Plane Designer Tune-Up
This is a small mod that returns plane ranges closer to pre-AAT levels and adds a few new plane modules that combine the effects of range and defense enhancements. I created this mod because MIOS, even the range focused MIOS do not increase range back to pre-AAT levels.
– Increased plane range. Plane range is increased via a modifier attached to engine components. Upgrading to a higher-level engine will increase range.
– You might notice a slight increase in the challenge of the air component of the game. The increased range also increases air mission efficiency. Not only does this help the player, but the AI. The AI is not as hindered by the very short ranges of the 1936 designs that make up the majority of its plane production.
– Adds 3 new plane modules that combine the effects of range and defensive enhancements. These require an added 30-day research.
– Equalizes airframe weights within airframe classes. Airframe weights no longer increase.
– Great for RP! Increased upgradeability makes older airframe designs more viable and useful throughout your play through. This allows you to mimic the production of planes that were produced for the duration of WW2 without hobbling yourself. Planes like the P-40 and Bf109 or the Spitfire that had 24 upgrade versions.
About this Mod:
I wanted to be able to create plane designs that were more reflective of the exceptional planes of the WW2 era. The P-51-D had an exceptional range of about 2660km with drop tanks. The level 4 engine range modifier is based on achieving this range on a 1944 small airframe with the full range-based MIO bonuses and equipped with drop tanks and one extended fuel tank. The level 2 engine modifier is based on the B-17 range of 3000km. The level 3 engine modifier is not based on any actual plane but just set to a value between the level 2 and 4 modifiers. The resulting ranges are very close to pre-AAT unmodified ranges and the ranges of base game planes.
I decided to added the mods that combine range and defense mods to further extend to viability and modification of 1936 airframes that are limited to two module slots. This is to reflect the continuous improvements that were applied to many WW2 era planes. To keep theses new mods balanced the combined weigh is also applied, and 1 point of additional build cost and resource requirements were added.
Revisions:
Old revisions of this mod are available below. Click the link to download.
