Is there a choice regarding bombing mode selection?

[Klunker]

On the first combat mission the Fence In check list specified "Direct" and I wanted to go Dive Toss but selected Direct just to keep on script and keep the mission going.  Can that be modified to DT while inflight?  I tried it and Jester wouldn't lock up the tgt. My iron bombsight bombing is incredibly lousy and I would like to go DT so as not to make the squadron look bad.  Otherwise, I fear I will be sent home in disgrace.  In fact, after the first mission I realize I'm not really ready for "Prime Time" as I couldn't read the hidden TAS indicator or even make out the clock very well while flying at 300 ft, which also had me spooked because I understood if I broke the 300 ft I would be considered DEAD. So, I flew it at 500 ft to be safe which was a real lame move on my part, just as wanting to only use DT for bombing.  After making several passes on the target attempting a Jester DT lockon I ended up going Direct and overshooting the impact by a embarrassingly long range.  If that wasn't bad enough I realized that I was now below the Fence Out 5 k as I was following Pappy out of the target area (And thank you for allowing full labels so I could know who was who). After dodging smokey Sams I found I was actually down to 2 K fuel and decided to leave Pappy and head out for Vegas direct skirting Dreamland.  I figured I'd Jettison my wing drops to reduce drag, and after doing so my fuel dropped to zero which was a shock! So facing complete humiliation, I was left with a choice of bailing out or exiting the game altogether.  Remembering the fighter pilot motto: "It's better to die than look bad" I elected to  exit the game than eject and face the music back at Nellis. Needless to say, Jester and I are no longer on speaking terms.  He says he wants a "real" pilot, and I can't blame him, except the prick wouldn't follow a simple request to going to DT even after I sent him the data on the bomb chart. I will continue to solder on until the CO <profanity>can's me.  He wasn't very pleased with me when I pointed out during his mission briefing that he got the Push holding pattern wrong.  Said I was a smart ass.  He's the boss and I figured he knew something we didn't so I kept my mouth shut and went along to see what he'd do.  He might have reviewed the briefing because I think he actually went with the Red Flag mission briefing, and not his spiel. I can't say for sure as I'm still traumatized by my poor performance on this first mission.

 

[Reflected]

Hey,

It's certainly possible to select whatever you like once the fence in checks are complete. For this first mission I chose direct because a popup may not get you high enough to properly execute a DT, and there will be a dedicated DT mission later.

I made the hard deck pretty soft, so you won't 'die' immediately once you get to 299 AGL

If you're short on fuel, there will be a decision point after you rejoin at Mt Irish, whether you want to RTB or refuel. I suggest using that decision point, because the triggers in such a complex mission are not infinitely flexible to allow you to detach and RTB through Dreamland

The marshal station will be fixed in the briefing in the next update

[av8orDave]

5 hours ago, Klunker said:

On the first combat mission the Fence In check list specified "Direct" and I wanted to go Dive Toss but selected Direct just to keep on script and keep the mission going.  Can that be modified to DT while inflight?  I tried it and Jester wouldn't lock up the tgt. My iron bombsight bombing is incredibly lousy and I would like to go DT so as not to make the squadron look bad.  Otherwise, I fear I will be sent home in disgrace.  In fact, after the first mission I realize I'm not really ready for "Prime Time" as I couldn't read the hidden TAS indicator or even make out the clock very well while flying at 300 ft, which also had me spooked because I understood if I broke the 300 ft I would be considered DEAD. So, I flew it at 500 ft to be safe which was a real lame move on my part, just as wanting to only use DT for bombing.  After making several passes on the target attempting a Jester DT lockon I ended up going Direct and overshooting the impact by a embarrassingly long range.  If that wasn't bad enough I realized that I was now below the Fence Out 5 k as I was following Pappy out of the target area (And thank you for allowing full labels so I could know who was who). After dodging smokey Sams I found I was actually down to 2 K fuel and decided to leave Pappy and head out for Vegas direct skirting Dreamland.  I figured I'd Jettison my wing drops to reduce drag, and after doing so my fuel dropped to zero which was a shock! So facing complete humiliation, I was left with a choice of bailing out or exiting the game altogether.  Remembering the fighter pilot motto: "It's better to die than look bad" I elected to  exit the game than eject and face the music back at Nellis. Needless to say, Jester and I are no longer on speaking terms.  He says he wants a "real" pilot, and I can't blame him, except the prick wouldn't follow a simple request to going to DT even after I sent him the data on the bomb chart. I will continue to solder on until the CO <profanity>can's me.  He wasn't very pleased with me when I pointed out during his mission briefing that he got the Push holding pattern wrong.  Said I was a smart ass.  He's the boss and I figured he knew something we didn't so I kept my mouth shut and went along to see what he'd do.  He might have reviewed the briefing because I think he actually went with the Red Flag mission briefing, and not his spiel. I can't say for sure as I'm still traumatized by my poor performance on this first mission.

 

First, I enjoyed your write-up. 

Next, one of the best things about Reflected’s campaigns is that if you suck at something, if you put in the time and work at it through his campaigns, it’ll noticeably improve your skill set. I was terrible at formation flying, simple stuff like holding a consistent altitude through a high-g turn, flying maneuvers and hitting the numbers, and the Speed and Angels campaign has made me an expert. I think you’d see similar progress with direct bombing in the F-4E.

Finally, don’t be afraid to throw a paragraph break into your writing here and there. I almost had a stroke reading that!

 

[Klunker]

2 hours ago, Reflected said:

Hey,

It's certainly possible to select whatever you like once the fence in checks are complete. For this first mission I chose direct because a popup may not get you high enough to properly execute a DT, and there will be a dedicated DT mission later.

I made the hard deck pretty soft, so you won't 'die' immediately once you get to 299 AGL

If you're short on fuel, there will be a decision point after you rejoin at Mt Irish, whether you want to RTB or refuel. I suggest using that decision point, because the triggers in such a complex mission are not infinitely flexible to allow you to detach and RTB through Dreamland

The marshal station will be fixed in the briefing in the next update

Thank you for the clarification.  I'm guessing that there must have been something procedurally wrong with my first DT attempts that inhibited Jester's ability to get me a lock. 

I flew the hop again before seeing your response and went by the book "Direct".  Missed the target (again), but even worse, got bagged by a SAM on ingress (I think it's because I was flying even higher than last time as I set my Rad Alt to 500ft.  I was also slow hitting the flare switch and my jink was also late.

Regarding fuel, I left the battle area with just under 5K and managed to squander it all just jocking around Pappy on the way home.  He only orbited once but his wingman "Waldo" never showed. I thought I had plenty for the trip to Nellis but turned off the runway with only 23 lbs remaining. I'm apparently too ham fisted for this program.  I considered departing the area without rendezvousing with Pappy, and in retrospect, wish I had because the stress of wondering if I'd flame out on final had me landing at almost 200 knots with Jester having a fit. 

There's no way I'm going to a tanker when low on fuel as it would take me almost a full bag to connect and even then I'd probably lock up with muscle cramp in my hand if I even did get a connect.

I was wondering if it would be better to just divert to Tonopah and then Rtb from there, or just end the mission at Tonopah? Also wonder if any of the other airports are suitable for diverts?

After getting the "Mission Success" I was so relieved that I quit without shutting the engines down and unfortunately missed the debrief, although I did save the log, but don't know how to access it. Is there some way to do that?  Pretty sure my grade is in the negative numbers considering my death, missed target and TOT (probably) and low fuel.

Regardless, I'll be flying this one again and hopefully will have a debrief in the plus category.

Would like to thank you for this excellent product.  I'm floored that you put something this complex together and just charge pennies to play.  It's worth the money plus a lot more.  Your work is stellar!

And to AV8 Dave:  Thanks for your comments, and I'm sorry for almost giving you a stroke, and hope this commentary can keep you on the plus side of the power curve.  I'm an old guy and also fear strokes

 

[Reflected]

Unfortunately the debrief is just a picture that pops up after you shut down. No way to access it later.

What helps with fuel management is to be conscious of your speed (TAS, the hidden digital gauge). Don't fly faster than briefed, and you rarely ever need to plug in the burners after takeoff.

You can 'play pretend' and land at a divert, but just returning to Nellis consists of a hundred or so triggers and voice overs, I can't set up further hundreds just in case someone diverts, so the mission will probably fail - but then you can 'skip' it in the campaign menu.

[Klunker]

Thank you. 

I love the fact that you can skip and move on.  

I'm pretty sure I'll always be below fuel mins to get a mission complete because I have no feel for when I'm in burner and my scan is too slow to pick it up looking at the nozzles when I'm flying in form, on the deck, or the heat of battle.  I have a difficult time seeing not only the TAS gage, Clock (behind a night lamp), but also the FUEL GAGE! When I set the seat to see outside properly, I have to scrunch down and zoom in to read the tape. Might just be an old man thing as I don't recall having these kind of issues when I played this game years ago. Anyway, super job with this campaign and thanks again.

[Viking 1-1]

So I made it through the first mission. In the second attempt I have to admit, but I'm very happy with the outcome ...

Except your "smokey Sam's". God knows I hate them already, and it is just M1!!!

I used DT as my delivery mode and it worked just fine.

As always, great work and a fantastic campaign! I know already that I will play this one several times together with the MiG Killers campaign.

Please keep us fed with phantom stuff!

Edited Friday at 01:04 PM by Viking 1-1

[Reflected]

@Klunkerhave you tried enabling ‘loud afternurner’ in your sound settings? It helps a lot. 

[Klunker]

17 hours ago, Reflected said:

@Klunkerhave you tried enabling ‘loud afternurner’ in your sound settings? It helps a lot. 

I have, thank you, but still no joy as I don't notice any sound difference. My sound system is pretty lame and I purposely keep it low so as not to disturb my wife sleeping in the next room.  I have to use the monitor's speaker and not headphones in order to respond to real world demands.

Edited 13 hours ago by Klunker