How to use rear turret gunner in Blenheim...

[ATAG_Lewis]

OK....So I spent the last few couple days learning how to fly the Blennie...and skip bomb ships....but I have trouble defending the rear of the aircraft from rear assaults by fighters...I can switch to the turret and I have dedicated the axes for the gun (altho sometimes it just doesn't want to work for some reason)....so what do I need to dedicate to be able to shoot back?....Is there an option so a buddy can fly in the rear turret and use it?....Is there a stabiliser that makes the aircraft fly whilst I am firing from rear turret?..

Keys and knowledge fellas....What gives?


...lew...

[1lokos]

- Jump to turret
- Unpark then (take 15-20 s)
- Lean to gunsight (Shift+F1)
- Hit F10 to allow mouse control aim (1)

- MG reload time (automated) is ~12/15s, meanwhile pray.

- Optionally engage Auto Pilot Course (to avoid the "feature" gunner fear if plane rises or falls more than 5m/s -enemy fighters thank so ).

(1) Besides moving the MG barrel(with mouse) you can move the turret independently, I suggest FPS keys WASD for this, so
Left hand move turret.
Right hand move aim and fire.

Good luck.

Sokol1

[ATAG_Lewis]

wow....ok..loads to do there 1lokos....thanks....I have copied your advice to notebook file....I have to wait for next map to test it though...no blennies at the moment...NOOOOO!!!!!

[Dutch]

There are a few chaps, such as Snarglepuss, Knuckles and (ahem) even me, who cut their teeth on the Blennie. Tonka is another one.

Skoshi Tiger took our lead and we found that even young Jack Morris and some members of the 71stAH watched our every move. Shrivey was already as good as us old hands however, and I learned a few tricks from him.

I don't think any one of those blokes would disagree with me when I say, 'forget about the gun in the back'. Forget it. It's useless. Fly low, fly fast and take an escort. The gun is useless. Did I mention that it was useless? No? It's useless.

See above.

Edit: Sorry, forgot about the fact that the turret is a great place from which to make films of your escort fannying about, mentioning no names..

[Roblex]

I would agree that it is better to leave it to the AI gunner. What you may want to consider doing though is adjusting the 'convergence distance'. It governs what distance the gunner will open up. Too long and he may give your position away by shooting at 109s that had not even seen you and also will run out of ammo fast. Too short and you will be dead before he shoots though sometimes it is nice to sucker them in close to a target that is not defending itself then blow the crap out of him when you can't miss

Also remember that if you go to the gunner position then jump to the pilot then he wont fire. The game will assume that the last two positions you visited are under your control and the AI will not take them over. When you have been in the turret then jump to navigator before jumping to pilot.

[ATAG_Lewis]

Ok...now I got it....he's useless so leave him alone....and Rob..Now I know why he has not been firing while I have been in the turret....DANG!

I've had 4 -5 missions in it so far...Flak hits me so hard over France taking wings off and disabling evevator and such its not fun....then if I survive I try to get home..but am easy meat for 109s (as if anything isn't)....Been flying on my own upto now but the fellas will be able to cover me soon....

Hmmm...so am I right..there is no way to sit in the turret while the gunner works?....I mean if I can fly from the turret while he shoots then I can put the aircraft into a better position for the gunner to get a shot...It gets pretty desperate when a 109 is getting easy kills



...lew...

[ATAG_Knuckles]

when I had my Saitek 52 I had a program for the turrett: had a blast jumping into someones Blennie: Although I certainly shot at a bunch "O" 109s I never was able to shoot one down

I now use the WartHog which I have programed for the turrett, just have to hop in with someone to set it up correctly




Denis

And Dutch is correct: Low hit fast and get out: thats the best we were ever able to do

[1lokos]

Fly low, fly fast and take an escort. The gun is useless. Did I mention that it was useless? No? It's useless.

Since in Loadout is possible remove the MG and ammo, so you gain 73kg (~1%) on weight and perhaps some meters/hour in speed.
Gunner still, to call six contacts.

Sokol1

[VMF214_Jupp]

Rear Gunner Controls : In order to operate the Rear Gunner position effectively there are certain key bindings required to be set in Options, Controls.

By having set the Fire Current Weapon keybinding in the General Category for instance :

"Separate the fire input from the mouse", so you will then be able to traverse the barrel while firing, which allows for straffing.

The keybinding you choose to Fire Current Weapon can be "overlapped with another function", so long as it doesn't interfere with normal operations. ...

This can be desired, or worked around, as you wish. I've set mine to the Space Bar in this example, which overlaps with my applying both brakes.

As a gunner applying both brakes does no harm in the air... though on the ground it could cause trouble I suppose.


Switch to Rear Gunner (C Button when in Cockpit), then Firing Position (Control + F) I have set), you then unlock the mouse by F10 Button.

Then you are able to traverse the gun with the mouse and fire with the Space bar. Having set things up this way it IS possible to strafe-fire.


If you'd like to invert the mouse control of the turret, you can do that in the Control Options as well.

It's easy enough then to navigate around the Control Options to adjust your set up for preference or need after understanding all of this.

Even profiles could be arranged for, notice the Save As.. button in the interface. But that is another lesson, for another day...... ~Salute~

Turret_Control_Keybinding.jpg Control_Options_General_Fire_Current_Weapon.jpg Aircraft_Controls_Mouse_Control.jpg

[1lokos]

More "cake recipe".

The EXCELLENT controls GUI of CloD allow:

Map the same key for different functions in different category (Camera, View, Game...)

- In "View" map

Manned position #3 = 3

In "Turret"

Toggle parked position = 3

In "Camera"

Toggle independent mode = 3

Thus, pressing key 3 (or what you use) the player jump to Blenheim rear gunner position, the turret is un-parked, and mouse take control or MG.

Is need press (Shift+F1) to "Lean to Gunsight", is not possible assign this for key 3 because is in the "View" category, and then key 3 is already assign to "Manned position #3".

The Rule of the Thumb: In different category you can use the same key, in same category you need different key*.

And since the EXCELLENT CloD Controls GUI allow make copy of commands, select the "Lean to Gunsight" function, click new and assign to key 4 (just because press 4 is more easy than "Ctrl+F1 - and I suggest use copy to one not change "default" controls... you know people ). If one want use 1, 2, 3, 4, 5... or whatever to "Lean to Gunsight" he can (not that this help... )

Now, pressing 3 and after pressing 4 you are "ready to fire" in rear turret, ... while not getting with "vertigo"..

* BTW - I use mouse left to fire MG - for default this key is assigned to another function (I dont remember what, I change almost all keys here) in another category that cause conflict.

Sokol1

[Kai Lae]

Isn't the blenheim in the game a Mk1? I know it says MkIV, but that one had bigger engines, more armor - and especially more guns, as it was a dual mount in the dorsal turret and had a remotely controlled chin turret with another 2 MG installed there as well. Sat in one for the first time today and got confused that it only had one gun position. Also, how does one use the bombsight on this thing? I was expecting a bombsight, I got...well, looks like a chicken coop. Inquiring minds want to know

[1lokos]

Blenheim have several versions and armament variations, four are modeled in game, Mk I is IA only.

To use Wimperis Wimperis Mk.IXC Bombsight look here:

http://www.theairtacticalassaultgrou...=blenhiem_mkiv

Some highlight adjusts are not functional in game.

Before start the bombing run you need engage autopilot stabilization, look at TF 4.0 readme.

Sokol1

[Torric270]

Isn't the blenheim in the game a Mk1? I know it says MkIV, but that one had bigger engines, more armor - and especially more guns, as it was a dual mount in the dorsal turret and had a remotely controlled chin turret with another 2 MG installed there as well. Sat in one for the first time today and got confused that it only had one gun position. Also, how does one use the bombsight on this thing? I was expecting a bombsight, I got...well, looks like a chicken coop. Inquiring minds want to know

For blennie bombsight use indicated airspeed instead of TAS between 5000-8000 ft. Use indicated plus 10 mph at 15000. (All I've tested at the moment)

[ATAG_Knuckles]

hey gang setting up to be able to use the rear turrets when flying the Blenheim
and having an issue with the MOUSE CONTROL
I read that you use F-10 to switch to mouse control, now all my default keys have been deleted and I understand F-10 is "independent camera mouse control mode". im not finding that

under "camera" I see "camera control in independant mode". which dosent work can some point me in the right direction

[69th_Zeb]

Hi Knuckles,

You can toggle mouse/weapon move by assigning "Toggle Independent Mode". Kind of a toughie to find.

Good luck!

-Z

F10.jpg

[DerDa]

Ok...now I got it....he's useless so leave him alone....and Rob..Now I know why he has not been firing while I have been in the turret....DANG!

I've had 4 -5 missions in it so far...Flak hits me so hard over France taking wings off and disabling evevator and such its not fun....then if I survive I try to get home..but am easy meat for 109s (as if anything isn't)....Been flying on my own upto now but the fellas will be able to cover me soon....

Hmmm...so am I right..there is no way to sit in the turret while the gunner works?....I mean if I can fly from the turret while he shoots then I can put the aircraft into a better position for the gunner to get a shot...It gets pretty desperate when a 109 is getting easy kills



...lew...

Welcome to the Blennie fun!
Just don't expect to come home again

There is a lot of really, really frustating things to experience there.
Flying from one end of the map to another for skip bombing ships only to discover that you forgot to set your bomb fuses to 11 seconds delay is a classic.
Flying the same distance again, having everything right and being PKed during the first attack makes it even better.

Or attacking an airfields with two 500 lbs bombs and getting 5 % of damage.
Or ... or .... or ...

A nice touch is also, that TAB 7-1 will not give you any information about fighters in your vicinity.

I totally agree, that the AI rear gunner is perfectly useless. I never bothered to try this myself, because usually I am hugging the treetops and have to concentrate on this.
Best thing to do is to make sure that FG28_Ceaser in his Blennie is killed before you and let him jump into the rear gunner. I saw him flame several 109s (well, sometimes he jettisons your canopy and gives you endless lectures about level bombing or things like that, but I told not to expect to return home, even if one of the half dozen 109s on your tail is downed).

But there is also some potential for fun. If you survived your bomb run and if the flak didn't wreck your crate and if there is a less experienced 109 jockey taking you for an easy prey, then try to dogfight!
The Blennie turns very well at low speed. So if you are careful you can avoid attacks (a human rear gunner helps to tell you when to break, but just circling tightly might give you a view of the attacker). And when he overshoots, its the time for this mighty single 303 in your nose. I managed to drive several Blues crazy with that until they wasted all their cannon ammo and gave up the fight. Or until some mates with Spits find the time to listen to your screams for help.

So there is some fun, flying Blennies.
Just don't expect to return home.
Ever.

But if you do, once in a while in something that is more holes than aircraft, it really feels good

[BOO]

hey gang setting up to be able to use the rear turrets when flying the Blenheim
and having an issue with the MOUSE CONTROL
I read that you use F-10 to switch to mouse control, now all my default keys have been deleted and I understand F-10 is "independent camera mouse control mode". im not finding that

under "camera" I see "camera control in independant mode". which dosent work can some point me in the right direction

My Bad - F10 by default should be "Toggle Independent Mode" in the Camera menu as Zeb said.. Couldnt remember what it was called and i was trying to tell you what it did in the forum chat last night as I thought you were looking to delete it for something else.

So with that assigned pressing F10 will swivel the bang stick about via the mouse.....except it wont unless the turret is in the firing position (raised). So you will also need to set some keys for raising and lowering the turret as well as moving it left and right (l/r is clunky and inaccurate at best). Dont bother about mount up and down as it doesnt do anything.

Reload is automatic and takes about 8-10 seconds. Not sure if this is affected by high G moves but the AI gun firing is. Lean to sight is the same key as for the pointy end of the aircraft and the same binding. There are two slots on the magazine of the single to help you (not much) judge your load left.

You may find you mouse is reacting too slow - to alter this look in the 1C sofclub/IL2 CLOD-Blitz folder for a file called "conf" then scroll down to "rts mouse" and alter the X and y sensitivity to perhaps 1.5 if so.

Finally, swapping straight back to the pilot will keep you in the gunner seat as well - This is important to remember because the AI will not take over if you vacate straight to the pilot and will sit there picking its virtual nose as you are diced and cubed. If you go first to the Bomb aimer then the pilot the AI will take over - but that isnt always good either because the AI has a nasty habit of instantly resetting the turret to the parked position or buggering about shooting stuff that isnt a threat, losing you valuable seconds in setting up the turret when you re-enter as well as ammo (especially in the twin .303 turret).

Hope this is a bit more useful than my last reply

Cheers

BOO

[ATAG_Knuckles]

Boo and Zeb. thanks got it all working well
confused with RELOAD though. Boo you said it was automatic. and I have waited several minuted. and have also taped the reload key which also dosent seem to work. I know it used to when I flew gunner with other pilots

[ATAG_Pattle]

Hey Knuckles,

If you are using the model with twin mg, i think there is only one mag.

More hitting power but a lot less trigger time.

Pattle

[BOO]

Hey Knuckles,

If you are using the model with twin mg, i think there is only one mag.

More hitting power but a lot less trigger time.

Pattle

Another excellent reason why you need to wrestle control off the AI in a twin gun Blenni!! In BoS you have the fire command in Clod you have a trigger happy gunner but he/she can be tamed by judicious use of positions


For example

The gunner starts reeling off the rounds - change position to gunner and you see there is a lone Dornier 500 ft to your 7 minding its own business or a ditched 109. Left to his/her own devices your ammo will be gone in a few seconds and one long burst. Wasted for nothing. Now you've intervened and effectively rabbit punched the AI unconscious, return to pilot seat until the non threatening aircraft is out of range and then reset by swapping to bomb aimer and back to pilot. The AI will take over the gun once more.

More than once ive heard the resassuring fire only to go check and find him firing at a non threat whilst totally ignoring the incoming (but still more distant) 109 with me in the sights. Worst still, the clown has the turret in totally the wrong direction.

To be brutally honest - accepting your fate as a blenni jock rather than trying to fight it is probably the best way to acheive happiness....

[ATAG_Knuckles]

Hey Knuckles,

If you are using the model with twin mg, i think there is only one mag.

More hitting power but a lot less trigger time.

Pattle

I think thats it cause the single reloads

[ATAG_Septic]

It's been a long while but from dusty memory it was worth setting the convergence on the turret weapons to 100m, which would dissuade the AI from shooting beyond that range, or setting it to 900m for trigger-happy AI. Or I might have dreamed it.

Septic.

[ATAG_Knuckles]

It's been a long while but from dusty memory it was worth setting the convergence on the turret weapons to 100m, which would dissuade the AI from shooting beyond that range, or setting it to 900m for trigger-happy AI. Or I might have dreamed it.

Septic.

thats interesting Ill try that

[ATAG_Snarglepuss]

I have found the single gun to be more effective than the twin turret.
My convergences are set at 100 for the single. Firing in short bursts of 1 tap on the mouse
works much better than long bursts for accuracy. AP, and the white tracer/incendiary make up my load out.

Flying backwards on the deck takes practice and luck but it can be done.
If you damage an attacker with your tail gun you can switch back to the pilots seat and engage him with the invincible
laser beam in the left wing.

Always remember to spare one bomb with one second fuse to drop on the wreckage after you force him down.
Makes sure he stays dead and teaches him some respect

.....and most important of all......wing up with others.... The Bloated Blennie Brigade is always welcoming
new recruits to join the mayhem. Once upon a time I was with 3 others in our beloved Blennies when we came
upon a 109 that had just gotten airborne from Chaffers. We set upon him with wing guns, tail guns, ...the lot.
He had time to type in the chat (I quote from memory), "OMG, a Blennie gang bang. I'm doomed."
He was indeed.

[DRock]

The rear gunsight of the late models have an illuminated yellow target dot instead of the iron sight.

If you want your rounds to line up with the dot, try setting your vertical to 750. My horizontal is 200, but that part is preference. I like to engage enemy early before he opens up on me.

Once you get good, remove tracer rounds. Enemy won’t even know you’re engaging him.

[69th_Damon]

There is a control you can set and use to get back into the pilot seat that leaves the AI gunner still working. Or go into the bombardier position and then the pilot seat.

Don't remember what the setting is, but I think that DRock or Snargalpuss or 69_RedHalk knows.

Watch your 6,
Damon