User manual GAMES PC B-17 FLYING FORTRESS

[. . . ] The Squadron Commander Campaign The Single Mission Game . Setting up a Reconnaissance Mission Setting up a Bombing Mission . Intelligence File ­ Target Details . . Clipboard ­ Choose Bombers for the Mission Ordnance ­ Select Munitions for the Mission Blackboard ­ View Mission Summary . [. . . ] Mission success depends on the Bombardier and what he achieves in a short space of time over the target. When he takes over control of the aircraft on the bombing run he is the `commander' and remains so until he signals `bombs away'. The Bombardier must understand his bombsight, all his bombing equipment and instruments, and must be thoroughly trained in target identification. During a bomb run the Bombardier looks through a sighting telescope to locate the target. The bombardier inputs bomb load and altitude data, then sets the telescope sight over the target. The base of the sight is gyrostabilised and, by keeping the telescope on the target, aircraft movement information is fed into the sighting computer. The computer produces course correction signals that are channelled into the pilot's panel. When the bomber is close to the target, the sight telescope is almost vertical and the computer calculates that the release angle has been reached, a series of electronic contacts are closed and the drop bombs signal lights automatically. When the angle is exactly right, the bombs will be dropped automatically. The Norden bombsight channels data directly into the autopilot and the bomb aimer effectively flies the plane by fine adjustment of the sighting telescope. The main disadvantage of this sight is that it needs at least 20 seconds of non-deviational flight and loses accuracy if fire and smoke obscure the target. Aircraft Icon ­ External View (F2 key) Jump to the external aircraft view. Window Icon ­ Window View (key W) The Engineer has no Window View. The Radio Operator The Radio Operator must know everything about his radio equipment. He must provide position reports, upkeep the tuning of the radio sets and maintain a comprehensive log of Messages Outward and Inward. He is the source of all orders transmitted to the crew. It's also advisable for him to gain experience of guns and turrets. Aircraft Icon ­ External View (key F3) Jump to the external aircraft view. Crew Icon ­ Compartment View (key C) A view of the Radio Compartment showing the Radio Operator at work Sight Icon ­ Action View (key A) A view through the Radio Operator's window located on the left side of the aircraft Dial Icon ­ Instrument View (key I) A view of the radio set plus the Outgoing Messages log and the Mission Messages log. · Click on the book covers to open the logs. When in manual mode (key M) click on the message to implement it and it will disappear. Window Icon ­ Window View (key W) The Radio Operator has no Window view. 69 The Gunners (Ball Turret, Left & Right Waist and Tail) The B-17 is designed to be a defensive gun platform. The way your Gunners perform establishes the effectiveness of the Flying Fortress. All Gunners must understand the `zones' covered by their guns and be able to bring the armaments to bear quickly and accurately. Gunners should be experts in aircraft identification and familiar with the operation of their machine guns. [. . . ] Here, personal equipment is handed in (parachutes, flying suits, oxygen masks, `Mae Wests', etc) and the crew get something to eat. An Ops officer lists any important items of news that has to be acted upon immediately (aircraft in trouble, planes ditching in the sea and important enemy activity. 139 When all is ready the crews are interrogated; one interrogating officer per crew. He asks a standard set of questions encompassing all aspects of the mission such as enemy fighter numbers, flak locations, weather over the target, fighter escort, lost aircraft and any other observations. Claims by gunners for the number and type of aircraft shot down are then reviewed and compared in order to avoid doubling up. [. . . ]