Golfers primer for using manual calibration post v2.14

[Golfer]

Guys and girls,

Below is a quick and dirty how-to guide for bombing over open water in level bombers.  Posted per daddog's request.

With the new update there's no doubt you've noticed the fancy new water that looks and acts similar to real water.  As with any change there is bound to be a ripple effect and the featured ripple of this short guide is how exactly do we level bomb over water?  For starters it's worth pointing out that our method for calibrating the Norden Bombsight of AH2 and that used in real life is not entirely dissimilar.  Whether you think it or not this actually gives us a new layer of realism and immersion providing us similar limitations to level bombing that would be found in WWII.  The following paragraphs will help guide you through the initial curve of accepting our new situation, how to strategically adapt, tactics and some last ditch instructions for getting a reasonably accurate calibration when over water.

First the most obvious way to not worry about level bombing over water is not to assign level bombers to sink ships out to sea.  If it must be done it would behoove the CIC to put some extra thought into the route he or she wants their level bombers to take on their missions.  A strategically ideal setup would be assigning targets close to a land mass or fixed point to give the bomber formations a reference to calibrate.  While this cannot always be done if the CIC must assign level bombers to attack moving ships out to sea because no other asset is available there are options. All is not lost to those assigned to level bombers as there are some tactical workarounds for level bombing out to sea.  They're not impossible to conquer even on the first try but they do require some thought and some practice couldn't hurt.  Next you'll find some procedures for last-ditch level bombing out to sea.

Enter bombsight view (F6)
Begin calibration mode (U)
Select target altitude (Shift + Click on clipboard map anywhere in the water to make target alt 0. If it doesn't allow you to click the water clicking a coastal base will work just fine.  The goal is to have your target altitude to be 0 or as close as possible)
Prepare your bombsight by pushing forward on the stick to line your crosshairs out in front and adjust your eyes.  You'll find that the active water and movement of the waves do not provide a fixed point from which to calibrate.
Much like the way you would calibrate over land press Y and pull your stick gently straight back toward you attempting to do your best to mimic a typical over-land calibration.
Release Y after at least 2 seconds
Take a look at your "Score Board" in the upper left hand corner of your screen.
Target Alt = 0
Drop altitude = The altitude you're flying on the bomb run
The most important piece of information is Calibrated Speed.  This should be in the neighborhood of what your groundspeed is as listed on the E6B.

Example:
Calibrated Speed = 238
E6B TAS = 254
E6B Groundspeed = 244

What needs to happen here if you want to keep your current calibration (if you're this close, I'd recommend it!) is you need to adjust your groundspeed to match your calibrated speed.  In this case decrease your groundspeed 6 mph.  Using the +/- on the NUMPAD to adjust slightly your propeller RPM or simply using your throttle will work in this case.

One important thing to remember is you won't have any crosswind correction for the bombsight which isn't much of a big deal because in real-life the winds don't stay at a steady state and steady direction across all altitudes like they might be set in AH.  This is actually very important if you don't want to simply guess where your bombs might land due to wind.  The workaround for this requires some planning by the CIC or possibly the squadron commander if they're given some freedom to improvise in their orders but is a beautifully simple solution.  What is it you ask?  Plan your bomb runs either directly upwind or downwind to take any windage errors out of the picture.  Match your groundspeed to your calibrated speed, take the wind out of play and make sure you put proper lead on your target ship. With these simple tips you should be golden should you find yourself in the less than ideal position tasked with level bombing over open water.

Don't forget carpet bombing as a completely valid tactic should you find yourself unable to overcome the open water challenge as an individual.  Tuck your formation in with a buddy or squadronmate, drop on command and you'll find yourself recreating completely valid WWII tactics with great effect before you know it.

[Kermit de frog]

I'll wait 'til the movie comes out...

j/k
 

[akbmzawy]

You have some good points Golfer and I will have to practice some runs now. As one of the AKs designated CV killers I havn't tried to sink a CV since this new version came out. A challenge is always nice.

[daddog]

LOL Kermit!

I have to say I was really concerned manual calibration was out of the picture over water with the terrain update. I was unable to do it until Golfer posted a how to in the CM forum.  Tried it and I put eggs all over a CV from 16k. Of course it was not turning and I knew its direction, but at least it is possible.

[TUK]

What if you graphics arent good enough to (pick a wave on the water), and how do I turn on manual calibrations in the arena settings?(FOR OFFLINE)Ty Tuk151

[Golfer]

Don't try to hold on a wave.  It will not give a good result and is included in the writeup:

You'll find that the active water and movement of the waves do not provide a fixed point from which to calibrate.

You're simply going to pull the stick back to mimic as best you can a normal over-land calibration and adjust your airspeed to match your calibration.

[daddog]

The first couple times I tried my calibrated speed was too low. Three times I was below 140mph. Then I did not pull the stick back so much and my calibrated speed was about 220mph so I went with that. Don't try to hold it on a wave. What is important is the calibrated speed you end up with. Then you match that with your E6B Ground Speed.

Off line practice. The Setup guys know more than I but this should be correct.
Clipboard
Options
Arena Setup
Environment
Arena Settings
Flight Mode Flags
 - Just put an X in the Formation Enabled Box. Leave the rest blank.

That should put you in the Manual Calibration mode for off line practice.

<S>

[akbmzawy]

I guess you could also have a squaddie ditch in the water ahead of you and calibrate on him.

[RSLQK186]

The first couple times I tried my calibrated speed was too low. Three times I was below 140mph. Then I did not pull the stick back so much and my calibrated speed was about 220mph so I went with that. Don't try to hold it on a wave. What is important is the calibrated speed you end up with. Then you match that with your E6B Ground Speed.

Off line practice. The Setup guys know more than I but this should be correct.
Clipboard
Options
Arena Setup
Environment
Arena Settings
Flight Mode Flags
 - Just put an X in the Formation Enabled Box. Leave the rest blank.

That should put you in the Manual Calibration mode for off line practice.

<S>

That will enable formations and you will want to do this.
But you must remove the X for Auto Calibrating Bombsite to get manual mode bombsite.

You can also put an X in the box for Percision Bombsite. It will paint a green + where your bombs will hit. Compair it with your clibration without actually dropping bombs and you can practice the steps several times while keeping your ordanace.
Just remember you will need to lead a moving target when you drop on a Task Group.

[TUK]

Done manual cal b4. Just seems lil difficult with the water and all, ships moving. Will do what it takes.. 

[ghostdancer]

Best way to hit ships is not to assign level bombers against them. Level bombing maneuvering ships proved to overall be ineffective (as born out by quite a few attempts in both the Pacific and Med). Best way to kill ships is with dive bombers. Torpedoes attacks work to but tend to have a much higher casualty rate.

So as a CiC, if you have the plane types, best to assign a JABO attack versus ships. Level bombers will have a heck of time and it only gets worst the higher alt you make your run at.

[Saxman]

I used B-25Hs in Frame 1 because I love the thought of them blowing holes in enemy shipping with the pumpkin chucker. It's history, come to life!

[ghostdancer]

Okay I stand corrected .. until we get skip bombs the Saxman is right next best thing attacking ships with a level bomber is a low level attack on ships in the B-25H with its pumpkins chucker.

Beaufighters would be great to have for this role to. I know, low on the list of plane additions but I can always dream.

[Anaxogoras]