Andrew8604 Posted February 1 Posted February 1 It's surprising the popular B-25 Mitchell is not already in DCS. (probably on ED's "want" list, but for time and resources). I would suggest this be a dual-model module. The PBJ-1J US Navy/Marines version with glass nose and APS-2 surface search radar, and the much better-known US Army Air Force B-25J without radar. Not much physical, systems or flight model difference between them. I think the PBJ-1J would be more interesting and useful in Marianas, Normandy, and Channel maps for sea search, although it requires an airfield to operate from; it's not a carrier-based aircraft (except for the Gen. Doolittle Raid with B-25B's). Of course, it could be useful in any map for WWII-era operations. This could be a 6-position, multi-crew module with about 12 view positions. Perhaps, optional Jester-like AI crew members for positions not occupied by players...primarily for observations and reporting of threat aircraft and surface contacts, and sighting of land. Also, of course, defensive operations of guns. 1--Nose gunner/bombardier with views from seated position, manning the flexible gun and manning the bombsight views. 2&3--Pilot and Co-pilot positions. 4--Flight Engineer, Navigator position with views from manning the top gun, seated for navigation and window down into bomb bay. 5--Radio (Radar?) Operator with views from seated at radios, left waist gun and right waist gun. 6--Tail Gunner It could cruise at about 200 knots with a top speed of around 235 knots, a range of up to about 1,100 NM and a ceiling of around 24,000 feet. It could carry 1 Mk-13 torpedo externally or 3,000 lbs of bombs internally, such as six 500-lb M64 bombs. It also had 6 forward-firing 50-cal machine guns, besides the 7 defensive guns and racks for four 5-inch HVAR rockets under each outer wing. I would also hope, a functional model of the Norden bombsight...or, at least after an Early Access release. As a PBJ-1J, I think it would be quite a versatile aircraft in DCS WWII. As the B-25J, a low to mid-level bomber. I think the APS-2 radar could be mounted in the nose, on the right wingtip or under the belly, aft of the bomb bay. The latter installation should allow a 360-degree azimuth scan to be displayed on a circular, PPI scope, which displays targets in an easy to interpret, natural-appearing, map-like manner. Range settings of 5, 20, 50 & 100 NM, with range rings of 1, 5, 10 & 20 NM respectively. The radar might be able to detect submarine periscopes from inside of 5 miles; otherwise, ships out to 20-25 miles depending on their size/reflectivity and aspect. I'm not sure where the display scopes were mounted in the aircraft, though. Below: I think the right seat was removed for better viewing of this museum aircraft. Under the left pilot's seat is a crawlway to the nose section. Not seen, below the view of the picture, is the forward entry hatch in the bottom of the fuselage. There is also a bottom hatch aft of the bomb bay. Here is the nose section with the bombsight installed and three 50-cal machine guns. Looking aft, from the radio operator's seat, at the left & right waist guns. I include this picture of a plastic model as an overall view of the arrangement in the fuselage, nose section not shown. ...and, of course, this is the throttle quadrant. 2
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