Bombers... Change?

[Paladin3]

Should bombers be tougher and have less accurate guns? That is my question. I know most of the time I can dive down with 6 .50 cal guns and take out a bomber in a pass. I also know that the guns are horribly accurate. For those who have never fired from a moving target at a marking target (especially from aircraft) I have to say wow there is no way it should be that accurate especially considering the mounting and recoil of such weapons. I was reading some and it seems that attacking a B17 required multiple cannons to take down, usually with multiple planes attacking at once.

So what do you all think? A buff is a big 'ol target to take out in one pass unless you hit the cockpit really well right?

[Zacherof]

I was reading somewhere and I'll try to post me referance but the Germans decided it took about 20-30 20mm rounds and 5 30mm rounds to bring down a b17.

[Arlo]

http://northstargallery.com/Aircraft/B17/about.htm

[Butcher]

I was reading somewhere and I'll try to post me referance but the Germans decided it took about 20-30 20mm rounds and 5 30mm rounds to bring down a b17.

In critical areas, these were the hits to take down a bomber in theory - problem is getting into position for this type of attack. I would love to head on every buff I see, but depending the alt/speed/fuel plays a factor.

Only in Scenarios have I ever had the advantage over buffs to get this kind of shot.

[Zacherof]

In critical areas, these were the hits to take down a bomber in theory - problem is getting into position for this type of attack. I would love to head on every buff I see, but depending the alt/speed/fuel plays a factor.

Only in Scenarios have I ever had the advantage over buffs to get this kind of shot.

oh for sur ain't that the truth!

[tunnelrat]

In critical areas, these were the hits to take down a bomber in theory - problem is getting into position for this type of attack. I would love to head on every buff I see, but depending the alt/speed/fuel plays a factor.

Only in Scenarios have I ever had the advantage over buffs to get this kind of shot.

Not to mention when you are actively trying to get them BEFORE they drop on base/town/CV/etc

[Ack-Ack]

Should bombers be tougher and have less accurate guns? That is my question. I know most of the time I can dive down with 6 .50 cal guns and take out a bomber in a pass. I also know that the guns are horribly accurate. For those who have never fired from a moving target at a marking target (especially from aircraft) I have to say wow there is no way it should be that accurate especially considering the mounting and recoil of such weapons. I was reading some and it seems that attacking a B17 required multiple cannons to take down, usually with multiple planes attacking at once.

So what do you all think? A buff is a big 'ol target to take out in one pass unless you hit the cockpit really well right?

It's not that the bomber guns are accurate, it's the fact that the majority of the players are absolutely clueless on how to properly engage bombers.  The majority of players insist on attacking from the dead six position and are an easy shot for the bomber gunner.  As for the toughness of the bombers in game, they are rather robust as is and do not need further adjustments to make them tougher.

ack-ack

[DubiousKB]

I tend to agree with Ack-Ack. I love flying buffs, mostly 17's and lancs, and I've experienced both extremes.  Some of the time, I lose a drone or lead buff in a single horrible pass, other times I suck up bullets like a sponge.

As for accuracy of buff guns.... I look at three general factors - Patience, Luck, Timing, Luck, Attacking Pilot's position, and Luck...... I find it overall fair. More often than not, I get enough bullets on the attacking plane that they don't' want to continue the attack (oiled, PW, control surface damgae, etc), unfortunately, their friends continue the assault....

[Dragon]

The bombers are modeled correctly.  If you are taking out heavy bombers regularly in 1 pass with 6 x .50 I want to fly with you.

[Ack-Ack]

The bombers are modeled correctly.  If you are taking out heavy bombers regularly in 1 pass with 6 x .50 I want to fly with you.

When do you want to fly with me?  It's easy to take out a bomber in one pass, as long as you use the proper tactics and aim in a vital area.  Personally, I use the over head attack on bombers and aim for the wing root or engines and repeat my attacks on the remaining bombers.  It's very rare for me to take more than 3 attack passes on a formation of bombers and if it takes me more than 3 passes it's because I hurried my attack and didn't get into proper positioning.

ack-ack

[RedBull1]

It's not that the bomber guns are accurate

Lies, ALL LIES...We all know how accurate your B38 guns are

[Delirium]

It isn't that hard to kill a heavy bomber in one pass, I can do two at a time safely in my P38. The trick is to make the pass with defeating the defensive guns your primary thought, particularly with angles you would avoid making a snapshot in a 1v1 environment. Approach from 10 or 2 oclock and high or below the bomber box; the worst angles would be level at 0 degrees AoT and 180 degrees AOT.

[Wiley]

What ack-ack said.  Killing a bomber in 1 pass is not that difficult, if you're set up properly.  The difficulty and deaths occur if you're rushed.

Wiley.

[save]

shooting down a buff from high 12-attack is many times done in one pass, though  meeting some good buff gunners like 99000 or Daveyj, im struggling to get within 1k without getting vital parts shot off.

I say 1,5k shots to the side or high/low front should be close to impossible, if i remember correctly buff gunners opened up at about 600 yards out RL.

[coombz]

When do you want to fly with me?  It's easy to take out a bomber in one pass, as long as you use the proper tactics and aim in a vital area.  Personally, I use the over head attack on bombers and aim for the wing root or engines and repeat my attacks on the remaining bombers.  It's very rare for me to take more than 3 attack passes on a formation of bombers and if it takes me more than 3 passes it's because I hurried my attack and didn't get into proper positioning.

ack-ack

You should post your film of shooting down Tyrannis' buffs from a couple of years ago

I watched that before I had ever even gone online with AH and I'd consider it the perfect example of what you are describing here