Hey all,

I'm trying to put together some historically-based mission types, that would typify a "day in the life" of an average pilot. The idea being to provide some variety, by rolling before the game to decide what kind of mission it is. I am mainly focused on Western Front - Spring 1918 (both before and during the Spring Offensive), because that's what I have the planes for. At this time I only have British and German- so will focus my efforts there.

The one's I'm thinking about right now:

-Fighter Sweep (Offensive Patrol)
-Artillery Observation/Contact Patrol (a 2-seater must attempt to remain on the board to complete their mission)
-Short Range Photo Recon (a 2-seater must attempt to take pictures of a tactical target and get off the board safely)
-Daylight Bombing Mission (a flight of 2-seater bombers strike a target)
-Ground Attack
-Long Range Photo Recon (a 2-seater must attempt to take pictures of a strategic target and get off the board safely)
-Transit (simply exit the far edge of the board, simulating either going to or returning from one of the above missions (except Fighter Sweep))

I've been trying to do research on these typical missions to see what would be "normal," but could use some help. So any historical assistance you can provide on the below questions would be much appreciated:

1) Artillery Observation/Contact Patrol: These were generally undertaken by Corps Observation Squadrons (RFC/RAF) - [so either RE8 or FK8], or German Fl Abt (A) [C-Class]. From what I can tell, these were generally unescorted (at least on the RFC side), so the only help they could except to receive was from roving friendly fighters, correct? It does seem like the Germans occasionally escorted theirs, but generally with 2-seater CL class, rather than D-class single seats. Is that correct?

2) Short-Range Recon: Likewise with Artillery Observation/Contact Patrol - most likely unescorted?

3) Daylight Bombing Mission: From what I can tell, DH-4s were often unescorted, or could be escorted by Camels, SE-5a, or Bristol F2s. It doesn't seem like the Germans did much daylight bombing with 2-seaters, mostly night with the big-boys like Gothas, etc. Is that correct?

4) Ground Attack: Well documented GA sorties by Camels, and to a lesser extent SE-5s. Did German D-class fighters do much Ground Attack? or was this left mostly to the CL-class?

5) Long-Range Photo Recon: For RFC/RAF, this would be Bristol F2s - either unescorted or self-escorted by other F2s? And for Germans, C-Class, either unescorted or escorted by CL-class - rarely by D-class, correct?

Trying to balance historical correctness with playability - wanting to make sure I'm at least in the ballpark. Obviously a single RE8 against a flight of German D-class wouldn't be much fun (for the RE8!), but maybe a roving Camel patrol intercedes on his behalf.

Any help is much appreciated!

Thanks,
-Max