Can't Spawn More than 1 Unit in a Transport Group?

[Psyrixx]

Hello! I've been working on a mission in the DCS:W Mission Editor for v1.2.3. I want to spawn a group of Yak-40's (Ukraine) for the P-51D's to hunt down and shoot (though they are not critical to the overall success of the mission, just some fun stuff in the area) and naturally I'd like there to be a group of 2-3 planes flying in a formation for a P-51D to engage.

 

Unfortunately, none of the planes in Ukraine's Transport aircraft type will spawn with more than a single unit, no matter how many units I set the group to hold. Is this a known bug or is this normal behavior? I did a quick search and didn't find anyone else posting about it.

 

At the moment I'm spawning 2 separate groups and having them fly similar waypoints through the mountains but it's just not the same as having a group flying in a tight formation. Altitude also does not make a difference as I have set them from 8,000ft MSL (about 1500 ft agl) all the way up to 25,000ft MSL.

 

Thanks!

[Exorcet]

"Large" aircraft are single plane groups only. You can make multiple groups with similar waypoints, or multiple groups with one lead group and set the other group to use the advanced waypoint follow command.

[Psyrixx]

If I set the additional groups to "follow", should I still set specific waypoints for them? I copy/pasted the lead plane, then set the pasted plane to "follow" and he actually started flying faster then the lead plane even though both were set to 250mph through their waypoints.

 

Thanks again!

 

:thumbup:

[Exorcet]

You don't need to set waypoints, but follow specifies the X Y and Z position that the trailing plane will take. You can end up placing the following plane ahead of the lead plane, etc. Play with the X,Y, and Z to get the correct position.

 

The trailing plane was probably flying fast trying to get to the specified position.

[Psyrixx]

Awesome, I'll play with it. I didn't notice any X, Y, Z options in the Follow dialog (just setting which unit to follow... it was probably right there under it, wasn't it?) but I will go back and fiddle.

 

Thanks again!

[ENO]

I don't know about that either... I don't think there was an x,y,z setting there to modify.

Edited April 15, 2013 by ENO

[Psyrixx]

:thumbup:

 

Perfect. I have the groups I want and, yes, with the "follow" command and setting the X, Y, Z coordinates (that are right freaking there... can't believe I didn't see them the other night) they are flying in perfect formation. Excellent targets for my P-51D's.

 

Thanks again!

 

:pilotfly:

 

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BTW, for anyone else that may want to use this in the future:

 

x = position in front or behind the lead plane (positive = front, negative = behind)

z = position to the left or right of the lead plane (positive = right, negative = left)

y = position above or below the lead plane (positive = above, negative = below)

 

So by setting my X, Y, Z on the following plane to -500, 200, -50 respectively, I have a leading AN-26B transport plane being trailed by a Yak-40 that is behind, a little to the right and slightly below it.

 

Here are the four groups I have (eight planes), flying in formation. One group spawns per P-51D that is in the mission area after a specific trigger occurs. :D

 

[ENO]

Well that would certainly explain why my F-14s return to base immediately after reaching the waypoing where they're supposed to start following.