Ha-35BX "Portbreaker" Heavy Bomber
Features
The Ha-35BX is an advanced strategic bomber used in two wars in [i]Stormworks Maritime Hub[/i] made by Halmosi1 with contributions from Rowan. [i]Portbreaker[/i] is the most successful of the Ha-35s, and of any heavy bomber in SMH. The Ha-35BX has many advanced features that have made it cutting edge:
[list]
[*] 4x LAC Defensive Armament
[*] 24x Small Warhead Standard Bombs
[*] Meadows Bombsight Mk.6B
[*] Constant Speed Propellers
[*] Pressurized Cockpit
[*] Automatic Climate Control
[*] Automatic Generator Governing
[*] Fuel Leak Alarm
[*] Altitude Hold
[/list]
Startup
The constant speed propellers cause a slightly different startup procedure than you may be used to. Changes in engine power are instant with this propeller design, but they need to spool up before taxiing. At higher altitudes where the air is colder and engines may lose power, increase the target RPS to increase the power output. The limiting factor at high altitudes are the control surfaces of the aircraft and the speed limit from SMH.
[list]
[*] Set the throttle to approx. 0.15
[*] Activate the switches engine switches on the top panel
[*] Hold the starters until the engines are started
[*] Wait until engine RPS matches target RPS
[*] Activate alternators and climate control on the left panel
[*] Release brakes on the left panel
[*] Taxi to runway
[*] Increase throttle until aircraft lifts off, then pitch
[/list]
Bombing
The Meadows Bombsight Mk.6B operates similarly to the Norden Bombsight present on American bombers during WWII. Where some bombsights simply show where bombs will land, this bombsight allows you to fly the aircraft at a target to automatically drop bombs. You can also drop a portion of the bomb payload on separate targets, or drop all of the bombs at once (this might blow up the aircraft). You can also choose between droping one bomb per salvo or two, which is useful if the targets require 2 bomb hits to be destroyed. This version does not account for lower drag at higher altitudes, Opal shaders, or wind. Proper use of this bombsight highly increases the hit chance at higher altitudes, but it is complicated and difficult to learn. Pay attention to the following list.
[list]
[*] Turn on bombsight power
[*] Switch the sight mode from impact point to guided
[*] Use the seat controls to point the crosshair at a target
[*] Use arrow buttons to zoom into the target
[*] Increase target altitude until sight stops drifting
[*] Open bomb bay doors
[*] Turn on automatic bomb release
[*] Ensure that bomb spacing is as desired (<10m spacing may chain detonate)
[*] Ensure the selected number of bombs to drop is as desired
[*] Deactivate the release safety
[*] The bombsight will then automatically drop the bombs at the desired spacing
[/list]
Make sure you deactivate everything [u]before[/u] turning off the bombsight power.
Known Issues
[list]
[*] Bottom turret can hit ground and become damaged
[*] View from gunners' seats is terrible
[*] Bombs are not accurate below 1000m and above 6000m
[*] Bombsight inaccurate when used with Opal shaders mod
[*] Landing gear sometimes get glitched
[/list]
Stormworks Maritime Hub
We like to have fun in SMH, so long as we can keep good sportsmanship. We are always happy to see someone new, and there are plenty of people to get you started.
[url=https%3A%2F%2Fdiscord.gg%2FEQqfBk55HG] Join our Discord! [/url][discord.gg]
History
The Ha-35A was originally created by Halmosi1 around 2021. By 2023, the nation of Rowekistan found itself in a cold war with a cold neighbor to the north, Syastratka. It appeared as though the enemy had Rowekistan beat in every department, so the order was sent to double down on production of everything. This aircraft was one of those projects. Intended to serve as either a long range strategic bomber or large torpedo bomber, the aircraft certainly fulfilled the role on paper, but actually sat unused. The cold war had started to wind down and many projects went unfinished or were scrapped, but Halmosi held on to this one.
A year and a half later, it paid off. Tensions between the nations of Caledonia and Oceania were skyrocketing and Rowekistan and Westeron were pulled into the fight. Oceania needed bombers to destroy Caledonian ports so they could not mass forces in those areas. After searching through the nearly-finished projects list, it was decided that the Ha-35A needed the least amount of work done to bring it back to standards. Due to its stopgap nature, the new designation BX was given to the bomber, as there was not time to completely polish the aircraft to perfection.
The cockpit was completely rebuilt, engines from the B-20 project were retrofitted to the wings, the tail was changed to a twin tail, the center of lift was tuned for better gliding, the landing gear was strengthened for reliability, engine systems were made twice redundant for reliability, important systems were moved to safe places, the turrets were significantly improved, the bomb bay was remade to hold standardized bombs, the Meadows Bombsight Mk.6B was installed, the fuel tanks were enlarged, and a new paint scheme was made. The Ha-35 was reborn. The project is truly an example for the good that can happen when two talented people work together on a project.
By December 30th, 2024, war had been declared against Caledonia, Guarntia, Haven, and Nedersawyer. The ULA consisted of Oceania, Rowekistan and Westeron; we were outnumbered approx. 40 vs. 30. By January 12th of the new year, it was time for the bomber to be revealed at last during Operation Portbreaker. The plan was to destroy Port Adelaide in one fell swoop, though two of the bombers missed their targets. During the mission there was resistance by heavy fighters, damaging the bomb bay doors of the lead aircraft. One of the crew, Mike, valiantly risked his life to climb on the outside of the aircraft during flight to repair the door servo. This was his last act, as he was ripped from the aircraft. That lead bomber, [i]Portbreaker[/i], went on to score the only hits of the mission.
At the end of the Caledonian War, the ULA was victorious. Nedersawyer managed to escape all punishment by merging with a neutral country, which was soon after overthrown by the former Nedersawyer government on February 2nd, 2025, therefore breaking the Treaty of the Caledonian War. Nedersawyer continued by oppressing nearby nations, who then banded together into the SEF. When officials from the SEF met with Nedersawyer officials in Rotterdam, a hidden bomb exploded after the Dutch escaped, killing the SEF officials. A new war had begun. The Ha-35BX saw action once more during the bombing of Holt Town, though it bombed a target that was already destroyed. The war soon ended with a whimper once the fighting became too much and both sides agreed to a ceasefire.
During the bombing of Port Adelaide, [i]Portbreaker[/i] managed to destroy a heavy fighter, so both a bomb marker and Caladonian flag adorn the right side of the nose from that engagement. The rest of the markers are from the bombing of Holt Town in which no targets were hit but three attacking heavy fighters were shot down, so the other bomb mark and three Nedersawyer flags are from this mission. Mike was posthumously awarded the [i]Medal of Rowekistan[/i] and remains the only life lost from the crew of an Ha-35 aircraft.
[i]Members of SMH may not use any part of the bomber or its systems without direct, individual authorization by Rowan or Halmosi1. Those who are not a part of SMH may utilize systems or components, just credit the source.[/i]
