Just a quick one fellas when starting a campaign,mission etc,do you always lead your flight or fly as a wingman in the squadron.
Also what rank do most of you start with low,medium or top rank..thank you in advance for any replies

I always start in the middle because I just feel that's more immersive to me. I like the fact that you have something to work towards, meaning a promotion in rank, and sometimes even the middle ranks get to lead flights. I very seldom will start in the lowest rank because those poor guys always get the worst planes and I have enough trouble surviving with a good plane.

Adger, It just depends on the mood. I like to start at the bottom and work my way up usually. Sometimes, like SOG, I start in the middle. Never at the top for me.

I typically start at the lowest rank, work my way up to leading a flight. When I finally get to lead, I tend to allow A Flt to get out ahead of B Flt enroute to the target area. If I wanted to be certain of flying the newest scout at the first opportunity, I'd start with a high rank, essentially making my character a leader.

I usually start as "Vizefeldwebel" (mid-rank).

Flying as a wingman has the advantage, that you may do what you want,
while the flight is still getting properly directed by the leader.

Flying as leader, you have to care for the flight, and give the right commands.
The advantage here is...
- that you can lead your flight to better altitude
- that you can lead them away from a dangerous course
- that you prepare the attacks, and order them, when the moment has come

So, I like both positions eventually.

I always start lowest rank and try to survive and work my way up.

You can do of course as you wish, but if you go as wingman, then to keep it realistic, stick with your flight and attack only if the leaders says so or if attacked. They are no robots and you are not the hero. They are your sqadronmates and no matter if there are enemy flights nearby, if your leader does not attack, then for a reason. You stick with your flight. Of course you can act like Bruno Stachel (means disobeying orders and leaving formation) but if you are lower rank, especially if no officer, you would be court martialed in real. And you will wrap up maybe 10 kills in 5 flighthours, but you will die very very soon and you will need to create nwe pilots very often. So if you are not the leader, then think not gamish but stick with him and survive. If you are the leader, your goal is to make your squadmates survive. Don't get fixated on killnumbers.

now that the AI is becoming more intelligent, sometimes your flight mates do not obey you, and go for the combat. It means you are not ALWAYS sure they will obey you when you are flight leader. This adds a little touch of the unknown!

Yeah, when they feel threatened, they seem to switch to "attack" mode sometimes.

Thank you for your comments and recommendations,very much appreciated

I will ask this question though I think I know the answer.

If I am patrol leader and lead my boys to an enemy formation (let's say I dive on them for example) will the AI automatically attack when they get into the vicinity of the enemy or do I HAVE to order an attack for them to be offensive?

I have never had time to watch throughly but it seems the AI does better on their own (reacting to the nearness of the enemy) then if I order an attack.

Or perhaps I have been making a mistake and am forgetful. Do I have to single out one aircraft to use the AI Attack command

Neither... you can't order them to attack air assets, only ground. Usually they will jump into the fray at the right moment (often they will angle for attack before I spot anyone) but there have been several times when they have followed me (in formation, natch) around in circles whilst I proceeded to get picked apart by the Kaiser's best...

Duke: I think you DO have to target a craft before issuing the attack command.

That said, usually I just dive in on the enemy and my wingmates get the hint.

Thanks.
What I THINK is happening is when I order an air attack (after having picked out a target to make the command useable) is they attack this target just fine and appear to go for it and THEN react to other aircraft ONLY as they are attacked or threatened themselves by them....if that makes sense. Still on my first coffee.

Whereas when they attack on their "own" so to speak, the engagement seems to proceed more naturally, and successfully, as pick out their own targets based on their AI parameters of who/when/where to attack.