A-20B: Tips for low-level bombing?

[istari6]

What tips do you use for effective low-level bombing in the A-20B?  

 

For background, I've watched Requiem's A-20B Skip Bombing and Pe-87 Level Bombing tutorials.  The Skip Bombing technique works great against ships, but I'm seeking the best techniques when flying low over ground targets (e.g. a column of German supply vehicles).  Level Bombing covers use of the bombsight, but not relevant for low-level attacks.

 

Specifically:

 

1. What's the safe height for dropping if using zero delay bombs?  If you drop with delayed fuses, there's a risk of the bombs burying and losing much of their explosive power.  I'm assuming that for bombing troops and vehicles in the open, real pilots would have wanted to drop with "instant fuse" settings for maximum blast and fragmentation.  For FAB-100, is 300 ft AGL enough to avoid self-fragging?  How much higher do I need to be if dropping FAB-250?  

 

2. What references do you use for speed and altitude for release?  In Requiem's video, he recommends coming in at 300 ft AGL/300 mph IAS and dropping when the ship touches the nose of the A-20B.  Are there any similar reference tips for ground attack?

 

 

 

Edited June 5, 2020 by istari6

[56RAF_Stickz]

If you use zero delay with russian bombs (a20/pe2) and drop from below ( I think off top of head) 300feet they wont explode (same effect as jettison). And of course thats above target ground level not your take off field height usually set on altimeter. So you need to eyeball it.

The delay and fuze time on Russian bombs appears to be linked in some way. So the delay you select can also determine minimum drop height. If you wish to drop from very low level you need to use 5sec delay.  Whilst you would imagine the shorter the fuse the lower you can drop, it does not work that way (Russian bombs).

Risk bomb burying itself does not happen as such - not to any ill effect that I have seen anyway. But with a delay it would be an aid because with a flat low level ingress they can most definately skip off the ground. Try a test mission. and go in at 400feet level and drop a stick of 100kg whilst recording and see how many actually bounce (repeat it and you can determine drop heights for delays), can be quite a few on non winter maps.

 

[istari6]

Oh that's interesting.  Had no idea there was a minimum altitude for the bombs to arm.  The connection between minimal altitude and fusing makes sense.  If you have a longer delay on the fuse, you can afford to drop lower and lower since there's more time to get away from the blast.  I'll try out some experiments.

 

Any tips on when to drop?  I'm trying to figure out useful references on the windshield or gunsight for accurate drops when coming in ~300-500 ft.