Good bombers for dogfighting

[Mako15]

Howdy guys <>

When they take down the fighter hangers, what are the best bombers to up for dogfighting? I like the Val and A20g, but what else works? (besides Il-2s

[Krusty]

If you want to stop folks, take IL2. Cannons. Puts the enemy down like a rabid dog.

If you want to dogfight a bit take the A20G.

Don't take vals or SBDs or anything light. They just distract the enemy, they don't stop them. You'll never get kills with 2x nose mounted guns, especially not when overwhelmed as in a base capture situation.

[Raptor]

Don't tell him that! I for one take Vals into FT.

[Furball]

Originally posted by Krusty
Don't take vals or SBDs or anything light. They just distract the enemy, they don't stop them. You'll never get kills with 2x nose mounted guns, especially not when overwhelmed as in a base capture situation.

SBD is great, those 2 nose mounted 50cals can take down planes easily! granted not very good upping at a capped base, but as a pure dogfighter it is fantastic.

[Widewing]

Originally posted by Krusty
If you want to stop folks, take IL2. Cannons. Puts the enemy down like a rabid dog.

If you want to dogfight a bit take the A20G.

Don't take vals or SBDs or anything light. They just distract the enemy, they don't stop them. You'll never get kills with 2x nose mounted guns, especially not when overwhelmed as in a base capture situation.

Well, I very much enjoy flying the SBD as a fighter. If i'm bored, I'll take an SBD up high and ambush incoming raids.

My favorite memory flying the SBD involved a 20+ plane F4U and P-51 mission. I killed six of them and left a few smoking before running out of gas.

With a little altitude and speed, the SBD is lethal. Those twin fifties are adequate... More effective than the Hurri I or Spit I battery of 8 water pistols.

Concentration of guns in the A-20 is extemely potent. A few nights ago while flying an A-20 I intercepted and blitzed a pair of B-24s, with a single burst into each.

IL-2s have very powerful cannon. As with the SBD, I'll climb out and hunt the enemy. It doesn't turn as well as the SBD and lacks some of the SBD's more endearing qualities. However, it dives well and is a serious threat to anything unfortunate enough to get in its way.

I'm not a fan of the D3a in the MA, simply because the two 7.5 mm MGs require being saddled-up too long for ones health.

Also, do not overlook the TBM. It's a decent turner too, and quite capable of taking advantage of mistakes by an enemy. Its twin fifties are wing mounted and thus, not as effective as those on the SBD. Nonetheless, they are adequate against fighters.

My regards,

Widewing

My regards,

Widewing

[Saxman]

Of course, Il-2s tend to get hunted DOWN like a rabid dog, too.

[Krusty]

Okay, several folks have commented about flying SBD or Val as a fighter. Please forgive me, I was talking about "in base defense situations", as he said "when they take down the fighter hangars" -- I took this to mean base defense at a field under attack.

If your base is not under attack and you have time to climb out and find the fight, the SBD and Val are somewhat capable. SBD more so if you can get a pal to gun for you (2x 30cal in rear)

[Mako15]

interesting...I will have to try all these things

[Angus]

Il-2, and HO them all

[gsharp]

I would say the IL2 and the A20 are great for dogfighting, although you cannot launch an a20 without ord.

[llama]

Originally posted by gsharp
I would say the IL2 and the A20 are great for dogfighting, although you cannot launch an a20 without ord.

This is one of the most serious problems with plane selection. (And I know, it has been discussed to death, but here it is again.)

If there's no bombs available, I should be able to up the A20 without bombs, especially since there WERE bombless versions of the A20 in the form of the P-70, P70A-1, P-70B-2, and those were just the purpose-built bombless models.

The British were using many of their A-20 F and G models as night fighters and bombless attack craft too. I'd just like to do the same. As it is, even when ord is available, I feel like an idiot for dropping it on the runway before I take off.

And with that all said, the IL2 is a million laughs when used for capping, and I enjoy teaching lessons with it. But the satisfaction of making things go BOOM with the concentrated firepower of the A-20 can't be beat...

-Llama

[Whisky58]

I'm afraid you guys are way off mark.  

The B-24 is the best dogfighter.

Here's a report of an actual combat that took place on Nov 21, 1943, when 25 He 177s attacked a large allied convoy (SL139/MKS 30) in the Atlantic 420 miles NE of Cape Finisterre.

"As the He 177s tried to move into position to deliver their attacks, Consolidated B-24 Liberator "K" of 224 Sqn, Coastal Command, made a thorough nuisance of itself.  Part of the convoy's anti-submarine escort, it blocked several attacks and caused consternation among the attackers.  The first He 177 it engaged broke away, trailing smoke.  The second jettisoned its glider-bombs and made off.  The Liberator's captain, Plt Off Wilson, then followed the Heinkel and closed in to allow his front gunner a good burst which caused the Heinkel's starboard engine to trail smoke.  The Liberator then returned to the convoy and engaged two more He 177s.

It was a remarkable combat, with the big heavy bombers cavorting across the sky in lumbering imitation of their single enginged counterparts.  Wilson's aggressiveness undoubtedly contributed to the fact that no ship in the main body of the convoy was hit.  Nor did the Liberator suffer damage from the Heinkels' return fire."

Price,A; Aeroplane, Sept 2006, pp74-75.

Impressive - but I think I'll stick to the Yak.

[Reynolds]

Originally posted by llama
This is one of the most serious problems with plane selection. (And I know, it has been discussed to death, but here it is again.)

If there's no bombs available, I should be able to up the A20 without bombs, especially since there WERE bombless versions of the A20 in the form of the P-70, P70A-1, P-70B-2, and those were just the purpose-built bombless models.

The British were using many of their A-20 F and G models as night fighters and bombless attack craft too. I'd just like to do the same. As it is, even when ord is available, I feel like an idiot for dropping it on the runway before I take off.

And with that all said, the IL2 is a million laughs when used for capping, and I enjoy teaching lessons with it. But the satisfaction of making things go BOOM with the concentrated firepower of the A-20 can't be beat...

-Llama

And even if there WERENT, how hard is it NOT to attach bombs to a plane??? They do it all the time! They dont build them into the aircraft do they? That would make construction... touchy, wouldnt it?

[Mako15]

I like that Whiskey, B24s kicking all kinds of butt