Hi all
25,000ft was the optimum altitude for bombing in a B17, it doesn't mean that it is the maximum altitude for bombing in a B17!
I bought a book called the B17 Story, and here is a piece from it:-
"Although Luftwaffe did make successful interceptions, these all occurred at under 30,000ft. When the B-17s were able to
maintain altitudes above this level they evaded interception, the chief obstacle to achieving the desired altitudes being engine problems - noticeably severe oil loss through the breathers."
Okay, this was based on an earlier version of the B17 but seeing the B17 had to travel a very long distance then they had to preserve their engines (unlike in AH where you really don't have to travel that far!). I agree that the bombsight couldn't have been that accurate at that alt, though I am sure you could hit the HQ easy. Other people use the 'zoom' function so why complain about the buffs?
As for the high altitude buff run... well, recently I've been flying B17s at 8k to 25k max and on five occasions at 25k (I went that alt after being shot down earlier at lower alt) I've had F4U-Cs high above me, two of them at least 35k no joking - and not just the odd lone fighter but often in pairs or more! Needless to say that I got shot down. I enjoy flying lower altitudes because you can normally be in with a good chance of landing some kills as well as bombing your target, but when the HQ requires such a large bomb load are you going to risk one B17 not getting there and then not doing enough damage?
Just some of my thoughts... I am tempted to start flying higher especially if I've been shot down at 20-25k (!)... I will just return higher if I want to complete a specific mission. Apparantly 25-30k was enough to evade flak.
I'm all for lower buff runs... but there are somethings that put you off doing that!!

Regards
'Nexx'

[This message has been edited by Replicant (edited 06-09-2000).]
[This message has been edited by Replicant (edited 06-09-2000).]