Blenheim operating limits and checklists

[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

[JG53Frankyboy]

i am also VERY VERY carefully when starting a Blenheim on a DogfightMP map.

Using fine pitch i seldom use seldom more than 2300rpm - having always a quick look at the temp gauges. I am far away from using 110% throttle with fine pitch , therefor i dont activate the "boost cut, out".
I even try to roll in start position with enginetemps below 200°. To get a longer save time to run the engines at 'higher' rpms during the actual startrun.

And than after going to course pitch i am wondering why the possible rpm numbers are so high in the instruments , so low they are.



sidenotes:
-i have no proplem with "one bomb is falling when opening the bombdoors". It does not happen with my settings.
-you dont have to activate magnetos manually (in any CoD plane!), they are activated automaticly as soon you hit "I".

[Redroach]

for how to properly use the fuses, I finally stumbled on the A.O.Checklist (how could I miss that all the time? sigh):
http://forum.1cpublishing.eu/showthread.php?t=24547

But still, more info is needed on how to properly use the blen's MkIX C.S. bombsight... another bump

[Vengeanze]

I'm having a rough time keeping the temps within limits.
Either the oil gets too cool or the engine temp too hot.
There's no margins for error.
Any tip would be appreciated.

I found the tip of quickly turn on/off autopilot to lock tailwheel a tremendous help while warming up.

According to Blackdog and Fleas manual I should take off with rads closed but that doesn't work for me. Overheat before tailwheel lifts.

[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.

[Vengeanze]

Originally Posted by 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.

What he said!!