SE-Peregrine's Tactics Page

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Plan Ahead

Reconing can be one of the most challenging things to do during a War. One of the most important things to remember is to always know what targets are you are going after and which route would be the least likely to be hot. Before you start your route try to gain as much altitude as possible. I like to have at least 3000' in alt before starting my route. This is not always possible when taking off from a drome that is far away from no mans land or your recon targets are so far away that you will need all your fuel to complete your mission. Try to get at least 6000' in alt before hitting enemy lines, the higher the better. If you have a long way to fly throttle back to 75% or more once you hit cruising alt.

Solo Recon

When flying solo recons keep hitting your N key. Remember that if you can detect an enemy before they know you are there you can in most cases avoid them by flying away from the N contact. When I am flying a solo mission my N key is my single greatest asset. I have made a number of successful solo recons during war where I hit N cons (remember when flying solo all N contacts are the enemy) and had to turn around change my route and probe some more until I found a gap in there defenses to fly though. Solo reconing can be one of the most boring and never racking things to do. But then again it is also one of the most rewarding when completed successfully. When I do fly solo recons it is usually right at the beginning of the evening when the enemy numbers are at there lowest. Another very important aspect of solo reconing is to try to keep chatting down to almost nothing. The more you chat the less likely you are to see the N contact before he sees you. I have flown on solo recon missions that took well over an hour, because the route I choose was so far out of my way so that I can sneak in from behind to grab a quick photos then bug out. If an area is to hot turn around and try to hook up for some escort or pick another target.

Escorted Recon

Flying recons with escort is in some ways easier then solo recon and in some ways harder. It is a lot less nerve racking then solo (unless all your escorts mech), but in some ways takes more work, teamwork that is. So the opposite is true with escorted reconing chatting is one of the most important resources that you can have. Let the escorts do the N key work and you let them know your every move. Good communication is the key to a successful escorted recon into a hot enemy zone, without it you're dead meat on a stick. Recons are dog slow so remember to tell your escorts to throttle back if they start to get to far ahead.

Two to Three escorts is the best way to go. If there are only two I like to have one in front and high and one in back and high. The escort in front calls out N cons and you adjust your route accordingly. The escort behind me sticks to me like glue his job is to see that I get home.

With three escorts you have two out in front and high and to the left and right of you and one behind and high. The job of the two escorts in front is to call out N cons and the one behind is to cover my rear.

If for some reason you think you need to change course you need to call it out so your escorts will change with you. If the lead escort tells you the route is to hot. You have one of three choices scrub the mission, pick a new target or change your route and try to sneak up from behind. Remember that the most likely place for the enemy to be is out in front of the target not behind it. If you do decide to come in from behind you should have your forward escorts pull back to the left and right side of you just before you reach the target. That way the chance of an enemy getting an N con before you can get the photo is somewhat less. After the photo is taken if there is enemy contact the forward escort (s) should drop back and engage the enemy if needed. The rear escort should stay with you as long as they can, because once you've been detected they are going to call for help. There is nothing worse then having all your escorts run off to engage one or two enemies only to have one of their team mates find you and take you out.

What do you do if your escorts start meching like flies? You can wait for more escorts or if the mission is well on its way switch to Sole mode and try to sneak in. If you choose to do this let your team know so that they can find you and hopefully engage the enemies that you just said smile and say cheese to. But once again keep chatting to a minimum. If you have Roger Wilco up and running great sing like a song bird, if not keep hitting that N key and keep your trap shut :) .

Taking that Kodak moment

I have found that planing your approach is a must. By the time I am over enemy territory I like to be between 6000' and 8000'. My reason is that the enemy knows that the maximum recon picture altitude is 5000' or 1600 meters, so they tend to hang around at about 6000' or lower to try to pick up recons. By coming in high I do not allow them an alt advantage and I can increase my speed when diving away from N cons without losing to much alt.

As I am approaching the target I drop down to recon photo alt, line up on target, hit auto pilot, hit your E key to check for enemies, press F5 or appropriate joystick button to bring up the outside slewable view. Bring the view around to frame the target with your aircraft in it. Hit the key you have for Hypersnap programmed on. Disengage autopilot and get out of AA as fast as you can. Make a note of your Alt & the time the photo was taken. Fly to the next target and repeat. Once you've got the photos that you have come for head home. If you have escort let them cover your butt, if not get you N key finger out and start using it. Try to regain some for the alt you lost to take the photos just in case you have unwanted guests.

Tips

If a Hun sees you and you are without escort return to base. It is better to get one Recon photo in than to get none.

I have also noticed that flak starts to become clustered around you if you fly at the same altitude so doing little dips & climbs seems to spread it out.

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