Needed: Fix for training bomber pilots to strafe

[mgoldstein]

There doesn't appear to be any way to train bomber pilots to improve their strafing skill. Probably a simple oversight in the configuration of the training system, but makes it impossible to properly train attack bombers like the A-20G, B-25G/H/J, and the A-26 to perform the low-level attacks they were designed for.

[topeverest]

Have you tried taking fighter pilots from the reserve and then posting them to attack bombers for training?

[jcjordan]

Well I've got a P-70 sqdn set to train on airfield attack at 100ft & it's building up strafe exp. If this setup doesn't work on a bomber/attack type a/c then something might need to be changed. I'll set some of my bomber types like B-25/26/A-20 this way to see if they increase skills next time I load up the game.

I've set my A20A1/B25 to train on attack w/ alt of 100 & the skill increase is in low ground attack & when I have it set to naval attack, the low naval skill gets increased. My guess is that the logic is that fighter types would actually strafe & not bomb so when training at low level the strafe skill is what gets increased & when it's a bomber/attack type they're bombing at a low lvl so thats the skill that used. I'm not sure if the guns are factored in when damage/hits are done or if only bombs are factored. But in this test, I'd kinda say that it's maybe WAD as far as skill goes but the thing that would need clarification would be if the a/c guns are factored in in the damage that is caused if it's an attack a/c on low lvl or not.

[castor troy]

If there´s still the bug that aircraft mounted MGs or cannons won´t do any damage to ships then there´s no need for strafing anyway other than attacking airfields. [;)]

[mgoldstein]

I my experience, bombers set to attack at 100ft will both bomb and strafe. Aircraft guns do in fact damage ships.

It's an oversight in the pilot training system. Attack bombers like the A-20G and B-25G/H/J were specifically designed for these kind of low-level strafing attacks. But nearly every type of bomber in WWII engaged in strafing attacks, even B-17s and Catalinas!

Certainly pilots who flew bombers like the Dauntless, Avenger, Helldiver, Vengeance, Il-2, Val, Judy, Sonia, and Wirraway trained for and conducted strafing attacks.