Prince of Eckmühl -> RE: B17@Midway (6/14/2007 8:31:27 AM)
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I really didn't pay much attention to the model number until I was examining some post mortem data, and discovered that the Japanese CAP was reported as having destroyed virtually all the Allied B-17, so I figured the victims must have been the "D" model (without tail guns, as depicted in the game's art). Even the earlier model was hard for Zeros to shoot down, BTW. The fighter's twin 20mm cannon had a low muzzle velocity and the shells dropped like rocks. They worked well enough in close, but their effectiveness declined precipitiously as the range opened, as was the attackers preferred stance when engaging anything with tailguns. Throw in the fact that the A6M2 only carried 60 rounds of cannon ammo, and you've got a truly anemic bomber-killer. I've often thought that the best thing to have done with a B-17 at Midway was to simply go bombless, load up with extra ammo, and then fly back and forth across the KB in formation, meting out futility to the approaching samurai/incendiaries. Would've made a heck of a show. PoE (aka ivanmoe)
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