Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Aircraft and Vehicles => Topic started by: Mickey1992 on August 07, 2002, 08:08:58 AM

Title: Any official word on the TBM tail?
Post by: Mickey1992 on August 07, 2002, 08:08:58 AM

I was going to revive the old "TBM has a paper tail" thread but I couldn't find it.

I have flown three sorites in a TBM this tour.  In the two where I was shot down, the tail fell off.  I have come to expect the tail to fall off when sneezed on.

But today I encountered a TBM while I was in a Mossie.   I approached co-alt at his 10oc.  When I got within 600 he turned for the HO.  I squeezed off some rounds, saw hit sprites in the region of his right wing, and turned right to avoid the HO before he could get me in his sights.

I look back and see his tail fall off and he goes nose up, then falls.  Both his wings looked in tact.

Title: Any official word on the TBM tail?
Post by: AAvenger on August 07, 2002, 10:12:22 AM

The Avanger was a tough plane.

http://cards.webshots.com/cp-31321576-flue-album/46194282QUjJWD

Title: Any official word on the TBM tail?
Post by: Soda on August 07, 2002, 02:32:00 PM

I have to agree that the TBM seems to have a pretty weak tail.  Of all the ones I've shot down they always seem to break off just as you describe, even from attacks in the front quarter.  

I don't know that improving the tail strength would help much though.  I don't think many people are that afraid of attacking a TBM and usually saddle up on one before they even open fire.  They seem to disregard the defensive guns as ineffective (because they basically are) and get into prime firing range before they open up.  This leads to a large number of hits from prime range which nothing would really stand up to even with a stronger tail.... sorta like what happens to the Il2.

-Soda
The Assassins.

Title: Any official word on the TBM tail?
Post by: AAvenger on August 07, 2002, 03:51:53 PM

Hopefully once the formation is in effect for the TBM, the added defensive firepower will help some.

Title: Any official word on the TBM tail?
Post by: Pooh21 on August 08, 2002, 03:18:44 AM

Wonder why the pings from the TBMs .50 and .30 are just annoying, ping ping ping ding.I dont think I have ever recieved damage or given any from the guns on the TBM. But the GVs .50s and .30s are usually single mounted and will shred you in a second.

Title: Any official word on the TBM tail?
Post by: Soda on August 08, 2002, 10:55:41 AM

There are lots of reasons the GV guns seem more effective.  The targets are usually coming straight in on strafing attacks and don't break off until ludicrously short range.  Against a TBM now with the tail limited the targets tend to be further away and crossing at least a bit.  That makes getting the same number of hits a problem as from a GV.

Maybe when the TBM gets the formation the firepower may improve, but I don't know that it will make them any more survivable....

-Soda
The Assassins.

Title: Any official word on the TBM tail?
Post by: CaptainA on August 08, 2002, 07:08:00 PM

i found several of those for sale on the internet TBM-3 Avenger they are very cool