everything.

[Captain_Rownd]

 

  You know you're going to lose the battle when matchmaker puts THREE players in down-tiered XP-44 on the same team. 

[LMG]

Captain_Rownd, on 14 January 2019 - 12:58 PM, said:

You know you're going to lose the battle when matchmaker puts THREE players in down-tiered XP-44 on the same team. 

 

If they're capable (big emphasis on if), then they could try to outcap the opposition. The bombs on those things aren't for show, they're pretty darn good at the tier and reload quite fast on top of it 

[Captain_Rownd]

Ive been mostly using XP-44 at the mining plants on maps that have them.  I head to the mining plant, drop a couple bombs to help the flip, and then take out bombers and GA as they come in.  If a fighter heads to the mining plant it's usually alone so I can fight or run.  I don't have the crew skill or equipment that enhances bomb blast, so I just drop my bombs on the easy-to-hit plant in the center to soften it up for allies.  If I try to drop bombs at command centers I get rocked by AA, and any cap with traffic something will often latch on to my tail and pop me. 

Edited by Captain_Rownd, 15 January 2019 - 01:54 AM.

[WhiteKnight416]

The F-84B/F at the end of the line are fantastic all around aircraft, the XP-72 was the rough point for me, but I loved all the rest

[LMG]

Captain_Rownd, on 14 January 2019 - 08:41 PM, said:

Ive been mostly using XP-44 at the mining plants on maps that have them.  I head to the mining plant, drop a couple bombs to help the flip, and then take out bombers and GA as they come in.  If a fighter heads to the mining plant it's usually alone so I can fight or run.  I don't have the crew skill or equipment that enhances bomb blast, so I just drop my bombs on the easy-to-hit plant in the center to soften it up for allies.  If I try to drop bombs at command centers I get rocked by AA, and any cap with traffic something will often latch on to my tail and pop me. 

 

Yup, in general it's a bad idea to do ground pounding first with ADAs roaming around on anything that's not a ground pounder. It's best to first clear out the ADAs and then try ground pounding to finish it off once the skies are clear. The only exception would be if it's quicker/safer to finish flipping the cap with a well-placed bomb than going after another ADA 

[Captain_Rownd]

WhiteKnight416, on 15 January 2019 - 03:30 AM, said:

The F-84B/F at the end of the line are fantastic all around aircraft, the XP-72 was the rough point for me, but I loved all the rest

 

They look fun, and multiroles are an aspect of the game I always need to improve at. 

 

[WhiteKnight416]

I've found the best way to use MRs is to be everyone's friend,  because you're usually the second best aircraft in the sky for every job, so when you're working over a cap either attacking or defending look for who needs help, where you're needed.

 

When attacking aircraft look for planes that arent looking at you coming, or look for GAs that the fighters can't deal with effectively because they dont have the guns for it. Look for Heavies you can catch low and your speed let's you keep up with.

 

When going at ground targets look for soft targets your limited ordinance can handle, or just focus on taking out a few AA guns to make life easuer for your allies.

 

With the Republic line (and German Fws) it's important to keep your speed up, try to avoid getting caught in turning fights because you wont win most of them anyway unless you can drag a Heavy into one.

 

A lot of this doesnt apply to Russian MRs (and high Tier German MRs) because they are more like support fighters than true MRs

Edited by WhiteKnight416, 15 January 2019 - 03:41 PM.

[CorvusCorvax]

LMG, on 15 January 2019 - 03:44 AM, said:

 

Yup, in general it's a bad idea to do ground pounding first with ADAs roaming around on anything that's not a ground pounder. It's best to first clear out the ADAs and then try ground pounding to finish it off once the skies are clear. The only exception would be if it's quicker/safer to finish flipping the cap with a well-placed bomb than going after another ADA 

I always unload first, then go hunting.  If you ignore ADA, you will help flip the cap red.

[WhiteKnight416]

CorvusCorvax, on 15 January 2019 - 07:17 PM, said:

I always unload first, then go hunting.  If you ignore ADA, you will help flip the cap red.

 

This is pretty sensible, quickly dropping your bombs/rockets right off the bat means you can

 

1) Weaken defensive AA - with most MRs I look at the SEAD/Wild Weasel role as the best use of your munitions

 

2) Score some quick cap points - 2 AA positions are worth as much as an ADA

 

3) Focus - With no bombs or rockets on your rails you're not worried where/when to drop them, focus on winning the air battle