Originally posted by Oleg
Yes, bombers flying at max speed all way is unrealistic and it ever less realistic than fighters flying at max speed because it affect intercept tactics. There is easy solution which was suggested early - limit drones to cruise speed.
Personally, I'd have no problem with drones being limited to cruise, or even full speed with no "catch up speed" to maintain formation.
As to max speed runs; players that run their buffs at full speed have either mastered the use of trim tabs, using Kentucky windage in bomb sight, using large salvos, or are failing to use the hyper-accuracy of those bomesights to their fullest. Full speed hurts accuracy for the most part.
I typically run at 75% to 80% of full power settings on the bomb run. Most of the bombers in the game have a tendency to keep gaining altitude when under max RPM and MAN. This throws off a long calibration. You get the speed even, line up on target well in advance, and have a steady altitude, take a long calibration --- you can use single or dual salvos and hit many more targets on a single mission.
I can salvo 1 or 2 500 lbs bombs from a flight of B-17's from 25K or higher and take out a strat target like dar, ord, or troops pretty consistently. It's also fun watching would-be interceptors bring planes unsuited to high altitudes, claw their way up to altitude..... just to swat them down. I've gone back and forth over one to three fields taking my time at killing every single strat target on the base(s). Result: no troops or sups, no dar, no ord, no DT's and 75% fuel limit.... and usually 3 or 4 kills to land.
Of course, I also advocate the introduction of the German 88mm Flak36 artillery piece to the game, which can, in addition to indirect and direct fire, can be used in the AA role as manned puffy ack up to 35K altitude.
