[RichardH]

G'day Gents,

The only reason for the Grand Slam detonating 30 meters (100ft) underground was the delay setting on the fuse.

The question could be asked, will this weapon has a default delay setting or will it be selectable?

If selectable then the questions previously asked on this thread would be valid for surface or near surface detonation effects.

Anyone want to swing those questions via the guys over at 662, be my guest as I am unfortunately usually too strapped for time.

Interesting point is the Grand Slam bomb on its terminal velocity achieved astonishing speeds in the range of 600 - 700 ft per second. That would render an instantaneous setting on a fuse to still detonate a considerable distance below the surface, however this was not the method by which this weapon was employed as we all agree, it was due to inacurrate bombing of via ducts and the like that gave rise to the tallboy (approx 12500lbs) and the earthquake or grand slam bomb (approx 22000lbs).
Given the sheer weight of this bomb and the almost immediate lifting effect on the aircraft experienced on bomb release, will this effect be mirrored in IL2 if possible?

Oh, while I am thinking about it, I am pulling on my RAAF Armourer head now, something has been bugging me for some time about the bombing effects on shipping. A great misconception is that you have to actually hit the vessel before any damage can be sustained. Incorrect as proven by Gen Billy Mitchell between the wars who was later court martialled for possibly proving the US military wrong. Anyway, I digress, bombing of shipping is far more effective if you have the explosion adjacent to the hull (preferably directly below as with aerial delivered sea mines) thus allowing the water to enhance the effects of the blast over pressure. Think back for a second to the footage of a nuclear blast where the trees are all leaning one way from the blast, then suddenly sucked back the other way. Ahhhhh, this is due to Newtons 3rd Law, every action has an equal and opposite reaction. The outward heading blast over pressure also, equally violent, reverses itself in a negative pressure effect as the ambient environment attempts to return to normal. For a detonation of a sea mine or torpedo directly below the hull around midships, will actually lift the middle of the vessel up in an upward pointing "v" shape then with negative pressure and the assistance of gravity (everyones enemy eventually), the reverse occurs usually snapping the back of the structure. Have a gander at the demise of the Tirpitz. A few direct hits were a bonus but near misses were far more effective.
So, having said that, would someone be interested, if at all possible, in seeing if this can be subject of a new mod?

Cheers and Beers

Smeg

Wholeheartedly agreed!
With a mod like that, you could break a ship in two with torpedoes, or mines as you mentioned.