No B-29s?? (and drone questions)

[Lusche]

Formation bomber top speeds at their best altitudes (as per HTC chart):

[Dragon Tamer]

Another bomber to consider is the He-111. It carries a similar bomb load to the B-26 (not too sure since I haven't flown the 26 in a while). Their OBJ is the same but the ENY of the 111 is higher. This means if you get a kill with this bird, you usually net a lot of extra perks. It's also able to take a bit of abuse. Not as much as an American bomber but still enough to shrug off damage from most fighters.

I usually take it to about 20k and when most people see it, they get over eager for what they think is going to be an easy kill. I wait until they are about 600 to 400 out before I start shooting (or if they start shooting from further away I open up sooner. Most of the pilots are spixteen drivers who think they are invincible, so it makes me laugh when I wreck their plane and collect the huge perk point bonus from their low ENY plane.

[Lusche]

Another bomber to consider is the He-111. It carries a similar bomb load to the B-26 (not too sure since I haven't flown the 26 in a while). Their OBJ is the same but the ENY of the 111 is higher.

The He-111 sucks as a perk farmer.
It has about the same loadout and OBJ as the B-26, but it takes much longer to get to altitude and to target... if you get there at all. The puny defensive armament of the He 111 means that to have the same chance to reach the target, the He-111 has to climb much higher than the Marauder. Which in turn means a further increased investment of time.
The potentially perk bonus by shooting down enemy fighters is only a theoretical thing as well, because the chance of actually killing a fighter are so much lower in the He 111.

In the long run, the He-11 is a very ineffective bomber as far as perk farming goes.

[Karnak]

Yeah, you could say that. 

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The problem is that the Ar234's eggs are all external which incurs a larger hit on its performance.  Once they are gone it is very much faster than the Mossie XVI, but laden they aren't all that far apart.

They are both extremely hard to intercept compared to the free bombers.

[Butcher]

Take Ju88s and hit carriers with torpedoes, works well as a Perk farmer.

[bozon]

The problem is that the Ar234's eggs are all external which incurs a larger hit on its performance.  Once they are gone it is very much faster than the Mossie XVI, but laden they aren't all that far apart.

This ^.
Though I am not sure if the HTC charts include external bomb load. I *think* not. The Arado will have a big advantage if the altitudes are low.

Plus, each 234 carries 3x500 kg GP (3000 lbs damage) vs. 2*500 lbs GP + 4000 lbs HC (total 4250 lbs of damage, and a larger blast radius) in a mossie XVI. So, to take down HQ for example, an arado raid will require 40% more planes to hit the target than the required number of mossies. That is quite a lot. If the mossie does not carry the wing bombs the effective bomb load is very close.

Unless changed, the Mossie XVI OBJ values is quite high (dont remember the exact number), so it can earn some perks too.

[Saxman]

Yeah, you could say that. 

(Image removed from quote.)

MY POINT BEING that even at lower altitudes, the B-29 can be tricky to get into a good intercept position against, on top of the withering defensive firepower.

[Lusche]

This ^.
Though I am not sure if the HTC charts include external bomb load. I *think* not. The Arado will have a big advantage if the altitudes are low

With 3x500kg bombs the Arado does around 410-414 mph at the 13-14k range

[bozon]

With 3x500kg bombs the Arado does around 410-414 mph at the 13-14k range

OK thanks. It means that the charts are for an Arado without bombs. Probably also for the Mossie XVI without the external 2x500 lbs.

The old charts used to be for all planes with 100% internal fuel and bay bombs only if available. The total weight for the configuration used to be indicated on the chart. I remember this because the Mossie VI was the only fighter that had bombs included in its performance charts (two 500 lbs in the bay). The climb rate chart is a lot more impressive when you realize it includes 1000 lbs of bombs and a fuel load for more than an hour of arena flight time...

[Coalcat1]

Fly Bettys at 21k ans salvo 1 on town centers, you get 20k damage and over 30 perks. Another way to make quick bomber perks is to sink destroyers with Vals.

[lyric1]

Bostons Mid war only person on that side 6 others on one other side 2 bombs on two towns 18 min flight.

[Rich46yo]

The problem with the Arado is handling it, lining it up for bomb runs, and calibrating the bomb sight. It also climbs slowly and gets up to full speed slowly. Then again I hang on to its RATOs until after drop for emergency since I often hit targets at 8 to 10k. But if there is a VH or high priority target tormenting your team, and its a long ways off, nothing beats the Arado.

I fly the TU at either 8k or 16k. Its a little faster at 6k but thats just to low to attack with enemys present. WEP will get you to 8K and up to top speed. Once your level is at "2" then turn off wep and open doors. Shortly you will be at "0" level and you can calibrate. Using F3 while in top gun gives a you a reverse view you can turn around with your hat rear. Its much more forgiving on calibration then trying to fly and turn all 3 bombers while in F1. 8K is a perfect Alt to attack CVs.

Fly the B26 and KI-67 if you want to shoot down fighters too. The KI is a deadly bomber defense-wise and as fine raider. Taking out front line ords is very helpful to your team, even more so if its a nearby high Alt base. If fighters are setting up for a high speed run at you then pop into F1, set a slight dive for speed, and force them to underestimate your speed and flatten out in your "6" for an easier shot at them. There are so many tricks to learn and no end you learning Aces High Bombers. Enjoy the ride.

[Zivs]

It's fun to get them way up high as well,, at least for me,, taking off with a big fuel load isn't easy , then fighting all the wind and finding the proper headings for bomb runs,, I like the role play of it all so it's very satisfying !

In Midwar with a 5perk multiplier I've gotten over 150 perks for a near perfect run in the Bettie's ,,  I got 93 a few days ago with it at 2.23

I completely agree and couldn't be more happy when completing a hour + high alt bomb run.

I took a small hiatus and this thread now has tons of replies. Thank you all for replying. I'm definitely going to try out numerous combinations as mentioned above. The info here is great.