Trouble with B26s

[Crowwe]

I can't figure out why I have more trouble downing B26s than B17s. Whats the reason for this? Does anyone have any tips for downing B26s?

It seems to me the B26s have a bit more armor and their guns deal a little more damage.

[Kweassa]

The B-26 defensive guns, cover a much greater arc, IMO, than a Lancaster which has simular defensive gun positions. Also, they are actually pretty fast.

 So often, people thinking that the B-26s do not have enough belly protection as the Lancaster does not, think they can approach safely from low 6 to the belly position.

 However, if the alignment is anything less than perfect with the flightpath of the B-26, the interceptor will most likely face multiple .50s, since one of the gun either on port or starboard fuselage, will cover the firing arc.

 So if to avoid that, an interceptors lines up perfectly from low-6 - then he'll face one less .50, but it will be a very easy aim for the rear gunner.

 Now, that's against one B-26. If the B-26 is in a formation, the three planes cover a pretty huge area, even the low-6 positions - so practically there's no real 'safe' entry for an interceptor against a B-26 - the best chance is to fly a plane with big powerful guns, and have a massive alt/speed advantage, so the interceptor can damage the buff severly with a very quick burst on target.

 In any plane that might require an actual 'aim' and a long 'burst' against a buff, it is most likely the plane will be shot down the moment he stops maneuvering, and lines up his shot.

 The B-26, aside the B-17, has got the nastiest defensive system of them all.

[Tarmac]

Speed.  It's easy to get into a good attacking position on a lumbering B-17, but much more difficult on a fast 26.  People seem to get impatient and eventually pull a dead 6 attack that gets them killed.  

Ki-67's are the same way.  I attack the fast twin buffs far more carefully than the slow 4 engined heavies, despite their lighter armament.

[Innominate]

The b-26 is the most durable bomber in the AH planeset.  While a b17 or lancaster can absorb more damage, the much smaller size of the b26 makes the high speed short firing time passes which are so effective against the big b17s and lancs, much tougher to land.

Plus as was mentioned, the b26 is faster than a 17, and has as good or better armament than the b17.  While it lacks a ball turret, the waist guns can reach almost straight down, which in a formation is almost as good.  What IMO makes the b26's armament superior to the 17, is the insane amount of ammo in the tail gun, something like two or three times as much.  So you can be a lot less carefull about what you shoot at.

It's also noteworthy that the b26 had the lowest loss rate of any american bomber.

[GunnerCAF]

Does anyone have any tips for downing B26s?

Shoot a wingtip off, they go right down

Gunner

[MetaTron]

Patience is the key to killing any bomber. Never attack from directly behind, or from behind at all.

If you want to see how to kill one then take one up and attack the enemy a few times. They usually give free lessons!

[Pooh21]

B26s seem to have a bigger defensive arc in the front then does the lanc, which is strange considering the lanc has a turret and the 26 has a .50 stuck out a hole in the plexiglass. But maybe its just me. But best attack is from low 1 or 11.

[Gixer]

Why bother with buffs at all? They rarely hit anything and the computer aided gun covergence always seems to focus on the head of my pilot with stunning accuracy.


...-Gixer
~Hells Angels~!

[mos]

Originally posted by Gixer
Why bother with buffs at all? They rarely hit anything and the computer aided gun covergence always seems to focus on the head of my pilot with stunning accuracy.


...-Gixer
~Hells Angels~!

I dunno about "rarely hit anything," last night I was on climbout for a jabo run when I was bounced by the escort for a single bomber trio.  That solo pilot in the bomber was able to drop half his bombs on the ammo bunker and half on the barracks.

[vorticon]

tip 1...fly something with cannons...the more the better...

tip 2...if you end up in a dead six position BREAK OFF...nothing good can come of this

tip3...attack while the buff appears to be doing some form of manouvering...the pilot is piloting so you should be able to get a few shots in before guns start firing...similarily while the guns are going the plane wont manouver

tip 4...bnz them from 10:00-2:00...on the b26 you only really have to worry about the top ball turret...the waist guns are behind and below the wings...so they wont be able to get that great of a shot...

tip 5...bring a friend

tip 6...aim for the turret with the first few shots then start shooting the wings...

thats what i do anyway...its worked on 2 of the greatest buff pilots in the game so there must be something im doing right...

remember the b26 is the hardest to shootdown buffs in the game...

[Gixer]

While at another base a single Tiffie was able to destroy the VH,all the fuel,radar and get a couple vulches.

Unfortunetly for buffs there aren't any real "strat" targets to speak of that they are usefull for destroying.  That a Jabo or two can't do and quicker.

And are often seen trying to carpet bomb fields from 500 feet or my personal favourite dive bombing lances taking out a CV.

Of course there are a few, that can pickle a hanger with 3 bombs from 10,000 feet, which is great to watch but unfortunetly most buffers fall into the earlier catagory.




...-Gixer
~Hells Angels~

Originally posted by mos
I dunno about "rarely hit anything," last night I was on climbout for a jabo run when I was bounced by the escort for a single bomber trio.  That solo pilot in the bomber was able to drop half his bombs on the ammo bunker and half on the barracks.

[Innominate]

Originally posted by Gixer
Why bother with buffs at all?

Because when you're in a cannon equipped plane, and you have the technique down, killing buffs is safe, fun, and three easy kills.

[NoBaddy]

Generally, B26s are easy. Low 6 approach. Avoid the tail gun. Fly under them until they are almost in your overhead view. WEP, pull up and blast a wing off. Rinse and repeat as needed . The only ones that are tough are the ones getting grass stains on the bombbay doors.

[Ack-Ack]

Originally posted by vorticon


remember the b26 is the hardest to shootdown buffs in the game...

LOL!  B-26 isn't any harder to shoot down than a Boston or a Super Fortress.  If you came at it correctly, it will die just as easy as any other bomber in AH.


ack-ack

[Ack-Ack]

Originally posted by Crowwe
I can't figure out why I have more trouble downing B26s than B17s. Whats the reason for this? Does anyone have any tips for downing B26s?

It seems to me the B26s have a bit more armor and their guns deal a little more damage.

Attack the B-26s as you would any bomber in AH.  Come in from above at a steep angle and aim your nose at a spot between the top turret and cockpit.  At that speed and dive angle, the guns on the bomber will have a tough time tracking you properly and your rounds will impact in the cockpit/wing root area doing critical damage.  If you're in a cannon equipped plane, usually the first burst is enough to remove a wing at the wing root.  If you do it right, you can take out an entire formation in 2-3 passes.  Another tip is to always go for the lead bomber or whichever bomber is player controlled.


ack-ack