Quote:
Originally Posted by hegykc
Before I scare away people with some more complicated stuff, here's a picture:
Now, something more complicated:
This are the harmonization and gun convergences for the P-51 mustang.
- No.1 guns converge at 1,000 feet / at sight line (inboard)
- No.2 guns converge at 1,100 feet / 11 inches below sight line (middle)
- No.3 guns converge at 1,200 feet / 18 inches above sight line (outboard)
From that you can see that the guns not only don't meet at the same convergence horizontally, but not even vertically.
I managed to model .303 caliber bullet trajectories in one of my CAD programs, and I tried to copy the same pattern seen in the P-51 charts. This harmonization pattern is there for a reason, it's not as simple as setting a one point convergence.
Spitfire/Hurricane convergences in the picture should greatly improve kill/damage probabilities for pilots that are not excellent marksmen.
Gun sight distance should be set at 330 yards although the harmonization is set up for a target at 300 yards distance.
I do not have a joystick at the moment so I need volunteers to test this out.
Preferably pilots who are flying online for a while now, and know their kill ratio and skill level. To see if there will be any improvement.
I put this in the main forum so that as many people as possible see it, because it should really make things easier for the average pilot reading through the front page mainly.
150 yards harmonization, and more advanced patterns coming up.. |
Salute
Those are the official P-51 convergence patterns, drawn up for average pilots who were not very good shots.
Most experienced Aces preferred to go for a tighter pattern, for more concentrated hitting power. Also remember that the P-51 was equipped with .50 calibre weapons, much more effective than a .303, it only took a couple .50's to do the damage of 10 .303's, so you could afford to spread out your pattern and still be effective against the primary target for the P-51, which was single engined fighters, relatively fragile targets.
The British had as their primary focus, medium bombers, with fighters a distant second. Of course most guys in this game prefer to shoot down fighter opponents, but they will meet bombers.
It's the old dilemma, shotgun pattern for better chance of a hit, or concentrated for more effect when you do hit.