Author Topic: Again.. the Fw190A-5, Fw190A-8, and the Fw190D-9 (Read 1488 times)

Kweassa · « **on:** October 20, 2004, 06:46:41 AM »

These two planes use the same engines(although they may use different boost pressures). The weight difference is not by much, and IIRC the Fw190A-8 uses a slightly different shaped wing, but the basic design remains largely the same.

Then, what is it that makes the Fw190A-5 so responsive and wonderful, while the A-8 feels so heavy?

Or rather, I should ask this first; is it only me that feels the Fw190A-8 handles much more heavily than the Fw190A-5?

The Fw190A-5 feels wonderful in many aspects, and among the planes ca. 1943 in AH2 I can really say that it is one of the best. The turn rate is not inspiring, but still it is quite stable and gentle in all situations. However, the Fw190A-8 feels just incredibly heavier than the A-5.

I've seen some simular comments on this, but I'm really curious as to if we can say that we have a general consensus that the A-8 feels much heavier than the A-5.

If we do, then what's making the handling characteristics of the A-8 so much more heavier and clumsier than the A-5? If the aux tank goes dry shouldn't it feel simular to the A-5??

Also, shouldn't the Fw190D-9 be the best turning/maneuvering 190 of them all? I don't know how to express it, but the D-9 feels "light" - probably due to the all the more power it has than the A-8. But while the general "feel" of handling seems much lighter than the A-8, when it starts turning, it becomes a rock. Or rather, (again having difficulties trying to explain the feel..), it still seems "lighter" than the A-8, but somehow just refuses to respond better in turning maneuvers.

Does the Fw190A-8 outturn the Fw190D-9? Or is it just placebo??

ps)

Another question.

I'm still confused about the aux tanks of the Fw190A-8. Okay, so far I know that it's not for MW50. Then is the fuel loaded in the aux tank being used in C3 injection? In that case, does our Fw190A-8 use 87 octane fuel and C3 injection for WEP?? This is all very confusing..

Overlag · « **Reply #1 on:** October 20, 2004, 06:53:41 AM »

i think the A8 has more armour and alot more guns/bullets?

all i know is if im buff hunting an A5 will die faster than an A8

MiloMorai · « **Reply #2 on:** October 20, 2004, 07:07:10 AM »

The A series a/c with the BMW801 engine required C3 fuel, not B4 fuel.

The A-6 had a new wing, but was the same as the A-5 except it was strenghtened.

Both the A-8 and D-9 had simular power outputs from their engines.

Wotan · « **Reply #3 on:** October 20, 2004, 07:18:20 AM »

The weight difference between the A-5 and A-8 is considerable if you consider combat weight rather then take off weight.

Take the A-5 up fly to the combat area and you have burned close to 25% fuel. The A-8 has the extra tank so over the sdame flight path you will have more fule weight when you reach combat.

You can reduce much of that weight by taking just 2 x20mm, dumping most if not all of the mg131 and taking 75% fuel instead of 100. The plane will be just as lethal as the A-5 but faster.

When you do this you will notice the A-8 is much less of a 'pig'.

For example in the Big Week event my gruppe of A-8s reduced their weight. We burnt off fuel, some of us took just 2 x 20mm (I did and killed 10 b17s in 4 frames, just stated to demonstate lethality). At 27k we engaged p51bs and killed several and chased the rest away. In the last frame OTD we fought p38s and p47s and scored several victories over each.

This was in AH1 of course but from what I could tell the A-8 is actually better in AH2.

Most people just load up the A-8 without thinking of the weight penalty.

The Aft tank in the A-8 as modelled in AH just holds fuel. C-3 injection is bled directly from the fuel line not from a specific tank. It gets injected into the super charger eye as vapor and then evaporates cooling the charge.

I can't comment on the D-9 since I didn't fly it but a few times in Ah2 but from what I recall it was still a monster and very similiar to Ah1. Just remember the fatser plane will have a wider turning circle. So if 1 A-8s enter a turn 1 at 200mph and 1 at 300 mph the 200mph plane can turn 'tighter'. My point here is the D9 is faster so you maybe turning at a higher speed then you would in the A-8.

You might try some off line comparisons between a lightened A-8 and A-5.

hogenbor · « **Reply #4 on:** October 20, 2004, 07:52:19 AM »

I do feel the same Kweassa. Forgot how nimble the A5 can feel but took one up a few days ago and got two P-51D's during a wild dogfight on the deck. Ran outta fuel though and it doesn't glide that well...

The A8 has always felt like a PIG to me, can't turn, can't loop, can't climb, sucks at altitude. Maybe flying it lighter works as Wotian says.

The D9 feels responsive and powerful but you simply cannot turn the thing. It is of course me but I can't shoot down anything that maneuvers against me.

ra · « **Reply #5 on:** October 20, 2004, 08:03:00 AM »

Even lightened up the A8 is a pig compared to the A5. I always assumed that the A8 had hundreds of pounds of extra armor. Is this not the case?

ra

GRUNHERZ · « **Reply #6 on:** October 20, 2004, 09:50:39 AM »

No its not the case. Only some specially modified heavy bomber killer 190A8 had extra armor around the cockpit. And they often made up a portion of this by removing the entire 13mm cowl MG armament and associated equipment.

Karnak · « **Reply #7 on:** October 20, 2004, 11:26:55 AM »

GRUNHERZ,

Are you sure the 190A-8 in AH is not one of the up armored A-8s? I always thought that it was.

straffo · « **Reply #8 on:** October 20, 2004, 11:42:21 AM »

It's not a 190A-8/R8 it's missing the armored glass on the sides for exemple our 190A8 + 30mm is R2 (if I'm not again lost R# list).

GRUN I though only the G had cowl MG removed ?

Karnak · « **Reply #9 on:** October 20, 2004, 12:14:00 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by straffo
It's not a 190A-8/R8 it's missing the armored glass on the sides for exemple our 190A8 + 30mm is R2 (if I'm not again lost R# list).

Graphically, sure, but graphics don't need to reflect the modeling.

DoKGonZo · « **Reply #10 on:** October 20, 2004, 12:19:35 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by ra
Even lightened up the A8 is a pig compared to the A5. ...
ra

I have to agree.

The D9 is even worse in that the stall onsets so soon - very hard to do vertical moves against close targets when the slightest over-use of the stick sends you spinning out of control.

I usually flip the stall limited back on if I want to fly an A8 or D9.

Funny thing is you look at pictures of the Fw and it's such a small, nifty plane - yet in the game it feels as big as a P47.

Bodhi · « **Reply #11 on:** October 20, 2004, 12:25:45 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by straffo
It's not a 190A-8/R8 it's missing the armored glass on the sides for exemple our 190A8 + 30mm is R2 (if I'm not again lost R# list).

GRUN I though only the G had cowl MG removed ?

You are correct Straffo, the R2 had two wing mounted Mk108.

AKFokerFoder+ · « **Reply #12 on:** October 20, 2004, 01:56:06 PM »

I fly the A8 almost exculsively.

Climbs like a brick, turns like a lumber wagon with flat tires. It feels sluggish in a dive, and level acceleration is pitiful.

It has good (not great) views and awesome firepower. It rolls almost as fast as the Dora. It handles very well at speed, and has lots of fuel. It is tougher than a bus station steak, and will take a lot of punishment. And as a big plus, it has a ENY of 25, so it is usually available.

Flown well, that is; at speed and to optimize it's firepower, it is a trully great ride.

You can take a lot of scalps home in this one, but stay fast, and always have a option to quickly egress should the situation go south.

1K3 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 20, 2004, 02:00:25 PM »

in AH, 190D-9 is a SUPER La-5/7 added with a turbocharger or ram air for hi-alts.

Scrap · « **Reply #14 on:** October 20, 2004, 02:22:17 PM »

I was always under the impression that the A8 was purely an FW designed to attack buffs. Thicker panels, armor tub, large cannon etc etc...