Bodney AI teammates aborting

[Sandlowlead505]

Just started the Bodney campaign and it's awesome.  However,  I'm finding that when I'm climbing (having no issues with that)  almost all of my AI conpadres are RTBing during the climb.  I am on mission 5 and was about to jump 12 Antons, only to find myself alone.  Needless to say,  i didn't become a double ace in a day.  Any guidance?  

Thanks

[Reflected]

Hmm that’s new. Can you specify which mission, when exactly it happened, and what exactly did you experience? Was it your flight or the other flights? 

[tapi]

Few days ago I flew again Mission 1 and AI teammates followed me but veeery reluctantly, ie. even with my slow cruise settings they stayed way behind... The distance was such that I barely saw them...

Edited February 11, 2021 by tapi

[Reflected]

26 minutes ago, tapi said:

Few days ago I flew again Mission 1 and AI teammates followed me but veeery reluctantly, ie. even with my slow cruise settings they stayed way behind... The distance was such that I barely saw them...

 

yes, AI P-51s have a very hard time keeping up.  It’s been like that forwver and I reported to ED many times. 
 

but he said they ‘aborted’ which is new. If indeed that is what happened. 

[Reflected]

Hey, I just replayed mission 3 and my No.2 announced '2 rtb' halfway through the channel. This is a new bug, I've never seen it before. I reported it to ED to check. If you have a track send it to me and I'll forward it to them too. 

 

Thanks!

[Reflected]

I replayed mission 5, had no problem there, but I managed to reproduce it in a 'virgin' mission. Definitely a new AI bug with the P-51. I reported it to ED. Thanks for the report, well spotted!

Edited February 11, 2021 by Reflected

[Sandlowlead505]

7 hours ago, Reflected said:

Hmm that’s new. Can you specify which mission, when exactly it happened, and what exactly did you experience? Was it your flight or the other flights? 

I believe it was mission 2, 3, and 5. 4 was not affected,  there was no climbing and only one wingman, intercepting the JU88. 

 

I was wondering,  can the AI friendlies suffer engine damage trying to climb too fast? It seems that they are all RTB'ing before I cross the channel, and some are bailing out.  They don't seem to be colliding, so I am wondering if they are maybe suffering engine damage?  At first I thought it was a scripted thing, having read books about pilots having to abort, but i didn't think you guys would make me fight 12 FW's alone,  lol. 

 

I'm just starting out on this so i don't mind the experience of flying and not succeeding,  as i just chalk it up to training.  But I have tried checking the AF low, and have everyone start out at the same altitude,  and I'm by no means climbing aggressively.  Im also not changing the loadout so they should all be in their default loadout (drop tanks). 

Thanks! 

[Reflected]

In mission 2 and 3 you need to follow White Flight, so you wouldn't be alone in any case. But yeah, that's my hunch: AI wingmen break their engines easily. Which is weird because the lead AI flight climbs at full military power, and it's super hard to keep up with them.

 

All these are hard-coded AI behaviors, though, not something I can change in the Mission Editor. I flagged it to ED, and keeping my fingers crossed.

 

Let me know if you experience anything strange again.

[Sandlowlead505]

Thanks a lot for the response. 

[Reflected]

It’s likely due to overheating. Until it’s fixed, try to maintain at least 160-170 mph during climb. 

[Sandlowlead505]

Made it across the channel first time.  Took it fast and slow at 180 to 200mph just to be sure.  Crossed into France quite happy,  than got hit by flak... you animals haha.  Thanks for the help, i guess it says 165mph climb for a reason, I was typically doing about 150mph climb. 

[Reflected]

It's defo a P-51 bug, so it will get better once fixed. But on the long term, 165 mph is better for your own engine too.

 

As for the flak: below 10-15k you need to be very careful. Try not to fly straight and level for over 20 seconds, always change your course a little bit. Flak is also kinda bugged, they're way too lethal combined with the new DM, but ED is aware and working on fine tuning it.