Azon bombs

[Ack-Ack]

I would like to see some of the more exotic ordnance packages that were used operationally during the war be made available.  In this case, I would like to see the Azon VB1/VB2 be an ordnance package option.  The Azon was first used in the MTO when B-24s from the 15th AF dropped Azon VB1s on the Aviso Viaduct in the Brenner Pass area of northern Italy, while wasn't quite the success it was hoped to be in the ETO/MTO, the Azon faired much better in the CBI.  In the CBI, B-24s mostly dropped Azon bombs against Japanese railroad bridges and trestles that were heavily defended by AAA.

The Azon VB1 was a GP 1,000 pound bomb that was fitted with a new quadrilateral 4-fin tail featuring a gyrostabilization system, a pair of rudders, and a tracking flare.  It could only be steered left and right so it was named "AZON" for "Azimuth Only".  In concept, the design as similar to the German Kehl-Strassburg system that allowed the bombardier to steer the bomb with a joystick.  The AZON radio control system had five channels, allowing five bombers to drop and control a AZON simultaneously.  The VB2 was the same as the VB1, with the only difference being the VB2 was a GP 2,000 pound bomb and built in fewer numbers.

A total of 15,000 AZON VB1s were built during the war.




ack-ack

[bustr]

found some test footage of the AZON VB1.

http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675037317_Testing-of-AZON_dimensions-of-VB1_AZON-Impacting_first-smart-bomb

[JimmyD3]

Very interesting.

[Chalenge]

I don't think it would add anything to the game. I mean, we already have laser accurate bombs, right?

[Volron]

I am going to guess that you would only be able to pickle off one bomb and control it, or drop more than one (IE Salvo 2+ or 2+ clicks of your release) and have no control.  With a formation, that's 3k for the VB1, 6k for the VB2.  My question is, HOW will you be able to control it on it's way down?

[Ack-Ack]

I am going to guess that you would only be able to pickle off one bomb and control it, or drop more than one (IE Salvo 2+ or 2+ clicks of your release) and have no control.  With a formation, that's 3k for the VB1, 6k for the VB2.  My question is, HOW will you be able to control it on it's way down?

With a formation, you'd be able to drop 3 AZON bombs and control them through the bombardier's position.  When you look through F6, instead of the Norden bombsight, you'd see the AZON aiming control system and aim with your joystick.

ack-ack

[Devonai]

I support this idea only because it will keep buff pilots distracted that much longer. 

[Volron]

With a formation, you'd be able to drop 3 AZON bombs and control them through the bombardier's position.  When you look through F6, instead of the Norden bombsight, you'd see the AZON aiming control system and aim with your joystick.

ack-ack

I was thinking of a way to control it, but I'll simplify my statement a little (re-read it, confused myself ).  Example: You take a solo bomber to do random stuff with the Azon's.  You drop one bomb, you can control.  You drop more than one, you don't have ANY control until they both hit the ground.  This way you wouldn't have someone up to dump all ords and guide them into a CV as an example.

The only viable targets (that I can think of at the moment) for the Azon are the TG's and the Shore Battery's.  The HQ is also a target, but the required 7 sets with 2k Azon's could not afford to lose more than one plane to the 163's.  The HQ Azon Raiders would likely NEED gunners while they guide the bombs down, where as if you just took standard bombs you could dump your ords and be back in your guns MUCH quicker.  All other targets can be dealt with more quickly and efficiently with standard ords.  If we had destructible bridges that affected the supply chain in some way, then there is a very solid reason to add the Azon.

I'm not against the Azon, don't get me wrong.  I just don't see many uses except to knock out shore bat's with more ease (very valid reason) and escort ships in the TG.

It does seem like it would be fun to use though, and if it was an operational load out that was used quite a bit, then I am all for it. +1

[Arlo]

I support this idea only because it will keep buff pilots distracted that much longer. 

Hehe .... +1 

[Ack-Ack]

I was thinking of a way to control it, but I'll simplify my statement a little (re-read it, confused myself ).  Example: You take a solo bomber to do random stuff with the Azon's.  You drop one bomb, you can control.  You drop more than one, you don't have ANY control until they both hit the ground.  This way you wouldn't have someone up to dump all ords and guide them into a CV as an example.

If it was dropped (in-game) by a single bomber then the bombardier (player) would only be able to control one AZON.  If the player dropped more than one, then those others are wasted and would drop like normal GPBs.  However, in a formation setting then the bombardier would be able to control 3 AZONs that were dropped by the formation.  The AZON radio-control system had 5 channels, this allowed 5 bombers to drop AZONs and control them simultaneously, since we only have 3 ship formations then the formation would be able to drop 3 and the player will then be able to steer them from the manned bomardier position.  There is also a time limit, once released the AZONs can only be controlled for 3 minutes as that was the battery life of the radio contol system.

The only viable targets (that I can think of at the moment) for the Azon are the TG's and the Shore Battery's.  The HQ is also a target, but the required 7 sets with 2k Azon's could not afford to lose more than one plane to the 163's.  The HQ Azon Raiders would likely NEED gunners while they guide the bombs down, where as if you just took standard bombs you could dump your ords and be back in your guns MUCH quicker.  All other targets can be dealt with more quickly and efficiently with standard ords.  If we had destructible bridges that affected the supply chain in some way, then there is a very solid reason to add the Azon.

Any target that can be bombed currently by bombers would make a viable target for AZON bombs and it's just another alternative to taking normal GP bombs or in cases where pin point accuracy is needed.

I'm not against the Azon, don't get me wrong.  I just don't see many uses except to knock out shore bat's with more ease (very valid reason) and escort ships in the TG.

It does seem like it would be fun to use though, and if it was an operational load out that was used quite a bit, then I am all for it. +1

It was an operational load out when pin point accuracy was needed to hit the target.  It was usually used against targets like bridges and viaducts in Europe, especially in northern Italy region that I believe where most of the AZON missions were flown in the Europe, other missions scattered around mainland Europe.  In the CBI, the primary targets were the railroad bridges and trestles in Burma, and it's where the AZONs had their best success, with over 27 railroad bridges destroyed for 493 AZONs dropped.  One of the more 'famous' targets destroyed in the CBI was 'Bridge 277', known to us as the "Bridge on the River Kwai".

Think of the AZON not as a replacement for the current bombs we have, but rather as an additional tool in the bomber's tool set.

ack-ack

[Chalenge]

Against it now that I have thought about it. Imagine what 35k bombers could do with their unlimited Azon bombs dropping onto the perky tanks far below.

Mudhen heaven, but far above the fight where they and their poor flying are nice and safe.

[Ack-Ack]

Against it now that I have thought about it. Imagine what 35k bombers could do with their unlimited Azon bombs dropping onto the perky tanks far below.

Mudhen heaven, but far above the fight where they and their poor flying are nice and safe.

There wouldn't be unlimited AZON bombs being dropped.  Single bombers would be limited to dropping one at a time as a single ship could only control one AZON bomb at a time.  For 3 ship formations, only 3 could be dropped at a time. 

ack-ack

[Tank-Ace]

I'm for it. Only one axis of control, so its not going to be lazer accurate. Drop on a CV, you're screwed if he turns even a little,  since you can't compensate for the different lead required.

[Chalenge]

There wouldn't be unlimited AZON bombs being dropped.  Single bombers would be limited to dropping one at a time as a single ship could only control one AZON bomb at a time.  For 3 ship formations, only 3 could be dropped at a time. 

ack-ack

It will be gamed ack-ack. You know it and I know it.

[kvuo75]

what would be the advantage of being able to control the bomb laterally after it's dropped in our no-wind arenas?  if it's long, its still gonna be long, if short, still short...  i'd guess 75+% of the misses are short or long, not left or right.