Level bombers

[Tracerfi]

I wish that in order for bombers with bomb sights to drop there bombs they need to be in there bomb sight and calibrated.  I am tired of seeing a bomber inbound to kill a carrier group then as soon as fighters get on him he suicide bombs the CV and kills it. The bombs should blow his plane up due to the negative G's bouncing the bombs around in the plane or as my wish states make it impossible to drop bombs unless your in the bomb sight and calibrated. 

[EagleDNY]

I am in with the crowd that says you need to be in the bombsite to release bombs in anything that was NOT used as a dive bomber.   Planes that had dual capability (Ju-88, etc) need to have a bombsite that allows for shallow dive bombing, and I am still for giving the dedicated dive bombers a lead-computing bombsite that they can switch to that simulates the pilot putting his eye in the eyepiece. 

[Zener]

I can count on one hand the number of times I've dropped bombs from a heavy without using the bomb sight.  However, not all dives result in negative g's at the point where the bombs are falling out.  They only experience negative g's when they nose over, it goes back to 1g once they are stable in the dive.  I don't how the ones who drop at or close to 800ft get to survive with their tail feathers still attached when you consider the bombs are traveling close to their forward speed as they drop and the plane is getting ever lower for some distance even if the pilot pulls full back stick.  It doesn't seem possible that they could be so close to thousands of pounds or ord blowing up and not get a little scorching of their own.

[SlipKnt]

 

I like the idea...  A plane with a bombsite can only release from bombadaire position in the lookin' glass...  Love it!!!


Is that even possible to program though?

[Mister Fork]

I like the idea...  A plane with a bombsite can only release from bombadaire position in the lookin' glass...  Love it!!!


Is that even possible to program though?

It sure is.

[Lusche]

I like the idea...  A plane with a bombsite can only release from bombadaire position in the lookin' glass...  Love it!!!

But in many bombers, the pilot had the ability to release the bomb as well. And shallow dive bombing hasn't been unheard of either.

[LilMak]

Perhaps when formations are being used bombsight only. Singles should have the option.

[Lusche]

Perhaps when formations are being used bombsight only. Singles should have the option.

Sounds reasonable to me. Though I doubt it will happen. 

[LilMak]

Sounds reasonable to me. Though I doubt it will happen. 

Me too.

I also think formations should be limited to 90% throttle. Anyone who's ever done any real formation flying (say in an RV-8) knows it's nearly impossible to maintain if the leader is firewalled. Not likely that will happen either. But bomber guys have it tough enough as it is.

[Lusche]

I also think formations should be limited to 90% throttle. Anyone who's ever done any real formation flying (say in an RV-8) knows it's nearly impossible to maintain if the leader is firewalled.

As someone spending the greatest part in bombers since quite some time, I would be all for it.

[Zener]

I wouldn't want to see the pilot lose the ability to dump the plane's bombs.  There are some times when you want to have that ability and it's on the opposite spectrum from dive bombing.  Run over a target at high alt and have a couple bombs left with an enemy plane (maybe one that's not such a great performer at high alts) at or about co-alt on your six.  That's a good time to pickle off those last few and maybe set up for a shallow climb.  If you have to use the bombsight, it locks you into level flight.  Yes, I know it's only for a couple seconds, but that couple seconds could make a difference.  Nicer to just be able to dump them from the pilot's seat.

[Zener]

As someone spending the greatest part in bombers since quite some time...

Ha.  Problem is they're often my bombers and your presence is in the form of cannon rounds. 

You are one tough cookie in high-alt air defense. <S>

[RODBUSTR]

    The battle of the Bismarck Sea, Level bombers were used at attack and angle bomb platforms.  The HE177 was designed as a dive bomber,   but it would be nice to see  a few of the 4 engine bombers dive ability detuned to more realistic performance envelope.

[Ack-Ack]

    The battle of the Bismarck Sea, Level bombers were used at attack and angle bomb platforms.  The HE177 was designed as a dive bomber,   but it would be nice to see  a few of the 4 engine bombers dive ability detuned to more realistic performance envelope.

It was a requirement that was later rescinded by Goring in 1942. Only the initial A-0 production batch still had the dive brake panel, all production models afterwards didn't and were never used in the dive bomb role.  The plane just wasn't capable of it, structure wise.

[Ack-Ack]

    The battle of the Bismarck Sea, Level bombers were used at attack and angle bomb platforms.  The HE177 was designed as a dive bomber,   but it would be nice to see  a few of the 4 engine bombers dive ability detuned to more realistic performance envelope.

You should read the 5th AF after action report on the Battle of Bismarck Sea.  The heavy bombers that took part were not used as "angle bomb platforms", nor did heavy bombers drop their bombs in a dive.  The B-17s approached the targets in a shallow dive to pick up speed over the target, and then leveled out to drop the bombs.