Impossible to protect bombers

[Sentinarian]

So I'm stuck... I'm playing the first Midway mission where I need to protect the 12 B-17 bombers. The only problem is that when the ♥♥♥♥ make their first run, well before I can even reach the bombers, they shoot down 9/12 bombers! Reloading the checkpoint makes it 8/12 with several following within 30 seconds. I don't see how I can complete this when the B-17s take less hits to fall apart than the ♥♥♥ fighters do... Any tips are very much appreciated.

[Combatking]

Originally posted by Sentinarian:

So I'm stuck... I'm playing the first Midway mission where I need to protect the 12 B-17 bombers. The only problem is that when the ♥♥♥♥ make their first run, well before I can even reach the bombers, they shoot down 9/12 bombers! Reloading the checkpoint makes it 8/12 with several following within 30 seconds. I don't see how I can complete this when the B-17s take less hits to fall apart than the ♥♥♥ fighters do... Any tips are very much appreciated.

Did you let your squadron help you? They stay in formation by default but you can press '5' and signal them to attack or defend you. Helps a lot when defeating with other fighters and bombers. You can also use their special abilities they have like distract, fix your plane, etc...

[Sentinarian]

Originally posted by Combatking:

Originally posted by Sentinarian:

So I'm stuck... I'm playing the first Midway mission where I need to protect the 12 B-17 bombers. The only problem is that when the ♥♥♥♥ make their first run, well before I can even reach the bombers, they shoot down 9/12 bombers! Reloading the checkpoint makes it 8/12 with several following within 30 seconds. I don't see how I can complete this when the B-17s take less hits to fall apart than the ♥♥♥ fighters do... Any tips are very much appreciated.

Did you let your squadron help you? They stay in formation by default but you can press '5' and signal them to attack or defend you. Helps a lot when defeating with other fighters and bombers. You can also use their special abilities they have like distract, fix your plane, etc...

I did, but they suffer from the same problem I do. After the original try I had to reload from checkpoint and I spawn with my back to the enemy fighters and flying away from them. So even when I immediately order them to attack, they still need to turn and close the distance which just takes too long.

[Combatking]

Originally posted by Sentinarian:

Originally posted by Combatking:

Did you let your squadron help you? They stay in formation by default but you can press '5' and signal them to attack or defend you. Helps a lot when defeating with other fighters and bombers. You can also use their special abilities they have like distract, fix your plane, etc...

I did, but they suffer from the same problem I do. After the original try I had to reload from checkpoint and I spawn with my back to the enemy fighters and flying away from them. So even when I immediately order them to attack, they still need to turn and close the distance which just takes too long.

Okay, I just finished the mission on my 1st try, although I lost 11/12 B-17s by the end. I didn't think I lost bombers as fast as you though. Must be a glitch? Here what I did. When you get assigned targets during the objective to protect the B-17s, press '3' to use Frank's ability to wipe out the Zeros quick. All 3 AI planes should just zoom away ludicrously fast toward them. You need to speed up as well to catch up. Then keep pressing '3' everytime the cooldown finishes and you have a target assigned. Try it out. Hope it works.

Edit: 1 star rating for Midway: Opening Move. *shrugs* good enough for me.