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With six complete campaigns, Air Warrior II offers challenges in all areas of World War II military aviation. The first rule when playing one of these campaigns is to thoroughly go through the mission briefings, keeping track of what possible enemies might be in the battle region. Remember also that complete success in a single mission is not always needed. The mission path you follow in a campaign has branches, and by “losing” certain missions you can travel different paths in your quest to complete a campaign.

If any mission is particularly tough you can use the mission editor to check out all the details of the mission: number of enemies and their flight paths, mission objectives and enemy skill levels. Each campaign is located in its own folder under the MISSIONS directory. A little trial and error should enable you to figure out specific missions. Most are organized by their historic date. Following are some more general strategies for surviving each of the campaigns in the game.

11th Group
The Hawker Hurricane and Spitfire MK I are your assigned plane in this campaign, both very adequate for their assigned missions. Both of these planes have a very good turn radius and this advantage should be used when engaging the Bf 109E-3s, which are abundant in these missions. In comparison with the Messerschmitts, however, the British aircraft has a lower maximum speed and a slower rate of climb, making them vulnerable when dogfighting at high speeds. Limited ammunition supply is another important factor with these aircraft, especially when the game preferences are set to the realistic mode. The success of a mission may often depend on having a few shots left for the primary objective, so always make sure that an enemy is well within range before firing your guns.

Missions in this campaign vary greatly. Starting off, your Hurricane will be patrolling the skies of France at the beginning of the Blitzkrieg, finding and engaging any enemies encountered. In these earlier encounters make sure that any German bombers are taken out quickly, as these are usually the primary objective of your mission. If outgunned by enemy fighters it is often best to disengage the battle and return to your assigned route and landing field as this will still bring you some points. Being shot down will definitely hurt your score for the mission!

The last part of the campaign, taking part in September of 1940, is the most difficult. In these missions you might be starting as wing leader or even a squadron leader in the 54th or 257th squadrons, defending the skies of England in the Battle of Britain. German bombers in these missions are always a primary or secondary target; so if at all possible try to evade the escorting Messerschmitts and concentrate fire power on the more vulnerable bombers. Successfully destroying the bombers and surviving the battles should assure high point totals and completion of this campaign.

Fourth but first
Escort and sweep missions highlight this campaign and there are various strategies for both. When escorting a group of bombers make sure you keep an eye on any radio reports or visual confirmation of enemies in the area. Intercepting a group of enemy fighters as far away from the group of bombers is key to keeping them alive and giving you a high score. If in command of a group, make sure you give orders to attack any enemies in the vicinity, enabling you to take on any remaining fighters closing in on the escorted group.
Sweeps and patrols generally have a goal of finding and destroying any enemies in the area, making it easier for the bombers to make it through at a later time. Watch your ammo and make sure you do not leave yourself short at the end of a sweep, especially in the P-47D which you will fly later on in the campaign. Strafing of ground targets, especially aircraft, will play heavily in several missions and care must be taken when approaching such targets as there will often be anti-aircraft artillery (AAA) in the area. Make quick and random joystick and rudder movements to avoid this fire and then go in low for a quick strafing run on the ground targets. Pull up hard after getting the shots off and then, if necessary, come around for another attack. The Thunderbolt and Mustang can take more damage when performing strafing runs while the Spitfire, not nearly as rugged, needs to be handled with more care.
Later on in the campaign, after using the P-47D for a good ten missions, P-51Ds will become the exclusive plane in the last 20+ missions. On long missions make sure that ammo conservation is a very high priority in the mission. Stay close to the bombers, preferably at a slightly higher altitude, so a threat may be quickly dealt with at a good distance from the group. If you succeed in these missions you will soon find yourself winging your way over Berlin, finishing up the destruction of the Luftwaffe.

The Offensive
With this campaign exclusively using bombers there is need for different strategies. The most important tip when flying the B-17G is to familiarize yourself thoroughly with the commands to shift to the various gunner positions on the plane. The computer gunners are not that great and player operation generally leads to more kills and successful missions. By being able to quickly switch to different positions on the plane you can maximize your firepower towards any enemy aircraft in the area and greatly improve your chances of survival. If you are a group leader, keep track of the other bombers in your group and give them appropriate commands to attack enemy aircraft when encountered. Try to keep visual and radar contact with all enemies encountered so you can switch to the appropriate gunner position when an enemy is within range.

Make sure to keep at the specified altitudes given in the briefings when making your bombing runs. Altitudes and flight paths are specifically set up to avoid as much enemy fire as possible. If enemy resistance is light around the target cut the throttle slightly, thus making it easier to line up your target in the bomb-sight.

Bombing can be difficult to master, especially when under heavy attack, so don’t be afraid to re-try the first several missions to get the hang of it. Concentrate on being able to quickly switch to the bomb-sight (after repelling enemy fighters with guns), drop your stack, and then switch back to the various gunner positions. With enough practice even the toughest target can be hit and destroyed and this will ensure high marks in your mission and campaign.

Adlerangriff
This German campaign is similar to the Allied “Fourth but First” with most missions being of the sweep and escort variety. Similar tactics may be used in this one but also remember that your Messerschmitts have much better speed ratings than the Spitfires and Hurricanes you will face. Use this speed to your advantage and keep from getting into slow speed turns where the British aircraft are superior.

When escorting JU 87s and JU 88s stay well above your bombers and keep an eye out for any interceptors. Try to dispatch any British planes quickly for more groups will probably be showing up soon.

JG 2 Richthofen
Taking place during the last several years of the war, the missions in this campaign use Focke Wulfs and Messerschmitts to repel the allies in the skies over France and Germany. One major point to keep in mind is that near the end of this campaign, pilots and fuel will be in short supply. Veteran wingmates will be rare and morale will not always be high. Be prepared to take out primary objectives yourself and do not presume that your wingmen will be around at the end of a large battle.

Survival is also a key element in many of these missions and quite often is a primary objective. If things are looking bad, check out secondary objectives and try to keep you and your wingmen alive.

Battle over Germany
Defending against American B-17 bombers is the objective in this campaign and quite a difficulty it may be! Wingmen are generally average in these missions so be prepared to do the majority of the work yourself.

When intercepting keep your speed high, avoid the escorts, and move in for quick kills against the B-17’s. Watch for fire coming from the gunners on the bombers and make sure you don’t get in-between several in formation were they can fix their guns on you. Try hitting the outside or end plane in a formation so there are fewer guns to worry about at one time. Finally, keep a close watch on the ammunition levels and make sure you leave plenty for use on the bombers.

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Page Updated Mon Feb 28, 2000 8:25pm EST