Skewgear Posted February 3, 2024 Posted February 3, 2024 Our Spitfire lacks the bomb control panel it should be fitted with. Currently there are no bomb release controls of any kind other than the release button in the throttle handle. All bombs release simultaneously and there is no emergency jettison or fuzing. This is not modelled, meaning bomb fuzing and release is not modelled correctly in-game. The Mk.IX was fitted with a six-way bomb fuze selector. This is described in the Spitfire IX manual AP 1565J Volume 1, Section 1, Amendment List 14. (the AL14 insert is attached below) Quote Operational controls and equipment ... 42. Bombs.--All aircraft have provision for carrying a 120 lb., 250 lb., or 500 lb. bomb and carrier under the fuselage on an adapter which fits in the drop tank fittings. Some aircraft are modified to carry wing bombs in addition--one 120 lb. or 250 lb bomb on each side at rib 9. All the bombs are released electrically by a push-button in the top of the throttle lever, but mechanical releases are provided for use in emergency (para. 55). Aircraft having provision for the fuselage bomb only have three switches on the port side of the cockpit, as follows:-- Top switch ... ... Nose fuzing Centre switch ... ... Tail fuzing Bottom switch ... ... Master switch 43. Aircraft having provision for the fuselage and wing bombs have six switches on the port side of the cockpit, as follows:-- Top switch ... ... Nose fuzing 2nd switch ... ... Tail fuzing 3rd switch ... ... Selector for port bomb 4th switch ... ... Selector for centre bomb 5th switch ... ... Selector for starboard bomb Bottom switch ... ... DISTRIBUTOR / SINGLE & SALVO--OFF 44. When the bottom switch is at DISTRIBUTOR, and the bombs are selected, pressure on the push-button will release the wing bombs, one after the other, port first, the interval being 0.3 sec. If a fuselage bomb is carried, it will be released with the port wing bomb. 45. When the distributor switch is in the SINGLE & SALVO-OFF position, all selected bombs will be released simultaneously on depression of the push-button. 46. When the bombs have been released the switch should be moved to SINGLE & SALVO--OFF to prevent wastage of current and overheating the relay. Note.--In all cases when a fuzing switch has been operated, return of the switch to SAFE position will render the bomb safe providing no attempt has been made to release it. ... 55. Emergency bomb release.--If the fuselage bomb fails to release electrically, the bomb, bomb-carrier and adapter can all be jettisoned by operating the drop tank release. 56. If the wing bombs fail to release electrically, they can be released mechanically by a pull on the handle on the port side of the cockpit below the instrument panel. The handle is labelled DANGER, EMERGENCY BOMB RELEASE. Extra information is available in the Spitfire VIII manual, AP 1565H Volume 1 Section 6 (electrical and radio wiring and servicing), which describes the same switchbox and gives details of the electrical arrangements powering it: Quote Bomb release and fuzing 24. The supply for this circuit is taken through fuses 17 and 21. Fuse 17 is in the release circuit and a unicel 4 cable is taken from this fuse to a 6-unit switchbox situated on the port side of the pilot's cockpit. The fuselage bomb is released by depressing a push switch on the pilot's throttle lever, and the wing bombs are released by operating their respective switches on the 6-unit switchbox. A distributor (situated on the port side between ribs 11 and 12) is incorporated in the wing-bombs circuit and can b eused for dropping the wing bombs either single, together, or at a predetermined distance apart. Nose and tail fuzing switches for the fuselage and wing bombs are incorporated in the 6-unit switchbox, being fed from fuse 21. The illustration of the switchbox from AP 1565H is attached below, as is the illustration of the equivalent fitting for the Mk.V Spitfire. The Mk.IX switchbox is fitted in the same location. The full extract from AP 1565J Vol 1 AL14 detailing the bomb switchbox is here: https://forum.dcs.world/applications/core/interface/file/attachment.php?id=81126 2 DCS WWII player. I run the mission design team behind 4YA WWII, the most popular DCS World War 2 server. https://www.ProjectOverlord.co.uk - for 4YA WW2 mission stats, mission information, historical research blogs and more.
Gunfreak Posted February 3, 2024 Posted February 3, 2024 We seem to have a franken plane. A MkV upgraded to a MkIX. Apparently based on one in Denmark from what various people have said. So looks to be a one of a kind. So maybe this one didn't have a bomb panel. In an ideally world they would have used a spitfire of more standard confirmation. But I guess that won't happen. 1 i7 13700k @5.2ghz, GTX 5090 OC, 128Gig ram 4800mhz DDR5, M2 drive.
Lythronax Posted February 6, 2024 Posted February 6, 2024 Am 3.2.2024 um 20:50 schrieb Gunfreak: We seem to have a franken plane. A MkV upgraded to a MkIX. Apparently based on one in Denmark from what various people have said. So looks to be a one of a kind. So maybe this one didn't have a bomb panel. In an ideally world they would have used a spitfire of more standard confirmation. But I guess that won't happen. The model/systems REALLY could do with an overhaul, inside and out. I'd personally pay for a "2.0" style upgrade. 1
Screamadelica Posted October 13, 2024 Posted October 13, 2024 It would be nice to have the correct control panel. Always feels a bit weird pressing the "invisible bomb release button". Matter of priorities I guess.
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