A typical 190-Spit encounter in,say spring 1942 would definately NOT be on co-alt, co-E terms.
Absolutely. That was due to the Ground Controllers reading Radar and vectoring the units to intercept. Not due to a lack of performance on the Luftwaffe Fighters. The allies did the same thing.
Between the FW-190A8, FW-190A5, and FW-190A3, the A3 will have the worst zoom of all. It had less weight.
Between the FW-190A5 and the FW-190A8 the zoom IMO will slightly favor the A8. All three gained some weight at each varient and gained Horsepower.
None of the test list's a true zoom climb test. The climb test with the P47 goes something like this; The FW-190A3 outdistanced the P47 in the first 1500 feet below 10,000 ft. Above 10,000 it outdistanced it in the first 1000 feet. So it's initial momentum was pretty good.
I was rather glad to find the P47 dive test listed both angle, altitude, entering speed and throttle setting.
Keep in mind the Zeke tactical trails F4UO posted. In it, when the planes were side by side the "advantages" were very small. When the planes actually conducted Mock combats those "small" advantages became useful ones. Read the distances and then read the mock combat results.
I don't think it should zoom to the moon by any means. It should be able to zoom well enough to be useful in combat. In a co-energy state the FW-190 should be able to zoom above the spit. Given the much better but still unrealistic gunnery in AH, a 190 probably wouldn't be able to get out of AH gunnery range. If the gunnery was realistic then the 190 would benefit more.
I also think it should be harder to fight than it is now. Little better performance in the areas listed below but harder to fight. Based on control force quirks, stall characteristics, trim changes under certain conditions, and the touchy elevator of the 190.
I think the Piggyness of the 190A8 comes from:
1. Lack of the ability to reverse quickly - Gollob comments that the FW-190A2 could reverse quicker than the Bf-109F4. Not turning, Rudder authority and roll rate.
2. Roll mechanics in AH. In Ah if you roll and give it a little rudder, you will increase your rate of roll. Buddy of mine has a 1938 Luscombe which is aerobatic rated. We go flying together. Putting rudder input when rolling is a bad thing in real life. Your nose will yaw through the horizon and slow your rate of roll. Too much rudder and you snaproll. Many planes experience nose yaw without any rudder input. In AH rolls are artificially stable. That takes away the Fast And Stable advantage of the 190. Because the 190's roll was stable, A pilot could change his entire lift vector at speeds up to 164 degrees/second (NACA roll rate max). This is why the FW-190 is listed as "very manuverable".
3. Acceleration advantage below 275 mph- Dive acceleration is a good indicator of level acceleration. Maybe it was prop efficiency, drag, or something but for some reason the 190 was a great accelerating fighter thru 275-330 mph, P47 trials actually list the acceleration differences. Even the Spit XIV had trouble if the 190 dove due to it's acceleration. Above that it is rather unremarkable and even slow. It is interesting that 350mph was the speed both the control forces became heavier suddenly and a trim change occurred.
4. Zoom climb - Some of this is net lag lag but the 190 should have a combat useful zoom. Nobody is going to care how great it zooms offline.
5. Level speeds, dive speed, climb speed, and climb rate should come exactly off the LW graphs and out of the pilot's manual.
Flaps should be modeled to their actual settings and tolerances as per pilots manual.
6. 115 liter Aux tank, which both the FW-190A5 and FW-190A8 have in AH should be an option in the hanger. Only the A8 should have the option of taking the Aux tank. Taking the Aux tank would equip the A8 with C3 "Emergency Power" and add 120kg to the weight.
7. Winterization kits should be removed from the FW-190 weights unless it’s a Russian or Finnish winter scenario. It was a kit used in sub-artic conditions in Russia and Norway. I lived in Germany for 3 years and never had a problem with my oil freezing solid in my car. 30Kg of extra oil and 25Kg off extra capacity oil pan and pump to pump gas into the oil system.
8. The Mg 131 ammo hoppers would be reduced to the 400 round capacity of the jagd-einsatz's listed in the Pilots manual.
9. Wgr. 21 rocket tubes should be jettisonable as they were in real life.
That is my thoughts. No real major changes. Just some tweaks that will make the plane more realistic IMO.
You guys examine the trials. I made a matrix to keep track of the different planes. If you are missing any of them let me know.
You guys tell me what you think it should be after reviewing the tactical trials. Thanks BTW for you input.
Crumpp
