When is a torpedo bomber not a torpedo bomber?

[coxville]

Lots of great stuff about altitude effects scattered across this forum but when a Kate (or other Single engined torpedo bomber) is using bombs due to the non availability of torpedos. Is it teated as a dive bomber or as a level bomber. i.e what is the most effective altitude to set your attack for under those circumstances?

thanks in advance

Chris

[ChezDaJez]

It is treated as a level bomber and can drop 800kg bombs. It was a Kate that dropped the bomb that sank the Arizona.

Chez

[amatteucci]

Level bomber, but 800kg AP bomba are only used during ports attacks (IIRC) so don't expect miracles when attacking TFs with Kates w/o torpedoes. [;)]

[Puhis]

Actually, torpedo bombers can be used as glide bombers. I don't know the exact altitudes, but at least 10k seems to work. When I set my Kates at 10k, they will release bombs at 2-5k.

But I really don't know if that's good or bad... If there heavy AA defence, low altitudes are deadly for japanese planes. So I usually set Kates at 9k, so they will do level bombing.

[d0mbo]

Kates are also very (too?) effective when using low naval bombing.

Beware of the Flak, as usual.

Is it true they only use 800KG when on port attacks? I thiught it had more to do with an experience check?

[Shark7]

ORIGINAL: d0mbo

Kates are also very (too?) effective when using low naval bombing.

Beware of the Flak, as usual.

Is it true they only use 800KG when on port attacks? I thiught it had more to do with an experience check?

I've seen them use 800kg bombs on at sea attacks, but I can't remember if it was in Vanilla or AE.

[Misconduct]

15,000 they dive bomb, under 14,000 they glide bomb.

[Pascal_slith]

ORIGINAL: Misconduct

15,000 they dive bomb, under 14,000 they glide bomb.

They only level bomb during port attacks/ground attacks/airfield attacks?

[Capt Hornblower]

ORIGINAL: Misconduct

15,000 they dive bomb, under 14,000 they glide bomb.

If true, this is a major design flaw. Torpedo pilots weren't trained in dive-bombing, so shouldn't be able to do it.

[invernomuto]

ORIGINAL: Capt Hornblower

ORIGINAL: Misconduct

15,000 they dive bomb, under 14,000 they glide bomb.

If true, this is a major design flaw. Torpedo pilots weren't trained in dive-bombing, so shouldn't be able to do it.

IIRC, pilots use NavT for naval torpedos attack and NavB for naval bomb attack. Different skills, different train needed.

[Capt Hornblower]

ORIGINAL: invernomuto


IIRC, pilots use NavT for naval torpedos attack and NavB for naval bomb attack. Different skills, different train needed.

It shouldn't matter what the pilot's skills are. If the attacking plane is a torpedo bomber armed with bombs, it should not be able to dive-bomb.

[Puhis]

In this game torpedo bombers can glide bomb, not dive bomb.

[janh]

ORIGINAL: Capt Hornblower
It shouldn't matter what the pilot's skills are. If the attacking plane is a torpedo bomber armed with bombs, it should not be able to dive-bomb.

How so? I disagree, there is no (phyiscal) reason it shouldn't. Yes, maybe not trained to do so, maybe some were trained. And they didn't have dive brakes, but that doesn't prevent dive bombing even if the break off altitude would be higher...

A nice table with a summary of all the altitude functions for VT, VB, etc. would be nice though -- there ain't any in the manual, right?

[Misconduct]

ORIGINAL: Puhis

In this game torpedo bombers can glide bomb, not dive bomb.

What about a Corsair? Its a fighter built for dogfighting but excelled in dropping its landing gears and dive bombing.

I think someone should run some tests on this, because I have had a hard time bombing ships (as japanese) under 12,000ft (or glide bombing) however putting them to naval attack at 15,000 they seem to score twice as many hits.

Now this is because Dive Bombers follow this rule, at 15,000 they dive bomb while under they glide bomb.
I see no reason Torpedo bombers can't follow this rule, however in most realistic cases, torpedo planes carried torpedoes so there was no need to dive bomb period, however AE is a game so some things should be considered.

[Alfred]

Oh dear...once again wrong information regarding dive/glide altitudes is provided with an authoritative tone.

Check this thread. Post #29 from micahelm gives the correct information. I think we can all agree michaelm is rather authoritative.

tm.asp?m=2347631

Alfred

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Alfred

Oh dear...once again wrong information regarding dive/glide altitudes is provided with an authoritative tone.

Check this thread. Post #29 from micahelm gives the correct information. I think we can all agree michaelm is rather authoritative.

tm.asp?m=2347631

Alfred

This is for DB's. I have not yet seen any authoritative info on attack changes for TB's. Can anyone provide a reference/link?

[Nomad]

Maybe this from the patch readme will help ( note that TD should read TB )

62. Gameplay Change: Placed limits on glide bombing altitudes. A TD/DB/FB/F group must be at 10-20K altitude to perform glide bombing, otherwise it is a normal level bombing attack. Groups were at maximum altitude and conducting glide bombs attack, sometimes without engaging CAP or flak.

[coxville]

Ok thanks everybody, some really useful stuff in here but I still cannot find the answer to this question so if a developer is peeping in and knows could you please give me a definitive answer on it:

"If a Kate torpedo bomber is flying 'using bombs' and set at an altitude of 14,000 ft does it Dive bomb or Glide Bomb?"

thanks

Chris

[Mynok]

It does not Dive Bomb. I'm not sure whether it level bombs or glide bombs, and I'm not sure it makes a significant difference in effect.

[Puhis]

ORIGINAL: coxville

Ok thanks everybody, some really useful stuff in here but I still cannot find the answer to this question so if a developer is peeping in and knows could you please give me a definitive answer on it:

"If a Kate torpedo bomber is flying 'using bombs' and set at an altitude of 14,000 ft does it Dive bomb or Glide Bomb?"

I did test that. Kates will glide bomb (releasing bombs at 2000-5000 feet). At least when they are doing airfield/port/ground attacks.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Midway Island , at 158,91

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 135



Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
PBY-4 Catalina: 1 destroyed on ground


Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 11
Runway hits 102

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 3000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
14 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
8 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 4000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 2000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
8 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 4000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
10 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
10 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 4000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
10 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 2000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 4000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
5 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 2000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
8 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 3000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
5 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
8 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
10 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 4000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
5 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 2000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
5 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 3000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb