Are tail-gunners bullet-proof?

[Jack_Aubrey]

It's not that difficult, I get my gunners killed more often than i like; but of course when proper technics are used.... most of the times we (because we try always to fly 4 bombers in diamond) get fighters coming to us from our six.... thats almost a secure kill for our gunners, but if you try the frontal or falling over us from 2-3 or 10-9 you probably gonna hurt us badly or kill our crew members.

[EJGr.Ost_Caspar]

Originally Posted by Jack_Aubrey

... most of the times we (because we try always to fly 4 bombers in diamond) get fighters coming to us from our six....

Now thats cool! Cooperating bomber jockeys are rare! Where can I find you flying? Online?

[Juri_JS]

Over the weekend I have run a number of tests to check the gunner vulnerability and I think on the whole it is ok. In my opinion most complaints by players about the invulnerability of gunners are caused by the lack of a clear visual indication when a gunner is disabled.

But there is one thing I like to know and I hope Caspar can give me an answer:
Does the game take into account the blast effect of cannon shells? In other words, is a direct cannon hit necessary to kill a gunner or will a near miss also injure or kill him.

[EJGr.Ost_Caspar]

Had to forward your question. The answer: Yes, splinters are calculated also for gunners. It is possible to kill a gunner by hitting a very different part of the plane with explosive shells.

[Pursuivant]

Originally Posted by EJGr.Ost_Caspar

Had to forward your question. The answer: Yes, splinters are calculated also for gunners. It is possible to kill a gunner by hitting a very different part of the plane with explosive shells.

If you play in arcade mode you can see this. Explosive shells and explosions create a "starburst" of secondary projectiles.

Regarding ESRB ratings, my U.S. version of IL2:1946 has a rating of "T" for "Teen"

Per the ESRB web site (http://www.esrb.org/ratings/ratings_guide.jsp):

"Titles rated T (Teen) have content that may be suitable for ages 13 and older. Titles in this category may contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling, and/or infrequent use of strong language."

Other Ubisoft titles with Teen ratings are the Tom Clancy FPS series and Red Steel, all of which get a lot more "up close and personal" with the violence than the IL2 series.

The fact that IL2 is a combat sim automatically throws it into the Teen category. So, just showing slumped bodies isn't going to change the ESRB rating. All you need to do is remove, or minimize, the blood.

[EJGr.Ost_Caspar]

Originally Posted by Pursuivant

The fact that IL2 is a combat sim automatically throws it into the Teen category. So, just showing slumped bodies isn't going to change the ESRB rating. All you need to do is remove, or minimize, the blood.

Thats dangerous thinking. Everything, that happen after such a step would be out of our control. And BTW: its not only U.S. to care about
There will be no change, period.

[Juri_JS]

Originally Posted by EJGr.Ost_Caspar

Thats dangerous thinking. Everything, that happen after such a step would be out of our control. And BTW: its not only U.S. to care about
There will be no change, period.

Alright, but what about other ways to show disabled gunners that will not affect age ratings (see my earlier post)?

[Jack_Aubrey]

Originally Posted by EJGr.Ost_Caspar

Now thats cool! Cooperating bomber jockeys are rare! Where can I find you flying? Online?

.... wow we use to fly together the wednesday, we use to fly at Spitsvs109 but not always, the easiest way look for our tags "E69".

[JtD]

If the gunner doesn't fire, he's dead. I've been using this indication for a long time and it fairly accurate.

[KG26_Alpha]

Originally Posted by EJGr.Ost_Caspar

Had to forward your question. The answer: Yes, splinters are calculated also for gunners. It is possible to kill a gunner by hitting a very different part of the plane with explosive shells.

Yes I have been killed by flak burst as a gunner in He111 and Ju88, the Ju88 is particularly fragile nose section regarding pilot deaths and gunners.

Originally Posted by JtD

If the gunner doesn't fire, he's dead. I've been using this indication for a long time and it fairly accurate.

Also if they run outta ammo.