BlindTop 0.1.0 is incomplete, so lets go with Bill’s version 3.6.0
I have ample room to install any version of vassal, but let’s not use vassal 3.7.26, because the .rpm file is broken (I’m on Linux).
This would have been a useful thing to have reported to us, with some details about what is broken.
I download VASSAL 3.7.27 and Flat Top module 3.6.0
I am ready to go.
Oops. Brainfart on my end. It was several weeks ago. I thought it was 3.7.26. Whichever one it was, (.24 or .25?) I reported it as soon as I discovered the failure; the problem in the .RPM was fixed, the update number was incremented with the fix.
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I have both now as well.
ARe we ready to start?
I think so, I got the version(s) of vassal and the input model discussed. I loaded those and then it asked for a log file I think. Based on a discussion above that’s where we have to wait for the referee to give us one ? First time for me going through this so just sort of guessing.
Ok, so this is what needs to be done right ?
Hello,
We both have vassal and module.
We are awating the vlogs for get started.
Need your email addresses to send you your starting .vlog file.
Send your email addresses to me in private message, so as to not publicly reveal them to bots that harvest email addresses.
I sent email with me email address.
Starting logfiles sent out.
Ok, looking over the start info, I found that the allied air units are in midway. I moved them to PM but I have a question, can I start the 6 P40’s as ready in moresby ? Also, the scenario notes say “The Catalinas that begin the game at Port Moresby may take off without restriction, but must remain in flight for the entire game.” So, what does the “without restriction” mean ? Can I take them off without regard to the air base ready capacity ?
JHL
The Catalinas had extremely large fuel capacity, as they were meant to be long range search and transport aircraft. The “without restriction” means that you don’t have to worry about getting them back to base, for several reasons
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The Consolidated PBY Catalinas are amphibous planes. They don’t need to land on an airstrip.
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One of their PBY’s roles is cargo transport. Thus, the crew on a patrol flight could carry enough food and water to survive for a few weeks in the event that the couldn’t make it back to a base before runing low on fuel. At that point, they would radio a base their intended landing location, and just float until such time that AVGAG could be delivered 5 gallon cans by either another PBY or some surface ship or small craft (such as PT-boats which had a range in the 400-500 Nautical miles), or giving a side-mission to a sub that would be sent out on picket duty to recover downed aircrew. In other words, PBY, PBY2 (Coronado) and PBM (Martin Mariner) aircrew didn’t have reason to fear running out of fuel before getting back to base.
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The typical patrol endurance of a PBY Catalina is in the 15~20 hour range. The scenario is only one day in length, so there’s really no restriction on where the PBY could be when fuel levels force the crew to put down. You don’t have to keep track of the PBY being unavailable after that time, because by the time a PBY is running low on fuel, the scenario is already concluded.
I revisited the special rules for the game.
Regarding your questions concerning the meaning of “the Catalinas can takeoff without restriction”
Normally, if you’re launching a lot of aircraft from the same airfield or off of the same flight deck, they have to be grouped, as a percentage of aircraft taking off vs the capacity of that airfield / flight deck to launch planes, and then, a pro-rated amount of movement points are deducted for how far they can travel the first turn (the turn that they launched)…and if many are travelling as a group, the first ones to take off, have to wait for the last ones (circling the airfield or CV waiting for the mission package to get aloft.
The PBY’s, being amphibious, and at a coastal base, don’t have to wait in line to take off. They can ALL take off at the very beginning of the turn.
I hope that clarifies things.