Killing Armor with Rockets

[Scotty55OEFVet]

Ok, I know I have asked this in-game, but its a real pain sometimes to hear. I have no problem killing GVs with Bombs but when it comes down to firing rockets at a GV and killing/tracking/turreting it (aside from the softer ones i.e. M8, LVT, M3) I am downright awful. Can someone tell me the best way to attack Armor with Rockets to kill it. I know some of the sweet spots, but I can fire 10 rockets at a wirble and still not track or kill, etc. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.


                                                                                                    RedDEVIL

[Lusche]

Use the PB-1 (FW 190F-8), the only anti-armor rockets in game. A single direct hit will usually destroy any tank.

[Scotty55OEFVet]

Really? I must have been misinformed awhile back cuz someone told me those things were AP Rockets lol...knew that sounded funny lol. Ty very much, Ill give em a shot 

[IrishOne]

Use the PB-1 (FW 190F-8), the only anti-armor rockets in game. A single direct hit will usually destroy any tank.

yep they smash the crap out of tanks, if you can hit with them

[Noir]

the updated British rockets seem to do the work also, killed (boom) a flak and a M8 so far...

[clerick]

Really? I must have been misinformed awhile back cuz someone told me those things were AP Rockets lol...knew that sounded funny lol. Ty very much, Ill give em a shot 

AP = armor piercing = Anti-armor

[SmokinLoon]

As Looshy said, the Pb1 rockets found only on the 190F-8 are the only anti-armor rocket in the game and they do work wonders against tanks.  A hit anywhere will usually destory the tank outright.  The secret is to hit which isnt all that easy to do.  My suggestion is to come in fast (250 TAS+) at a 30-45 degree angle of attack, and put the dot of the reticule right on the target and let loose a volley of 3-4 rockets.  If you miss, observe your impact marks and adjust fire.  Rockets have just as many variables as dropping bombs.   

The British 3in/60lb RP-3 rockets are "SAP", meaning semi-armor piercing.  The have the most destructive power of any air to ground rocket in the game and a bit more stout of a projectile as well.  They seem to do a bit better vs armor than the US 4.5in and 5in rockets, as well as the Soviet RS-82 and RS-132 rockets which are all straight HE type rockets.  You can get kills vs armor, but impact on the less armored areas (top/rear) at the right angle seem to be the norm.  More often than not when using HE rockets vs armor you will take out a track, destroy the engine, or destroy the turret.     

[JOACH1M]

I salvo 12 with f8 lmao!

[Reaper90]

the updated British rockets seem to do the work also, killed (boom) a flak and a M8 so far...

Don't know it happened, luckiest shot of my AH career, but I killed a Tiger with rockets from a Typhoon while attacking a port. He was rolling off across the field towards the spawn, and I came down from dead vertical and fired 2 rockets and immediately got a kill message. I wasn't filming but only thing I can figure is one landed a direct hit on the top of the turret. Surprise the heck out of me, for sure.

[Krusty]

Use the PB-1 (FW 190F-8), the only anti-armor rockets in game. A single direct hit will usually destroy any tank.

I believe the RS rockets on the IL2 and I-16 are also meant for armor, no?

[Masherbrum]

I believe the RS rockets on the IL2 and I-16 are also meant for armor, no?

I don’t recall anyone saying they did not have them.  Lusche just used an example. 

[Lepape2]

I practiced a lot in the 190F8 last night offline on the tank drones on various tanks. It seems the only tank invincible to those rockets are Tigers... I see my rockets bounce off it! T34/85 is the second hardest to shoot down.

For shooting accurately though is another matter. I try to come in level (Its easy augering the 190) at 300mph and shoot at around 600-400 only 2 rockets at a time (they alternate from each wings after 2 launches) and I use a graduated sight to tell me exactly where to point my nose ABOVE the target and slightly to the side. Sometimes it takes more than 1 rocket hit to kill it but usually one will do.

A graduated sight in \/ shape below the center pointer will do it.
With accurate shooting and no wirbles around, you can come up with 3-4 GV kills in one sortie (+ 1 bomb).

[SmokinLoon]

I believe the RS rockets on the IL2 and I-16 are also meant for armor, no?

Nagatory.  The RS series of rockets were stricltly HE, but they were used against armor with high hopes but were found to be highly inaccurate (less than %2 hit ratio) and not worth using except for an area effect weapon.  There is a good website out there that covers the basics, but also lists some good resources.  I'll see if I can dig it up. 

The BRS series of rockets were designed for AP use, but I dont remember just how much they were actually used or the specifics of their performace.

[SmokinLoon]

I practiced a lot in the 190F8 last night offline on the tank drones on various tanks. It seems the only tank invincible to those rockets are Tigers... I see my rockets bounce off it! T34/85 is the second hardest to shoot down.

For shooting accurately though is another matter. I try to come in level (Its easy augering the 190) at 300mph and shoot at around 600-400 only 2 rockets at a time (they alternate from each wings after 2 launches) and I use a graduated sight to tell me exactly where to point my nose ABOVE the target and slightly to the side. Sometimes it takes more than 1 rocket hit to kill it but usually one will do.

A graduated sight in \/ shape below the center pointer will do it.
With accurate shooting and no wirbles around, you can come up with 3-4 GV kills in one sortie (+ 1 bomb).

I cant argue with the way you do your rocket attack run vs gv's (what works for you may not work for others, etc), but mind you that if you come in with at least a 30 degree angle of attack, the trajectory is going to be flatter.  Also, you should be able to hit anywhere on any tank and destroy it, the only exception being the frontal armor on a Tiger.  The Pb1 can penetrate 90+mm of armor depending on the angle of impact (some say it deosnt matter but in AH it does, hence seeing some hits bounce off).  Regarding the aiming thing.... the rockets fly stright out from the wings, that can be demonstrated in the TA, just watch the green cross hiar as you switched from wing to wing.  The closer you can get to teh center of the tank coming in from the side the less chance you have of missing in the horizontal. 

btw... the Germans achieved a %10 hit ratio firing the Pb1 at 200 yards against individual Soviet tanks.  Against convoyes, the accuracy went up quite a bit, I could not find an exact % though.

[Scotty55OEFVet]

AP = armor piercing = Anti-armor

Hey Buddy, maybe I should have been more specific, was told they were AP=Anti-Personnel...lol, know AP is Armor Piercing. (Boy do I wish I would have typed that put last night lol)