High level bombing questions

[KG26_Alpha]

Originally Posted by Woke Up Dead

Thanks again guys, but I think you're assuming I'm more of a novice at this than I really am. I'm aware of the importance of target altitude; for my recent tests I either targeted objects at the coast line or along rivers, or took target altitude into consideration.

I'm also aware that it takes multiple clicks to increment move the Soviet bombsight by angle integers. Not three, but five; increments of 0.2 degrees: 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, etc.

Given all this, I still can't get accurate results, even if I read my TAS from the wonder-woman view. I input the correct speed, correct altitude, match the two indicators on the bombsight, and still can't hit my target. The error is consistently the same if I use the same bombload and drop it from the same plane, but different if I take another bombload or another plane. For example, a FAB-500 dropped from a Pe-2 from 4000 may always fall a little bit long, but the same FAB-500 dropped from in IL-4 may always fall very long.

In other words, the Soviet bombsights in this version of the game are inaccurate, or to put it bluntly, screwed-up. I hope they get fixed for 4.13, in the meantime I may create a chart of corrections for the Pe-2, IL-4, Pe-8, and maybe the Japanese bombers as well.

I use the bombsite table as a guide to correct airspeed, but nothing beats experience in these situations, you need to experiment a bit with the sight and different speeds.






Using the Russian sight I drop the bombs at the start of the target they then hit the middle allowing for altitude deviation at ground level.

Just done a 3930m drop with

Pe2 (1942)
FAB 500's x 2
IAS 270kph
TAS 330kph
Target altitude (elevation) 30m

Perfect drop with a direct hit on the target using the @ 60kph speed difference as indicated on the bombsite table above.

Track attached.

[T}{OR]

Do you have wind on the maps you tested (I presume not)? In todays IL21946 it plays a key role when level bombing.

[Woke Up Dead]

Originally Posted by KG26_Alpha

Perfect drop with a direct hit on the target using the @ 60kph speed difference as indicated on the bombsite table above.

No Alpha, you clearly missed. You released the bombs when the bombsight was over the nearest plane, but the bomb hit the ground and destroyed the middle/farthest planes on the airfield. The nearest two planes remained intact.

Perhaps it's because you didn't input the correct TAS: you put in 330km/h, but the TAS at the time of your drop according to the wonder woman view on your track was 345km/h.

Your track is inconclusive.

I made my own tracks of a similar target in Crimea. The target is about 20m above sea level, I'm always aiming for the nearest (easternmost) plane, and I always used the TAS according to wonder woman.

My first run was in a Pe-2 with 2x500 bombs. I had the speed, altitude, and angle pretty much perfect, yet the bombs dropped long, the first plane was not damaged.

My second run was also in a Pe-2 this time with 2x500 bombs. Again everything was as close to perfect as I could get it, and this time the bombs were almost on target. Just a bit long, but still close enough to destroy that first plane.

My third run was in an IL4 with one 500kg bomb. It's steadier than the Pe-2 so I think my altitude and speed were closer to perfect than in the first two runs, but the bomb went way, way, waaaaayyy long. I didn't even hit the rectangular tarmac. In fact, I think the tarmac could have been twice as long, and the bomb would still have missed it. Check for yourselves:

[KG26_Alpha]

I missed ?

I hit where I aimed

Its simple 270kph ias @ 3900m = TAS 330kph whats wonder woman TAS got to do with anything just use the bombsite table settings and it works

The bombs dropped in the center of the target that's the way I use the sight and have for years the TAS is correct that's why I hit the middle of the target.

The point of aim is between the 0 and 5 indicator 2.5 being the target center.

NB

All consideration taken from actual pilots using these crude bombsites back in WW2 we do better than they probably ever did,
they were never designed to be precision bombing devices just a general aiming sight.

[Woke Up Dead]

Originally Posted by KG26_Alpha

I missed ?

I hit where I aimed

Its simple 270kph ias @ 3900m = TAS 330kph whats wonder woman TAS got to do with anything just use the bombsite table settings and it works

The bombs dropped in the center of the target that's the way I use the sight and have for years the TAS is correct that's why I hit the middle of the target.

The point of aim is between the 0 and 5 indicator 2.5 being the target center.

Those charts don't take temperature into account, so on a very cold map like Moscow they won't show the right TAS. Wonder-woman view shows the correct TAS.

Since when is 2.5 target center?

Try your technique with a 2x250 FAB load, or a 1x500 FAB in an IL4, or 2x500 FAB in a Pe-2 on the Moscow winter map.

[KG26_Alpha]

Well I hit the target perfectly well every time not using "WW" views TAS reading.

I use the charts and have done for years taking into account the target altitude (elevation) it works for me.

Continue your method and keep missing.

Have fun.

[Woke Up Dead]

Originally Posted by KG26_Alpha

Continue your method and keep missing.

Have fun.

No need to get pissy. I tried several planes, several bomb loads, on several maps and I think something is not right. You try one drop and say everything is fine.

OK, let's use your method then:

First track:
IL4, 1x500FAB, Crimea, IAS 270km/h, TAS set to 330km/h according to your chart, dropped from 3930m, took target altitude of 30m into account, dropped at the 2.5 mark above the bubble, aimed for first plane. Result: waaaaaaay long.

Second track:
Pe2, 2x250FAB, Crimea, IAS 270km/h, TAS set to 330km/h according to your chart, dropped from 3930m, took target altitude of 30m into account, dropped at the 2.5 mark above the bubble, aimed for first plane. Result: short enough to not damage the target.

Third track
Pe2, 2x500FAB, Moscow winter, IAS 270km/h, TAS set to 330km/h according to your chart, dropped form 4000m, took target altitude of 90m into account, dropped at the 2.5 mark above the bubble, aimed for middle plane at the far end of the tarmac. Result: way short, no damage to target (destroyed planes at the near end of tarmac)

Tell me what I'm doing wrong.

[Woke Up Dead]

I also replicated the drop you did (Pe2, 2x500FAB, Crimea) and hit my target, so I can confirm that yes, on that map, that plane, that loadout, your method is accurate, if we assume 2.5 above the bubble to be the target center.