The Germans really need AB cluster bombs and larger SD fragmentation bombs

[LukeFF]

In reading through Jan Horn's history of KG 51 in 1944-45, it is readily apparent that 250 kg SD and 250/500 kg AB bombs were heavily used by the Germans. I would guess that probably 90% of the missions flown by KG 51 in the last year of the war were with these types of bombs, instead of SC bombs. Adding these two bomb types would fill a major gap that is missing right now from German ordnance.

Edited January 22, 2022 by LukeFF

[No_Face]

Would it change anything in game? Are fragmentations taken into account?

[Mtnbiker1998]

Aren't there a few frag bombs in the game already? a couple aircraft armament options have red stripes on them, I always assumed that meant frag.

 

If so, it seems totally reasonable to add more!

[357th_KW]

Likewise, USAAF units of the 9th AF made extensive use of fragmentation bombs and napalm, as well as other types of rockets besides the M8s we have right now.

 

 

[Juri_JS]

Luke, I really hope you can convince the devs to add these bombs.

 

AB-250/500 with SD 1, SD 4 HL and SD 10 were also the most common armament used by the Schlachtgeschwader late in the war.

 

But there could be a problem, because the cluster bombs will also require changes to the AI. AB 250/500 had to be released from higher altitudes to achieve full release and an adequate spread of the submunition. Minimum bomb release altitudes differed between aircraft types and depended on dive angle and speed.

 

Here's the data from a so-called Wurftafel for AB-250 with SD4HL:

 

Flugmuster = aircraft type

Bahnneigung = dive angle

Bahngeschwindigkeit = speed of the aircraft during dive

Mindestauslösehöhe = minimum release altitude

Streubild bei Einzelwurf = spread pattern of the submunition from a single AB-250

m. Br. = with dive brake

o. Br. = without dive brake

 

 

Edited January 22, 2022 by Juri_JS

[LukeFF]

11 hours ago, Mtnbiker1998 said:

Aren't there a few frag bombs in the game already? a couple aircraft armament options have red stripes on them, I always assumed that meant frag.

 

If so, it seems totally reasonable to add more!

 

Yes, there are SD 70s, but what is needed are SD 250s and as Juri mentioned, AB 250 and AB 500s. These larger fragmentation and cluster bombs are what was most commonly used by the ground attack forces.

 

Just a few examples from the fall of 1944:

 

November 2, 1944: 3./KG 51 sends out four Me 262s against airfields in Holland. Each of the four planes is loaded with an AB 250/SD 10 drop container and an SD 250 fragmentation bomb.

 

November 21: 1944: 3 Me 262s of KG 51 are sent out against artillery positions near Nijmegem. The bomb load carried is two SD 250s.

 

December 17, 1944: a single plane from 2./KG 51 targets enemy columns and vehicles. The loadout is two SD 250s.

[Gingerwelsh]

The British also had cluster bombs with 20/40 lb frag, fin or parachutes, in containers.

The, Small Bomb Containers, also contained Incendiary bombs. They were loaded into bomb bays. Not much use in game.

They also had US Napalm bombs, which were used. Probably more useful.

 

..

Edited January 22, 2022 by Gingerwelsh