Air Force
Introduction
WWII Online: Battleground Europe is a combined arms simulation, featuring co-operative gameplay between Ground, Air, and Naval units. Of these three, the Airforce is arguably the most potent arm: without air superiority and close air support the Army and the Navy cannot hope to make an impact, and without fighters to pave the way for bombers and paratroop aircraft, very little can be accomplished. Strategic bombers, roaming far beyond the reach of riflemen and patrol boats, have the power to strangle supply and slow down research of new weaponry in the game’s RDP model. Air superiority is a vital concept and during your first few hours in the game world, as you find yourself anxiously looking skyward or ducking under a hail of bombs, you will recognize just how important it is. This guide aims to help you to get airborne, armed and ready to influence the flow of battle.
Air combat IS tough
Be advised that air combat is an incredibly complex field to venture into. Becoming an effective pilot requires long hours in the cockpit and countless fiery deaths. Do not be turned off by the steep learning curve however – once you get the hang of some basic concepts you will be ready to fight it out with the best of them.
WWII Online has a good selection of various types of combat aircraft to choose from, all with their own peculiar traits, benefits and disadvantages. Aside from general similarities and the universal challenge of combat shared by all, each aircraft requires a specific modus operandi to ensure success. Learn by flying them all, offline, through reading and by experimenting, to find the aircraft and the practice that best suits your fighting personality.
First time pilot? Fly offline!
If this is your first attempt at flying, we strongly recommend that you review the basic aircraft controls below and practice extensively offline before venturing out online. This is because aircraft availability online is severely limited, and while your embarrassing crash will not dig a hole in the spawnlist, senseless waste of aircraft is largely frowned upon by your fellow pilots. Once online, do not hesitate to ask for help and advice that you perchance have yet to read about in this guide – we are a friendly lot and love to be of assistance. For yet more instruction and assistance, do please visit the Training Arena and make use of our seasoned Trainers!
Note that game download and offline play is free of charge.
Quick Start Guide
From n00b to dweeb in 10 minutes flat!
Essential Game Controllers
You simply have to get a joystick or you get to play infantry!
Ten Easy Rules
Getting airborne is easy enough. Surviving is another matter!
General Instruction
Find out all you need to know about cockpit instruments, engine management, gunnery, energy, situational awareness and more!
Aircraft Weapons
Guns and bombs is the business end of your aircraft and the very cause for taking to the sky. Look inside to learn more about your own and your adversary's equipment.
Basic Flight Maneuvers (BFM)
Take off and landing, turning, diving, barrel-rolling... so much to learn, so little time. Give it a few minutes and you will gain prowess to last you a lifetime (no, not a game lifetime).
Advanced Combat Maneuvers (ACM)
Advanced Combat Maneuvers (ACM) is the collective name for all kinds maneuvers that you will need to employ to produce a guns opportunity against enemy aircraft – or to escape from a threatening situation. Learn about the Scissors, the Yo-Yo, the Rope-a-Dope and many more useful maneuvers, right here.
Missions - Have guns, will travel.
Now that you can fly an aircraft, what are you going to do with it?
Learn more about how to succeed in fighter missions such as CAP, CAS and BARCAP; learn how to make the groundpounders miserable with fighter-bombers and attack aircraft; learn how to lay waste to enemy factories through strategic bombing... and more.
Air Force Units
(16 major types, 31 total models in game)
Note: these categories loosely represent comparable or equivalent units, performance difference will vary greatly.
