Bombardier Flight Control Wish

[EagleDNY]

Found some interesting reading on the B-17 flight control system which shows the bombardier with much more precise flight control than we currently have in AH - including the ability to make evasive maneuvers.

http://www.398th.org/Research/B17_AFCE.html

Currently, I will hop into a gun turret and step on the rudder (which cause the plane to roll) and make turns that way.  My wish is that the rudder pedals would work the same way while I am in the bombardier position (roll axis) - this would allow me better control during the setup for my bomb run, and let me do some evasives vs flak after the drop.  This would be terribly useful during my low alt runs over fields and carriers.  It would also give a much more precise control for bombers that have no gunners (Mossie / Ar-234). 

[Raptor05121]

When you are in the bombsight, you are controlling the ailerons already.

The "evasive maneuvers" it is saying is not the evasive maneuvers you are thinking. 12 degrees of control is not much, and even when it comes to enemy aircraft, there is no such thing as evading a fighter in a B-17.

[B-17]

While we're on it, why can't drones use rudder control?

[AWwrgwy]

While we're on it, why can't drones use rudder control?

Because there is no "pilot"?   

(They can't?)


wrongway

[321BAR]

When you are in the bombsight, you are controlling the ailerons already.

The "evasive maneuvers" it is saying is not the evasive maneuvers you are thinking. 12 degrees of control is not much, and even when it comes to enemy aircraft, there is no such thing as evading a fighter in a B-17.

sorry to say but yes there is such a thing. ive heard of B17 formations shallow-diving just enough to screw up an attack from high speed interceptors. and ive also witnessed bomber squadrons in game practice such a manevuer

[Raptor05121]

sorry to say but yes there is such a thing. ive heard of B17 formations shallow-diving just enough to screw up an attack from high speed interceptors. and ive also witnessed bomber squadrons in game practice such a manevuer

while on bombardier control and on a bomb run? I don't think so

[B-17]

Because there is no "pilot"?   

(They can't?)


wrongway

Nope. I tried once, and they just banked REAL shallow-like.

I've also noticed that their control surfaces don't move.

They're also ugly on the takeoff run.

They also stop WAY too fast.

They also can't drop below about 100 mph.

Their throttle settings also don't change.

They also NEVER run out of gas. Until youbail. THEN the engines die.

-.-

[EagleDNY]

sorry to say but yes there is such a thing. ive heard of B17 formations shallow-diving just enough to screw up an attack from high speed interceptors. and ive also witnessed bomber squadrons in game practice such a manevuer

Done this myself - you can make a tail intercept on B-17s very hairy for someone when you are pushing 300mph. 

[EagleDNY]

When you are in the bombsight, you are controlling the ailerons already.

The "evasive maneuvers" it is saying is not the evasive maneuvers you are thinking. 12 degrees of control is not much, and even when it comes to enemy aircraft, there is no such thing as evading a fighter in a B-17.

When I am in the bombsite, right / left on the stick is sliding me with the rudder - there is no "roll" to speak of visible in the bombsite when working the stick.  Stepping on the rudder when in a gun turret gets me the full roll axis and is immediately visible.  In a B-17, you can just jump to the chin turret and bring her around and line up easily - the big problem (for me) is trying to line up an Ar-234 or Mossie, even a limited amount of roll control would help greatly. 

[RTHolmes]

When I am in the bombsite, right / left on the stick is sliding me with the rudder - there is no "roll" to speak of visible in the bombsite when working the stick.

use the forward view on your hatswitch while in the bombsight - you can see the bomber rolling as you adjust.

[Raptor05121]

use the forward view on your hatswitch while in the bombsight - you can see the bomber rolling as you adjust.

THIS.

If you are in a bombsight and hold left or right joystick, eventually you'll start looking at the horizon due to BANK

[kvuo75]

i never understood why people are kicking rudder in the bombsight or in a turret.. don't they know that left/right stick in the bombsight turns the plane, and doesn't screw up your speed by flying uncoordinated?

If you are in a bombsight and hold left or right joystick, eventually you'll start looking at the horizon due to BANK

never seen that though. 

[B-17]

don't they know that left/right stick in the bombsight turns the plane, and doesn't screw up your speed by flying uncoordinated?

Not much, if at all. In my experience, anyways. If you've been cruising at alt for half an hour, and you've had your speed the same for 20 minutes, chances are you won't lose/gain speed by banking 4 or 5 degrees.

[kvuo75]

Not much, if at all. In my experience, anyways. If you've been cruising at alt for half an hour, and you've had your speed the same for 20 minutes, chances are you won't lose/gain speed by banking 4 or 5 degrees.

exactly, but kicking rudder into skidding turn will mess it all up.

[Raptor05121]

I've always just used light pressure on the stick to bank left/right to adjust onto my target. Faster planes are more susceptible to adjustments so most of the time I'm below max cruise on bomb runs.