Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!ncar!noao!arizona!jtgorman
From: jtgorman@cs.arizona.edu (J. Taggart Gorman)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.games
Subject: Sinking Carriers in Harpoon
Message-ID: <1491@caslon.cs.arizona.edu>
Date: 5 May 91 18:02:37 GMT
Organization: U of Arizona CS Dept, Tucson
Lines: 43


  I have several points :

  As to using the altitude trick to avoiding incoming AIMs, it seems to work
against all NATO medium range or longer missiles (ie, just about everything
except the Sidewinder).  I think it is a flaw in the game.  I don't use
this trick too often since it doesn't reflect reality.  Phoenix AIMs are
some of the most deadly weapons in the world, and have been tested against
sea skimming missiles at 100ft and heavily jamming targets at 100K ft, so
I don't think dropping to VLOW would cause a Phoenix to lose track.  As for
the idea that the quick drop in altitude causes the missiles to lose
track, most AIMs can pull 10g's or more, much more than normal planes.  I
don't think you'll see a Backfire pull a 9g trick and live to tell.  I only
use this trick when I want to completely trash the NATO fleets.  I usally
try to play fair.

  As for a way to hit carriers without cheating, the best way to do it is
with subs.  Now we all know that USSR subs against NATO have a short
lifetime in Harpoon, but they can be of use.  In several NACV scenarios
there are lines of USSR subs in the GUIK gap where a carrier must pass.
Do not move your subs.  As for their depth, set it to the middle value.  I
can't remember the exact name of this depth, but it's not Periscope and
it's not deep, it's the choice on the far right hand side of the set speed
and depth dialog box.  USSR subs seem to last a little bit longer at this
depth.  I once had a Tico cruiser sail within 1000yds of a Victor.  Sure,
the sub died, but it got the Tico, and sent out the location of the
carrier group, so I could call in the Backfires.
  The best way to get a Backfire group into firing range is the feign, as
mentioned in other articles.  Send out a group of targets, ie., the planes
that will be Tomcat bait and the Backfires.  Have them attack from oposite
directions.  Make sure that the target group gets detected and fired upon
as far out as possible.  Do not send in the Backfires until the bait has been
taken to.  With the majority of the F-14s on the far side of the task group,
the Backfires should be able to jet in at VHIGH with afterburner and toast
the carrier with minimal losses.  As for the target airplanes, they're dead
meat.  I once used 20 Bears to do the trick. They all died very quickly
but since the computer saw 20 bogies coming in fast, it scrambled everything
at the Bears and let my Backfires walk in from the north without any trouble.
  See, that's all there is to it!

|      J. Taggart Gorman Jr.     | "I'm a no rust build up man myself."
|                                |          -Christian Slater
| jtgorman@caslon.cs.arizona.edu |             in 'Heathers'