Just a quick question

[earl1937]

I think it was something like only 5% of the bombs actually hit their target when dropped through the Jet Stream.

During WW2, if a bomb landed within (2) miles of the target, it was considered a hit! If anyone will study or look at the winds aloft for Japan and Europe they will see real quick that the prevailing jet streams are much lower over Japan than Europe, around 15K for Japan and 30 to 35K over Europe. that is why the bombers over Europe could better hit assigned targets than the 29's over Japan! (there used to be a "rumor" floating around that if a guy failed bombardier training, he was sent to Tinian to "fire" bomb Japan). (from 5,000 feet and they didn't even use the bomb sight to aim with, just fly over town and release fire bombs)   

[Dragon Tamer]

Anyone can find it easy to survive in this game flying at 30k. 
A: hardly anyone is up there.
Two: Even if they are, it's really hard to get a kill.  If you practice enough you can, but so few times is the skill required, it's hard to get practice.

It's a well established fact that the further away from the ground I get in game, the worse my aim gets. I less references to judge the enemies speed off of.

If you want to watch me make an bellybutton of myself, just fly at 30k and wait for me to take a shot.

[Zoney]

Anyone can find it easy to survive in this game flying at 30k. 
A: hardly anyone is up there.
Two: Even if they are, it's really hard to get a kill.  If you practice enough you can, but so few times is the skill required, it's hard to get practice.

Sir, I am an unapologetic alt monkey, I fly at 30k a lot.  I would put forth the contention that if you yourself do not fly at 30k then your statement of "hardly anyone is up there", may simply be that you do not know.  Unless you are up there you probably are not observing whom is up there with you.  Time and time again I find many guys flying around between 20 and 30k that think they are safe, they never look up.  I know this because as I approach them they are making turns slowly left and right, as I do when I am looking for targets below me.  Many of these players never see me coming.  I am up there because I like the hunt.  I don't care what it is that comes into the area I am hunting.  I expect bombers but I find many fighters.  Maybe they are hunting bombers also, I would not know that.  Flying at alt is a different skill set.  Aircraft performance is obviously greatly affected.  The match up between different aircraft types is greatly affected because some planes do so much better at alt than others.

I have said before, "I dont mind fighting on the deck, I have fun there too, I'm just not going to start there.

They "Zoneysphere" begins at 30k and goes up from there.  The air is cleaner, there is no pollution and the unfiltered photons go directly in to me making me much more handsome.

[hitech]

It's a well established fact that the further away from the ground I get in game, the worse my aim gets. I less references to judge the enemies speed off of.

If you want to watch me make an bellybutton of myself, just fly at 30k and wait for me to take a shot.

Btw it could also be that the bullets trajectory changes do to thinner air.

HiTech

[Swoop]

Btw it could also be that the bullets trajectory changes do to thinner air.

Heh, cool.  16 years in AH and I never knew that.

[Scca]

Sir, I am an unapologetic alt monkey, I fly at 30k a lot.  I would put forth the contention that if you yourself do not fly at 30k then your statement of "hardly anyone is up there", may simply be that you do not know.  Unless you are up there you probably are not observing whom is up there with you.  Time and time again I find many guys flying around between 20 and 30k that think they are safe, they never look up.  I know this because as I approach them they are making turns slowly left and right, as I do when I am looking for targets below me.  Many of these players never see me coming.  I am up there because I like the hunt.  I don't care what it is that comes into the area I am hunting.  I expect bombers but I find many fighters.  Maybe they are hunting bombers also, I would not know that.  Flying at alt is a different skill set.  Aircraft performance is obviously greatly affected.  The match up between different aircraft types is greatly affected because some planes do so much better at alt than others.

I have said before, "I dont mind fighting on the deck, I have fun there too, I'm just not going to start there.

They "Zoneysphere" begins at 30k and goes up from there.  The air is cleaner, there is no pollution and the unfiltered photons go directly in to me making me much more handsome.

I still contend at 30k, 99% of the time, you are looking down for action.

Do people fly at 30k, yes, but if you never go below 20k, your user experience will equate to MSFS. Borrrrrrring

[Lusche]

Just for giggles, not trying to 'prove' anything:

About three years ago I recorded for a month at what altitudes I was getting my bomber kills at:

[Scca]

Just for giggles, not trying to 'prove' anything:

About three years ago I recorded for a month at what altitudes I was getting my bomber kills at:

(Image removed from quote.)

Fair enough, but I am curious, what percentage of these kills were at or near strats?  My expectation is most... 

[Lusche]

Fair enough, but I am curious, what percentage of these kills were at or near strats?  My expectation is most...

The really high kills were almost exclusively made near (or heading towards) the strats. Attacks on bases rarely happen above 25k (except for the occasional long range town milker).

When I'm looking for bombers over bases, I'm generally hovering 15-25k, depening on what to expect and which ride I'm in.

[zack1234]

This would be true for all WWII aircraft. B-29's couldn't hit anything from that altitude hence why General Lemay forced them lower.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curtis_LeMay

Our lancasters carpet bombed at night no need for Nordon sights.

USAF would rather sacrifice US bomber crews than carpet bomb narzzies.

[Zoney]

Do people fly at 30k, yes, but if you never go below 20k, your user experience will equate to MSFS. Borrrrrrring

I do not know what that means.

We all get charged up from different aspects of this wonderful game.  I assure you sir, I am doing exactly what I enjoy the most, most of the time.  I also enjoy squad nights on Tuesday, FSO's and Scenarios and the company of my squad mates.  I am not bored, I am constantly thrilled to play this game.

[nooby52]

We all get charged up from different aspects of this wonderful game.  I assure you sir, I am doing exactly what I enjoy the most, most of the time.  I also enjoy squad nights on Tuesday, FSO's and Scenarios and the company of my squad mates.  I am not bored, I am constantly thrilled to play this game.

^ ^ ^ ^

[Bear76]

The Jet Stream was probably the primary cause of the B-29s missing their targets when dropping from high altitudes.

Agreed

[molybdenum]

Okay, so he doesn't know the best way to get there, but the same guy at 30K appears to be fighting for the top spot <shrug>

Nope, my current #3 bomber pilot position is merely a combination of my wife being in Europe + the coincidental need for more Lancaster sorties than normal, given the strategic situations on the recent maps.
I've never understood the mindset of the town pork people (unless it is to try for that #1 spot). It's hard to imagine anything less entertaining and doesn't help one's side in the slightest. I never do it; so I doubt I will ever be #1.

[Mongoose]

I've never understood the mindset of the town pork people (unless it is to try for that #1 spot). It's hard to imagine anything less entertaining and doesn't help one's side in the slightest. I never do it; so I doubt I will ever be #1.

My guess:  They like watching things go Boom, and it's an easier target than the hangars.  For fun and/or practice, the town makes a good target.