If you could change something about your favorite ride?

[Sikboy]

The only change that I would make to my Yak-9U would be to drop the NS-37 in the nose as opposed to the ShVAK.

The Yak-9UT added the NS-37 and 2x 20mm's, but I'm easy going, and could live with just swapping the ShVAK for an NS-37.

-Sik

[GRUNHERZ]

Sikboy I think an even better choice would be to add the IL2's 23mm instead of the 37mm.  Much higher ROF and usually ony takes 2 hits to desroy most fighers.

[Sikboy]

Originally posted by GRUNHERZ
Sikboy I think an even better choice would be to add the IL2's 23mm instead of the 37mm.  Much higher ROF and usually ony takes 2 hits to desroy most fighers.

I've considered that, but I think I'd still prefer the 37mm, since it only takes 1 round, and (going from memory) the Prototype 23mm instalation on the Yak-9 only had a 60 round clip. I'd rather have 30 of the 37mm than 60 of the 23. YMMV of course.

Now, what I'd really love is the chance to take them both up and find out which I like better, so that I don't have to guess

-Sik

[Pongo]

All I would do is add a cool LW paint job to the F8F-2 and it would be perfect.

[Crumpp]

All I would do is add a cool LW paint job to the F8F-2 and it would be perfect.

They did.  It's called the FW-190A9.


Crumpp

[Captain Virgil Hilts]

Install an engine and prop from the P-82 twin Mustang. Solves the top speed, high altitude speed, and climb rate issues for the P-40 series. Since the P-82 twin Mustang used a V-1710 Allison it should be a bolt in swap.

[Tilt]

La7 with Ash 71 (2000hp instead of Ash82 1850hp) engine and 4 B20 instead of 3 (as per La9).......fuselage and wings further lightened using alloy construction instead of wood and larger fuel tanks.

The Ash71 was tested on one prototype in 44 but dropped because further development was required and it was not (at that time) under mass production anywhere and the loss in out put retooling an Ash82 line was prohibitive.

[ra]

Originally posted by Captain Virgil Hilts
Install an engine and prop from the P-82 twin Mustang. Solves the top speed, high altitude speed, and climb rate issues for the P-40 series. Since the P-82 twin Mustang used a V-1710 Allison it should be a bolt in swap.

Are you suggesting that if the P-40 used the same engine as the P-82 and a different prop it could be uber?   NOT LIKELY.  It was the lead sled, even with a Merlin.

[Captain Virgil Hilts]

Originally posted by ra
Are you suggesting that if the P-40 used the same engine as the P-82 and a different prop it could be uber?   NOT LIKELY.  It was the lead sled, even with a Merlin.

Merlin in a P-40? Haven't seen one. What the P-40 needed most was about 400-600 more horsepower, and the prop to make use of it. Uber? No, but very competitive.

[Sikboy]

I think that the P-40F had a Merlin.

-Sik

[GScholz]

The British "Hawks" has Merlins didn't they?