Bomber guns and auto-pilot

[Curval]

I was in a B17 trying out bombing for the first time.

I dropped 4 out of 6 1,000 pounders on an enemy base and then noticed a fighter closing from below and behind.  Knowing from experience that the fighter shouldn't stand a chance on that approach I engaged the auto-pilot, switched to the tail gun and waited until the fighter was within range.

BUT...

Everytime I used my joystick to correct the aim of the guns in the tail position, or in any position, the plane would turn in that direction too...making it virtually impossible to get a firing solution.  I was in flames very quickly and ended up getting hit so many times that I blew up in mid-air.

What am I doing wrong?  Surely that shouldn't happen?

Is there a specific auto-pilot for bombing or something?  My bomb door were open and I still had two bombs aboard...is this the problem?

Also:

I loaded up 6 1,000lb bombs into the B17.  I realise that is a heavy load, but it took me at least one quarter of the map to get above 15k.  My climb rate was never better then 1...the stall warning would sound if I tried to climb at a better rate...the auto-climb was also below 1.

Is this just "the way it is"?

[CavemanJ]

You got one of those twisty sticks?

While in the gun positions any aircraft/vehicle you can turn your aircraft/vehicle using your rudder controls.  With a twisty stick you have be verra careful to NOT twist the stick while gunning.

That's what it sounds like to me

[Curval]

Yup, got a twisty stick....

Thanks.....you are right, that is probably it.  Gonna check it out now.

[Revvin]

One of the BS situations produced by the lack of any auto gunners. All too often fighters wait for bombers to get over target as they know the bomber will be defenseless. I managed to snag 3 fighters when I led them to believe I was in norden view and shot each one as they made flat low six approaches. Auto gunners need not be the demon everyone makes them out to be with some good coding.

[CavemanJ]

Originally posted by Revvin
One of the BS situations produced by the lack of any auto gunners. All too often fighters wait for bombers to get over target as they know the bomber will be defenseless. I managed to snag 3 fighters when I led them to believe I was in norden view and shot each one as they made flat low six approaches. Auto gunners need not be the demon everyone makes them out to be with some good coding.

Nice attempted hijack there revvin =)  But this isn't about otto on buffs, Curval is trying to solve a problem he's having while manning the guns.  If you're worried about getting caught in the Norden have someone join you to gun for you.

Curval you could try increasing the deadband on your rudder axis to be pretty large.  The drawback to this is that it'll take alot more twist to engage the rudder when yer flying.  You have to find the balance that's right for you.

[Curval]

Caveman

I was a step ahead of you on the deadband thing    Works like a charm now...got my first air kill last night as a gunner in my own bomber.  

It was a FW 190 that was trying to protect the Rook Radar...he got a few pings on me and knocked out my outside engine on my left wing.  

He was trying his hardest to be smart and attack me from the side and above...but I hurt him on one pass firing from the left door gun position and he must have got frustrated 'cause when he came on his final pass it was from directly behind.  Bad move.  I think he figured it wouldn't take much to kill me as I was already damaged....but he never got that chance.

Anyway...the only downside to the deadband increase is that I am gonna have to remember to reset it when I fly a fighter.

Thanks for the info....


Curval