Author Topic: Stuka gun pods? HT, read please? (Read 450 times)

Tails · « **on:** August 10, 2004, 11:50:41 AM »

I've heard mention before of gunpods on the old Stuka, and after Sunday's 'Million Stuka March', I've become addicted to the little dive bomber, so I figured I'd do some digging on the whole gunpod thing. (wow...long sentence)

From what I've seen, D-series stukas could carry one of two flavors of gun pods, or 'weapon carriers', in place of the under-wing bombs. One kind of pod, is a twin MG/FF mount. The other pod type holds a trio of MG-81z twin-barrel guns (effectivly, six guns per pod, twelve total on a plane

)

Now before anyone says anything, yes, the gun pods would seem to be something more commonly seen on 'Dora-1' Stuka's, and we have a Dora-3. But, also what I've seen, Dora-3's shouldn't have a bomb cradle, and thusly shouldnt be able to lug the 1800kg MOAB at all. Dora-3's also only have a single gun mount to aft, not a twin. So what we likely have is a hybrid of the Dora 1 through 3 Stuka's, as such the gun pod option wouldn't hurt. Plus it would give us a ground attack Stuka, without having to add the G-series 'Panzerknacker' and it's twin 37mm anti-tank guns

(not that I'm against it. The Il-2 could use a tank-busting rival)

So what about it, Hitech, any chance on getting gunpods for the stuka?

Kweassa · « **Reply #1 on:** August 10, 2004, 11:57:32 AM »

Would be cool addition to the planeset.

But hardly MA-worthy when 20mms or 50cals still hurt main battle tanks in a way which renders its combat effectiveness so totally.

...

Now.. if the Panzers or Tigers would gain immunity from normal 50cals or 20mms... then that's a different story. It'd become THE tank-buster of AH.

Tails · « **Reply #2 on:** August 10, 2004, 12:06:18 PM »

The gunpods on the D-series planes are hardly tank-busters. Though, I agree that in MA they could atleast give a tanker one hell of a headache.

In reality 50 cal and 20mm, while not leathal to a tank, could do disabling damage. Break some track linkages, blow off antennae and any external fuel, kill the guy at the pintle gun.
However, you are right that the tanks should atleast be unkillable by the lighter guns. They should still break stuff though

Edbert · « **Reply #3 on:** August 10, 2004, 01:25:37 PM »

Which was the Stuka with a single high velocity (AP) 37mm under each wing?

Ever read Rudel's book? That guy is credited with kiling like 100 (IIRC) Rusian tanks single handedly.

Sikboy · « **Reply #4 on:** August 10, 2004, 01:38:03 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Edbert MOL
Which was the Stuka with a single high velocity (AP) 37mm under each wing?

Ever read Rudel's book? That guy is credited with kiling like 100 (IIRC) Rusian tanks single handedly.

Isn't that the G-model?

And I could be wrong, but I think the 37mm gun pods on that plane were the same basic gun that we have in the Flakpanzer, firing AP rounds instead of HE.

-Sik

Tails · « **Reply #5 on:** August 10, 2004, 04:50:32 PM »

It was the G model Stuka with the 37mm high velocity guns. Yes, they are the same basic design as on our flak, only firing AP rounds.

The G-model could likely be made from the 3d mesh of our exsisting D model, as there are some similarities, though I'd be happy just getting the machine gun pod and MG/FF pod options on the exsisting Stukas.

GRUNHERZ · « **Reply #6 on:** August 10, 2004, 05:19:17 PM »

Here is Rudel's record, in 2530 sorties he killed:

518+ Tanks
700 Trucks
150+ Flak and Artillery positions
9 Fighter/Ground Attack Aircraft
Hundreds of bridges, railway lines, bunkers, etc.
Battleship October Revolution, Cruiser Marat, and 70 landing craft

As for the JU87G with its 37mm I dont think we will get it. It used extrememly powerful ammunition which could penetrate something like 140mm of armor. This would make any realistic conceivable perk tank absolutely useless because it would be easily killed by any JU87G in one attack to its side armor.

Right now the IL2's 23mm can deal easily with the Panzer IV, ewither killing the turret or engine and this making the vehicle a non threat with a single top side hit.

You can do the same damage with a few rounds of Hispano, 50cal and the NIKI 20mm. I think this should be changed so Panzers are not vulnerableto these weapons.

Instead I think hartkern AP ammo should be modeled for 190F8 which would then leave it, the IL2 and hurri 2D as the main tank "gun" killers. All the regular jabos should use bombs or rockets.

Fruda · « **Reply #7 on:** August 10, 2004, 06:48:13 PM »

But remember, the Stuka needs support. Without fighter escorts, there's little chance of a Ju-87G reaching a flank of Panzers.

I say that it would be a great addition to the planeset. It's slow, clunky, and unforgiving, yet it can destroy almost any WWII tank.

Urchin · « **Reply #8 on:** August 10, 2004, 07:21:04 PM »

I disagree, the Ju-87G would be in about the same class as the Hurri-2D and the Il-2.

Contrary to popular belief, (or maybe not contrary, I dunno), the .50 and Hispano COULD (repeat, COULD) penetrate the armor on the Panzer IV. It could get through the roof at a range of 300ish yards. Add in the speed of the plane and those rounds would be able to penetrate the armor at slightly longer ranges.

So.. what sets the Hurri-2D and IL-2 apart? Well, a Hurri-2C or Spitfire can knock out a Panzer IV's turret and engine easily enough (the .50 planes have a slightly tougher time, as does the Typhoon, mostly because if you get inside of 300 yards with one of those at the angle you need to get through the armor, you'll have a helluva time pulling out), but they can't do a thing against the Tiger.

A Hurri-2D can knock out the Tigers turret with the same kind of attack you use to knock out a Panzer IV's turret. And IL-2 can do the same thing.

A G model stucka, if we got one, would be in the same class as those. It would be actually kind of like a German Hurri-2D, except not as manueverable in A2A combat.

I'd kill to see one.

By the way, the 110 and 190F8 make reasonable tankbusters now, they can knock out the engine and turrets on a Panzer IV with the MG-151 now, as of 1 or 2 patches ago.

Tails · « **Reply #9 on:** August 11, 2004, 01:53:29 AM »

Again, I'm not asking for a G-model Stuka, as I know that is one hell of a can of worms to open. I'm just trying to get the D-model's machine gun pods and MG/FF cannon pods as options here.

Pongo · « **Reply #10 on:** August 11, 2004, 10:44:31 AM »

The Stuka would be way more controlable at the deadly high angle attack that works best with those weapons.
You need civillians and roads full of conscripts for the mg gun pods to be of any use.

Tails · « **Reply #11 on:** August 11, 2004, 11:53:34 AM »

Well, the MG81z pod option could also be used for troop strafing and making lightly armoured vehicles have a bad day. That and it could chain-saw through fighters pretty good too (I dont have a hidden agenda here, really!) The MG/FFs on the other hand would be decent town flatteners and convoy smashers.