Engaging Bombers

[TeaAndScones 2]

Hi.

What would be the most efficient way of engaging bombers, rear aspect with cannon fire?  Yesterday, I was intercepting 6 TU-22's with F-14.  (Loadout: 675 20mm, 2 SW, 6 PH.)  4 Blinders went down with the 6 PH's fired.  I shot one down in a head on pass with a SW.  (I assume it hit the cockpit and killed the pilot.)  I engaged the final TU-22 from behind with my last SW, but it did nothing.  So I just shot my 20mm at it, but it was insufficient, before I was downed by the tail gunner.

 

So, and tactics for this type of situation?  Would be appreciated. :)

[MigBuster 2,884]

The same way you engage bombers in any era - not directly at them if possible - basically lining up behind them has always been suicide.

 

In SF2 you really need a TrackIR IMO then you can do the angles thing a lot better

 

If you are coming in from behind you will need to constantly jink or fly across the formation - you can go vertical and hit them from above and below but again need to be wary where the guns are.

 

Although the bombers have cannon its slow firing at least - but only a few shots will down you

Edited July 22, 2013 by MigBuster

[+daddyairplanes 10,251]

first method is.........don't. bastards are lethal with that tail cannon.

 

however if you must, try to come in from the sides where they have a harder time tracking you. walk rounds along the wingspan or try to take off his tail. and tho it will throw your accuracy off, keep jinking that bird!

[+Swordsman422 61]

If I and my wingmen are down to guns, I always tell the wingies to cover me. AI play it stupid guns only against bombers, so it is a quick ticket to losing a friendly if you tell them to engage. I always try to get at least one in a head on pass before merging. Immelman turn or split-S and then come at them from above or below. This is easier if you have radar assisted gunsights and steering dots but your reflexes still need to be pretty quick. Also, you will be hosing ammo, so you will run out after 4-5 passes.

 

Sometimes, and this is very rare, I can get my first burst into the tail turret before the gunner can hit me, but only try this if his fire is still wild and you have pooched your offset passes. But don't stay back there for more than 10 seconds or you will be walking home.

[Derk 265]

Always wondered how correct the max. ranges of the guns are (firing backward means a relatively low absolute speed of the bulltes/grenades, making them dropping quickly) and at least in 1th gen. I think the ranges are far too great. Of course it is all a matter of relative speed, but I never got it completely clear, also not from pilots...

[Caesar 305]

Funny enough, I was in the same predicament a few days ago.  Most effective way against the Tu-22 I noticed was to make high speed diving attacks or high-angle-off horizontal attacks.  The final bomber I believe I hit with more than 100 rounds of my gun, but it was my wing man who actually brought it down with his own.  It took him one burst after the bomber had been peppered with two sidewinders and my gun.  Interestingly enough, I actually shot off its cruise missile which prevented it from launching, but the Hawkeye wouldn't clear us until the bomber itself was dead  .

 

That said, the stinger in the tail is a royal PITA, and it can do some damage to your fine American war machine!  Like those others here have said, don't do it unless you have no other choice, and if you do, stay away from that back gun!  Head-on works all right, diving and angle-off turns are OK, but you have to calculate it right, or else you will miss.

[Gr.Viper 131]

I thought Tu-22 impenetrable arse was fixed? It could take a quad dose of 'winders there without flinching.

 

At least it's just shells back there, not shells+chaff rounds or flares which were available for the 23mm cannons.

[+EMCON360 215]

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