Some questions about B17 mighty eighth

jscharpf · 05-24-13, 11:46 AM

I'm hoping someone here can help me out.
I just re-installed B17 mighty eighth and updated to the 2.0 patch.

I'm not sure I quite understand the navigation. I was hoping to just fly along as one of the waist gunners, but it seems no matter what settings I choose, my navigator ALWAYS gets lost, and we never seem to drop bombs.

I started in Squad mode, and I guess I'm the lead plane, but my navigator is above average and so is my bombardier.

So I was hoping that I could just ride along and let them deal with everything.

I started out on realistic navigation, then I moved it down to Easy.. but still he gets lost.

Today I started up my first mission, went out to cut the grass, and we were WAY out over germany with my navigator saying "I have no idea where we are" lol..

I will go through the training if I have to and take control of the navigation myself. I'm not opposed to learning this as well as the bombardier stuff (I'd rather not pilot the plane if I can help it).

But I was hoping for my first few missions that my guys would do all the work.

Should I choose a different plane in the formation? Is it ok to not be the lead bomber in a squad and still command targets, etc.?

Any hints are greatly appreciated! I still love the planning and feel of this game!

Thanks,

Jeff

Hottentot · 05-24-13, 12:13 PM

It has been ages since I played it last time, but if I recall correctly, the navigation is rather easy. The navigator does most of the work, but you will have to periodically help him. Don't let him get lost: then it's already too late. Instead hop into the navigation station in short intervals and check the map.

From the top of my head I think the map should show your flight route and a little 3D bomber on it. The icon is where the navigator thinks you are. You should check if he is correct. After crossing the Channel he should still have a pretty decent idea. Compare the coastline to the map's coast and drag the bomber icon on the right place on the map. Keep doing this periodically by using landmarks such as roads, rivers and cities. If you do it often enough, the icon won't deviate from the course too much and the corrections needed are small.

In due time the navigator should improve and start calling out places on his own, saying along the lines "I think that's Caen below us". He still needs your help, but that's a good sign of being on the right track.

jscharpf · 05-24-13, 07:34 PM

Thank you Hottentot I will look a little closer at that.

Tikigod · 06-01-13, 01:28 AM

jscharpf, the gameplay is just like the original B-17 Flying Fortress. The navigators (like most of your crew) first start off inexperienced and will get lost during your first missions. Like Hottentot said you will spend a lot of time jumping in his spot to help him learn how to navigate. As your crew progresses each mission they get better at their skills (that is if they don't get killed). Its one of the unique aspects of the game that set it apart from most simulators of its day.

jscharpf · 06-01-13, 08:29 AM

I see what you mean, I was being too impatient and I set everything to FLAWLESS mode just to complete a mission lol.

Then I started spending more time looking over the navigators shoulder and correcting the position. At first I didn't like this, but after thinking about it, I am starting to enjoy this. It does add some strategy for me in the game, otherwise I might as well just skip to the bomb run every time.

So I will eventually get better I suppose.

I've now "upgraded" to EASY mode for navigation and SIMPLIFIED for the norden bomb sight (another tough cookie for me to crack!).

I did notice one strange thing, when returning home (engine difficulty set on Medium), if I go to the pilots position and change ANYTHING, it leads to problems. For example, when the flight is returning, they always leave the intercoolers on hot, and all of the planes start smoking. Now, I realize that there is no damage (Medium setting), but because it annoyed me, I moved the intercoolers to cold and that got rid of the smoke.. HOWEVER.. if I did that, even after returning control to the AI, they just fly right over the runway and crash land way west of it!!!! It does this every time!

So now (until I can actually FLY the damn thing lol) I just ignore the smoke, sit in the tail gun position, and enjoy the landing.

Snodrvr · 06-01-13, 01:00 PM

I think I know what's going on with your engine troubles. It's been a while since I played, but I think if you adjusted any of the controls you had to right click them to turn control back over to the AI. Otherwise, the controls stay locked in whatever position you leave them in.

05-24-13, 11:46 AM	#1
jscharpf Frogman Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Bucharest, Romania Posts: 296 Downloads: 325 Uploads: 0	Some questions about B17 mighty eighth I'm hoping someone here can help me out. I just re-installed B17 mighty eighth and updated to the 2.0 patch. I'm not sure I quite understand the navigation. I was hoping to just fly along as one of the waist gunners, but it seems no matter what settings I choose, my navigator ALWAYS gets lost, and we never seem to drop bombs. I started in Squad mode, and I guess I'm the lead plane, but my navigator is above average and so is my bombardier. So I was hoping that I could just ride along and let them deal with everything. I started out on realistic navigation, then I moved it down to Easy.. but still he gets lost. Today I started up my first mission, went out to cut the grass, and we were WAY out over germany with my navigator saying "I have no idea where we are" lol.. I will go through the training if I have to and take control of the navigation myself. I'm not opposed to learning this as well as the bombardier stuff (I'd rather not pilot the plane if I can help it). But I was hoping for my first few missions that my guys would do all the work. Should I choose a different plane in the formation? Is it ok to not be the lead bomber in a squad and still command targets, etc.? Any hints are greatly appreciated! I still love the planning and feel of this game! Thanks, Jeff

05-24-13, 12:13 PM	#2
Hottentot Sea Lord Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: My private socialist utopia of Finland Posts: 1,918 Downloads: 4 Uploads: 0	It has been ages since I played it last time, but if I recall correctly, the navigation is rather easy. The navigator does most of the work, but you will have to periodically help him. Don't let him get lost: then it's already too late. Instead hop into the navigation station in short intervals and check the map. From the top of my head I think the map should show your flight route and a little 3D bomber on it. The icon is where the navigator thinks you are. You should check if he is correct. After crossing the Channel he should still have a pretty decent idea. Compare the coastline to the map's coast and drag the bomber icon on the right place on the map. Keep doing this periodically by using landmarks such as roads, rivers and cities. If you do it often enough, the icon won't deviate from the course too much and the corrections needed are small. In due time the navigator should improve and start calling out places on his own, saying along the lines "I think that's Caen below us". He still needs your help, but that's a good sign of being on the right track. __________________ Хотели как лучше, а получилось как всегда.

06-01-13, 01:28 AM	#4
Tikigod Grey Wolf Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: United States Posts: 777 Downloads: 28 Uploads: 0	jscharpf, the gameplay is just like the original B-17 Flying Fortress. The navigators (like most of your crew) first start off inexperienced and will get lost during your first missions. Like Hottentot said you will spend a lot of time jumping in his spot to help him learn how to navigate. As your crew progresses each mission they get better at their skills (that is if they don't get killed). Its one of the unique aspects of the game that set it apart from most simulators of its day. __________________ My Current Mod Contributions for SHIII

05-24-13, 07:34 PM	#3
jscharpf Frogman Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Bucharest, Romania Posts: 296 Downloads: 325 Uploads: 0	Thank you Hottentot I will look a little closer at that.

06-01-13, 08:29 AM	#5
jscharpf Frogman Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Bucharest, Romania Posts: 296 Downloads: 325 Uploads: 0	I see what you mean, I was being too impatient and I set everything to FLAWLESS mode just to complete a mission lol. Then I started spending more time looking over the navigators shoulder and correcting the position. At first I didn't like this, but after thinking about it, I am starting to enjoy this. It does add some strategy for me in the game, otherwise I might as well just skip to the bomb run every time. So I will eventually get better I suppose. I've now "upgraded" to EASY mode for navigation and SIMPLIFIED for the norden bomb sight (another tough cookie for me to crack!). I did notice one strange thing, when returning home (engine difficulty set on Medium), if I go to the pilots position and change ANYTHING, it leads to problems. For example, when the flight is returning, they always leave the intercoolers on hot, and all of the planes start smoking. Now, I realize that there is no damage (Medium setting), but because it annoyed me, I moved the intercoolers to cold and that got rid of the smoke.. HOWEVER.. if I did that, even after returning control to the AI, they just fly right over the runway and crash land way west of it!!!! It does this every time! So now (until I can actually FLY the damn thing lol) I just ignore the smoke, sit in the tail gun position, and enjoy the landing.

06-01-13, 01:00 PM	#6
Snodrvr Swabbie Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 6 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I think I know what's going on with your engine troubles. It's been a while since I played, but I think if you adjusted any of the controls you had to right click them to turn control back over to the AI. Otherwise, the controls stay locked in whatever position you leave them in.