Engine shut down on bombers

[earl1937]

  I know I am a "dummy" sometimes, well, maybe most of the time in this game, at any rate, a question: I fly B-17's and B-24's and 29's, 98% of the time when I am in the game because of eye problems, why am I have trouble shutting down one engine, when I go throught the procedures which are outlined in the instructions? Would someone please explain, step by step how to do that!
What has been happening is I wind up shutting down all 4 trying to shut down a damaged engine to quite the noise down!

[DaveBB]

You select the specific engine by hitting Shift 1 (for engine 1) Shift 2 (for engine 2) Shift 3 (for engine 3) or Shift 4 for engine 4.  Once you select that engine, simply hit E to shut it down.  It automatically feathers the prop on multi-engine aircraft.  If you are flying a single engine plane, use the minus key on the keypad to reduce prop rpm's after you shut the engine down.  This reduces drag and lets you glide much farther.

[GScholz]

Welcome back Dave. How was the vacation?

Also, you'd better tell Earl how to switch back to controlling all engines...

[GScholz]

I'm not sure I remember correctly, but I think it was Shift-E to go back to controlling all engines... Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.

[jeffdn]

I'm not sure I remember correctly, but I think it was Shift-E to go back to controlling all engines... Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.

You're correct, but you have to hit shift+E, then hit E again, so that the engines start up. Shift+E when you are switching back from single-engine mode turns off all the engines.

[GScholz]

But wouldn't you then also start the engine you've just shut down? How do you get control over your remaining three engines (in a B-17) after you've shut one down?

[earl1937]

But wouldn't you then also start the engine you've just shut down? How do you get control over your remaining three engines (in a B-17) after you've shut one down?

You bring up a good point! Last night after shutting down one engine to test this, I lost throttle control over the other three engines and had to shut down all in order to land. I tried restarting the bad engine, just to see if I could recover throttle control, but again, no dice....maybe someone will post the entire procedure for shutting down one and regaining control over other three.

[Lusche]

.maybe someone will post the entire procedure for shutting down one and regaining control over other three.

The only way  is to shut down #4 (for example), then switching to each remaining engine (shift-1, shift-2, shift-3) and adjust manifold and/or RPM individually, one by one. Do not try to control them all with shift-E

[DaveBB]

It is possible to fly a B-17 with 100% fuel and no bombs with only two engines. Test out your skills.  Here is the engine starting procedure to do this.  Shift 2 (engine 2 selected) E (have the throttle pushed all the way forward).  Shift 3 (engine 3 selected) E (have the throttle all the way forward.  This should give you full power on engines 2 and 3.  If you start engines 1 and 4, the drag from the props will slow you down too much.  Shift E selects all engines, and E starts them.

[USCH]

Ok I know this isn't what your trying to do, but you could just turn down the sound of the damaged engine I think. That's what's annoying you anyway, then you can ride that engine till it blows.

[earl1937]

Ok I know this isn't what your trying to do, but you could just turn down the sound of the damaged engine I think. That's what's annoying you anyway, then you can ride that engine till it blows.

Been doing that! But thanks anyway for the suggestion! I am just having trouble getting my head around the fact that if you shut down one engine, all of sudden you lose control of the other three!!! That really doesn't make any sense to me...The engines running should still respond to throttle inputs because you haven't done anything to them...but they don't, unless you do as Lusche suggested!

[10thmd]

Does it automatically feather props on twin engine aircraft when you shut one down?

[earl1937]

Does it automatically feather props on twin engine aircraft when you shut one down?

If you are talking "real life", NO. Each engine has its own controls! There is a device on the twins which I have flown over the years called a "prop sync" and it syncretizes the speed of the propellers to make a study solid drone, otherwise it drive you nuts! That is an item on pretake off check list which must always be in the "off" position, as if you had to shut down an engine on takeoff, it would, of course effect the good engine also. The same thing is also on 4 engine aircraft too!

[colmbo]

Earl, did you guys visually sync on the 4 engine stuff by looking "through" where the prop arcs intersect and "stopping" the shadow?  For those that haven't seen this, looking from the cockpit you get a vantage point so your line of sight goes through both prop arcs.  If those two engines are different RPM you will see a "shadow" from where the blades on the engines coincide…this shadow will move/rotate, direction depending on which engine is turning faster.  You changed RPM on one of the engines so this "shadow" becomes stationary…voila those two engines are synced.

[morfiend]

Earl, did you guys visually sync on the 4 engine stuff by looking "through" where the prop arcs intersect and "stopping" the shadow?  For those that haven't seen this, looking from the cockpit you get a vantage point so your line of sight goes through both prop arcs.  If those two engines are different RPM you will see a "shadow" from where the blades on the engines coincide…this shadow will move/rotate, direction depending on which engine is turning faster.  You changed RPM on one of the engines so this "shadow" becomes stationary…voila those two engines are synced.

  Very Cool imfo  colmbo!