Use of Aircraft in JTCS

03-22-2009, 11:51 AM,

I am designing and playing out a scenario where I have tried to implement many of the new units JTCS has to offer.
With regards to aircraft, I remember the suggestion that spotter aircraft should, perhaps, be restricted to one per division. In the scenario I created, (a huge one) I have 5 spotter aircraft in the oob and five 'bombers' on the other side. Within 4 of 200 turns it has become apparent that the spotters have a destructive effect on the game, too much spotting and the bombers, once dropped their' bombs, can continue to spot! We had to make a gentlemen's agreement to fly them off the map.
The ability of these aircraft are good but one wonders if the air combat in JTCS could be worked on further, i.e, aircraft in the old format could perhaps intercept spotters, spotters should be able to 'see' the maximum visibility? Bombers once having dropped bombs, perhaps forced to leave the map?
A great addition to the game as it is but perhaps refinements are required?
Your thoughts on the subject are most welcome.
regards
Peter

junk2drive · 03-22-2009, 12:13 PM,

You forgot to give each player good AA units.

**Jason Petho** · 03-22-2009, 01:43 PM,

These are the house rules regarding on-map aircraft I am using for the von Earlmann campaign I am running:

Quote:7. PLANES – Each sector has a set of ON-MAP bombers. Some sectors have more than others. These are intended for you to bombard difficult targets close to the front line. The exception is if your reconnaissance aircraft (which can operate ANYWHERE in your sector) has found a worth target behind the lines. If so, then your ON-MAP bombers are free to engage. Regardless of what you bomb, once you bomb you ABSOLUTELY MUST return the bombers to the edge of the map (WEST side for the Germans, EAST side for the Soviets). After they reach the map edge, and remain there for a few turns, they may reacquire their bombing status at my discretion (this is to simulate returning to an airfield, rearming and returning for another sortie – or – that another sortie has arrived).

If I see the bombers are abused, the will be removed. No questions.

Here is a good reason to set up your AA assets!!

Jason Petho

Cole · 03-22-2009, 02:22 PM,

I suggest that scenario designers limit the number of air recon units allowed in a game. I would venture to say that even one recce unit per division will ruin a lot of the fog of war inherent in a game.

Two items that give the recce unit a lot of power. By attempting to move into a hex containing enemy units the air recon unit will spot everything in that hex, even forest hexes.

It's true that these units are beneficial in that they force folks to deploy their AA units properly but unfortunately the AA units are constrained by the line of sight available on the ground. A air recon unit could be flying over a forest hex but not be spotted by an 88mm AA battery stationed 500 meters (two hexes away).

03-22-2009, 10:02 PM,

Yes, I have AA units in the oob and yes, I concur with you Jason that the scenario needs a text file that gives the parameters that spotters and bombers work within. I also think that Cole's points are valid ones. - My map of 400x400 hexes is well covered by one spotter and if it survives AA fire, would ruin the fog of war. Also agreed, when using air attacks, AA fire can come from all over the place but, as Cole states, two hexes away and AA cannot spot the recon aircraft ?
Just trying to see if people see it the same way here. As I said, I love the concept of the new units, just wonder if anything can be done to hone-up the aircraft factor in JTCS.
REGARDS
pETER

**Jason Petho** · 03-23-2009, 03:32 AM,

glint Wrote:Yes, I have AA units in the oob and yes, I concur with you Jason that the scenario needs a text file that gives the parameters that spotters and bombers work within. I also think that Cole's points are valid ones. - My map of 400x400 hexes is well covered by one spotter and if it survives AA fire, would ruin the fog of war. Also agreed, when using air attacks, AA fire can come from all over the place but, as Cole states, two hexes away and AA cannot spot the recon aircraft ?
Just trying to see if people see it the same way here. As I said, I love the concept of the new units, just wonder if anything can be done to hone-up the aircraft factor in JTCS.
REGARDS
pETER

AA opfire will only be triggered by the light AA, not the heavy AA batteries as the 88mm.

Jason Petho

Cole · 03-23-2009, 12:46 PM,

Quote:AA opfire will only be triggered by the light AA, not the heavy AA batteries as the 88mm.

Oops! Glad I saw this. Time to reposition my AA defense!! Eek

I just don't know if it would be worth while to program into a future update a whole new LOS for recon aircraft (both for them spotting, especially as they fly over woods and easily spot everything in there) and for being spotted on the ground by AA.

It does serve its purpose in keeping AA units deployed as AA and not right up there in the front lines all the time.