The Much Maligned Medium Bomber (Full Version)

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segorn -> The Much Maligned Medium Bomber (7/2/2002 9:53:12 AM)

The first couple of times I played the game, I wasn't impressed with my medium bombers as the allies. In fact, I tended to just park them at Nomea/Brisbane.

Whenever I tried to use them, about 100 B-25s would fly over an enemy task force at 6000 feet, drop several thousand bombs, and do absolutely no damage.

So I got annoyed and started using dauntless bombers instead and wrote off my medium (and heavy) bombers as useless garbage.

I was so very, very wrong.

The secret to using your medium bombers is to set the altitude to 1000 feet. THe manual indicates that at 200 feet they try to skip bomb, but I'm here to tell you level bombing from 1000 feet is death incarnate compared to skip bombing.

Coming in at 1000 feet, my mediums are at least as effective anti-shipping platforms as my dauntless.

As an additional benefit, airfield and ground attacks launched at 1000 feet are far more effective than those launched at higher altitudes.

So, if you want to use your mediums and heavies, bring them in low.



thantis -> (7/3/2002 3:17:33 AM)

The only problem I find using medium bombers (B-25s & B-26s) at low altitudes (below 3000ft) is that they get attrited pretty quickly by CAP & AA fire.

I usually bring them out for a few days, them park them back at Lunga to recover. The same applies to the heavy bombers, which seem to work well for about a week's worth of strikes, but usually have lost at least 40% of their strength and need about a week to recover.

Medium bombers also work well in intercepting Japanese task forces beyond the range of my dive bombers. If you can manage a few lucky hits, you can either turn the task force back or at least slow it down and get more licks in with the torpedo & dive bombers.



Huskalator -> (7/3/2002 4:13:17 AM)

I have had loads of success with the Havocs at 1000 ft and some success with the B-25/26s. I park them in PM and they harrass Gili Gili invasion attempts and transports destined for Lae.



Raverdave -> (7/3/2002 7:05:08 AM)

B-25's & B-26's.....best bombers in the whole game....I am having huge success with them, but only use them every other day, as they need time to rest up after being exposed to all the AA when doing bomb runs at 1000ft. I now haw all the Havocs and B-26's sitting in Lugna making lfe hell at shortland, while my B-25 Sqdns are operating out of Cooktown with the Hudsons and are keeping PM and GG busy.

I only use the big boys once every two to three days, as the "strain" of flying high level operations seems to tire them out faster than the guys running in at 1000ft. I think that the B-17 and B-24 crews are nothing but prima-donas.:D



IJN#1 -> (7/3/2002 10:57:24 AM)

I use the B29 bombers day in day out and have had great success. GG is now retreating to NZ, whilst I push on at TT. Havoks are ok but try flying them at low level it's a real heartache I have lost over 3 squadrons but have taken out over 300 slants. I agree with Raverdave mostly but I think that pushing on with FF would help more than waiting for PP.
:confused:

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Take it straight from the horse's mouth. - Francis Iles (1893-1970)
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EZPickens -> they attack ships? (7/10/2002 9:04:20 AM)

Only once in a blue moon.

And then, never when I need them to.

The rest of the time they just sit on the AF, rain or shine, and watch the enemy run amok.

The settings don't appear to matter.

I can set them to naval attack with no patrol duties and they still just sit there.

And range doesn't appear to factor in, either.

The game is getting really tiresome.

EZ



thantis -> (7/10/2002 6:16:11 PM)

I've successfully attacked task forces (as the US) with B-25s, A-20s, B-26s, Hudsons, Beauforts, etc. almost right from the start of the game.

Its important to have a lot of search aircraft in the air (Hudsons do a good job and especially Catalinas - as close to the front lines as possible). You need to be able to find the enemy to attack him (and coast watcher sighting don't translate into airstrikes, you have to see him with your own aircraft).

Bombers will sometimes not fly if no escorts are available and the target is heavily defended (like a Jap Carrier Force). That's just being smart.

Fatigue levels shouldn't play a part (if they haven't bombed anyone in a while, their fatigue should be zero or close to it). Is there a specific scenario you are having problems with? Of maybe a specific area on the map?

I find medium bombers to work well from places like Lunga & Lae, which put them within range of some juicy convoy-type targets.



EZPickens -> Where I'm coming from... (7/10/2002 8:30:54 PM)

The most frustrating examples of what I'm describing occur when IJN surface forces enter the area between NG and AUS and are in easy search/strike range of PM, Cooktown & Cairn.

I always have not only the PBY on naval search, but all the B17 as well, along with Hudsons. All are dedicated 100% to search.

Occasionally the mediums, once alerted, will strike. But far more often than not they do not respond at all, regardless of detection levels or weather.

I understand that the USAAC was not ocean-savvy like the Navy, but it's WILDLY frustrating to lure the enemy into a trap and then have all of an asset (the mediums) set out the battle while my fleet gets crushed by an enemy in easy striking range of my land-based air.

EZ



thantis -> (7/10/2002 8:38:52 PM)

Do you have adequate supply at your bases? You need to have at least double (triple is better) the required supply at the airbase to have your level bombers conduct strike missions.



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