Pilots, kits, and airfields

[Paasky]

Pilot kits are for pussies, real men die with their planes.

Or land and repair them

[FatJoe]

Whaaaaat no.. Pilot kits for the win

One of my most fond memories from FH1 is when jumping out with a parachute, landing way behind enemy lines and somehow get back to base without getting shot by either team. Stealing enemy truck/car, swimming, hiding in bushes or ruins while panzers and stugs roll on by.

[Thorondor123]

That's nothing. In FinnWars, I landed an IL-2 in a forest to rescue a friend who had been shot down in a Yak-9

Operation was success and the Finnish armour and aeroplanes felt the might of our rocket and back MG ^^

[Natty]

Did anyone ever explain why the pilots only have a pistol? I think he should have a SMG at least... and a wrench.

[Ts4EVER]

Did anyone ever explain why the pilots only have a pistol? I think he should have a SMG at least... and a wrench.

Are you insane? Then pilots would just parachute into enemy territory, shoot guys, take their kits and cap flags. Also, I doubt Pilots were issued with smgs, considering the Germans didn't even let their paratroopers jump with the heavy stuff.

[djinn]

Whaaaaat no.. Pilot kits for the win

One of my most fond memories from FH1 is when jumping out with a parachute, landing way behind enemy lines and somehow get back to base without getting shot by either team. Stealing enemy truck/car, swimming, hiding in bushes or ruins while panzers and stugs roll on by.

I totally agree... Nothing like 'behind enemy lines-Forgotten Hope style'

I think the idea is good

I always wondered why some maps put the pilot kits in some obscure location like they are meant to be easter eggs, especially with campers who don't care to bail, but just wanna fly. You don't want to go out of your way for the kit in the event the plane spawns and the bastard gets it first.

Sure, i do respect for the sake of gameplay, some maps SHOULDN'T get pilot kits at all, like hypothetically, a Battle of Britain SHOULDN'T get pilots with chutes, my opinion.

In others, like Arberdeen, same thing.. No pilot kits

Engineer kits should also be at all air strips, I think. Good idea then - Most definitely a team-play aspect to add

@Natyy
What's more, i'm not sure pilots of WW2 carried more than pistol, and that might have been optional.

[VonMudra]

Most pilots carried a pistol and a flare pistol.  Survival rifles would have only fit in bombers and such.

[FatJoe]

Did anyone ever explain why the pilots only have a pistol? I think he should have a SMG at least... and a wrench.

The reason for this is both historical accurate and for gameplay.

Like has been said, Pilots only carried a pistol if they carried anything at all, as it was compact and light enough to be carried but not take up too much space in the tight cockpit.

The gameplay reason would be that Pilots, after bailing, should only be able to defend themselfs if the situation would call for it, until the player picks up another kit and thus assumes a different role in the game. Therefor the player is forced to sacrifice his offensive weapon for a parachute.

[Yronno]

you know the reason you often see a stuka take off without a rear gunner?

it's due to the fact that it is near impossible to take down an enemy fighter on your tail
I have never done it and it's not like i haven't tried. I think i've died about 75 times in the rear gun of the stuka...

I've done it before, and it was quite a lifesaver against that Beaufighter.
The turret is a precaution that I think is worth having, especially in a vehicle like the Stuka that dives straight down with room for attack from behind.

Did anyone ever explain why the pilots only have a pistol? I think he should have a SMG at least... and a wrench.

Eh, no. Neither. Gameplay-wise and history-wise.

[THeTA0123]

GIVE ME PLANES WITH PROPER TURRET DEFENCES! 

Light and medium bombers plx!

[VonMudra]

I almost managed to shoot down a spit once with the stuka rear gunner....

I always liked doing rear gunner, but they def need more planes with it.  I'm still waiting on my Me110

[Ionizer]

I've bagged a hurricane once or twice with the rear gunner.  Its main use to get the enemy plane to be more careful, giving your pilot a couple extra seconds to get over friendly AA or near friendly fighters.

[Cadyshack]

Especially when being a lone rifle caliber mg, it's more for scare than for kill.

Historically, pilots did only carry pistols. The 109's cockpit barely allowed any shoulder space; try fitting an smg in with you.

As for me, I've never really been a big user of the chute. The asset in the plane itself makes a bigger impact than a lone guy with a pistol. I'd rather keep the plane going than me. Also, I'd rather have who took me down get the points. I don't believe there's points in destroying an empty plane.

It'd probably add more use to using the pilot kit for points when taking down an unmanned plane (i.e. bailed, or never manned on a forward airstrip), as bailers wouldn't have to worry as much to "the pilot's code."

[djinn]

I wonder if the devs can make taking planes down, empty or in use, score for the person who shot them...

Sur, it will mean you get points for strafing airfields, but isn't that all part of the game?

That way, bailers wont be so frowned upon, getting shot down would, since it gives an enemy points. And pilots will then see more use in strafing airstrips and destroying planes on the ground to keep the enemy out of the air altogether

[Flyboy1942]

I remember suggesting this way back before FH2 even released (extended to all team vehicles). I cant remember what happened with it all, but I remember the arguments for it were pretty much what you were saying, plus the benefit of getting points for taking down empty defenses/captured vehicles.

Arguments against it came came down to feasibility and players taking advantage of the point system and strafing/attacking main bases or empty bases for the points. (though I think the latter is moot cause this happened all the time if you think about it)

I'd really like to know if this is possible to begin with though.