Rooster-
Hang in there! Mastering different techniques for different planes is a part of the enjoyment! Here are some things to consider- including things covered by Sandman and ammo: (I'm assuming you are in an F4U vs. F4U turning fight)
(1) The bogey is nearer corner velocity than you
Sandman pointed this out. Corner speed is the speed at which an aircraft has its best instantaneous turning ability. As ammo pointed out for the F4U it is around 250 kts. According to Badboy, that equates to be about 32 degrees/sec, 600 ft turning radius at max 6G turn. Anywhere above or below this speed, the F4U's turn performance drops off and your rate of turn decreases. In similar planes, just being "slower" doesn't equate to better turn performance. Something else to keep in mind. Corner speed only refers to instantaneous turning ability. Pulling 6G's in a level turn at corner speed is sure to deplete your energy (speed) in a hurry. As ammo pointed out, less energy (speed), less ability to maneuver. Some ways to sustain this turning ability is to perform nose-low turns that let gravity help you maintain a speed near corner speed. This is without detriment since you could rapidly lose altitude if you try and maintain nose-low turns.
(2) The bogey is lead-turning you
As you merge the bogey may have already started into a turn to get angular advantage on you before you've started your turn. If you add the combination of #1 to this, it could be quite devastating in a angles/turn fight.
(3) The bogey (F4U) is using 1 notch of flap
Below 240kts, I believe the F4U can deploy 1 notch of flaps. If you are in a turning fight, this will give the bogey F4U more lift than yours which improves his turn performance he can out turn you.
(4) The bogey is using the vertical / oblique turns
Using oblique turns, the bogey gets an extra assist from gravity to also improve his turn performance at the top of his turn. In the case of similar fighters with co-e & co-alt, the fighter using oblique turns has the advantage of retaining more E as ammo has pointed out, and also the assist of gravity for better turn performance than the fighter that purely turns in the horizontal.
(5) The bogey is flying at the F4U's best sustained turn and bleeding your E
Another possibility is that in a slow-speed fight, the bogey is flying his F4U at it's best sustained turn which is the a continuous turn at which the aircraft loses no speed or altitude. This is similar to the corner speed envelope (best turn rate etc.) except that you can theoritically maintain this turn indefinitely. Based on Badboy's info for an F4U this is a 2.5G turn around 150kts. This might be tempting you to "out-turn" him and get inside his turn only for you to gain angular advantage for an instant and then lose it because you are low on E and therefor lose the turn-rate advantage.
Closing Thoughts
Of course just applying the above doesn't ensure success in an engagement and there are definitely other variables that you should consider as you head into a fight. E.g.:
-using energy tactics vs. angles tactics as ammo says (totally different discussion!)?
-expenditure of energy? - the tighter turning fighter might have gained quick angular advantage only to lose it since it has no E left to do anything else
-1 circle (nose-to-nose turns) or 2 circle (nose-to-tail turns) fight?
[ 06-12-2001: Message edited by: dtango ]
[ 06-12-2001: Message edited by: dtango ]
