Level bombing in the Blenheim

[Blackdog_kt]

I've taken to using only the compass and ignoring the directional gyro in RAF aircraft. The reason is that it takes time to align the DG after obtaining a reading from the compass, time during which the aircraft drifts.

Furthermore, the compass course setter lines can serve as a heading selector too. If you align them with the T-bar it reads your current heading, but you can also do things in reverse: turn the course setter lines to the heading you want to fly and then turn the plane until the T-bar aligns with the lines.

Compare the methods and you'll see it's simpler.

Case 1: Using the DG
I align the course setter lines with the T-bar, read the heading, input that heading into the DG and then fly by turning the aircraft until the DG reads the heading i want to fly. Rinse and repeat every 5-10 minutes, or after violent maneuvers that upset the instruments.

Case 2: Using only the compass
Turn the course setter lines to the heading you want to fly. Turn the aircraft until the T-bar aligns with the compass lines.

That's it, you're done. No need to recalibrate, no nothing. Just turn your course setter to your desired heading and turn your plane around.

In the Spit and Hurri, i do this by leaning to the side with freetrack and pause my view there so i can have a look behind the stick. The on-screen messages and mouse-over tooltips are helpful, since i play with reduced texture resolution and some of the instrument markings are blurry. If you don't have a head tracker available, you can also do it with the mouse: middle mouse button lets you move your view to the side.

In the Blenheim there's an even easier way: there's a second magnetic compass in the bombardier's station, on the base of the bombsight. So, you can set your course setter to the desired heading and then just hop into the front seat to take a look at the compass. You can be hopping back and forth as needed between cockpit and bombardier station to check the compass, instead of trying to look behind the yoke wheel.

That compass is also more clearly marked, the needle has an arrow on the side of it that points north.

It's also easy to take magnetic variance into account this way, which is 10 degrees for our map. What i do is get a rough flight plan going once i spawn, then i measure the required bearings with the map tools while i'm still on the ground.

Let's say i want to take off from Littlestone on ATAG and fly a heading of 120 degrees true to some target. Since true hdg = magnetic hdg + variance, my desired true hdg is 120 and the variance is 10, it follows that:

120 = mag hdg + 10
Hence, the require Mag hdg is 110 degrees.

I just set the course setter for 110 before i even take off, then i just turn around until the course setter is aligned with the compass needle.

[jimbop]

Good post, Blackdog. I might start using this method in the fighters. I find the DG is reasonably stable in the Blenheim but it drifts very easily in the fighters. I tend to use navigation in the fighters only when I am inland and can't see the coast or am mid-channel and very low.

A few weeks ago I was on ATAG, sputtering low on fuel in a hurri and approaching the white cliffs in as slow a descent as possible with the engine cutting out. I drifted in and had chosen a nice flat field for landing when I noticed flak around me. I thought there was someone on my six but couldn't see them. And then the realisation slowly dawned: I was landing in France with about a thimbleful of fuel remaining.

It is a good idea for red pilots to ensure they are heading west on the way home!

[ATAG_knuckles]

Jim

Dont feel bad, days ago I was in the bomb aimers position training a new kid: Got confused in my directions, found an airfield pointed it out and told him to land, flack all around so I said get it down fast !!! to our surprise we landed just as a 109 was taking off OOps !!!!
Great teacher i am

[jimbop]

Ha, that would have inspired confidence!

[ATAG_Dutch]

Originally Posted by Blackdog_kt

Furthermore, the compass course setter lines can serve as a heading selector too. If you align them with the T-bar it reads your current heading, but you can also do things in reverse: turn the course setter lines to the heading you want to fly and then turn the plane until the T-bar aligns with the lines.

That's what I just said you bu**er! That's why it's called a 'course setter'!

'Blimey!'. As the cockneys say.

[jimbop]

Didn't see your earlier post, Dutch. Nice vids.