Flying and skip bombing the Blenheim on Cockpit Instruments only.

[Dutch]

Hello Chaps!

I've updated the Blenheim tutorial to a more suitable level, given experience and contributions from Jimbop, Shrivey, Knuckles and others on various Forums.

This is far more 'how to do it' than simply getting into the air as the old vid was designed to do.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gs2AEN3WQks&feature=youtube_gdata


Here's the Map tool tutorial in slideshow format;


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWyIA2g4ndI


I'll edit the post with part 3 just as soon as it's uploaded.:Grin:



Ok, here's the more interesting bit, bombing the ships!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUwc5Zt_VE0

[ATAG_Snapper]

This is EXCELLENT, Dutch -- thank you! I've been thinking of learning to fly the Blemmie in case we get assigned to do so in an inter-squadron match. Now I have no excuses to put it off any longer! :)

[ATAG_Knuckles]

Dutch

Very well done. I love this aircraft and certainly getting better in it. Next for me is high altitude bombing. Gonna learn that bombsight.


Thanks

Denis/Knuckles

[Dutch]

Thanks Snapper mate! And you too Knuckles! If you learn that bombsight, let me know coz it's a complete mystery to me!

Watchman, Krupi, Puppet and me had a great time today flying 4 ship Blenheim formations to the ships. All of us had some engine problems at one stage or another but the Jerries lost a lot of shipping today! :Grin:

There's something about being part of a flight of bombers that's immensely satisfying. :thumbsup:

[ATAG_Septic]

Thanks for this Dutch, gives me the motivation to persevere with the type. It's such a gamble for me with this aircraft, an hour of play (I nearly wrote work!) can be ruined so quickly with those engines but your video might help me avoid such disasters :)

[ChiefRedCloud]

Let me add my thanks to those above Dutch. You and Watchman have given great hope that I too can come to grips with these buggers (multi engine planes. Thanks to you and your videos and to others here. :dthumb:

[ATAG_Knuckles]

O.K. Gang: Here's what I have so far in regards to high altitude bombing in the Blenheim.
The Bomb sight used is the "Wimperis MK 1-A. It adjusts for altitude: airspeed: wind drift. As we dont yet have dynamic weather the "wind drift" is not used. It does work in the sim but until weather is added we wont need it. I have made several bomb runs at an altitude of 10,000.00 feet. The sight seem somewhat accurate. I do plan to continue further testing and will post results. I am posting this now to see if others might want to test as well. I have some feedback from the fighter guys and they would certainly rather escort "Live" bombers instead of A.I.

Photos attached are the working area of the Wimperis bomb sight. You will need to program the function of "Lean to bomb sight" in the "controls" section. One photo shows the "lean to" picture and the area you will need to sight your target. I will post more as I practice

Denis/Knuckles
316315

[ATAG_Bliss]

Very nice tutorial gents :dthumb:

One of these days, I'll get all the bombers down (if I ever get to leave the FMB!!)

Very interested to know your findings, Knuckles. I've yet to really level bomb in any of the heavies yet.

Thanks again :)

[ATAG_Knuckles]

Another bomb run tonight. Airfield south France (so to keep away from fighters)

cranked in 11,000 feet at 170 mph stayed exactly at that altitude/speed and the bombs when right where i aimed:

so now I need something to really destroy !!!

Denis/Knuckles

[Dutch]

That's fantastic Knuckles, thanks for working it all out.:thumbsup:

It was 'which bit do you look through?' that had me stumped!:uhoh

Will give it a whirl and report back.:Grin:

[ATAG_JTDawg]

http://war.by-airforce.com/downloads/bomb_sight_table.html this is a great little program for those that really want to get good high alt. bomb runs ,it tells ias, tas , angle , etc etc. :thumbsup:

[RAAF_Magpie]

Hi Skip Bombers!

Thanks to some tips from Torian I can now fly the Blenheim reasonably well (if I do say so myself!). I have a slightly different method of skip-bombing/flying the Blenny - my first Youtube, FRAPS etc effort was on skip-bombing so the production is a little raw but you might find it interesting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAprz4Ox6gk

Hope you find it useful.

PS Knucklebutt
I wrote FINE pitch but I meant coarse! (see Torian's post on the Blenny)
I initially practiced in Single Player on a smaller map, Tropical Island. Easy to make a mission in the FMB. I maybe imagining it but when taking off in Single Player on the small maps you do not get that horrendous
pull to the right you get on the standard BoB map. I can post the file if you like.
Of course the basic technique/setup is transferable to the me110, but remember to have keys bound to "Toggle Bombs Armed" and "Toggle Bomb Distrib Short Delay."
High Altitude Bombing - interested in any tips there. I have been holding off until the next patch before I attempt that technique.
CU online sometime.

[ATAG_Knuckles]

Magpie

Very well done: although I am still working on the "high altitude" I am also attempting to get proficient in skip bombing, as of yet with very poor results. I almost always get blow up/hit by ship guns

Question: what map are you using? I have been on multiplayer/ATAG which is a problem cause those bloody "square heads" keep interfering with my practice.

also you stated in the film that your were 100% throttle and FINE pitch although your RPM was around 1600 - 1700 ???

give me a holler if you see me on comms, somehow I think knowing bombers is going to be very usefull later in this sim

thanks again: I'm gonna go get a 500 pounder

Denis/Knuckles

[Dutch]

I have a slightly different method of skip-bombing/flying the Blenny.Hope you find it useful.

Thanks Magpie, I've never trusted the 11 sec delay but now see that it's much safer! :Grin::thumbsup:

[ATAG_Knuckles]

O.K. Gang still practicing the high altitude bombing, actually getting some pretty good results. However help me out here, exactly what should I be bombing. So far I have made some really nice craters on several airfields, but I dont see any buildings on the German airfields ?? I really would like something to blow up. Any suggestions ? I will plan on making a tutorial video when I can actually blow something up.


Denis/Knuckles

[Dutch]

So far I have made some really nice craters on several airfields, but I dont see any buildings on the German airfields ?? I really would like something to blow up. Any suggestions ? I will plan on making a tutorial video when I can actually blow something up.

There is a collection of armour on one of the airfields in Northern France on the normal dogfight server (I think), unfortunately I've only ever seen it when I was flying a fighter. Consequently I've no idea where it is.

I think there are some static aircraft also in the same unknown area.

Help us out here, someone! :Grin:

[ATAG_Knuckles]

Maybee today I will steal a 109 and go "sight" seeing. (pun intended)



Denis/Knuckles

[ATAG_Bliss]

Gents,

Try the 2nd server. Some nice targets up for both heavies for the Red's and Blue's. Testing a different mission atm.

Give it a go please!

Thanks ;)

[ATAG_Knuckles]

Hay gang:

Has anyone spotted the purported ammo dump located near Desures P-5

Flown the Blenheim around that area, not really sure what an ammo dump looks like


Knuckles/Denis

[Dutch]

Stop Press!!

Felipe's airfield elevations reveal Littlestone to be 72ft above sea level.

Altimeter on the ground reads 300ft.

Seems I've been much lower than I thought.

I could swear I've skip bombed from 200ft though, which would put me under water!

Anyone else? :inq:

[ATAG_Knuckles]

I sort of assumed when you spawned the altimeter was on the correct altitude.

I'll also check that out this evening, Certainly appeared to look like 200 feet


Knuckles

[Dutch]

So did I, but then we do need to set the gyro and what not, so......?

See PM btw!

[Jimbop]

The altimeter seems to be 200-300 feet too high when you spawn on ATAG. I'm not sure what happens offline. You can easily verify - just take off and go to wave top height when you find the coast. Easily corrected by a couple of clicks left on the altimeter at startup.

Must admit to emulating a submarine the first time I tried skip bombing at "300 feet". Concentrating too hard on the instruments!

[Dutch]

If you spawn offline at Biggin Hill, the altimeter on the ground reads 775ft, Littlestone offline 300ft.

Either the in-game elevations are 200 ft (roughly) out, or we need to adjust altimeters on the ground. Will test.

[Catseye]

Ok Chaps,
As an old ground pounder I've been convinced to hop into the cockpit of the Blenheim and give her a whirl on low level attacks.

There's some shipping out there that needs to be reduced. :)

So for a bit, I think I'll concentrate on qualifying on this bird and join Dutch on a few sorties without colliding with him hopefully.

Cats . . .

[ATAG_Knuckles]

Catseye:

The Blenheim can be a cantankerous old hag to start with, however once you get all the wrinkles worked out its a real pleasure and rewarding aircraft. As well a ATAG-Dutch, if you see me on coms I would be pleased to share all the wierdness


Knuckles

[Jimbop]

Yes, good fun to be had! I'm getting reasonably competent up to 5000 feet so someone who kniws what they're doing should be able to hit from higher. Look for the prop pitch fine adjustment near full coarse - makes climbing much easier.

[shrivey]

Nice Vids Dutch, i can offer some advice. Use the Ever ready bombs, you don't have to arm them. Also, place an 11 second delay on them, this way you'll avoid your own bomb blast.

[ATAG_Knuckles]

On to my next giant to conquer. MIENESCHBOOT !!! Bloody killer it is !!!

398399

Knuckles

[ATAG_Knuckles]

Several runs made today. Best approach is quartering bow shoot. Least number of guns. (Still leathel though) One 500 lb will sing this small ship QUICK ! see photos

was still substantially damaged but flyable.

Conclusion: Two Blenheims one on each quarter of the bow will draw enough fire to make a successful kill and still return home, for fish and chips (or a "pint" in Dutch's case)

402401400

[Dutch]

No problem mate. :)

I've found that one 250lb-er will sink a minelayer when skip bombed.

Originally I took them with the old 'use the force method' in a shallow dive.

Here's a vid from way back when. :Grin:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeqVkW48XOo

[ATAG_Knuckles]

This certainly looks familiar to me:

450


Knuckles

[Tonka]

Big thanks from me Dutch for the Skip bombing video's. It works i tells you, even with me at the controls!

:salute:

[Dutch]

No prob Tonka and thanks for saying so!

I made these vids at a time when a lot of people were saying that the Blen was 'unflyable', just to get people to try the thing at a basic level and to prove that it wasn't.

Now lots of people have found this out for themselves, maybe I should update the vids to where most of us are now.

I must say I don't fly the Blenheim anything like the way I flew it in the video!

Hmm.....watch this space! :salute:

[Dutch]

Video Tutorials in first post updated to a more appropriate standard.

[Uther]

How long does in take a Blenheim to warm up?
I have a cunning plan involving a JU88 and several kilo's of HE... ;)

[Tonka]

Thanks Dutch, good work on the video's. Any chance you show us how to hit land based targets with such accuracy next? Pretty please?!

Blenheim takes a few minutes to warm up Uther. You can get airborne in 2 or 3 mins if you rush it and taxi with engines complaining. 5 mins before taxiing if you wait if for it warm up without rushing it.

If the cunning plan involves flying down Littlestone runway with the JU88 and bombing what's on the ground, make sure someone is filming. It was an awesome sight from where i was sat when Littlestone was bombed yesterday and I'd love to see it from the air.

:salute:

[ATAG_Knuckles]

Uther :

Come on let us Belnheim boys in on your plan. P.M. if you need to. I certainly want in on it


Knuckles

[Dutch]

Thanks Dutch, good work on the video's. Any chance you show us how to hit land based targets with such accuracy next? Pretty please?!

:bgsmile: Well, it's pretty much the same from my angle.

Keep really low (100ft) at 240mph and drop yer eggs when the near edge of the target disappears under the nose! (Old tactic from flying Sturmoviks too much!).

But you're right, maybe I should do a short clip. :dthumb:

Edit: Hold on there is one somewhere, bear with me!

Here you go! This was to check nav tools accuracy, but you'll see the bombing technique in the last minute or so, plus the usual outcome of solo bombing raids!

Watch from 2:13 ish.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0J3_UsEGK8

[Tonka]

Awesome, thanks Dutch!

:salute:

[Atreides]

Thanks for putting this on youtube :hpyclp:

[RAF74_Buzzsaw]

Salute

I know I'm a little late to the party, but thanks for your hard work on this tutorial. :)

[Dutch]

Salute

I know I'm a little late to the party, but thanks for your hard work on this tutorial. :)

Thanks Buzzsaw. It's well out of date now, and was made back when it was the Blenny which had all the overheating probs. Apparently the new Blen is much easier to manage, but is difficult to slow down for landing.
I haven't done any Blenny flying to speak of for months.
Tonka, Divittor and Slipstream could maybe jump in here and give some further tips. Are you there chaps? :D

[ATAG_Slipstream]

Great work on the videos Dutch :thumbsup:, Now what would you like me to add? How to shoot down a 109 or 110 even? :)

Yes the Blenheim is easier to fly now, for a while it seemed to carry too much speed even in full landing config, However after a full re-install I don't seem to have that problem anymore. It really confuses me how this sim works sometimes.

Anyway, I never fly this one to the books. I fly it to get in and out causing as much destruction as quickly and silently as possible, so here how I operate it.

STARTUP:

Prop Pitch: Coarse
Mixture: Confirm Normal
Radiators: Open
Fuel Cocks: Inner Tanks (Cock 3 with the black handle is for stability between fuel tanks and is not usually touched for normal flight)
Fuel Gauges: Set On
Start Engine: 2 then 1

BEFORE TAXI:
Plot Course On Map
Set Directional Gyro
Set Course Setter
Set Bomb Salvo Mode: Single or Salvo
When Oil is at 40c and Engine Temp is around 160c,
Set Flaps: 15 Degrees
Prop Pitch: Fine

TAKE-OFF:
For short field takeoff with heavy payloads boost should be used. For longer fields or lighter loads I use it as follows. If I'm flying on the deck I'll use the boost, for high flying I won't. Reason being is that low-level I need speed and the engine stays cooler, higher up with Boost on you need to manage the engine alot more to prevent overheating.

Boost: As Required

INITIAL CLIMB:
Positive Rate: Confirmed
Gear: Up
Flaps: Retract at 120mph
Prop Pitch: Coarse passing 150mph
Radiators: 35 - 50% open
-----------------------------------
FURTHER CLIMB:
Boost: Off
Mixture: Normal
Carb Heat: On above 8000ft

CRUISE & BOMBING:
Low Level flying is more charging than cruising, full power with boost, rads 35% pulling 250mph hugging the deck at no more than 100 feet.
Just watch the oil temps don't rise above 80c.
High Level is a different matter because overheating is so much easier. For cruising there is a little yellow triangle between +9 & +10 on the boost gauge (which is behind the control column), and I usually set the needle to point to that, which gives about 45-50% throttle power and a steady cruise speed of around 190 - 210 mph

The Bombing techniques in Dutch's videos are still valid. I usually bomb tree-top level carrying 4x250 GP Ever-ready with an 11 sec delay. For ships and well spread out targets, I leave the distribution mode at singular which is default. For closely grouped targets, like an ammo dump, I'll switch to salvo and drop all four in one go.
High Level Bombing needs practice in the Blenheim, you need to trim the plane for 'hands-free' flight, and set course for the target a lot sooner. afterwards its a matter of making minor adjustments to keep on course.

APPROACH & LANDING:

Set up for approach nice and earlier to bleed any extra speed and height.

Mixture: Confirm Normal
Carb Heat: Off
Boost: Off
Power: Reduce to idle
Prop Prop: Fine
Flaps: Full
Gear: Down
Trim: Reset

At 100 mph, trim to descend at 100 fpm & adjust power as necessary. If you start to increase speed, cross controls to bleed speed, or fishtail alittle. as you cross the airfield boundary you should be about tree-top level, cut the throttles and reduce rate of descent by pulling back a little on the controls. Keep a constant eye on the runway, the variometer, and your speed.
When your about 10 - 20 feet from touchdown, gently pull back on the stick to "flare" and then she should gently float to the ground.

ENEMIES

There are individuals who like nothing more than to hunt down a larger slower plane for an easy kill. And while your read gunner may not be the brightest star in the sky, or have the firepower needed, you can always show the hun some new tricks.
Firstly, add some Incendiary Tracer, De-Wilde, and AP to your guns. I also carry a round of ball too. This willl give a good kick to your pea-shooter. And when all else fails, remember, your Blenheim has a great turn rate

BF110's regularly hunt down Blenheim's, but they usually have a difficult time catching up when the Blennie is at full speed. So the more n00bish will try and spray the Blennie from distance which is a good sign that a BF110 is there. These hotshots think they are smart hunting you down, but when the hunter becomes the hunted, they run scared. Here's how. Choose a direction, Drop onto your side, and pull back on the stick quickly but smoothly and keep turning hard. If your on coarse prop pitch set it to fine if you bleed too much speed and the plane starts to feel heavy. If you've performed the move correctly, in about 1 to 1 & 1/2 turns you should be on the tail of the BF110, line it up in your sights and knock it out of the sky!!!

BF109's are powerful and heavily armed. They can rip up a Blenheim with the cannons. but they can't out turn it! If you encounter a 109 on your tail, turn hard and keep turning, at lowest possible airspeed. The n00b 109s will try to follow the carrot in front of their noses, stall out and take a long needed bath. The veterans will retain energy and try and BnZ the Blennie, but its still pretty hard for them to get, and while you have them busy, if your on comms (and yes you should be :thumbsup:) you can call in friendlies. Everyone knows that Spitfires and Hurricanes love nothing more than to catch a BF-109 down on the deck with no energy.

I hope this gives a little insight into the wonderful Blenheim IV. :salute:

[Doc]

Excellent post Slippy I have fallen for the carrot on the stick before. :thumbsup: