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Since the B-24's ultimate purpose
was to bomb targets, the bombardier had the most important job. The bombardier
and the pilot had to be familiar with each other's job and cooperate during
the short bombing run during which the bombardier took over control of the
aircraft either through the auto-pilot or Pilot Directional Indicator (PDI).
The auto-pilot connected directly to the bombsight; the PD1 transmitted desired
course changes to the pilot via a needle instrument in the cockpit. Bombing
accuracy depended on calculating altitude, true airspeed, bomb ballistics
for each type of bomb (intended trajectory from bomber to target), drift caused
by lateral winds, and air density. |