Post by limburger59 on Dec 21, 2017 21:09:45 GMT -8
This document combines both the old Pathfinder Option that has been posted here since 2014, plus the new Target For Today rules. The background language for the use of Pathfinders in Target for Today (Rules 10.8 & 10.9) is almost verbatim the variant expansion rules published by Avalon Hill in the late 1980s with their revised Theater Modifications, for Queen of the Skies.
PATHFINDERS in the 509th.pdf (288.45 KB)
With the 509th Group, the Pathfinder will either be an NPC bomber, or will be crewed by group commanders and experienced lead crews. It cannot be assigned to a player, as the loss of the Pathfinder for any reason would result in the entire mission being aborted… not an option with Play-by-Forum.
Therefore, on missions led by a Pathfinder, ALL players will fly using the Togglier rule. Instead of each plane dropping its bombs individually, all bombardiers/toggliers will release their bombs when they see the bombs leave the bomb bay of the lead Pathfinder aircraft. (This drop was often also signaled by flares. This was called "Dropping on lead's command." )
In both QOTS and TFT:
• Penalties for bad weather and obscured targets do not apply.
• The bomb run is no longer automatically "Off Target" for loss of the Norden Bomb Sight. The Norden is not carried on these missions – only the Lead has the bomb sight.
• The bomb run is no longer automatically "Off Target" if your Bombardier is killed or wounded by enemy aircraft.
• If your bombardier/togglier is killed or seriously wounded by FLAK, the run is automatically Off Target.
• Apply a "+1" modifier if "Tight Formation" random event was previously rolled.
• Apply a “-1” modifier if “Loose Formation” or “Disrupted Formation” is in effect.
• If out of formation, any bomb run would be automatically off-target.
In QOTS add +1 to your 1d6 die roll on Table O-6. (This is because the QOTS bombing accuracy is based on the early months of the bombing campaign.) Loss of the Autopilot no longer automatically results in being Off Target. There is only a “-1” modifier to Table O-6 if a crew member other than the bombardier is toggling the bomb switch.
In Target for Today subtract -2 from your 2d6 die roll on Table 6-6. (This is because the TFT game’s bomb run accuracy is based on the Norden’s accuracy in clear weather throughout the entire war.)
Background from the two Optional Rules:
“Inclement weather and the usual cloud cover above the European continent often obscured the targets of AAF Bomb Groups, thereby limiting bombing effectiveness. The effort to compensate culminated in the development of an airborne RADAR set designated as APS 15 by its developer (the Massachusetts Institute of Technology), but known to the Air Forces as H2X (and later H2S), or its more commonly used name of "Mickey." The name "Mickey" came from the giant mouse-like appearance of the large circular antennas of the first operational radar set. With the introduction of H2X radar, radar-equipped B-17G and B-24J "Pathfinder" bombers could more easily pick out targets through overcast conditions than bombers relying simply on visual bombsight. From the spring of 1944 on, nearly every bombing mission was led by a "Mickey" equipped Pathfinder bomber. The Norden was still more accurate than radar, but the AAF preferred to have 40-50% accuracy at the primary target if visual bombing was not possible.
On "Pathfinder" bombers, the ball turret was replaced by a fiberglass radome, which housed the receiver and the rotating antenna. It could be cranked down on the mission and of course cranked back up for landing.
The transmitter was on the right side of the fuselage right behind the rear bulkhead of the radio room. The radar operator sat in the radio room opposite the radio operator in the B-17G.”
PATHFINDERS in the 509th.pdf (288.45 KB)
With the 509th Group, the Pathfinder will either be an NPC bomber, or will be crewed by group commanders and experienced lead crews. It cannot be assigned to a player, as the loss of the Pathfinder for any reason would result in the entire mission being aborted… not an option with Play-by-Forum.
Therefore, on missions led by a Pathfinder, ALL players will fly using the Togglier rule. Instead of each plane dropping its bombs individually, all bombardiers/toggliers will release their bombs when they see the bombs leave the bomb bay of the lead Pathfinder aircraft. (This drop was often also signaled by flares. This was called "Dropping on lead's command." )
In both QOTS and TFT:
• Penalties for bad weather and obscured targets do not apply.
• The bomb run is no longer automatically "Off Target" for loss of the Norden Bomb Sight. The Norden is not carried on these missions – only the Lead has the bomb sight.
• The bomb run is no longer automatically "Off Target" if your Bombardier is killed or wounded by enemy aircraft.
• If your bombardier/togglier is killed or seriously wounded by FLAK, the run is automatically Off Target.
• Apply a "+1" modifier if "Tight Formation" random event was previously rolled.
• Apply a “-1” modifier if “Loose Formation” or “Disrupted Formation” is in effect.
• If out of formation, any bomb run would be automatically off-target.
In QOTS add +1 to your 1d6 die roll on Table O-6. (This is because the QOTS bombing accuracy is based on the early months of the bombing campaign.) Loss of the Autopilot no longer automatically results in being Off Target. There is only a “-1” modifier to Table O-6 if a crew member other than the bombardier is toggling the bomb switch.
In Target for Today subtract -2 from your 2d6 die roll on Table 6-6. (This is because the TFT game’s bomb run accuracy is based on the Norden’s accuracy in clear weather throughout the entire war.)
Background from the two Optional Rules:
“Inclement weather and the usual cloud cover above the European continent often obscured the targets of AAF Bomb Groups, thereby limiting bombing effectiveness. The effort to compensate culminated in the development of an airborne RADAR set designated as APS 15 by its developer (the Massachusetts Institute of Technology), but known to the Air Forces as H2X (and later H2S), or its more commonly used name of "Mickey." The name "Mickey" came from the giant mouse-like appearance of the large circular antennas of the first operational radar set. With the introduction of H2X radar, radar-equipped B-17G and B-24J "Pathfinder" bombers could more easily pick out targets through overcast conditions than bombers relying simply on visual bombsight. From the spring of 1944 on, nearly every bombing mission was led by a "Mickey" equipped Pathfinder bomber. The Norden was still more accurate than radar, but the AAF preferred to have 40-50% accuracy at the primary target if visual bombing was not possible.
On "Pathfinder" bombers, the ball turret was replaced by a fiberglass radome, which housed the receiver and the rotating antenna. It could be cranked down on the mission and of course cranked back up for landing.
The transmitter was on the right side of the fuselage right behind the rear bulkhead of the radio room. The radar operator sat in the radio room opposite the radio operator in the B-17G.”