I'm not sure if this has been covered much before, so apologies if it has. I would like to see more of an E3 vs DH2 timeframe if possible in the future. Right now E3's vs 11's and 17's is a bit rough. Even if they could back up the career mode a couple of months might help as opposed to going all the way back to 1915. Not sure when the morane bullet came into play as I'm not a WW1 historian. Anyone hear anything about 777 having the career start earlier?

From a very general POV, I can't understand why anyone would buy the Fokker Eindecker. Who are you going to take on? Aircraft that can run rings around you and historically did. Another point: what is the likelihood of the early years skies being filled any time soon with authentic aircraft? It's not a problem isolated to RoF, but I suspect that the pay-per-plane model might be found wanting in this particular area.

I must respectfully disagree with SimonC. I think there is a lot of interest in a more fleshed and historically accurate early war career. There just aren't enough planes at the moment to do it correctly. I think with the interest I've seen on these and the official forums we will see more early war aircraft for sale in the future. As for the Eindecker not being able to compete, I'll agree with you there. I just see it as a nice challenge.

Wasn't the DH2 one of the response's to help curb the "Fokker Scourge" in the early war? I agree the way it is now there isn't much reason to fly an E3 but thats my point. Earlier in the war they were more of a factor

There's not a lot of incentive to add early/pre-1916 aircraft when there are still 1917-18 aircraft needed to be modeled. As such, I am glad 777 is adding aircraft the way they are, instead of haphazardly adding planes as was the case with IL2.

(Note: the game's title in Russia is "War in the Heavens - 1917").

There isn't a need to add earlier planes...they are already there. I was just just asking for more of a match up of E3's vs DH2's. They just need to back up the timeframe a bit where these 2 models faced each other instead of E3's facing 11's and 17's. If you read my original post closer you would see I wasn't asking for additional planes. My question about the morane bullet was just for knowledge, always hated that plane in RB3D.

And the point of my reply is that we would need more planes for an earlier 1916 career, namely two-seaters. Until those are modeled, there isn't a point in backing up the career start date.

Irc the NP11 reached the front before the DH2. There were a couple of DH2s posted to France in 1915 but actual squadron deployment started in early 1916, same as the NP11. Before then single seat aircraft were attached in small numbers to 2 seater squadrons rather than being deployed solely in single seat units.

What's needed are 1916 era 2 seaters, I'm sure 777 have some planeed. I can understand people wanting to start career mode as early as possible but at the moment, the planeset just isn't there. If you're happy with Nieuports pretending to be 2 seaters and such then go for it but I really don't see the point. From mid 1917 onwards its great

A bristol scout would be nice.

RoF still completelly lacks french recon for 1917-1918 (RoF Breguet is bomber) IMO after RE8 and Halberstadt Cl.II next plane should be recon for french that can be used 1917-1918.

Yes, the DH2 was an early attempt at mounting a forward firing machine gun, but without a synchronizer. The DH2's success against the E.III had a lot to do with tactics and organization. Some of the most vociferous praise of the DH2 that we read about came from people who weren't actually pilots, e.g. Henry Rawlinson. In reality, the forward firing Lewis gun was not a big success because the RFC insisted that it be possible to aim it upward, like a Nieuport 11 or SE5a Lewis gun, and so it had all of the inaccuracy of a flexible gun mount. Nevermind that the DH2 pilot would have to have his head in between his legs to aim upward. Hawker was reprimanded for innovating a stationary mount for his Lewis gun, but eventually came up with a compromise clip that could both hold the gun steady, and allow for it to be aimed upward (to keep the authorities happy).

Compared to the Nieuports, or even the E.III, the DH2 was something of a flying bird cage. It's no surprise that its performance in RoF is disappointing, but I would have preferred to see the DH2 modeled according to the (better) variant without the gravity tank.



That's going to be difficult. The N11 was introduced before the DH2.

The EIII can hold it's own against the N11 or even N17s in the careers. You just need to use the rudders and blip switch properly to make quick turns. My EIII career is one of my most favorite careers right now...

Salmson 2.

As a priority I'd still like to see a 1916 2 seater per side to make 1916 careers at least playable. OK the Breguet we have was a dedicated bomber, but at least its a multi crew plane that fits the timeframe. For 1916 there's nothing suitable.

The RE8 is a 1916 two-seater.

Just barely (So is DFW, btw). Altought Salsom2 would be nice for french, its problem is that it came too late. We really would need plane that were used most 1917-1918 and only one to fit IMO is 1½ strutter. With two variants (early british and later french) you can cover very long time frame.

"I must respectfully disagree with SimonC. I think there is a lot of interest in a more fleshed and historically accurate early war career. There just aren't enough planes at the moment to do it correctly. I think with the interest I've seen on these and the official forums we will see more early war aircraft for sale in the future. As for the Eindecker not being able to compete, I'll agree with you there. I just see it as a nice challenge."

Don't get me wrong - it's a good addition to the ranks, but why would you fly it when there are so few enemies you can take on without getting tatered? If you're going to do early war, ensure that there's 3-4-5 flyables in there at least.

"Wasn't the DH2 one of the response's to help curb the "Fokker Scourge" in the early war? I agree the way it is now there isn't much reason to fly an E3 but thats my point. Earlier in the war they were more of a factor"

By the time the DH2 turned up in any numbers, the 'scourge' was under control, AFAIK. It's one of those WWI myths.

Ehh, I sort of disagree. If they had determined to completely model the 1917-1918 era before giving us the DH-2, E.III, and N.11, great. But since they give us those fighters, we sort of need some early-mid 1916 recon/bombers to go with them. I would prefer a balanced (a 1916 plane for every couple or few 1917-1918 planes) approach.

I don't have any stats but there were hardly any squadrons using the RE8 before April 1917. The 2 seaters being hacked from the sky that April were BE2s, FE2s and Strutters.

True, but yes, the RE8 was introduced to the Western Front in November 1916 with 52 Squadron.

With that said, yes, I would like to see some more aircraft to help fill out the late 1916-early 1917 planeset, namely two-seaters.

IMHO huge mileage could be had with the FE2. The B and D are differentiated primarily by engine (120 and 160 HP). It can also be used in drag as a Farman substitute. And who wouldn't want to buy one?

Here's the longer list. Scouts are OK almost beginning to end. The Halberstadt D.II and Nieuports 24 and 27 are probably the biggest holes, but they are not that bad. IMHO the minor types can wait (Morane N, DH5, Snipe, Roland D.II and D.VI, SSW. etc.).

Filling back to front:
1918
A dedicated recon for the Germans (LVG C.V would be my recommendation)
Salmson SA2 for the French.
British are doing OK.

Mid-late 1917
Dorand AR for the French
Strutter for French and British
Rumpler C.IV (honorable mention to Alb C.VII and C.X).


Late 1916 - Mid 1917
Farman F.40
BE2e
FE2d

Mid 1916 and earlier
FE2b (really just an engine change)
BE2c
Voisin L.III (honorable mention to Caudron C.IV)

Patrick has a good list.

I agree, Patrick knows.
No sarcasm, honest.

Good thing is 777 hold Patrick in good regards, maybe (just maybe really) he could talk some?