Level bombing in the Blenheim

[jimbop]

Well it was a simple explanation: I wasn't always leaning forward to the sight! Stupid... There's nothing wrong with the Blenheim sight and the distance is perfectly calibrated for TAS and altitude.

However, it is still very difficult to hit the target due to lack of a horizontal stabiliser. Even a degree or two of roll at 10k feet throws the reticle out by a long distance. I generally trim to remove side slip but this obviously requires aileron input to correct the roll. This is difficult to correctly maintain from the bomber's position since the horizon is blurred at this altitude.

Honestly, they should add a horizontal stabilizer for bombers or at least those without course correction mechanisms. If the bombardier was supposed to pilot the plane he would have the tools for it...

Anyone got tips for how to stay horizontally stable on the way in? Or do you pilot from the cockpit and then switch to bombardier at the last possible moment?

[ATAG_Dutch]

Originally Posted by Skoshi Tiger

On a couple of missions I've found the engines don't have a even RPM.

I've found it to be quite consistent and very enjoyable to fly!

Heh, heh! Welcome to the trials and tribulations of the Blenheim mate!

Flight sims should be a challenge don't you think?

Talk about a love/hate relationship!?

(thanks for the credits by the way, appreciated!)

[ATAG_Dutch]

Originally Posted by jimbop

Honestly, they should add a horizontal stabilizer for bombers or at least those without course correction mechanisms. If the bombardier was supposed to pilot the plane he would have the tools for it...

Anyone got tips for how to stay horizontally stable on the way in? Or do you pilot from the cockpit and then switch to bombardier at the last possible moment?

I've got a feeling that the only way to do this properly is when you have an online multi-crew. I can fly the contraption ok, but have no idea about the bombsight, and I completely lose control of the a/c when I lean to the bombsight.

Maybe we should all get online sometime and try it out.

Left, left....r..i...g..h..t, left, left, steady, steady..... BOMBS GONE!!

[jimbop]

Originally Posted by ATAG_Dutch

I've got a feeling that the only way to do this properly is when you have an online multi-crew. I can fly the contraption ok, but have no idea about the bombsight, and I completely lose control of the a/c when I lean to the bombsight.

Maybe we should all get online sometime and try it out.

Left, left....r..i...g..h..t, left, left, steady, steady..... BOMBS GONE!!

Sounds good to me - would be a blast (literally!) I think I will get reasonably proficient at <5k feet but any higher will require either stabilizer or a good human pilot.

I'm looking forward to knucklebut's pics though; maybe my technique is failing.

[jimbop]

Here are a few pics and notes from my training at 5k feet. I can provide my basic single player mission (5k airstart, shop targets) if required.


1. Cockpit

Note that I am trimmed to level flight and the slipball indicates that I am slightly crabbing. This is compensation for lack of aileron trim. I wouldn't recommend this for the trip out but when closing on the target I find that the reduced roll is worth the loss of airspeed.

I have found that the Blenheim altimeter is often set 200-300 feet too high. I click it left three times so am ~300 feet lower on instruments than default settings. This can be easily verified - just try to fly to 100 feet and you will find that you are a submarine! Not sure about other aircraft.




2. Bombardier dash

These instruments are your friends! Pay at least as much attention to them as you do to your target. Constantly update your speed and altitude settings into the sight (see below).




3. Bombardier view

The view from the pilot's seat is rubbish so it's worth transferring here after you are roughly trimmed and closing on target. I find it useful to adjust the screen view down a bit to provide a closer horizontal reference for the horizon from the monitor edge. I wish they had put an artificial horizon in here...

I find it best to be turning slightly right into your target since visibility is much better on this side.




4. Bombsight breakdown

Note that this is the view when you have 'leaned to gunsight' (or whatever the command is). This is critical (see my post above...)

#1: Altitude adjustment in 100s of feet. Strongly recommend binding keys to this.

#2: Target should run down between the strings. My target is moving left so I am compensating. I could just as easily adjusted the sight 0.5 degrees to the left.

#3: Targeting reticule.

#4: Velocity adjustment. Also highly recommended for a key binding. I use the number pad for my sight adjustments.

It is worth noting that I get best results when I do not follow protocol. First, I underestimate rather than overestimate my altidude (e.g. if at 5050 feet I will enter 5000 instead of 5100). Second, I do not adjust to TAS but rather input the IAS. Adjusting for TAS makes me land short.

Edit: I am getting best results when trimming the Blenheim for proper hands off flight (as in go and make a cup of tea and it's still fine a minute or two later) which means I am side-slipping at about +1.0 degrees. I then adjust the sight to -1.0 degrees which compensates for the motion and keeps the target lined up in the rails until release.)




5. Release point

Don't forget to open the bomb bay which is another essential key bind. Continue releasing until all bombs are away. I get rid of all bombs across the target length.








6. Target perspective at release. The distance is 2.04 km.




7. Impact. There were no direct hits but there evidently didn't need to be!



This is not particularly easy, at least for me. After a few hours practice I have a good feel for the sight and am getting pretty close to my targets. If you are aiming for an airfield or similarly large target you should be hitting it from the start.

I also find it easier not to use freetrack for this but rather just drag the view with the middle mouse button as necessary. Stable view and slow corrections are what this is all about.

I have not addressed getting up into the air since this is covered by ATAG_Dutch videos above. My loadout is 4x250lb with a #42 pistol, 0 second trigger. I use an 11 sec trigger for skip bombing.

[ATAG_Dutch]

Those shots are superb Jimbop. Great advice too. I've been 'leaning to' using gunsight view also, which is maybe why I lose control.

Couple of questions though.

1)Would you say that the digital readouts for the bombsight are essential? (I'm not keen on them as they spoil the realism for me, although I always used them in old IL2)

2) There are two readouts for both bombsight altitude and bombsight velocity on the digital readout, one set matches your instruments, one doesn't. Have you changed these to match changes in your instruments, or is there another reason for it?

I'm going to use some time today to practice an offline mission using the bombsight if the wife'll let me. I'll video the results and post, for good or ill!

Edit: Well the first attempt was a dismal failure - I entered 10000ft and 200mph into the sight before take-off, then found at that altitude 200mph IAS was way too fast. 130-140mph would've been better. Dropped my bombs anyway, then realised I'd not opened the doors, then the engines started rattling through neglect, so I dived down and shallow dive bombed the target. Sheesh. Will try again later.

Edit 2: Attached is the mission I'm using to practice level bombing from 10000ft. The target is a collection of armour next to a large factory west of Dunkirk. Ctrl/F2 will give you a ground level camera view to check your accuracy.

Feel free folks!

[kestrel79]

So there's no "Leveler Stabilizer" key in CloD bombers? Or just in the Blemheim? Loved that feature when flying a bomber by myself in IL2.

I always liked flying bombers online in IL2 I look forward to doing this online when I get some freetime.

[Flanker35M]

S!

Another way to speed up the bombing run is to set on the ground the rough settings, for example altitude and speed. So when you are in the air and lined up for target only minor adjustments are needed basically thus lessening the control input oscillation etc. Just my opinion..

[jimbop]

I rely on the digital readouts on the interface and have not checked what the readout on the instruments is (will do next time I play). I tend to tinker with these a fair bit on the way into the target although Flanker35M’s suggestion of pre-setting these on the ground is excellent - thanks for that.

Regarding realism, I figure that by the time I have acted as both the pilot and the bombardier I deserve a bit of digital assistance! Nothing realistic about the current situation without the horizontal stabilizer IMHO but still a lot of fun!

Originally Posted by ATAG_Dutch

Edit: Well the first attempt was a dismal failure - I entered 10000ft and 200mph into the sight before take-off, then found at that altitude 200mph IAS was way too fast. 130-140mph would've been better. Dropped my bombs anyway, then realised I'd not opened the doors, then the engines started rattling through neglect, so I dived down and shallow dive bombed the target. Sheesh. Will try again later.

Yeah, I know the feeling. Have done that many times… At least you get a nice tight cluster of bombs when you eventually release the bomb door though! Thanks for the practice mission. I will start using it - I want to start going after the ATAG server #2 targets.

[jimbop]

Originally Posted by kestrel79

So there's no "Leveler Stabilizer" key in CloD bombers? Or just in the Blemheim? Loved that feature when flying a bomber by myself in IL2.

I always liked flying bombers online in IL2 I look forward to doing this online when I get some freetime.

No stabilizer. IMHO this should be included since it is hardly realistic to have to fly and bomb simultaneously. Having said that, the pics above were after a few hours practice and it is fairly reproducible so it isn't impossible without it.

I think the key is to trim well using the rudder and elevator. You can basically fly hands off and remain dead level for 5-10 sec at a time (which is all you need in the final release stage).