Hi,
I’m currently flying one of the legacy KTO offline campaigns. On three occasions in the last couple of weeks, I have lost my wingman in a bizarre manner. Typical scenario might be a Pre Plan CAS mission using LGBs requiring some loitering in the target area. I typically don’t allow the AI to freehunt, preferring to designate specific targets via the Sniper pod. In all cases I would periodically ask the wingman for fuel remaining. In most cases, in the event of approaching Bingo, I will recall the wingman and RTB without any issue.
In the past, I have also ordered the AI to return to base independantly without issue, knowing that they throttle back to cruise home at 300 Kts or best range speed, and land without incident. This seems to have changed with 4.37. On each occasion that I have ordered them to RTB, they immediately seem to pull up steeply until out of sight. On RTB the debrief gives them as KIA and the cause was “Crashed”. No enemy action involved and plenty of fuel for safe return.
Oddly enough in one scenario, flying a 4 ship CAS mission. The element was calling Bingo and I released them to RTB without issue, although they did separate, with the lead heading to the alternate and the wingman heading for homeplate which was kind of cool!
Couple of minutes later, I ordered my Wingmate to RTB and he immediately pulled up disappeared from my view and subsequently crashed and died!
None of this is a huge issue as long as you are aware of the possible consequences involved in ordering your trusty wingmate home independantly and avoid doing so. I don’t know about you guys, but I occasionally (and frankly, a bit weirdly) get quite “fond” of a loyal wingman that I might have flown many missions with! Now thats what I call BMS immersion!
Has anyone else seen similar?
Regards
Dram.