FW-190 A8 Vs Massive B-17 Flying Fortress + P-47 Escort | Digital Combat Simulator | DCS | WWII |

[@GrowlingSidewinder]

Check out the Merch Store: growling-sidewinder.creator-spring.com/ Apex Gaming PC: apexgamingpcs.com/products/growling-sidewinder Thank you guys for watching and if you have any ideas for future videos please put them in the comment section below and they might just end up in the pipeline, thanks again, much Love.

[@inquisitorbacon8170]

What about playing the role of bomber escort in a mustang?

[@joselynalicemay6225]

Maybe doing this again but at night this time with a few more escorts and bombers more of a challenge

[@wanderer98716]

@@inquisitorbacon8170 A good suggestion

[@travisdavis5182]

You should try the head on pass the Luftwaffe was famous for early on. It would be interesting to see the closing speeds in this way!

[@OK-GV888OD]

😎😎😎

[@alphadelta3964]

If you keep these WW2 videos coming, my wife is going to start questioning why I’m smiling at my phone so much recently

[@Brazmannslittlegamingcorner]

Lmao

[@snakeplissken1754]

Just tell her you are browsing through your wedding photos.

[@SecNotSureSir]

Just let it out into the open. Cast to the TV like me.

[@rollingstone1689]

​@@snakeplissken1754 that a good 1😂

[@jackjetpilot]

Phone? I watch GS on a 70" TV!

[@BarefootStrider]

Based on some of the books I've read, I feel like the amount of machine gun fire coming from the B-17s is woefully inadequate in this simulation. German fighters were known to do head-on attacks to minimize their exposure to return fire, not to creep up relatively slowly from behind. Regardless, I enjoy your content. I would love to see a video with the B-17's return fire 10x thicker and GS doing aggressive head-on passes with mere feet of separation as he bolts past. Also, if I'm not mistaken, the P-47s would be flying higher than the bombers so they could dive on any German fighters attempting this strategy.

[@DonVigaDeFierro]

Makes sense, but how much of that was just their doctrine? I remember reading that German pilots didn't waste time on dogfights, they used to approach, attack and then break contact. At least that's how Erich Hartmann did it.

[@interestedguy8962]

I agree, this was too easy for the FW190. Also, the escort normally fly above the bomber, gently weaving back and forth ready to pounce with the diving fighters. I think you should have been shredded attack from the rear. What can you do to make the bombers more aggressive with their shooting, and make the escorts more aggressively chase you.

[@brucehearn2621]

Re Allied fighter cover: yes, they flew above the bomber stream. The mission appears to be set in the winter of ‘44-‘45, so by then the fighters would often range ahead of the bombers to prevent packs of Luftwaffe aircraft from forming up and making mass head-on attacks. The bombers did not appear to have proper boxes set up. Not particularly effect but it did make things more "interesting" for attacking fighters.

[@vazgeraldes]

Agree, low-tail position were no-nos, as they increased fighter exposure to the B-17 box defensive fire. Historically, German pilots preferred a high-tail approach or, better yet, a frontal attack, which limited exposure to bomber defensive fire. See a more nouanced reply below.

[@Ambaryerno]

This also isn't a proper bomber box. The high and low formations are missing, so you don't have the proper coverage. You also wouldn't have flak firing once the interceptors went in because of the risk of friendly fire.

[@manny2ndamendment246]

WWII series is refreshing to watch

[@daveriddell3704]

That bomber pilot had nerves of steel! Showed absolutely no emotions! :)

[@shaundouglas2057]

I think he was frozen stiff with fear.

[@hertzair1186]

He may have been dead

[@esteban20969564]

the P-47s took a smoke break while you were cooking those bombers XD

[@Schnittertm1]

They took a smoke break with all the other FW-190's in the area.

[@sidtedtilley]

I wondered where they were too!!

[@samuelzuleger5134]

Also, historically, the escorts would peel away during flak. However, that is because interceptors wouldn't attack then either.

[@thiemokellner1893]

@@Schnittertm1 Playing cards with each other. Much healthier, they reckoned.😅

[@danwilliams5867]

My great uncle who was B24 pilot had a very unlucky day. After he released his bomb load a AAA shell burst in the middle of the plane in open bomb bay doors. Only 3 people survived, he wasn't one. He was just 25

[@truthseeker9454]

Did you learn what happened through one of the survivors, or an eyewitness?

[@STS-Dreamer]

RIP to your great uncle 🫡

[@horusfalcon]

A valiant sky warrior! May he rest in eternal peace!

[@zryuuuwu2.038]

@@truthseeker9454 if there were 3 survivors they made it back and report it so that may be it

[@roberttaylor6108]

So his co pilot survived or he survived long enough to land the plane or the plane was disabled and only 3 managed to bail out and survive? What was his planes name if it had one?

[@StuartKoehl]

Best tactic would be a head-on approach from twelve o'clock, and slightly high. Approach the lead bomber box, open fire on the lead bomber from about 400 yards out, then pass through formation, split-S and dive away on a reciprocal heading, recovering out in front of the bomber formation. Climb back to altitude, then roll back in for a second attack. Remember, though, that the A-series BMW 801 radial loses power rapidly above 20,000 feet, which is why dealing with the escorts was usually reserved for the Bf.109s.

[@Čangrizavi_Cinik]

One of the perks of soviet and german planes is not having to think in imperial units.

[@tedf7843]

Head on attacks were the normal tactic if you read the german pilots documents. Limits exposure to return fire also the reason the B17G got a chin turret.

[@AARONANKRUM]

And diving passes straight through the formations to minimize their exposure.

[@blazinrounds230]

Yea they were typically aiming for the flight deck and navigation decks.

[@josephengel1]

My grandfather was a ball turret gunner. I’m so lucky to be alive today because he somehow survived.

[@Ambaryerno]

Paradoxically, the ball turret gunners had less chance of being killed or wounded by enemy fire. The turrets were well-protected, and also just plain hard to hit. It was only if the plane that was actually going down that the survival rate plummeted.

[@vornamenachname989]

​@@AmbaryernoBut didn't the Ball turret gunner have the worst survival rate? Or was that only during a crash? I know that the tail gunner has the highest chance of being shredded by enemy fire, so much that some crew members didn't want to get to know their tail gunners because then they would care less when they died. I think I heard that they would sometimes just hose down the interior of the tail gunner's post to get his remains out. But what was the difference between death by enemy fire and planes crashing? Did they really make that distinction?

[@Ambaryerno]

@@vornamenachname989 If the plane was shot down, yes, the survival rate of the ball turret gunners was extremely low because of the difficulties of escaping the turret. However the turret gunners were less likely to be wounded or killed by enemy fire in the planes that made it back to base.

[@braydenlovetere4545]

This is where the fun begins

[@JesusFriedChrist]

_I hate flying…_

[@matto9734]

No fun at that time...

[@georgeofhamilton]

Let them pass between us.

[@CodyWilliams-z9v]

Hey I really like your stuff dude, I’m a U.S. Marine serviced in the Infantry Iraq, Africa… I also hold Bachelor’s degree in History. I like to watch you work you’ve got good sound tactics and your always trying to expand your knowledge base, I really liked this video best B - 17 video I’ve seen I’d like to see more of this but with different tactics and some head on attacks thanks brother. You do great work on your Chanel.

[@GrowlingSidewinder]

wow dude thank you very much, extremely generous of you. I appraise your feedback man, I really enjoyed that mission myself so I deff plan to do more in the future like it, including maybe 1 defending the bombers....(might be working on that as we speak) lol. Anyway thanks again brother I appreciate you. much love.

[@CodyWilliams-z9v]

​@@GrowlingSidewinder Hey brother thank you, You really do put out great stuff. The next time you ATTACK a formation of B-17 bomber with a FW 190 give me a shout out on your Chanel, my call sign is ( REAPER 6 )... I think your the best DCS Pilot on KZbin No bullshit dude keep cranking them out

[@GrowlingSidewinder]

Thank you man, very kind of you.

[@FreedomIsNotFree2023]

This was basically a Master's of Air scenario, those guys had enormous balls to fly these missions. The amount of losses that were considered acceptable, is hard to even comprehend.

[@firebald2915]

Many crew members suffered from shell shock, PTSD. 25 missions and out. 25? It's a wonderful anyone made it to 5 missions. The early missions were the worst because the fighters were instructed not to fight ahead of the bombers until Gabby Grabeski and Doolittle said, kill'em all ahead before they formed up to attack the B17's.

[@lukesmith1003]

The fact that they actually believed this would be sustainable amazes me… Imagine trying to hit one of the FW190s with a .50 BMG, it’s insane that they even shot any of the German pilots down.

[@M4xPower]

The nickname of the FW-190 was Wurger, which translates to Shrike, which is a small carnivorous bird. They're also known as 'Butcherbirds' because they this weird behaviour of impaling animals they kill on thorns and spiny plants... like hanging meat in a meat locker. They also might use man-made spikes like barbed wire fences to hang little animals and birds off of. That's where the FW-190's 'butcherbird' name comes from.

[@whosjulez1157]

Also, "würgen" means to choke/strangle.

[@M4xPower]

@@whosjulez1157 Yeah Wurger can also mean 'strangler'. I don' t think that context was intended though. Also butchering is not strangling so it's likely not related to the English nickname either.

[@PaulMcElligott]

Typically, the Luftwaffe fighters would break off their attacks once the bombers reached the flak guns.

[@truthseeker9454]

Yeah, I think he let the flak fire and flew through it for added suspense. 😁

[@srellison561]

Yeah, the intercept was usually way before they got into flak range.

[@13christbane]

that first approach should have shredded you coming in from behind like that.

[@Universal_exports87]

Nice to watch WWII, especially showing the other side via the Luftwaffe mission.

[@rmp5s]

All those guys in those bombers?...absolute legends. I don't know how they put their pants on with such giant stones.

[@papadanku2692]

the Butcher bird living up to its name 🙏

[@cavemandelta]

As a sucker for anything WW2, can you do more of these? I just really liked it, no other reason. Keep up the good work, and for anyone else who's reading this, remember you absolutely matter and make sure to have an AMAZING day!

[@user-ug7fk2js2x]

The amount of return fire from the bombers is laughably low.

[@792slayer]

I love WW2 fighters. Mostly Allied aircraft, but the 190 is one of my favorites.

[@oliviertostevin2144]

What’s your favorite? Personally I might have to go with the f4u corsair but the p51 and spitfire and tied for a very close 2nd place. The Corsair’s with 4 20mm guns are cray, and a Corsair shot down a mig pilot in Korea. The corsairs gotta be one of the most successful prop airplanes in history.

[@792slayer]

@oliviertostevin2144 I love the Corsair and Mustang, but I would have to give the top slot for the U.S. to the Bearcat and the P-38. For the British, that goes to the Fury and the Tempest. I know they didn't do as much as the Spitfire, Hurricane, or the Beaufighter, but they're just so damn cool. On the German side, the 190 gets my top slot. It's proportioned nicely, and when you get into the engineering, it's really well thought out. Second place would probably go to the Bf-110. I got a thing for twin engine, twin tail designs.

[@ianbanks3016]

I think there's clearly issue here with the gunners, the ball turret and rear gunners seemed to be asleep. There's not much of a challenge when no-one's firing back.

[@aaronliddell4280]

This just such a nice change from the previous content. Much appreciated 👍 P38 in the future please and thank you! 🙏

[@Ih8liarsandusers]

P38 isnt in DCS

[@kylestickley8096]

The brits called the fw the Butcher Bird, when it got on the frontline it was a huge problem for the Spit Mk 5.

[@Jasperdog3329]

GS, try head-on attacks. That was the preferred Luftwaffe tactic as it minimized a fighter's exposure time and US bombers had less firepower to the front until the G-model B-17 was introduced.

[@viniciussoares3806]

Ball turret and rear gunners should have ripped you appart in those shallow aproaches. Great video tho, keep bringing w2 stuff

[@srellison561]

Not to mention the waist gunners on the B-17s to the sides.

[@gunnarbodowiemann7677]

That weren't sniper guns. This was more "let's pump the sky full with lead and see if we hit something".

[@5co756]

If he passes with 150kph higher speed than the bombers , it's just a second and he is gone . Also those Minengeschoss have a lot of shrapnel , there are a lot of WW2 gun films were they attack from behind . And there is almost no return fire from the bomber , it's probably not very comfortable for this ball gunners when 20mm Minengeschoss hit your bomber .

[@BillGernert]

Really shows how brave those B17 crews were!

[@ivanstepanovic1327]

B-17s had machineguns covering all of its sides. So in the beginning the German tactics was to fly inside the formation and fire from within it. That way, there would be no defensive fire from B-17s out of fear that they might hit each other. When the Americans got fighters that could escort the bombers, Germans switched to attacking from high speed dives, but would still try to stay inside the formation if possible.

[@Hardcaslte]

This is what I was thinking too. The absolute last place you'd want to be in a German plan would be behind the bombers where they have long periods of time to target you and fire back. You'd want to dive down or come at the from the front in quick fly by attempts to minimize the time spent in front of their guns, and also moving fast enough to be a hard target to hit.

[@horusfalcon]

So... eine kleine Schrage-musik? Germans called the FW-190 "Wurger" (Shrike). The Shrike makes its nest amid very long thorns, and impales its prey for later consumption, hence the name "Butcher Bird".

[@panzersevennine3635]

Outstanding vid - as always. Quick thought - pretty sure the Luftwaffe deconflicted fighter interception and flak support. In other words they took turns based on airspace covered by the encroaching bombers. Just like the airspace deconfliction that we do today for air-to-ground and ground-to-ground weapons delivery. Whatever the the case, keep the WWII vids coming!

[@billyyayss]

This is so awesome. It’s way more chaotic than the jets.

[@rays.5764]

Yuuuuuuusssssssssss!!!!!! More bomber runs!!! Those were my favorite missions in IL-2. This is why I watch this channel. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@thecodphein467]

I wish these WW2 videos would last but I know there’s only so many scenarios with the few aircraft we have at the time. I’m grateful that you brought WW2 back into the light!

[@kevw25]

The absolute brass balls on those bomber pilots to just have to stay on course and trust the escorts and gunners. God bless them.

[@Riccardo_Silva]

These WW2 combats are GREAT!!! Well done GS!!

[@44lucas]

Oh boy oh boy, another vid with Warbirds, yay!!!!

[@cheekclappin96ss22]

So much respect is due to the bomber crews of ww2. What an absolutely helpless feeling they must have had on every mission. True heroes

[@duaneedwards5439]

Fantastic video, but I agree with some others, not enough fire from the bombers, and not in proper formations. Also where were the P-47's in all this? The certainly would have been coming after the attacking fighters. Love the WWII action, I could watch it all day! A million thanks!!!

[@amkessel2014]

YES PLEASE to more of this kind of content! Large formations of WW2 heavies is criminally undersupported in DCS and IL-2 GB

[@josephfenech9401]

4:14 Bro, you lit two bombers on fire in one pass!!

[@Mr_Lukasgrim]

Man, we really need Me-262 in DCS!

[@lazuvt9456]

4:53 This is fine.

[@JesusFriedChrist]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🪑🐶🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@whatsgoingon71]

The eyes... 😂

[@worldbreaker1023]

This was different. Well done! Never had that perspective before. Time on target in minimal.

[@mattgn39]

Love the attention to detail with that collapsed wheel still merrily spinning away when the a/c comes to rest. Great vid. Yeah, the 17s took a hell of a kicking.

[@97BuckeyeGuy]

I love these WWII videos. I like the slower fights over the European theater.

[@timbaskett6299]

Kind of wish they had Pacific Theater missions as well. F4Fs, F6Fs, and F4Us would be nice. Not sure about the F2Bs, though. 😂

[@JLH111176]

nerves of steel to stay in formation when planes around you are going down and you can't do anything

[@DMRH69]

Great work on those B-17's You move that FW190 like a pro

[@thecellafella]

Always down to watch F-22 vids, but I really, REALLY dig this dive into the oldies!

[@YOUPIMatin123]

Your first attack is textbook what you SHOUDNT do. Hit them vertical not from the rear.

[@bhpictures]

Yes! In reality, those gunners in the turrets would torn him to shreds.

[@darrellgrant7615]

My school mascot was a B-17. We were called the Flying Forts😊.

[@JohnHill-qo3hb]

Love the B-17 pilot with the iPad in his lap... AAA would not be engaging the bombers if the fighters were attacking, AAA would engage over the target, Fighters engage before and after the bombs have dropped. And, the bombers would be in a box formation, not line abreast, the box formation allows mutual defense. Good video though.

[@Existentialcrisis_1488]

Glad someone else understands this lol

[@Ambaryerno]

Also, the escorts would sweep ahead of the bomber stream to prevent the fighters from even making contact.

[@rowbags3017]

That was pretty amazing! More like it, please! 😎 The Fw 190 was actually nicknamed the Butcherbird (a type of songbird), rather than the Butcher - although the latter was definitely appropriate in this video! 😉

[@KillerKev1961]

The bomber crews must have been terrified. Excellent sortie.

[@curtisbartlett8170]

Good mission. Didn't see any other 109's going in with you.

[@warrencan4221]

would love to see this again, but with head on passes like how they used to attack bomber formations. From the rear the gunners have an easier time as we saw

[@legacychase3702]

Nice hunting! Kinda scary to think about in terms of the reality being simulated for both sides

[@macgyver186]

I've been waiting for this for a long time. You're the best GS! Would love to see this same mission with you in the Me262.

[@matto9734]

Remember: there were 10 guys on each B-17 and the pilots had to stick to their course at all cost. These man were real heroes! This vid is really hard to watch in a way... good flying as always GS. Nevertheless the Kurt Tank FW-190 design was ingenious. He also went for the maximum pilot cover possible because you could replace a plane more easy than a skilled pilot.

[@TurbineFlyer]

One thing I love about the FW-190 is that it can take a beating. It's just an air cooled radial. So no coolant to leak out.

[@timbaskett6299]

In museums I have seen BF-109s Me-262s, and Me-163s. But I have never gotten to see an FW-190 "Butcher Bird", yet. Two planes I wished they had in DCS are the P-40 and Hurricane.

[@nigo467]

Like the Oldschool Dogfighting, wanna see more of that!!

[@Lairo76]

14:10 looks like a painting, beautiful!

[@iron_talon]

So the nickname for the 190 was the Wuerger, which translates as Butcher-Bird, but in English is known as the Shrike. Still a pretty intimidating nickname given what those birds do, lol

[@CrocodileBullet]

The slaughterhouse in the air. And on the ground too. Very impressive Video, GS. It is great fun to watch your perfect made videos! Keep fighting and flying. WWII content is 👍🏻

[@icaleinns6233]

Looked like that landing was good enough! Well done.

[@davebartosh5]

My Uncle flew the B-17 back in WWII. He got the purple heart for flak hitting a fire extinguisher, and leaving metal in his leg. He went on to work for the JPL with NASA

[@01ZO6TT]

Really liking the WW2 content! I agree with some of the other post about the Germans making head on passes and shooting at the cockpit to kill pilots. Also about the B-17 gunners return fire being low. It seemed a bit to easy for the 190. Please keep the WW2 content coming. As always, awesome video.

[@DrBF3000]

I was one of the many who ask you for this. Thanks.

[@Bad_Wolf_Media]

The tactics for this run are well-established in Iron Maiden's "Aces High": "Move in to fire at the mainstream of bombers Let off a sharp burst and then turn away Roll over, spin 'round to come in behind them Move to their blindsides and firing again"

[@cobblerama]

Those WWII bomber crews were seriously committed men. Catch 22 was a real eye opening book. I still joined the USAF after reading it.😂

[@nedialkosimonov3893]

3rd video in a row with old aircrafts ! Love you man 😍😍😍

[@robertbrodeur4326]

I don't know if the A8 specifically can carry them, but some of those interceptors can use unguided rockets in addition to the guns. They would ripple fire the whole load into the formation first pass. Hopefully get some kills and certainly disrupt the heck out of the formation. It would be cool to see mission using those.

[@timonsolus]

Those massive 50 mm rockets were very deadly - but also slow and very inaccurate.

[@CivisMilitarum]

Dam, that was awesome! Now I want to see an A-10 down there taking out those flack guns. 😂

[@Killflap]

Great video! Thank you very much. I'm always impressed by the graphics. In my day, I was happy when the airplanes had animated weapons on their wings. Now you can see the zipper on the crew in the bomber. :-D

[@whatstheoptions]

It's so nice to see that 190 isn't draining energy unlike the last video. Thanks )

[@whylie74]

The Thunderbolts should be flying atleast 2000ft above the bomber formation and weaving from one side to the other, and the bomber formation is like that used by B 24s, and the 3 ship (not 4) elements should be staggered in hight.

[@nightshiftgarage8824]

Thank you. We appreciate the video. You won a new subscriber!

[@luizucchetto2528]

Another great Warbird video. Typically the fighters would hit the bombers on their way in or way out while the FLAK would be concentrated over the targets. You would not often find enemy fighters and FLAK together. I also believe that the fire output of the bombers is way to low. Another point would be to put the P47 higher up. I believe they would not be beside the bombers, but providing top cover and be able to use the superior dive characteristics of the P47. The video looks awesome with all the vapour trails. This video put a large smile on my face as I love warbird action.

[@mikegreck2625]

These mostly would be A8 Rammjager with extra armor on the cowl ring, windscreen, canopy and cockpit sides with any number of cannons of different variety. They were slow and sluggish with the added weight and high altitude, and as such were protected by Bf-109 G-K groups that performed much better at altitude. Attacks were head on, with a back roll and dive to avoid very heavy bomber box fire. Cool video.

[@JohnCallender]

really enjoying the return to WWII content! thanks for creating and sharing it!

[@droppedpasta]

B-17 pilot looked like he’d flown a few too many missions

[@Desertduleler_88]

I'm surprised the P47 fighter escorts didn't intervene during this mission.

[@Lurch4539]

I literally like and share every ww2 video here. This is awesome

[@QuiteSBR556]

LOVE THE WW2 videos/missions! Keep em coming

[@solarflare623]

Damn the sound of all those props

[@RoadHead62]

I always wanted to try hiding in the contrails and just side slipping across the entire formation from the rear.

[@metallikris]

Great video, love your WWII content!

[@TheMasterCheese]

That was fun. Now let's see if you can protect the bombers.

[@jasonthompson4741]

This WW2 series has been Dope but that's no surprise all your content is Dope. Thank you Homie

[@brittenmusic6923]

Would be great to see the B17's flying in their correct box formation next time. 😊

[@garys8754]

It wasn’t long before the air crews and mission planners learned to fly in box formation. This strategy allowed the gunners to provide fire support to other B-17s in their group and would allow them to maximize the number of 50 caliber MG’s to fire upon the incoming fighters. Even still the casualties were enormous with 10 crew members lost for every 17 that went down.

[@minli9958]

There are less one-shot kills in WWII series, it makes the combat more unpredictable and interesting.

[@spider_corsa]

The close fighter formation with the bomber reminds me for the argue between Goering and a high ranking fighter pilot (Adolf Galland maybe?). This scene was in the movie: Battle of Britain (1969) too :)

[@jeffberkley4082]

I like to dive across the box perpendicular to their course, strafing several then keep looping forward - rinse repeat. It's not easy to time it. Coming from 6 o'clock is ill advised. Tail and belly guns both have a shot.

[@joshuastettler]

KZbin sais, I am in the top 0.2% of your fans. It sais I'm watching 27times more from your content then most people here do. Keep doing this amazing Videos, I love them 😍🎉

[@floopygoober]

man yesterday i asked for this exact video and boy did you deliver. this is awesome

[@RickPMandel]

Looks like the B-17 Pilot is a zombie already. Probably best not to use shots like that, lol

[@731trident]

This is a great watch! Nice to mix it up! I'd love to see a Battle of Britain version with Hurricanes attacking the Luftwaffe!

[@user-EMT1124]

The 190 was called the Bucher Bird. I love the WW2 mission style videos. Please do more!