Author Topic: P-51D - Slip Ball (Read 721 times)

Midnight · « **on:** November 22, 2004, 08:22:54 AM »

HTC

We (the 412th) were wondering why the slip ball has been removed from the P-51D. The original P-51D (From AH1) had 2 modelled.. one as an instrument and another right under the gunsight; the current P-51D has none.

We thought that perhaps it was removed to be more 'historical', but without the active K-14 gunsight, the slipball was the only other referance. We understand that the K-14 won't be added, so can we get the slip-ball back as a compromise?

streetstang · « **Reply #1 on:** November 22, 2004, 03:48:47 PM »

People actually use that thing?

Howitzer · « **Reply #2 on:** November 22, 2004, 04:10:40 PM »

I only know of two balls in the planes I fly

hawker238 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 22, 2004, 07:08:02 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Howitzer
I only know of two balls in the planes I fly

The ones in the compass?

Howitzer · « **Reply #4 on:** November 22, 2004, 07:32:19 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by hawker238
The ones in the compass?

Are there others? =-)

plank · « **Reply #5 on:** November 22, 2004, 07:38:30 PM »

The ones with two balls are called mail planes.

Forgive me for the horrible joke.

Midnight · « **Reply #6 on:** November 22, 2004, 08:48:07 PM »

now if we can dispense with the lame jokes...

Heretik · « **Reply #7 on:** November 23, 2004, 02:07:02 PM »

The ball on the Spitfires was removed too. I don't think they're coming back.

GRUNHERZ · « **Reply #8 on:** November 23, 2004, 02:24:26 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Heretik
The balls on the Spitfires was removed too. I don't think they're coming back.

It ever had any?

Wolf14 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 23, 2004, 02:39:06 PM »

What was/ is special about the K-14 from the one we have currently?

What type does the P-51B have?

Thorns · « **Reply #10 on:** November 23, 2004, 09:29:51 PM »

I tape a string to the front of my windscreen...

Thorns

Midnight · « **Reply #11 on:** November 24, 2004, 08:36:45 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Wolf14
What was/ is special about the K-14 from the one we have currently?

What type does the P-51B have?

The actual K-14 gunsight was an active lead computing sight. It had a selector to match to the wingspan of the target (see the one in AHII, it shows 109, 190, 110, etc.) Once the target aircraft was selected, the pilot used a twist on the throttle to adjust the size of the sight ring (a pattern of diamonds) to match the target aircraft. This essentially was marking the range to target. The sight utilized gyros and by using known ballistics of the .50 caliber round, would tell the pilot where to aim in order to hit the target.

This is (sort of) like the lead computing sight that you can use in the TA and the reason that the P-51D does not have it in the MA. The whining would be unstoppable from the players that flew planes with fixed sights.

So back to the slip-ball... it was helpful when lining up deflection shots when the rudder was used to make the angle.

Midnight · « **Reply #12 on:** November 24, 2004, 08:54:57 AM »

Superfly · « **Reply #13 on:** November 24, 2004, 09:59:18 AM »

I'll put the slip ball back on the gunsite for the next patch.

Midnight · « **Reply #14 on:** November 24, 2004, 10:13:19 AM »

Thanks SUPERFLY!