Making a case for a late war Axis bomber. (He177)

[Beefcake]

One of the main reasons I'm proposing this wish is there is a rather large gap in the Axis bomber force when it comes to viable bombers for scenarios. The Ar234 is just way to late for most events, and the He111 and Ju88 are not really capable of surviving in a lot the scenarios we tend to run. (case in point look at the Hell Over Hinterland scenario running now)

The Axis need a bomber that not only would fill a gap in scenarios but also will not end up as a hangar queen in the MA. I'd like to propose the He177 Greif bomber to be added to Aces High. The bomber was really the only German heavy bomber to reach the war, and it posts a rather remarkable loadout. If I read correctly it could carry almost 30,000libs of bombs (internally and externally) plus it had a decent decisive gun package including a variant with twin MG131 tail guns and the A-3/R2 variant with a MG151 cannon in the tail.

This bomber would most likely need to be perked for MA use but it would fill a role and maybe a slot for a slightly lower perked heavy bomber besides the B29. It would also fill a (IMO) much needed hole in the Axis planeset for scenarios and other events. I hope HTC considers adding this one to the list down the road.

[Chris79]

+1 along with the Ju-188


https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junkers_Ju_188

[AAIK]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junkers_Ju_388

Ju388!

[EagleDNY]

I'm kinda happy with that old Ar-234 as the late war axis bomber...

[whiteman]

I'd like the Do 217, the J model would be a cherry on top.

[Beefcake]

Found some footage of the real thing instead of game modeling.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajCisdmhhT0


Even found footage of the German Condor which I had forgotten about.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8qhdQw7FqI

[Beefcake]

I'd like the Do 217, the J model would be a cherry on top.

Yeah, after looking at some videos it would be nice as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfNxylAn8_0

[Zimme83]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinkel_He_177#Specifications_.28He_177_A-5.2FR2.29

48 × 50 kg (110 lb) bombs (2,400 kg/5,291 lb total)
1 × 2,500 kg (5,511 lb) bomb (2,500 kg/5,511 lb total)
12 × 250 kg (551 lb) bombs (3,000 kg/6,613 lb total)
6 × 500 kg (1,102 lb) bombs (3,000 kg/6,613 lb total)
2 × 1,800 kg (3,968 lb) bombs (3,600 kg/7,936 lb total)
2 × 1,800 kg (3,968 lb) bombs + 2 × LMA III mines (4,600 kg/10,141 lb total)
10 × 500 kg (1,102 lb) bombs (5,000 kg/11,023 lb total)
2 × 1,000 kg (2,204 lb) bombs + 2 × 1,800 kg (3,968 lb) bombs (5,600 kg/12,345 lb total)
6 × 1,000 kg (2,204 lb) bombs (6,000 kg/13,227 lb total)

Sounds pretty similar to a B-17. While having less effective defensive guns the He177 is really fast, 20mph faster than a B-29 at 20k. I would say that ~20 perkies per plane would be enough. Its a slow climber and cannot reach more than 25k ish feet so it would be easier to intercept than B-29:s

[Volron]

*looks for Karnak*  Huh?  I'm surprised.

Personally, I would love to see the 177, but honestly think the 188 and 217 would fill gaps a bit better.


So how's this?

I want all three! 

[Ack-Ack]

The He 177 is one of those planes that would benefit from AH's modeling since the game doesn't model stuff like structural weaknesses, engine failures, etc.  In real life, the He 177 is pretty much a failure.

[icepac]

Some were dive bomb capable so guys spawn bombing in them would be far more realistic than lancstukas.

[Volron]

The He 177 is one of those planes that would benefit from AH's modeling since the game doesn't model stuff like structural weaknesses, engine failures, etc.  In real life, the He 177 is pretty much a failure.

I believe one of the Allied test pilots stated something along the lines of: "flying a glass plane".

[27th]

The He 177 is one of those planes that would benefit from AH's modeling since the game doesn't model stuff like structural weaknesses, engine failures, etc.  In real life, the He 177 is pretty much a failure.

Yes, just like a few planes and ground vehicles that are already on the roster.

But so what. The big picture is that its a game and to have fun.

I would support this addition.

 

27th

[lyric1]

Some were dive bomb capable so guys spawn bombing in them would be far more realistic than lancstukas.

 
It was a dive bomber that couldn't dive.
Crews knew not to do that at all.

[FBKampfer]

+1.

The Ju 188 and Do 217 helped from the backbone of the Luftwaffe's bomber forces from mid 1943 onward, seeing extensive service in a variety of roles, with the Do 217 being notable as the platform for the first combat use of a guided munition.

And the He 177 would be an interesting aircraft to have, perhaps being perk worthy depending on the variant and loadouts given. It would also be interesting as a snapshot of German aircraft development and design philosophy, if not a particularly significant aircraft.

All wound be quite useful in the MA though, with the Ju 188, and the Do 217 being useful for certain scenarios and special events as well.

I would imagine that the He 177 would supplant a significant portion of other heavies in the tactical base attack, and potentially mediums for CV killing. It would offer something of a mix between the B-24 and the Lancaster, in terms of defensive firepower and bomb load, but would be significantly faster, though likely the most fragile of the three.

And the Ju 188 and Do 217 would potentially both be staples of the medium bombers. Both would be quite fast, with decent bomb load (though the Ju 188 suffers the same weakness as the Ju 88 in that it's internal load is limited to 50kg bombs).