Hi guys, I remember the original B-17 by Microprose - it was an amazing game. It was my 1992 or 1993 christmas present and I can remember long hours of gaming. I consider buying the Mighty 8th but I want to ask: is the campaign just a compilation of 25 single missions or is there any story behind the campaign? Is there any ground action visible from the sky? Are there other squadrons using the airfields etc. You know, this is thing I like in simulations and I want to know if there is anything like that in this game or if the environment is "dead"...

I believe it was a 25 scripted missions to the campaign and one could select some individual missions (on either side).No multiplayer here but it was attempted (never completed).Basically it's quite enhanced (over the previous B-17 Flying Fortress World War II Bombers in Action) with a emulated Norden Bomb Sight and good navigation has to be used (Navigator has to use the drift meter so the bombardier can hit his target).One can see city details from what I remember but the targets are fairly well detailed.From high altitudes you can't see much.details.However you can change views to view damage to the target etc.
No,I didn't see other aircraft at the base except for the B-17's however you will see the escorts in flight (the times when you are escorted).The FLAK looks good and you have to fend off enemy fighters.
One also needs to manage the crew and take care of problems on board the ship.

Here is a previous review long ago (be sure to view all 5 pages).This was upon initial release (had a patch update later on)
http://www.combatsim.com/htm/2000/12/b17-rev/page1.htm

The forum (some valid complaints as well as compliments here)
http://www.combatsim.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=000285

and Wikipedia has a short not detailed article on it but with some good links.
[url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B-17_Flying_Fortress:_The_Mighty_8th]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B-17_Flying_Fortress:_The_Mighty_8th[/url]

It can be frustrating for novices so check the bombs away forums for help.
The individual ( one of the top 10 bombardiers in the USAAF) whom was responsible for implementing the Bomb Sight in the simulation/rpg gave me a training DVD on the actual Norden and Sperry Bomb sights.
I don't think it would be proper to mention it here though but here is an article about the bomb sight instead (it has a link to the video in the external links).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norden_bomb_sight

This is the gem of this simulation/rpg.
It would have been great had this title been more refined or expanded

By the way my father (Pilot) had several missions in your country back in 1944 but he was in the 15th Air Force rather than the 8th.
A2ASimulations has a more detailed B-17 but only highly accurate and detailed Pilot/Co-Pilot controls/engine management but it doesn't have any combat in it so it's strictly for civilian flight unlike this title.So far this is the best B-17 combat simulation/rpg there is so far although it does lack a lot in some areas..Like I said earlier the Norden Bomb Sight and bombing targets is the Gem of this simulation.If you spend the time you might really enjoy this title and it's a learning experience.

@ dnd7a9wkp

First of all, let me express my gratitude to your father for what he did during WW2. I feel nothing but great respect to all those who helped liberate Europe including my country. When your father was member of 15th, did he fly B-17 of B-24? BTW, I miss any good B-24 sim. I remember something on my good old Commodore 64 (oh my, am I really so old...?) but nothing else...

Secondly, thank you for very detailed description of the game. I have much better impression of the game thanks to you and those links. I think I´ll buy it. It seems really good. Now, hardest part comes - to explain my wife that I´m not available tonight and that it is really cool to play without time compression :))

He was a B-17 Pilot in the 5th Bomb Wing in the 15th AF .Sadly the B-24 is rarely represented in any game or simulator.However there are a few strategy games though.

IL-2 with the Ultrapack Mod has the B-24. It is actually my favorite plane to fly when with a group of like minded folks.

Video of one of our Bomber Nights with the B-24, made by Loslav:
http://www.vimeo.com/5591122

Right now am currently trying to figure out how to make the interior shots for B-17 II to look like interior of Liberators for my own film.

Very nice vid! I really enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing!

Campaing is dynamic. You offten start with same target for each starting date but following missions have target choosen dynamicaly. For example first misson i got was Brest harbor. I completly missed (i hit just that big hangar like building) and next mission i was assigned to bomb same target again (its not always true, you can get different target) and i saw building from last raid was still damaged. It has prrsistant damage and germans even get repaired some during time. Squadron commander even alow you to fully plan recon and then choose and plan targeting as you wish. So its exelent in comapare to more 25 random missoin tour of duty generator in first DOS B-17 game ( I still love it for its simplicity and nostalgic feel).

Good to hear that! I just bought the game and I´m looking forward to try it.

Hehe just noticed .cz too :)

I was reading the review linked above, and on the second page it says: Is that the case? It seems odd that it isn't listed as a requirement on the game's page here if that is indeed correct.

No its wrong. It can be played from keyboard. Its not best especialy controling turrets with keyboard is bit lame.