Level bombing in the Blenheim

[ATAG_Dutch]

Those shots are superb Jimbop. Great advice too. I've been 'leaning to' using gunsight view also, which is maybe why I lose control.

Couple of questions though.

1)Would you say that the digital readouts for the bombsight are essential? (I'm not keen on them as they spoil the realism for me, although I always used them in old IL2)

2) There are two readouts for both bombsight altitude and bombsight velocity on the digital readout, one set matches your instruments, one doesn't. Have you changed these to match changes in your instruments, or is there another reason for it?

I'm going to use some time today to practice an offline mission using the bombsight if the wife'll let me. I'll video the results and post, for good or ill!

Edit: Well the first attempt was a dismal failure - I entered 10000ft and 200mph into the sight before take-off, then found at that altitude 200mph IAS was way too fast. 130-140mph would've been better. Dropped my bombs anyway, then realised I'd not opened the doors, then the engines started rattling through neglect, so I dived down and shallow dive bombed the target. Sheesh. Will try again later.

Edit 2: Attached is the mission I'm using to practice level bombing from 10000ft. The target is a collection of armour next to a large factory west of Dunkirk. Ctrl/F2 will give you a ground level camera view to check your accuracy.

Feel free folks!

[kestrel79]

So there's no "Leveler Stabilizer" key in CloD bombers? Or just in the Blemheim? Loved that feature when flying a bomber by myself in IL2.

I always liked flying bombers online in IL2 I look forward to doing this online when I get some freetime.

[Flanker35M]

S!

Another way to speed up the bombing run is to set on the ground the rough settings, for example altitude and speed. So when you are in the air and lined up for target only minor adjustments are needed basically thus lessening the control input oscillation etc. Just my opinion..

[jimbop]

Originally Posted by kestrel79

So there's no "Leveler Stabilizer" key in CloD bombers? Or just in the Blemheim? Loved that feature when flying a bomber by myself in IL2.

I always liked flying bombers online in IL2 I look forward to doing this online when I get some freetime.

No stabilizer. IMHO this should be included since it is hardly realistic to have to fly and bomb simultaneously. Having said that, the pics above were after a few hours practice and it is fairly reproducible so it isn't impossible without it.

I think the key is to trim well using the rudder and elevator. You can basically fly hands off and remain dead level for 5-10 sec at a time (which is all you need in the final release stage).

[jimbop]

I forgot to mention in the notes that I also adjust the altimeter. I think we discussed this above (or perhaps in the ATAG thread) - the altimeter is often set 200-300 feet too high. I click it left three times so am ~300 feet lower on instruments than default settings. I have edited above to include this.

[ATAG_Dutch]

I flew my own mission three times today, and got absolutely bloody nowhere.

Lots of practice and experimentation required methinks. Hmmmm........

[jimbop]

I'd set it up as an airstart just a few miles out from the target. Then you can rinse and repeat the drop. I must have done about 30 bomb drops before I started getting the hang of it.

[Megahurt]

No wing leveler... no artificial horizon. What were these clowns thinking. What A waste of time making bombers that cant bomb.

[jimbop]

I rely on the digital readouts on the interface and have not checked what the readout on the instruments is (will do next time I play). I tend to tinker with these a fair bit on the way into the target although Flanker35M’s suggestion of pre-setting these on the ground is excellent - thanks for that.

Regarding realism, I figure that by the time I have acted as both the pilot and the bombardier I deserve a bit of digital assistance! Nothing realistic about the current situation without the horizontal stabilizer IMHO but still a lot of fun!

Originally Posted by ATAG_Dutch

Edit: Well the first attempt was a dismal failure - I entered 10000ft and 200mph into the sight before take-off, then found at that altitude 200mph IAS was way too fast. 130-140mph would've been better. Dropped my bombs anyway, then realised I'd not opened the doors, then the engines started rattling through neglect, so I dived down and shallow dive bombed the target. Sheesh. Will try again later.

Yeah, I know the feeling. Have done that many times… At least you get a nice tight cluster of bombs when you eventually release the bomb door though! Thanks for the practice mission. I will start using it - I want to start going after the ATAG server #2 targets.