B29 Gunner TTPs

[Oldman731]

I think strictly speaking that's not the case for the B-29. The only thing that will change is the amount of maximum power until you pass the FTH then you simply won't be able to make that predetermined cruise setting.

This plane and some others are turbosupercharged, and up to FTH there's nothing stopping you from making that max cruise power setting. The engine makes sea level power always. Hence cruise settings vis-a-vis fuel consumption remains the same always.

My plane is turbocharged.  No turbocharger is 100% effective.  There are still differences with altitude, and you still use the tables.

- oldman

[Krusty]

Be that as it may, just because yours does it doesn't mean the B-29s in WW2 did it. I admit I don't know for sure, but I honestly doubt that's the case. It doesn't matter, though. You answered one question I had (as to why you'd want to see this), so thank you.

[colmbo]

Be that as it may, just because yours does it doesn't mean the B-29s in WW2 did it. I admit I don't know for sure, but I honestly doubt that's the case. It doesn't matter, though. You answered one question I had (as to why you'd want to see this), so thank you.

There will be an altitude where you are limited by turbo RPM (around 25000 in the B17) and you'll have to reduce power so as not to exceed max turbo RPM so you wont' always have sea level power.

[Volron]

There will be an altitude where you are limited by turbo RPM (around 25000 in the B17) and you'll have to reduce power so as not to exceed max turbo RPM so you wont' always have sea level power.

What are the cruise settings for the B-24 at 20, 22.5 and 25k?  Will that work here in AH?

[dirtdart]

Krusty if you look at some of the p38 stuff out there, the cartoon looking books, there is a section in one of them on managing turbos.  Without resistance you can over speed your turbo at higher altitudes. As mentioned in an earlier statement they have limits.  The other points is no turbo is going to match sea level horsepower at all altitudes. To use an example from the guys who climb everest.  When their O2 levels were Checked they were stunned to find that they were surviving with an o2 rate as low as 30 iirc. Regardless of how much air you cram into the manifold there is just not enough oxygen by ratio to match sea level.

Is there even a moderate level of computing going on with the 29 sights?  I think I will set up a custom arena and pho e a friend to start sorting this a bit more. As far as sight visibility goes, having a bit more head play would help a lot. 

[colmbo]

What are the cruise settings for the B-24 at 20, 22.5 and 25k?  Will that work here in AH?

What aircraft weight?  What TAS do you want?

They range from 24.5"/1700RPM (about 215 TAS) to 35.5"/2325RPM (about 285 TAS) at 50,000 gross weight.

[Volron]

What aircraft weight?  What TAS do you want?

They range from 24.5"/1700RPM (about 215 TAS) to 35.5"/2325RPM (about 285 TAS) at 50,000 gross weight.

B-24J: Weight: 65,000 at take off.  This is with 8 x 1000 lb bombs and 100% fuel in game.  Generally I fly at around the altitudes I asked for.  The problem with the E6B is it lists MAX CRUISE at sea level and if I try to use that at 20+, I just slowly fall to the sky until I'm below 20k before she starts to stabilize.  It's the same with the B-17G.  I wish the E6B would adjust according to altitude...

I figured the person to ask would be one who flies a B-24.  Who better to ask?

[colmbo]

B-24J: Weight: 65,000 at take off.  This is with 8 x 1000 lb bombs and 100% fuel in game.  Generally I fly at around the altitudes I asked for.  The problem with the E6B is it lists MAX CRUISE at sea level and if I try to use that at 20+, I just slowly fall to the sky until I'm below 20k before she starts to stabilize.  It's the same with the B-17G.  I wish the E6B would adjust according to altitude...

I figured the person to ask would be one who flies a B-24.  Who better to ask?

I don't usually fly them in game quite that heavy...75% fuel for me.   If I understand right you're losing altitude at the Max Cruise setting?  You shouldn't be.  The real life B-24 is a booger to get up to speed and keep trimmed at speed. She is very unforgiving of hamfisted elevator use -- you can bleed off 15 knots and never get it back if you don't fly her the way she wants to be flown.   (But that could be handy if you're a bit fast on final -- just pulse the stick aft then back to neutral -- there goes 5 knots -- works on the B-17 also)


When you level off leave the power at 100% until you've accelerated to cruise speed, then reduce to your cruise power setting.  In the B-17 with 6x1000 or 12x500 and 75% I use 2300/38 inches for cruise without any issues....have done that up to 25K or so.

With the B-24 we flew at 30"/2000 RPM, in the B-17 we used either 28/1800 or 30/2000 if in a hurry.  We were low and lighter than a wartime airplane, probably the heaviest I flew the B-24 was around 53-55000 pounds.  At that weight we used all the runway taking off at Naples, FL.

[dirtdart]

 

Thanks for the link to the vids, made my night to see those.   

[Oldman731]

At that weight we used all the runway taking off at Naples, FL.

Great video.  Did you bend those throttles forward a bit there?  Lord knows I would have.  Exciting.

- oldman

[Volron]

I don't usually fly them in game quite that heavy...75% fuel for me.   If I understand right you're losing altitude at the Max Cruise setting?  You shouldn't be.  The real life B-24 is a booger to get up to speed and keep trimmed at speed. She is very unforgiving of hamfisted elevator use -- you can bleed off 15 knots and never get it back if you don't fly her the way she wants to be flown.   (But that could be handy if you're a bit fast on final -- just pulse the stick aft then back to neutral -- there goes 5 knots -- works on the B-17 also)


When you level off leave the power at 100% until you've accelerated to cruise speed, then reduce to your cruise power setting.  In the B-17 with 6x1000 or 12x500 and 75% I use 2300/38 inches for cruise without any issues....have done that up to 25K or so.

With the B-24 we flew at 30"/2000 RPM, in the B-17 we used either 28/1800 or 30/2000 if in a hurry.  We were low and lighter than a wartime airplane, probably the heaviest I flew the B-24 was around 53-55000 pounds.  At that weight we used all the runway taking off at Naples, FL.

I usually make runs on an enemy capital, which are more than a few sectors away.  This is why I always up so heavy.  Has worked out in my favor far more often than not, as I suffer from fuel leaks from either attacking fighters and/or flak.  Thank you for that information as it will prove very helpful to me.   My next question is, since you fly a B-24, how well has the HTC staff done with our B-24?  If she was to be updated, what would you think should be looked at?

It looks like you have fun when you up her.   I wonder, have you guys ever "traded planes"?  You fly a B-17 with a B-17 pilot while a B-17 pilot takes your B-24 with you there?


I wonder if it is still considered a Hijack after the topic has been answered to the op's satisfaction?

To bring back to topic (just in case); dirtdart, one way to learn is to up one and only go as high as 17.5-20k.  You are guaranteed to get some practice doing that, albeit pricey if you are shot down.  IF the AvA staff decides to make the B-29 available right away, you could easily go there and practice, AND you have the bonus of fighting against 262's for the perfect cost of FREE.   Hmmm....  That's not a bad idea for myself.

[colmbo]

My next question is, since you fly a B-24, how well has the HTC staff done with our B-24?  If she was to be updated, what would you think should be looked at?

It looks like you have fun when you up her.   I wonder, have you guys ever "traded planes"?  You fly a B-17 with a B-17 pilot while a B-17 pilot takes your B-24 with you there?

HTC has done a pretty good job.  The B-17 rolls quicker than it should, the B-24 should be nastier in the stall.   ALL the planes are too easy to fly

In that video the guy flying copilot is a B-17 Captain.  I often flew as co-pilot on the B-17 and several of our guys were type rated in both aircraft...yeah, we swapped around quite a bit.

[VonKost]

My experience with the superforts guns is that the side mounted blisters should not be underestimated for effective fire zones. You can get fire into zones that the tail can't cover. Practice switching positions without looking and maintaining target visibility. One thing I did was to go to the training arena and get some people to attack me and just practice. It don't cost nothing to practice and those guns are deadly!

[icepac]

Can you jump to another gunner position while hitting the global fire button?

[dirtdart]

Can you jump to another gunner position while hitting the global fire button?

I never thought of that and I think I am going to try it out this evening...great idea.