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Thread: Level Bombing: how to know when bombs are released?

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    Level Bombing: how to know when bombs are released?

    I was wondering if anybody knows some trick to know, positively, when bombs are released during a level bombing run. I have used the Ju88 and He111 to do level bombing with good success, but I am annoyed that there is no way to know when bombs are released if external views are disabled (like in the ATAG servers).

    I think that in a real airplane the release of the bombs should be a pretty obvious event; I have no direct experience of it, but releasing 1,600 lb of bombs at 200 mph should have an effect (jolt to the airplane? clanging noise? Whistle?)
    Perhaps a "Bombs away!" message from the bombardier's voice, or even just text, would be a nice compromise. It is important to know, because one wants to 1) know that the job is done, 2) get out of there as quickly as possible, or 3) if not released (perhaps forgot to activate bomb-sight automation?), then you need to start another bombing run.

    As it is now, I do not know of any way to know that bombs have been released. Obviously, you can look for explosions (which from high altitude can take a minute or more), but if you forgot to arm the bombs, you would have no way of knowing whether they have been released and did not go off or they are still in the bomb bay. In real life you would know.

    Thanks for any help
    ~Uranor

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    Re: Level Bombing: how to know when bombs are released?

    Perhaps a "Bombs away!" message from the bombardier's voice
    The game already have voice for "Bombs away!" and "Bomben Loss" (or something that sound similar in German), so is matter to script then in game code to bombers bombs release - and only, because don't make sense hear "Bombs away!" in fighters.

    But most bombers has switches that indicate (in broken way in Blenheim) if bombs has fallen.

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    Re: Level Bombing: how to know when bombs are released?

    Quote Originally Posted by 1lokos View Post
    The game already have voice for "Bombs away!" and "Bomben Loss" (or something that sound similar in German), so is matter to script then in game code to bombers bombs release - and only, because don't make sense hear "Bombs away!" in fighters.

    But most bombers has switches that indicate (in broken way in Blenheim) if bombs has fallen.
    Good to know 1lokos. It should be easy then. For what I have seen, there should be in the game API, which is quite detailed, a way to tell what type of airplane the player is in. A check in the routine that handles the bombsight should be pretty straightforward to implement.

    I would argue that even in a fighter the pilot would be interested in knowing that the bomb was released; in that case text should be sufficient. Again, when the bomb releases, there should really be a jolt, given the weight. Especially, in a light fighter. So the pilot knows if the bomb is still there or not; e.g. a fighter-bomber attacked by an enemy fighter needs to release the bombs and defend itself. Probably the bombs would not be armed to avoid blowing up yourself if at low altitude. So, one wants to be positive the weight is gone for maneuvering!

    ~Uranor

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    Re: Level Bombing: how to know when bombs are released?

    While using the LOTFE7, bomb sight automation engaged, you will see the inside arrow which points outwards at a series of numbers. That arrow will start moving counter-clockwise from ~10 o'clock, and stop at the corresponding numbers to which you have preset.

    When that arrow stops, bombs are dropping.


    ~S~

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    Re: Level Bombing: how to know when bombs are released?

    Quote Originally Posted by DRock View Post
    While using the LOTFE7, bomb sight automation engaged, you will see the inside arrow which points outwards at a series of numbers. That arrow will start moving counter-clockwise from ~10 o'clock, and stop at the corresponding numbers to which you have preset.

    When that arrow stops, bombs are dropping.


    ~S~
    Thanks DRock, I will pay more attention to the arrow then. I knew bombs should drop between 30 and 20 deg, but was not sure when exactly; I have not noticed the arrow stopping, so far. After the drop, the arrow continues to move down and I have been told that once it reaches the bottom, i.e. 0 (I think, quoting from memory) any remaining bombs are also dropped. So, if you are using series, the bombsight automation should be turned off right after the drop and the sight reset for the next target. I will have to experiment to see how it all comes together, if I can notice the arrow stopping (momentarily?)

    ~S~

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    Re: Level Bombing: how to know when bombs are released?

    Quote Originally Posted by uranor View Post
    ... in that case text should be sufficient.
    Please, no.

    I find text on screen in CFS very gamey - the only reason that don't allow close that silly "HUD" and their BS like "Wheel brakes 75%", "Wheel brakes 76%, "Wheel brakes 77%"... is the broken compass in British planes.

    A sound feedback, eg. a "clunk" is OK, if something is aircraft behavior is not applicable.
    Last edited by 1lokos; Mar-21-2018 at 18:13.

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    Re: Level Bombing: how to know when bombs are released?

    Quote Originally Posted by uranor View Post
    Thanks DRock, I will pay more attention to the arrow then. I knew bombs should drop between 30 and 20 deg, but was not sure when exactly; I have not noticed the arrow stopping, so far. After the drop, the arrow continues to move down and I have been told that once it reaches the bottom, i.e. 0 (I think, quoting from memory) any remaining bombs are also dropped. So, if you are using series, the bombsight automation should be turned off right after the drop and the sight reset for the next target. I will have to experiment to see how it all comes together, if I can notice the arrow stopping (momentarily?)

    ~S~
    I'll take another look at the LOTFE7 to make sure I'm correct.

    Yes, to resetting B.S.A, after dropping series to drop the rest of them. You can drop half on one target half on another without losing altitude.

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    Re: Level Bombing: how to know when bombs are released?

    Quote Originally Posted by 1lokos View Post
    Please, no.

    I find text on screen in CFS very gamey - the only reason that don't allow close that silly "HUD" and their BS like "Wheel brakes 75%", "Wheel brakes 76%, "Wheel brakes 77%"... is the broken compass in British planes.

    A sound feedback, eg. a "clunk" is OK, if something is aircraft behavior is not applicable.
    I too would greatly prefer sound, accompanied by some aerodynamic effect, perhaps. In the short term, I'd take anything over no feedback at all.

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    Re: Level Bombing: how to know when bombs are released?

    Or you set your LotFe to automatic and switch to the belly gunner's position.

    Though the sound effect used in the old game Mighty Eight would be a nice option...
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    Re: Level Bombing: how to know when bombs are released?

    Quote Originally Posted by ashikaga View Post
    Or you set your LotFe to automatic and switch to the belly gunner's position.

    Though the sound effect used in the old game Mighty Eight would be a nice option...
    Yes, I do that too; however, the belly gunner has a big machine gun on his face and cannot see a whole lot. You can remove the machine gun, but it is not very healthy, especially in multiplayer. In fact, flying bombers is not healthy in general in multiplayer, unless you have proper escort.
    Last edited by uranor; Mar-22-2018 at 00:33.

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    Re: Level Bombing: how to know when bombs are released?

    In the Blenheim, during the escape maneuver, I have a habit of switching to the bomb aimer's station where I check the switch positions...

    Nothing like that in the blue bombers? (REF: post #2)
    Last edited by Baffin; Mar-22-2018 at 09:56.
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    Re: Level Bombing: how to know when bombs are released?

    Quote Originally Posted by Baffin View Post
    In the Blenheim, during the escape maneuver, I have a habit of switching to the bomb aimer's station where I check the switch positions...

    Nothing like that in the blue bombers? (REF: post #2)
    [EDIT]Need to check where the bomb drop switch is (if any is modeled) in the German "Maschinen". Will report.
    Last edited by uranor; Mar-22-2018 at 11:45.

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    Re: Level Bombing: how to know when bombs are released?

    Quote Originally Posted by uranor View Post
    [EDIT]Need to check where the bomb drop switch is (if any is modeled) in the German "Maschinen". Will report.
    In Ju 88?

    'Bombs drop' button is on the left flight stick grip. You will see a thumb button on top. (pilots seat)

    I'm not sure where it's located for the bombardier.


    'bombs out' indicator is not modelled, nor is there any way to tell what you've dropped unless you keep track yourself.
    Last edited by DRock; Mar-22-2018 at 12:19.

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    Re: Level Bombing: how to know when bombs are released?

    Quote Originally Posted by DRock View Post
    In Ju 88?

    'Bombs drop' button is on the left flight stick grip. You will see a thumb button on top. (pilots seat)

    I'm not sure where it's located for the bombardier.


    'bombs out' indicator is not modelled, nor is there any way to tell what you've dropped unless you keep track yourself.
    For the bomb drop, I just mapped a key on the Joystick, so, not an issue. I gather that on the pilot side it is not an on/off switch, but a key-press, for dive-bombing so you do not know whether anything has been automatically dropped or not by the bombardier.

    Thought so. Thanks for confirming.

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    Re: Level Bombing: how to know when bombs are released?

    in the He111 you will see the arrow bounce a little, i assume thats from the plane losing all the weight. its very subtle though. if your at 6k or higher it happens around 21 degrees so u can watch for it.
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    Re: Level Bombing: how to know when bombs are released?

    Hey guys.... to know when the bombs are dropped ( Ju 88 A-1 ) you have to look at Lofte... Look at the scale on the left...You will notice that when you set the Lofte " ON " ( or rather on " Gunsight Automation On " ) more you get close to target more the upper triangle will start to drop down on the Lofte left scale....the bombs are dropped around the first triangle of the second scale ( red line in the image ) and the 140 degrees mark ( depending on the altitude ) ...

    Damn... a Bf 110 pilot must have to say this to you???!!!

    Horrido!!!

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    Re: Level Bombing: how to know when bombs are released?

    Quote Originally Posted by Werner " Blauer Teufel " Mölders View Post
    Hey guys.... to know when the bombs are dropped ( Ju 88 A-1 ) you have to look at Lofte... Look at the scale on the left...You will notice that when you set the Lofte " ON " ( or rather on " Gunsight Automation On " ) more you get close to target more the upper triangle will start to drop down on the Lofte left scale....the bombs are dropped around the first triangle of the second scale ( red line in the image ) and the 140 degrees mark ( depending on the altitude ) ...

    Damn... a Bf 110 pilot must have to say this to you???!!!

    Horrido!!!
    Mölders, as far as I can tell, the triangle you marked with the red line is the 0 deg point (i.e. bombsight pointing at Nadir, that is perpendicular to the target). You can see a similar triangle on the top, which indicates the 90 deg point (parallel to the direction of motion). Bombs should almost never be released at Nadir, in practice, as we know.

    Several sources say that on the Lofte7, in CloD, bombs are normally dropped between 20 and 30 deg, which is what I have also experienced by switching to external view in Single Player. So far, I could not find any obvious indication of the release point in CloD.

    This video, confirms it: He 111 High Altitude Bombing

    Another user commented that we handle the bombsight like a Lotfernrohr 7 but the recticle is from a BZG 2 bombsight (earlier model), so there is some hack in CloD to adapt the working of the BZG 2 reticle to the Lofte 7 bombsight (it's CloD!)

    This video from the good old IL-2 1946 shows the (correct?) BZG 2 behavior, as far as one can tell. There are no official sources to compare to. It would be interesting to really understand how it worked, just from the historical perspective, if anyone could find some official instruction manual (probably in German).

    ~Uranor

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