P-38 2 x 2k bombs (reprise...)

[Scherf]

Folks,

I see from the search function that the Lightning "sometimes" carried 2x2k bombs - was this the Droop Snoot or the G, H, J / L etc.?

Also, any info on how often "sometimes" is, and when and where?

Not trying to stir the pot, but America's Hundred Thousand doesn't have any info (at least that I can find).

TIA

[Ack-Ack]

Usually the 2,000 pounders were dropped in level formation bombing with either a P-38 Droop Snoot or a P-38J/L Pathfinder equipped with the AN/APS-15 navigation/attack radar acting as 'bomb lead'.  I don't recall reading anything about using the 2,000 pounders in dive bombing attacks.  How often were they used?  Not sure, but I'm sure you could find out by looking at the after mission reports from various squadrons.  I don't think it was rare, and could have been a regular payload when P-38s were used to level bomb targets that were otherwise considered to risky for dive bombing or when weather obscured the target.  

ack-ack

[Scherf]

Thanks Ack-Ack.

[Mongoose]

I don't recall reading anything about using the 2,000 pounders in dive bombing attacks.  

  One of the few times I got to talk to a real P-38 pilot,he told me that they did not dive bomb with 2k bombs, only level bombing.

  I think it would be fun to do a droop-snoot mission with 2k bombs.  Hit a factory, or city, then jump in a furball.

[wpeters]

Usually the 2,000 pounders were dropped in level formation bombing with either a P-38 Droop Snoot or a P-38J/L Pathfinder equipped with the AN/APS-15 navigation/attack radar acting as 'bomb lead'.  I don't recall reading anything about using the 2,000 pounders in dive bombing attacks.  How often were they used?  Not sure, but I'm sure you could find out by looking at the after mission reports from various squadrons.  I don't think it was rare, and could have been a regular payload when P-38s were used to level bomb targets that were otherwise considered to risky for dive bombing or when weather obscured the target.  

ack-ack

.
And I am sure that now Lancasters were used as dive bomber

[Karnak]

.
And I am sure that now Lancasters were used as dive bomber

I don't see it in AH either.  I am sure it happens, but a tiny minority of Lanc sorties.  Even the low altitude GV carpet bombing is done, in my experience, while flying the Lancaster level.

Honestly, if HTC added the 2k bombs for the P-38L we all know how those would be used.  1) As the Tu-2S has demonstrated 2,000lb ordnance is extremely effective at killing GVs.  2) Two 2,000lb bombs and fourteen 5" rockets would make the P-38L, by far, the most commonly used mass raid of fighter-bombers in the game.  3) Kamikaze attacks by P-38Ls would become more common.

In my opinion we need to shrink the bombs on fighter-bombers, not grow them.  Perk 500lb and above bombs on fighters.  Say, 1 perk per 500lber/250kger, 3 perks per 1000lber/500kger and 9 perks per 2000lber/1000kger.  250lbers/100kger and rockets would be free.

[Randy1]

 2) Two 2,000lb bombs and fourteen 5" rockets would make the P-38L, by far, the most commonly used mass raid of fighter-bombers in the game.  

I could go for 14 rockets.

[Karnak]

I could go for 14 rockets.

Oops, 10.  My mistake.

[Tank-Ace]

So the 110G and 190F-8 are the only German fighters that get to carry free bombs  ?


Sorry Karnak, but thats just a craptastic idea. Perk 1000lb-class ordnance? Maybe. 500lb-class? No.

[Karnak]

So the 110G and 190F-8 are the only German fighters that get to carry free bombs  ?


Sorry Karnak, but thats just a craptastic idea. Perk 1000lb-class ordnance? Maybe. 500lb-class? No.

In the MA I really don't give a damn about nationalistic BS.  How many American, British or Japanese fighters would have free bombs?  You jump to assume the German stuff would be disproportionately affected compared to others.

For the AvA and events the desired ordnance will be enabled as the creator(s) want.

[Tank-Ace]

IIRC, every US fighter that can carrydecreases diversity is mbs can also carry 250lb bombs.

Can't recall which (if any) Japanese fighters carry 250lb bombs. Only know that the Ki 43 and Ki84 CAN@ carry 500lb bombs.


If none can, that's even more reason to not do it. It would make the US fighters the ONLY viable option for JABO sorties. And any mechanism that decreases diversity is a horrible idea.

IIRC, the Spit XVI would be a strong contender for JABO sorties.


Basically, a horrendous idea Karnak.

[DaveBB]

I know this is getting off-topic, but what about having a finite amount of bombs at an airfield.  X amount of 1000lb bombs, X amount of 500lb bombs, X amount of rockets, etc etc.  And the airfield would be resupplied by the truck convoys every 3 or 4 hours.

[SirNuke]

I know this is getting off-topic, but what about having a finite amount of bombs at an airfield.  X amount of 1000lb bombs, X amount of 500lb bombs, X amount of rockets, etc etc.  And the airfield would be resupplied by the truck convoys every 3 or 4 hours.

and droping the ord bunkers would destroy the current reserve of the field

[Ack-Ack]

.
And I am sure that now Lancasters were used as dive bomber

And this has anything do with the OP's question?

ack-ack

[Karnak]

IIRC, every US fighter that can carrydecreases diversity is mbs can also carry 250lb bombs.

Can't recall which (if any) Japanese fighters carry 250lb bombs. Only know that the Ki 43 and Ki84 CAN@ carry 500lb bombs.


If none can, that's even more reason to not do it. It would make the US fighters the ONLY viable option for JABO sorties. And any mechanism that decreases diversity is a horrible idea.

IIRC, the Spit XVI would be a strong contender for JABO sorties.


Basically, a horrendous idea Karnak.

Ki-43, Ki-61, Ki-84 and N1K2-J would be no more viable than anything else that has to pay a couple of perks as their 250kg bombs would be perked.  The A6Ms would be able to carry theirs still.  I am not sure about all British aircraft, but the Spit XVI could carry a few 250lbers, the Mossie could carry two 250lbers and eight 60lb rockets or four 250lbers.  Spits VIII and IX might be able to carry a single 250lber and Hurri II might carry two of them.  Russian fighters would be unaffected, but as they carry practically nothing as it is that wouldn't change much.  I don't recall which American fighters have options for 250lbers, but it wouldn't surprise me if many or most only have 500lbers or larger available.

Seems to me that the British might gain the most from my suggestion, although I will honestly say I picked 250lb as the free point to avoid being accused of picking 500lbers because the Mossie's biggest bombs are 500lbers.  I really think that 1000lbers ought to be controlled and 2000lbers would absolutely need to be controlled.