How to play

[Aether]

Okay, so 5 minutes into the game, you propely found the same as me: the plane is f***ing hard to fly. So this discussion is for problems anyone has and solutions for these.

[TimeNinja]

Read the manual. This is one of those old games where the step by step tutorials are in the book. Luckily, steam has copies, and im sure you can find pdfs somewhere as well, if you wanted to put them on a tablet or something, or even print them out. I like to think Im pretty good at figuring things out, but I still had to take a break and read through the thing, and then keep it open while I ran the training missions in the game. Its a lot of effort, but I think it is worth it.

[Aether]

.... your reply has made me feel very stupid AND made me realize that I have been spoiled by videogames over the years, holding my hand every step of the way. Time to get back to "Try till you win" ;-)

[Mister Eon]

The original game had an awesome insert that contained the (HUGE) number of controls just for running the four engines (which was what the Co-Pilot spent most of his time doing!) so it can be difficult.

To be honest, during development, we figured that since you would be mostly in formation anyway, flying the plane would be less of a focus and most of your time would be spent navigating, bombing, gunning and managing the crew.

[Sulifer]

Mister Eon you worked for Wayward Design? Wow havn't heard anything from that team since the BA forum days. Any chance you guys might release some updated mods, unofficially of course.

[goss4jc]

I can't seem to get anywhere with this game. I cannot turn with keyboard or with joystick. I've been trying the first tutorial, looking at the manual, but either I am missing something or this game is broken.

[Aether]

Well goss4jc, if you find the awnser, do share. I've been having the same problem for a week

[goss4jc]

I've wasted too much time today on this. What do we do, ask Steam for a refund? The controls on this game appear to be broken.

[Aether]

I'm pretty sure it's not broken. I just wish the games tutorial actually told us how to play the damn thing

[goss4jc]

I can't turn right or left unless I hit "S" and then one of the characters turns off turbos and then i only spin to the left no matter what. I cannot turn otherwise and if if I turn rudder to left, it affects the throttle even though that command is not mapped to do so. I have not been able to do anything but roll forward, hit the grass, then the mission ends.

[Sulifer]

Guys trying to play B-17 II without the manual will be pretty tough, even though it's an old game it was cutting edge for it's time as far as realistic representations of the systems a B-17 used to fly and fight. If you know what Microsoft Flight Simulator is, B-17 II is closer to that then say War Thunder. But it can be played in a simpler way by letting the AI fly, navigate and do the bombing and the gunnery, but you can always take over any of these actions anytime during a session. Many player just take over certain task and leave some to the AI for the whole mission. I know there are tons of video tutorials on YouTube for this game so that would be a good place to start. Also here is a site where you can download the game manual and games quick referance card. Since I have an original copy I don't know if the Steam or GOG version has it in a .pdf file in the games folder.
http://www.replacementdocs.com/download.php?280.list.2.20.download_name.ASC

[goss4jc]

Angry Duck, have you been able to at least turn and take off? I start with external camera, hit M for manual control, unlocktail wheel with shift + T, but i cannot turn left or right. I can move the rudder and flaps, but i cannot turn so i get nowhere. Decided to try joystick and I see the game maps driving brakes to the rudder controls for some reason. Without a joystick connected this is not the case but either way. I haven't been ablt to turn.

[goss4jc]

I do have the game manual btw. Still can't turn. The manual states:

1. You will not be able to see much of the runway from the pilot’s
position (just like the real thing) so you’re advised to stay in outside
view when manoeuvring the B-17 to the runway.
2. Throttle slowly up (+).
3. Unlock your Tailwheel (Shift + T).
4. Use all camera views (especially the zoom in/out functions) to see
where the main runway is.
5. Move very slowly and steer left- right using the Rudder controls
(keyboard or joystick)

Still can't turn. The controls seem to be broken.

[Sulifer]

Try using you wheel brakes more instead for just turning with your rudder, the B-17 is essentually a tail dragger and the are a little different in the ground handling department then something with a nose wheel, also remember to also check the AI/ Manual control icon everytime you change positions (like inside to outside views) as the game automatically reverts to AI control when you do this.

[imshandon]

Most important issue on controls for me was pay attention to the auto/manaul icon (at the bottom right of screen) The "M" key will toggle between the two modes.....It defaults to auto after most actions so it will cause one to think the controls are not working or are broken.

What a great game I just wish the hours played was working.

[B0N4F1D3 BnZ]

Lol i just do the guns and the bombing and leave the flying to the ai,i luv shooting down the fighters and going thru the flak,sounds awesome with 3d headphones :P