Ditching

[Edgehog]

I find it rather unfair that enemy (AI) aircraft can ditch after being riddled with bullets and are not destroyed (and the kill is not registered). Further to this, If the player aircraft ditches, then it is immediately destroyed and the "kill" is counted. Ditching in WWII had a high probability of survival, especially near ships or land. I think this should be modeled and if AI aircraft are not destroyed, the player aircraft shouldn't be either. (It'd be nice to see the pilot bobbing up in the swells on a yellow raft, just as it can be seen dangling from a 'chute! Or at least bobbing with the mae west...)

[RichCotte]

X2 for this!!!

[Mr_sukebe]

On 8/15/2025 at 4:36 AM, Edgehog said:

I find it rather unfair that enemy (AI) aircraft can ditch after being riddled with bullets and are not destroyed (and the kill is not registered). Further to this, If the player aircraft ditches, then it is immediately destroyed and the "kill" is counted. Ditching in WWII had a high probability of survival, especially near ships or land. I think this should be modeled and if AI aircraft are not destroyed, the player aircraft shouldn't be either. (It'd be nice to see the pilot bobbing up in the swells on a yellow raft, just as it can be seen dangling from a 'chute! Or at least bobbing with the mae west...)

Survival rates from ditching did improve dramatically during the war, above all by planning and integration with surface rescue craft.  However, early war, rates were pretty diabolical.

Edited 13 hours ago by Mr_sukebe

[Gunfreak]

3 hours ago, Mr_sukebe said:

Survival rates from ditching did improve dramatically during the war, above all by planning and integration with surface rescue craft.  However, early war, rates were pretty diabolical.

The Americans became experts at picking up downed pilots in the Pacific. One was the destroyer around the fleet. But Americans submarines picked up hundreds of pilots the last few years of the war. Then you have the sea planes that also picked up hundreds. In some cases both subs and sea planes would pick up pilots just a few hundred meters of Japanese held island. Bullets and shells churning up the sea as the planes landed and grabbed the pilots aboard.

[Reflected]

Don't forget the PBYs either. Ditching really needs some work in DCS, especially with the PTO coming.