A new low has been reached.....

[thndregg]

I chose not to read each and every reply in this thread, but when I fly bombers, I follow the sortie/mission through to conclusion, whatever end it may come to. I strongly believe this is the manner in how they should be flown, as it were back then. I know that this is a game that allows for "unrealistic solutions" to accomplish certain goals, but to reach target, destroy target, bail out (whethere or not there are defenders after you), and proceed with the next phase of the mission immediately thereafter is rather cheesy to say the least.

The aspect most people choose not to observe about bombers in AH is patience. Yes, this is a very dynamic game. Things can happen quickly on either side while you are on the way to your target. The only thing you can do is roll with the situation and plan ahead. Sometimes my sorties turn out rather boring and uneventful. Other times I get caught off guard by clever fighter pilots who deserve a lot of respect for taking the time to come up and shoot me down. Even the fight itself between my buffs and enemy fighters can go either way. Overall, that's why I stay in my planes, sometimes to the bitter end.

When I post bomber missions, it is with the understanding that it takes time. I admire and <S> the pilots who join in, either in bombers or escorts, because they recognize this. A lot of times it's a real attention getter for both sides, and the fights get pretty intense. I especially pay attention to the Rooks, because they have a lot of excellent pilots who get ready to pounce when we show up, and they do a damn good job.<S>

P.S. To make this clear, my opinion is just what it is. Everyone has a different idea of "fun".

[Spikes]

I'm with eggy on this one. When I get in buffs I fly until the end. Sometimes it means landing all 3 drones, sometimes it means landing 1 with 2 engines gone, no flaps and no gear, and other times it means getting shot down over the target area. I enjoy the long flights honestly, because when I'm in climb-out I can get homework done.

[Devonai]

I play AH as a combat simulation, so I stick with my buffs.  As for suicidal tactics, I have been known to circle an airfield at 10k waiting for an LA-7 or a Spit to come after me after my eggs miss their mark, but I'm looking for a fight, not a quick death.  I simply don't wish to fly all the way back to an empty airfield with my plane at 100%, and land the mission with no points earned.

I agree with the others that if you bail from a perfectly good airplane there should be some consequence.  As has been stated, sometimes you just run out of time or have to sprint to the bathroom, no big deal.  If you were restricted in which airfield you could up from for a few minutes I don't think it would bother honest folks.  Either we've logged off or finished our bathroom break long after the restriction expires.

[Rich46yo]

                               I always thought flying large formations of Buffs, historically accurate with historically accurate escorts, to be probably the most teamwork intensive aspects of the game. And skilled too. All those airplanes flying in an orchestrated ballet? Its pretty cool actually, and a lot of fun. On both sides of the ball. I dont get involved in them much anymore cause Im working on other game skills but its pretty cool to see all those airplanes flying together. The other day I shadowed a large formation relaying heading/Alt info for the other Rooks. I kinda got a front row seat to the ensuing battle and it was pretty impressive. <S>

[WWhiskey]

I fly bombers quite a bit, or used to and yes i like to fly to the end of my mission most of the time but i have bailed a time or too!
the thing is i thought it would be cool if you could only die once an hour or if you bailed there was down time for how high you bailed  like in the D.A.
 or if you were captured you had to escape from behind enemy lines, that would be better but im not just talking about bombers, what about a fighter that gets shot up and bails to jump in a new plane to come finish off your bombers, even better two or three times if your behind enemy lines a good ways! that doesnt seem fair! so you must either deal with bailing bombers or give up the ability to up a new fighter to finish off the bombers that didnt bail, after all they were probably lancs, or some other easy kill you just got robbed of, and that could be what your mad about
 what i think or atleast try to think is that the game is set up so that one person can play more than one role in an attack! say your side has 5 players and the other has 25 you need to be able to drop bombs bail and get the goon while the other 4 are killing the fighters or finishing off the town and doing a little ground suppression (vulch fest)
the abillity to bail helps small numbers of people take bases without a huge horde and i dont see it changing but if it does i hope it does for fighters and gv,s as well so once your dead your done for a bit, or if your tank or fighter is damaged, you have to try to limp it home instead of just grabbing another one within a second or two or another box of supplies so you can fire back almost within seconds (although i always set out supplies so i can do so )