B17 FLYING FORTRESS - HINTS `N` TIPS ==================================== o Take some time to observe how the gunners aim for fast-moving fighters. Make regular checks on the outside view to see if your engines are all right. If your co-pilot has been hit, you will not get a warning message. o Circling Alconbury, use and external views to line up on the field. o The (Dennis) Norden bomb sight usually gives you the release cue at about four notches of deflection, but there is no substitute for practice. o Try diving between 350-400mph. This becomes very useful later when one fire extinguisher per engine is not enough. o Fly over big cities and press to see the sights. o When navigating manually, use the rudder to steer the plane from the pilot`s intrumental view. o When making navigation checks, use a combination of the navigator`s instrument and external views to orientate the map. o Keep at least one pilot healthy as the plane can go in a spin if it`s in a turn when hit. This gives you time to bail out. o When you`re being attacked, use and to change to a fighter, then to see the battle from the pilot`s point of view. o If you prefer to manually taxi the aircraft, avoid steering on to the grass. Speeds above 30mph will snap the gear. If you make a mess of it, use the keys to get you into the air and up with the formation. o Regularly check that the crew are all OK and that the guns aren`t jammed. It`s easy to miss the messages in the heat of combat. o Using the radio operator to send a Mayday message improves your chances of survival when bailing out. o Fuel leaks can be critical to the success of a mission. If necessary, turn off an engine or two and drop out of the formation to conserve fuel. o If in doubt, bail out. Landing an engine-less. bullet riddled, flame-scorched B-17 after the completion of a mission is risky and difficult. Bail out over the Channel to ensure your mission is a success. o Remember, an engine left to burn is like a bomb waiting to go off. o Flying at a very low altitude helps avoid flak, but remember to gain height before starting the bombing run. o Flying manually to the target on a self-determined course helps you avoid enemy fighters and flak. Get the formation to follow your lead, but don`t get lost. o Let the computer-controlled gunners track the targets and then take over for the kill. o Before landing, attempt to heal injured crew or they get hospitalised. o Having more than one crew member available to perform first aid increases the chances of success.