[Hasler]

I was wondering how many ships can be included in a mission before the game will crash. I dont necessarily mean at once. I just mean how many ships can come and go(not waves individually named) durring a mission before it wont load anymore.

[karajorma]

I believe it's about 100 ships that can be placed in FRED. As far as I know the number of waves you can make off of those hundred ships is pretty much whatever you want but to be honest I've never tested it.

That said just cause you can have a mission with 1000 ships in it doesn't mean you should. That article should help you avoid some of the pitfalls in making big missions.