Blenheim operating limits and checklists

[Blackdog_kt]

Actually, taking off with the cowl flaps closed is recommended in the pilot's notes for the Blenheim Mk.IV, they are supposed to be effective enough in terms of airflow getting through the engine once you start moving.

I'm sorry for pushing this back guys (i've been spending some time on other real life stuff lately and other aspects of the sim), i will try to finalize my copying of the relevant manual pieces and post it here sometime within the next couple of weeks

[Buzpilot]

AFAIK the Engine head temperatures (asuming engine temps are sylinder head temps), arent they also depending on fuel mix, and not just airflow/rpm?
Is it modelled in this game/sim?
Shouldn't setting correct mix, also increase rpm slightly, like in RoF?

[JG53Frankyboy]

AFAIK it has only auto rich and auto lean mixture setting...

[Buzpilot]

Originally Posted by JG53Frankyboy

AFAIK it has only auto rich and auto lean mixture setting...

The P-47 has, not sure the Blenheim has, was just using the P-47 as reference, because it too has a aircooled radial engine.

[phoenix1963]

In general the two crucial things are to keep below 4lbs boost on takeoff and switch to coarse pitch ASAP.

[EDIT] I should have read Redroach's exellent post on the page above before sounding off. I'l have to try the inner tanks when back from hols.

I've been up to 11k ft climbing on 3lbs boost but there's no second stage to any supercharger and the mix seems bad, just like the hurri used to be.

Frankly it needs work.

56RAF_phoenix

[phoenix1963]

I presume the bomb-drop on doors open is the way of simulating the gravity operated doors?

Such a shame we don't seem to be able to move behind the bombardier's compass for the run-in to target!

56RAF_phoenix

[Redroach]

Still looking for advanced infos on the blenheim bombsight (Mk IX course-setting bombsight) and on the fuzes, so consider this a shameless bump!

Besides that, the "one bomb just falls out on opening the bomb bay doors" - issue still bugs me. I should have a serious word with my ground crew.
The explanation phoenix gave to that just adds to my confusion

P.S.: Addendum to my T/O procedure above: Now that I've got the drill of getting the Blenheim into the air down, I've become somewhat more cautious with using the boost cut-out for add. manifold pressure on take-off. If you've got a well-built runway, like that one where the blen's spawn on syndicate, it's very possible to take off without engaging the boost cut-out. As mentioned, it's really, really easy to blow your engines with that, so just skip that step for additional safety. Just don't forget to disengage carburetor heaters after your engines run smoothly; re-engage them if you go above 5500ft.

P.P.S.: I'm really scared of sparking another 'octane war', but.. has somebody tested if boost c/o operation is safer when feeding from the outer tanks (which, presumably, are filled with 100oct. fuel)?
I haven't yet tested that, but maybe someone has... I see a certain possibility that this is indeed the case

[phoenix1963]

Originally Posted by phoenix1963

I've been up to 11k ft climbing on 3lbs boost but there's no second stage to any supercharger and the mix seems bad, just like the hurri used to be.
56RAF_phoenix

I was wrong, it does not appear to be a bug, the shaking above 10k feet can be fixed by more carb heating (warm air intake).

Increasing it too far reduces power, so increase it until the shaking stops and add a couple of notches.

56RAF_phoenix

[whoarmongar]

I am so impressed that you guys are prepared to spend so much time and effort in trying to understand this quirky tempramental unforgiving unreliable awkward old bird.

If only the devs had spent half the time and dedication you guys have on flight testing this aircraft, then maybe we would have had something that would have been worth flying.
Perhaps better still they should have spent the time making the wellington a flyable model.

This "harder is better" mentality that infests CloD is very frustrating. I do like extra complexity and am perfectly happy messing with rads, oilcoolers, carb heat, prop pitch and boost, but I cannot abide engines that overheat just trying to taxi TO the runway, prop pitch and mix levers not properly modelled and all the other depressing little faults that keep coming to light.

Please answer me this question honestly guys. Has ANYONE taken off from England fully loaded arrived over target and bombed on target in the face off flak and enemy aircraft and got back home landed safe with full real settings CEM ?

Personally I cant hit a target smaller than say Calais or even perhaps Paris and the thought of a Me110 being within 50km of me is rather daunting to say the least.

[Blackdog_kt]

Originally Posted by JG53Frankyboy

AFAIK it has only auto rich and auto lean mixture setting...

Correct. In the Blenheim the levers move all the way (like a gradual, fully manual mix system) but they only have two functions: anything forward of the middle of the lever's movement range is auto lean and anything from the middle and back is auto rich.

This is not a glitch with CoD, the Mk.IV pilot's operating handbook describes how the real aircraft uses such a system.