Ever get bored on those long strat runs?

[Jayhawk]

So I jumped on and decided to do a strat run, but to make it a little more interesting I decided to not use the clipboard map to find my location.  So I took a couple screen pictures, pieced em together and printed it out:



Then broke out the good ole ruler and protractor and went to work.  I tried to use the gauges as much as possible but double checked the E6B for calibration (but covered the map!). 



Anyway, I made it to the target and it was a fun little challenge.

[Raptor]

very nice

[JunkyII]

  That does sound fun....Did you plot an azmith?

[gyrene81]

   If I ever get that bored...my movie collection will be getting heavy use or the wife will be getting a lot of attention.

Nice challenge for you though...  

[Jayhawk]

I didn't check what time I landed but the flight probably took 2-2.5 hours, pretty average for my strat runs (if I go in alone I go high).  However, I didn't get to go afk for an hour like I usually do.  I was regularly adjusting numbers and checking gauges.

Getting the map pieced together and printed out was really easy, it took me longer to find my protractor.  

[Lepape2]

I'd be so pis*ed if I did all that calculation (which looks really fun and brain-working), start calibration upon target sighting and get shot down by a random 163 at 35k...

Anyway, in a group, the leader doing all the work and the others following and trusting your navigating skills, that would be a real nice challenge and give everyone a nice taste of a real sortie. The fact that there is no wind in the MA is pretty much the only thing out of place at this point.

Love the idea 

[Strip]

I still wish for direction finders and what have you for those who wish to use them. Besides you can't experience one of the most common fears as a pilot, getting lost.

Give me a few of those and I wouldn't need GPS......

Strip

[Saxman]

Strip,

It should be aircraft-based. Some aircraft had Radio Direction Finders (F4Us I know for certain did. If you look at the dial compass, it's the "open" arrow on either side of the needle).

[Jayhawk]

I didn't have a lot of landmarks to go off of and the cloud layer didn't help.  I noticed while leaving friendly coast I was going over a river delta and was about 5-10 miles south of my planned line.  I stayed on heading and adjusted the numbers for the next leg of my trip.  My third leg was suppose to put me right over an enemy port before turning to target, I ended up a couple miles north of that.  I trusted the numbers and went ahead and turned south and sure enough was on line.

[thndregg]

LOL, Jay. That's just cool in a way. I wouldn't be any good at navigation the way a real navigator on a bomber crew would do it, but it would be a unique experience.

[CountD90]

I never thought of doing this before. I think I might make some maps to print out and use them to navigate instead of our in game GPS, seems like a new way to put some realism into the game.

[Kirin]

During my active IL-2 time I participated in several 'full-realism' campaigns which disabled map icons. I got used to navigating by map, ruler and eyesight. Very challenging and very fun!!!

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Haven't tried it in AH yet! Nice work there!

[Hap]

Jayhawk,

VERY cool.  Well done <S>

[ttflier]

+1 !!! 

I suggest that Jayhawk take navigation lead on a 91st mission using this technique (of course everyone will have to promise not to look at the clipboard maps - LOL) 

[fyvsix]

+1 !!! 

I suggest that Jayhawk take navigation lead on a 91st mission using this technique (of course everyone will have to promise not to look at the clipboard maps - LOL) 

To make the experience you would have to be in a combat box and drop on the lead bomber. That would be some rolling thunder. We used to do those missions in Warbirds WW2 arena where there was no map icons.