Author Topic: Drones off-line? (Read 285 times)

hogenbor · « **on:** August 15, 2002, 12:48:53 AM »

Another newbie question:

Are there drones on-line in the main area? Yesterday I encountered some lonely bombers attacking airfields and CV's, a squad of A20's, a lone Lancaster and even a SBD.

All but the SBD were on their own, so without escort, flew straight and level and gave hardly any return fire. Was too busy shooting them down to think much about it, our ask on the radio.

Cheers,

Ronald

Blue Mako · « **Reply #1 on:** August 15, 2002, 01:47:00 AM »

No drones online. You may have encountered what we veterans like to call "meat on the table".

Often people in bombers will not be at the keyboard while they drone towards their target. This means that they are undefended and make a nice juicy target for any fighters around. Be warned though: Do not assume someone is away from the keyboard (AFK)!

I (and others) like to hold fire and not maneuver when in a bomber until necessary. The complacent fighter pilot thinks "ahhh afk!" and then does something silly like approaching the bomber from directly astern. The gunner can then remove the fighter's vital parts with some easy gunning...

Welcome to AH and enjoy the hit sprites.

hogenbor · « **Reply #2 on:** August 15, 2002, 03:29:36 AM »

Easy meat indeed!

The Lancaster was probably surprised, because it did return fire but it was too late. Pinged him from quite a great distance and he broke up in mid air after the second attack.

The squad of A20s was already attacked by someone, but he left two for me, no evasion, no return fire, nothing. Too easy.

I attacked the SBD with a Bf109F4 but had just dropped my drop tank and forgot to switch to the cannon... stupid mistake. Two 7.92's were not enough and before I could finished the SBD off I had to take evasive action from a F6F attacking me, spun out and crashed :-(

fuzeman · « **Reply #3 on:** August 15, 2002, 06:25:54 AM »

What about bombers #2 and #3 in the formation, would those be considered 'on-line drones'?
I know I'm pushing the definition, maybe those should be called clones and not 'drones'.

fuzeman

SpinDoc1 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 15, 2002, 08:26:27 AM »

They do act like drones in that they just take orders from the lead bomber, but that also includes gunning. They don't sit idle when the pilot decides to grab the guns, now you get a faceful of 3 bombers' guns!

Jason

Blank · « **Reply #5 on:** August 15, 2002, 09:46:22 AM »

Hogenbo

Be causious when you say they did not return fire, as they may have had their tracers turned off,

The guy could have been spraying like mad, but just didn't hit you.

Not likely in your case but something to think about, I know I dont fly with tracers, and fighters seem to get closer before opening up, Probably thinking mmmmm AFK,

Then thier dead LOL!