Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate This Thread
Hop To
Page 1 of 2 1 2
#4076025 - 02/09/15 05:22 PM Squad Recommendations  
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 907
Nietzsche Offline
Member
Nietzsche  Offline
Member

Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 907
Grevenbroich, Germany
Sooo many Squads - and noone will ever have enough Time to test 'em all...
Some of them fly mostly laid back, relaxed Sight-Seeing-Tours, others fly only Missions, after which you always land with your Guns empty, some are stationed in Areas so far away from the Front, that you already have fallen asleep before you get into Action, then others are so close to the Front, that you are in the Middle of a large Dogfight, before you have even reached 100 meters of Height...
There really are more than enough Squads to meet everyone's individual Preferences.

So I thought that it might be a good Idea to start a Thread, where we can talk about interesting Squads that we have discovered. This could be for Vets as well as Novices (so, someone could also describe the Pros and Cons of Jasta 11, 5 and so on...)

My Recommendation of the Day would be the French Esc 68, starting @ Jan '17:
It has a nice Variety of mostly Nieuports over the Time, isn't too far away from the Front and the Missions often put you in very challenging Situations - so I would not recommend it for a Novice, who has just barely learned how to fly.
The Flights in Jan '17 mostly start before Dawn - so you literally fly from Night into Day... this grants an unbeatable spooky Feeling:
Dogfights often start in a twilight-shaded, cloud-shrouded Atmosphere. The Enemy seems to instantly spawn out of another Dimension...
The Landscape is another Plus:
It varies very much. Large Woods, Hills, Ponds (and the usual brown, slimy Slobber of the Front...)
and is not as flat and monotone as the North.

#4076038 - 02/09/15 05:36 PM Re: Squad Recommendations [Re: Nietzsche]  
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,921
vonBaur Offline
Senior Member
vonBaur  Offline
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,921
Jasta 5 after March 11, 1916, but only if you've installed Lou's detailed Boistrancourt airfield.


SALUTE TO ALL!
#4076100 - 02/09/15 07:19 PM Re: Squad Recommendations [Re: Nietzsche]  
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 7,532
DukeIronHand Offline
Hotshot
DukeIronHand  Offline
Hotshot

Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 7,532
High over the Front
Well my careers follow a pretty set routine. If I had 20 hours a week to fly things maybe different but since I try to get the "most bang for the buck" my pattern is:
1) Fly in 1917 or 1918.
2) For the time of the year I pick either the month, or shortly before, some major ground activity. For example April 1917 and August/September 1917. For 1918 it is March.
3) I pick a "famous" or high activity squadron like Jasta 11 or 5, 56, 48, or 1 or 60 for the RFC.

Since I am so set in my routine I am really glad for the feature of "random" weather when the Historical setting becomes semi-remembered.

#4076125 - 02/09/15 08:52 PM Re: Squad Recommendations [Re: Nietzsche]  
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 8,138
Polovski Offline
Polovski  Offline

Hotshot

Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 8,138
Good thread Nietzsche !

BTW as we test LOTS we often choose the same 1st to come up squads for mundane tests but personal pref is RFC56 to fly with Cecil Lewis trying not to become one of the empty seats he talks of as he moves up the table in the mess.


Regards,

Polovski,
OBD Software, developers of immersive flight sims;
Wings Over Flanders Fields and Wings Over The Reich
http://www.overflandersfields.com
http://www.wingsoverthereich.com
#4076430 - 02/10/15 12:23 PM Re: Squad Recommendations [Re: Nietzsche]  
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,595
OldHat Offline
Member
OldHat  Offline
Member

Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,595
I was thinking of starting a campaign where I advance time by one week after I've completed the mission(s) on a single day. I'd start sometime at the end of Sept. 1915 (The Battle of Loos) somewhare in Flanders to get in on the "fun" early on.

So, assuming I survive every mission, I would complete about 200 or so missions from begining (9/1915) to the end of the war (11/1918). I'm thinking that would give me a good taste of the entire aerial war's progression since I don't have time to play this game one day at a time.

#4076448 - 02/10/15 01:19 PM Re: Squad Recommendations [Re: Polovski]  
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 7,993
Robert_Wiggins Online smile
BWOC Survivor!...So Far!!
Robert_Wiggins  Online Smile
BWOC Survivor!...So Far!!
Hotshot

Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 7,993
Lindsay, Ontario, Canada
Originally Posted By: Polovski
Good thread Nietzsche !

BTW as we test LOTS we often choose the same 1st to come up squads for mundane tests but personal pref is RFC56 to fly with Cecil Lewis trying not to become one of the empty seats he talks of as he moves up the table in the mess.


What!!! You have time to play!!!! jawdrop


(System_Specs)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Trooper
PSU: Ultra X3,1000-Watt
MB: Asus Maximus VI Extreme
Mem: Corsair Vengeance (2x 8GB), PC3-12800, DDR3-1600MHz, Unbuffered
CPU: Intel i7-4770K, OC to 4.427Ghz
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 240M Liquid CPU Cooler
Vid Card: ASUS GTX 980Ti STRIX 6GB
OS and Games on separate: Samsung 840 Series 250GB SSD
Monitor: Primary ASUS PG27AQ 4k; Secondary Samsung SyncMaster BX2450L
Periphs: MS Sidewinder FFB2 Pro, TrackIR 4

#4076450 - 02/10/15 01:21 PM Re: Squad Recommendations [Re: Nietzsche]  
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 7,993
Robert_Wiggins Online smile
BWOC Survivor!...So Far!!
Robert_Wiggins  Online Smile
BWOC Survivor!...So Far!!
Hotshot

Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 7,993
Lindsay, Ontario, Canada
Oldhat;

I like the idea!

Last edited by Robert_Wiggins; 02/10/15 01:22 PM.

(System_Specs)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Trooper
PSU: Ultra X3,1000-Watt
MB: Asus Maximus VI Extreme
Mem: Corsair Vengeance (2x 8GB), PC3-12800, DDR3-1600MHz, Unbuffered
CPU: Intel i7-4770K, OC to 4.427Ghz
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 240M Liquid CPU Cooler
Vid Card: ASUS GTX 980Ti STRIX 6GB
OS and Games on separate: Samsung 840 Series 250GB SSD
Monitor: Primary ASUS PG27AQ 4k; Secondary Samsung SyncMaster BX2450L
Periphs: MS Sidewinder FFB2 Pro, TrackIR 4

#4076454 - 02/10/15 01:23 PM Re: Squad Recommendations [Re: Nietzsche]  
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,008
MudWasp Offline
Senior Member
MudWasp  Offline
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,008
a shack in da woods
I like the way Rick Rawlings advanced time in his challenges.

#4076576 - 02/10/15 05:23 PM Re: Squad Recommendations [Re: Nietzsche]  
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,739
Olham Offline
Barmy Baron from Berlin
Olham  Offline
Barmy Baron from Berlin
Hotshot

Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,739
There are too many different reasons that could make you select this or that unit.
The aircraft, the ace pilots, the morale, the areas of operation -

- but for the latter you can use this nice online interactive map.
You can search by date, by squadron or by aerodrome.

Townsend's WW1 Western Front Airfields Map


Vice-President of the BOC (Barmy OFFers Club)
Member of the 'Albatros Aviators Club' - "We know how to die with Style!"
#4086972 - 03/03/15 05:26 PM Re: Squad Recommendations [Re: Nietzsche]  
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 907
Nietzsche Offline
Member
Nietzsche  Offline
Member

Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 907
Grevenbroich, Germany
I'm currently in a Sight-Seeing-Mood and for that I can recommend the French SOP5

They are practically stationed in the Middle of the Mountains - viewing the spectacular Landscape from high above is truly breathtaking. Just give it a try: The Moment, you are taking off the Runway, you will already be convinced...
The Plane, you are assigned to is a Strutter A1. Nothing fancy, but in this Region the Enemy isn't piloting the latest state-of-the-Art-Foo-Fighters, also.
The War there isn't as hot as in most other Places. Sometimes you are convinced that it is more a Cold War - with a Border between two States, that do not like each other very much... comparable to the Cashmere-Region between India and Pakistan nowadays.
This Circumstance grants a relaxed Flight, where you don't have to watch your 6 every few Seconds.
Airfields, Roads or Railways are rare, there - so always have some extra spare-quarts of Fuel in your Tank: Having to Land if you've gotten lost in the Middle of Nowhere can get somewhat challenging...
The great Advantage on the other Hand is that this Area is quite easy to memorize. After a few runs you no longer need a Map, unlike these agriculturally cultivated Flatland-Areas, where you always think
"Hey! Haven't I been here 5 minutes ago?"

The Disadvantage of SOP5 is obvious: I you are looking for a thrilling Dogfight, there, you probably have to wait 'till the next World War...

#4087052 - 03/03/15 07:13 PM Re: Squad Recommendations [Re: Nietzsche]  
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 350
actionjoe Offline
Member
actionjoe  Offline
Member

Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 350
Nord, France.
Quote:
The Disadvantage of SOP5 is obvious: I you are looking for a thrilling Dogfight, there, you probably have to wait 'till the next World War...


SOP 5 moved to Picardy in late March 1918, it was rather hot there wink

#4087964 - 03/05/15 01:19 PM Re: Squad Recommendations [Re: Nietzsche]  
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 907
Nietzsche Offline
Member
Nietzsche  Offline
Member

Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 907
Grevenbroich, Germany
Oh... well, I'm not there, yet. Gotta change the Squad before that to stay in that Region :-D
Here are some Appetizers for SOP5:




Join the sunny Side of Life - fly with the SOP5!

#4087968 - 03/05/15 01:31 PM Re: Squad Recommendations [Re: Nietzsche]  
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,739
Olham Offline
Barmy Baron from Berlin
Olham  Offline
Barmy Baron from Berlin
Hotshot

Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,739
If you want to fly with a unit with good morale, and well shielded by aces,
I recommend

Jastas 2, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 18, 23 - well, should be enough for a start.

As for areas, check out and use the map I posted earlier here.

If you want to fly specific aircraft, WOFF provides you with the time scale in the
"Enlistment" manager. You can select each unit to see, which aircraft they will receive;
and you can click through the time to see, how the "morale" changes, what aircraft they
receive when; which aces are in the unit when; etc.
This is a bit time-consuming, but also VERY informative for your planning.
There is a lot of historical knowledge wrapped into.


Vice-President of the BOC (Barmy OFFers Club)
Member of the 'Albatros Aviators Club' - "We know how to die with Style!"
#4088016 - 03/05/15 02:21 PM Re: Squad Recommendations [Re: Nietzsche]  
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 428
loftyc Offline
Member
loftyc  Offline
Member

Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 428
Great thread idea, Nietzche. In fact, I've now checked out that map (thnx Olham), and have started a career at Boistrancourt (thnx vonbauer). (I'm a teacher with a snow day today, so.......)

Normally, I go by something/someone I just read about, and it's always nice to fly around in the Vosges. So I guess I'll have to sign up for Esc. 68 now. Oldhat's idea also sounds great, too. And.......

#4093946 - 03/19/15 02:27 PM Re: Squad Recommendations [Re: Nietzsche]  
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 907
Nietzsche Offline
Member
Nietzsche  Offline
Member

Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 907
Grevenbroich, Germany
I'm flying the Esc12 from March '17 on for a while, now. I have started from a low Rank, and I can say, that it's a good "Action-Unit", especially the Summer-Period. If you like Nieuports, you can have a lot of Fun, there.
The only Downside is, that this Esc is crowded with Aces - and they all have Spads very soon... there are Missions, where you have a hard Time following them in your Nieup.
You start near Verdun and move up the Map several Times, later, until you are stationed in the far North, so the Scenery varies and stays interesting.

Can anyone recommend a good Unit, where one can fly B1 Strutters (the single Seaters) AND have some Action?
I have tried one and all I do there is burning Fuel...

#4093957 - 03/19/15 03:09 PM Re: Squad Recommendations [Re: Nietzsche]  
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 841
Shredward Offline
Member
Shredward  Offline
Member

Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 841
Lake Louise, AB Canada
I've never tried a campaign with them, but you could try 3 Wing Naval in the fall of "16. You should run into a promising young scout pilot named Ernst Udet, and a few of his friends
Cheers
shredward


We will remember them.
#4093959 - 03/19/15 03:17 PM Re: Squad Recommendations [Re: Nietzsche]  
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 890
Creaghorn Offline
Member
Creaghorn  Offline
Member

Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 890
N�rnberg Frankonia

The only Downside is, that this Esc is crowded with Aces - and they all have Spads very soon

You might consider using the 100 oder 200 aces mod. That's exactly the reason why you have this mod thumbsup

#4103647 - 04/09/15 01:14 PM Re: Squad Recommendations [Re: Nietzsche]  
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 907
Nietzsche Offline
Member
Nietzsche  Offline
Member

Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 907
Grevenbroich, Germany
...for the ones who like to fight against the odds:
I'm currently flying with the SK Sachsenberg in Oct. `16.
Everyone has got hip, new Fighters - and you are still sitting in your old Fokker E3, trying not to get shredded, somehow.
Every Mission is quite an Adrenalin Rush, there. My Recommendation: Regional Air Activity set to High.

#4129054 - 06/04/15 02:22 PM Re: Squad Recommendations [Re: Nietzsche]  
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 907
Nietzsche Offline
Member
Nietzsche  Offline
Member

Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 907
Grevenbroich, Germany
Join the Action-Squad!
The 65th RFC is the Group to go, when you are not into Sight-Seeing...

Settings: Encounter-Rate High
Air Traffic: medium
Time: mid-1918
...and you won't have one Mission without an Encounter

Here is an Appetizer with Captain Robert Roy and his Dragon-Camel:


#4129082 - 06/04/15 03:03 PM Re: Squad Recommendations [Re: Nietzsche]  
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 7,993
Robert_Wiggins Online smile
BWOC Survivor!...So Far!!
Robert_Wiggins  Online Smile
BWOC Survivor!...So Far!!
Hotshot

Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 7,993
Lindsay, Ontario, Canada
Nietsche;

Nice vid. I like the way you recovered the approaching stall in the Pup. Those can be really tricky!


(System_Specs)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Trooper
PSU: Ultra X3,1000-Watt
MB: Asus Maximus VI Extreme
Mem: Corsair Vengeance (2x 8GB), PC3-12800, DDR3-1600MHz, Unbuffered
CPU: Intel i7-4770K, OC to 4.427Ghz
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 240M Liquid CPU Cooler
Vid Card: ASUS GTX 980Ti STRIX 6GB
OS and Games on separate: Samsung 840 Series 250GB SSD
Monitor: Primary ASUS PG27AQ 4k; Secondary Samsung SyncMaster BX2450L
Periphs: MS Sidewinder FFB2 Pro, TrackIR 4

Page 1 of 2 1 2

Moderated by  Polovski 

Quick Search
Recent Articles
Support SimHQ

If you shop on Amazon use this Amazon link to support SimHQ
.
Social


Recent Topics
Carnival Cruise Ship Fire....... Again
by F4UDash4. 03/26/24 05:58 PM
Baltimore Bridge Collapse
by F4UDash4. 03/26/24 05:51 PM
The Oldest WWII Veterans
by F4UDash4. 03/24/24 09:21 PM
They got fired after this.
by Wigean. 03/20/24 08:19 PM
Grown ups joke time
by NoFlyBoy. 03/18/24 10:34 PM
Anyone Heard from Nimits?
by F4UDash4. 03/18/24 10:01 PM
RIP Gemini/Apollo astronaut Tom Stafford
by semmern. 03/18/24 02:14 PM
10 years after 3/8/2014
by NoFlyBoy. 03/17/24 10:25 AM
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.6.0