Some questions about B17 mighty eighth

[jscharpf]

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]

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]

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

[Tikigod]

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]

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]

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.

[jscharpf]

hmm thanks for that information!

[ninja turtle]

Hi jscharpf

I had this game years ago and recently came across a short 'Let's Play' on youtube of this. That got me thinking about purchasing again. My questions are: how well does it run on W7, and whether you are using a joystick (if so what type)?



I do remember having ours of fun with this flight sim

[jscharpf]

It runs fine on W7, however, on my system (I have a wide screen), I decided to go with a 4:3 ration when playing the game. If I don't, it stretches everything. I prefer to have the black bars on the side because the graphics are old anyway, so I don't care. I think there was a fix somewhere but I didn't bother.
Otherwise the game is great, no problems on Windows 7 for me, well except for the fact that I'm not very good!

I'm having a "revival" of older games I never played or played little lol.. SHIII, B17, perhaps I can find Avalon Hill's 3rd Reich. I always loved that board game.

To me, all the new fancy graphic games are boring. Nothing under the fluff.. but I'm old lol..

OH, I'm using a Thrustmaster something something.. but I don't fly the plane, only on a few training missions. I enjoy the squad management, and I usually play one of the gunners and help the navigator, occasionally taking over the bombardier (with disastrous results lol)..

[ninja turtle]

Originally Posted by jscharpf

It runs fine on W7, however, on my system (I have a wide screen), I decided to go with a 4:3 ration when playing the game. If I don't, it stretches everything. I prefer to have the black bars on the side because the graphics are old anyway, so I don't care. I think there was a fix somewhere but I didn't bother.
Otherwise the game is great, no problems on Windows 7 for me, well except for the fact that I'm not very good!

Thanks for the info. I'm going to purchase from Amazon.

Originally Posted by jscharpf

I'm having a "revival" of older games I never played or played little lol.. SHIII, B17...

To me, all the new fancy graphic games are boring. Nothing under the fluff.. but I'm old lol..

Originally Posted by jscharpf

OH, I'm using a Thrustmaster something something.. but I don't fly the plane, only on a few training missions

I've dug out my old Thrustmaster that I've had for many many years. It was originally for Win98 to ME. Looks like it has installed into W7 by plug and play but I'll have to see.

Originally Posted by jscharpf

I enjoy the squad management, and I usually play one of the gunners and help the navigator, occasionally taking over the bombardier (with disastrous results lol)..

That's what I was thinking of doing. A little like SH3 in a way as all the driving etc is handled by the AI.

I'll let you know how I get on.

[jscharpf]

Good luck sir!

[swellfella]

Truly one of the all time 100 if there is such a list. One of the first flight games I ever purchased. It's still this very day on my comp and I kid you not, I play at least once, twice a week.

Interestingly, having played for the last 7, 8 years I've only heard the nav say he's lost one time! So me think your problem is like my friend above says about your settings. As for being along in years, my 65th birthday is in a few weeks...and I'm having a ball with all my games...Oh, I play with a little rinky-dink usb stick. Not as precise as a more expensive model, hey, it gets me where I need to go...and back.

Last thought: Tell me you play Enigma Rising Tide--now there's one for the ages!