Rules for the Night
This section contains information that the participants in each role may find useful, as well as some do's and don'ts. Please do your best to follow the rules, chaps. You're on your honour not to cheat, even when it will make the difference between surviving and not surviving. How much honour do you have?
General Information
Once in the air, the use of the F1 map key is discouraged, except in the tower only. F1 is absolutely forbidden to those in the Chastise raid, although the supporting bombers, intruders and nightfighters may use F1 if they wish. We'd prefer it if you didn't, but the final choice is up to you.
Otto should be disabled. Most of the kills scored by german nightfighters were on aircraft that didn't know they were under attack until the cannon rounds struck home. Enabling Otto gives a huge advantage to the bombers.
British aircraft must empty the non-operational gun positions immediately on launch. See your specific instructions for which guns this means for you.
I'm sure that there's something we've missed, however if in doubt please think - "is what I'm about to do historically valid?".
617 Squadron
Setting up the aircraft.
Fuel load is a personal preference. The bombs will be the largest available. The pilot should jettison the small bombs on the runway before rolling. As the bombs must be released together over the target, salvo should be enabled - type '.delay 50', '.salvo 2' and hit F9 to enable salvo. Once in the air, the Navigator should empty the guns of the top turret, the rear gunner should empty the ball turret, and the front gunner should empty the waist guns. Be careful, as killshooter is off. The navigator and gunners should rotate through the disabled guns to check that they're empty. The pilot should hit 't' to disable Otto.
Takeoff
You will be assigned takeoff times. Please keep to them. Wind will be enabled, so I suggest you taxi to the most appropriate runway. You don't want to be trying to launch a fully-loaded and fueled-up Lancaster downwind, do you? If you crash on takeoff - unlucky. You're done for the night. Historically, many aircrew were lost on takeoff, although none on the Chastise mission.
Route to target.
Crews should fly the assigned routes, although Navigators will be responsible for preparing their own route plans. It's your choice if you like to follow another aircraft, but remember - he may be lost too, and multiple dots are easier targets for nightfighters. The routes will be provided approximately one week in advance of the mission. Wind information will be provided in the tower 30 minutes before roll. Aborting aircraft may fly any route they like home.
Moving about the aircraft
Anyone can go wherever they like in the aircraft, as long as Otto is disabled. It is suggested that only the Navigator uses the top turret (as the 'astrogation dome') and the flight observers position.
Assisting the navigator
Anyone can navigate the aircraft, although everyone is forbidden from using the F1 key.
Attacking the target
You will be provided with an attack direction - please only attack from that direction (imagine it's a dam, with water on one side). Attacks should not use the Norden, and must be from low level.
Diversionary Raid
Setting up the aircraft
You should load 500 lb bombs, and any fuel load you like. Those in B17s (Lancasters) should empty the ball and waist guns once in the air. Those in B25s (Wellingtons) should also empty the top turret. You may enable Otto - your choice. Remember, as they say in the movies, 'tracer points both ways'. Please use the 'carpet bombing' method - salvo all your bombs to drop at one go. Use '.delay 250' and '.salvo 12' ('.salvo 6' in the Wellington), and hit F9 to enable it.
Takeoff
You will have an air start. We will launch the different raids at 5 minute intervals.
Route to target
Please try to follow the assigned routes to target. This is a simulation of the British night bombing effort, so don't fly in formation - make your own way there and back. The of the F1 map key is strongly discouraged, and your navigation will be much easier than for the low-level crews (you'll be able to see many more landmarks from high up, and you won't have to worry about hitting the ground).
Attacking the target
Please try to attack the assigned target, although if you get lost and bomb the wrong city by mistake, that's all part of the game.
Landing
Please try to return to the base you departed from, although I suspect that many who fly without the F1 key will simply be glad to get back to the UK at all.
Intruders
Setting up the aircraft
You should choose the 'basic fighter' setup - no bombs or rockets. Fuel load is up to you. CAUTION: The Mosquito fuel gauge is broken - full fuel only shows as 75%, and the fuel will run out before the gauge reaches zero. This is a bummer, but there's not much we can do about it.
Takeoff
Wind will be enabled, so I suggest you taxi to the most appropriate runway. You don't want to be trying to launch a fully fueled-up aircraft downwind, or crowwsind, do you? If you crash on takeoff - unlucky. You're done for the night.
Route
You have a free hunt - all of Europe is at your disposal. You will know the targets for the night bombers, but the Dam Busters mission is secret. The use of the F1 map key is discouraged. Navigating in the Mosquito without the F1 map is particularly difficult, as visibility is poor out of the cockpit, and there are no other crew positions to switch to. One of the problems of being the elite, eh?
Nightfighters
Setting up the aircraft
You may choose any of the available Bf110s, and any available loadout for it. Fuel is also at your option. Otto should be disabled - use the 't' key.
Takeoff
You may launch from any airfield. Watch out for the wind on takeoff! Air launch is available from F20, F24 and F31. Ground launch is available from the other airfields. Valid landings only may replane, from any airfield. Bails, ditch and deaths are done flying for the night, although you may act as radar controller from the tower if you wish.
Route
You have all of Europe at your disposal. Intrusion over the UK is a valid tactic, although slightly more suicidal than in history as ack will identify you and shoot at you, marking you out for the Mosquito Nightfighters. The use of the F1 key is strongly discouraged.
Luftwaffe Radar Controllers
You may not switch countries! You may use the F1 key to see where the enemy is on radar. You may hop from field to field and use external views from the tower to look / listen for ack bursts over nearby cities (simulating ground observers).
Your Nightfighters will need vectoring not only on to targets, but also back to base as well if they don't use the F1 key. Once they are in contact, it is likely that they will loose awareness of where they are. Help them out by guiding them home.