Author Topic: Climb data (Read 532 times)

Widewing · « **on:** August 16, 2005, 11:24:11 PM »

I ran a few tests to determine time-to-altitude based upon starting at 10,000 feet. Fuel was set at 25-35 minutes at MIL power. Testing was done beginning at 10k, level at 300 mph TAS. WEP and auto-climb was engaged and time to 20,000 feet was recorded. times in minutes:seconds.tenths of seconds. Seven fighters were sampled.

Bf 109G-10: 1:52.03
F4U-4: 1:55.50
SpitXIV: 2:00.92
P-47N: 2:02.61
P-51B: 2:14.28
Fw 190D-9: 2:18.41
P-38J: 2:18.91

I selected 3 of the above to test climb times from 20 to 30k. This will prove significant when TOD gets underway, with high altitude bomber missions, escorts and Luftwaffe interceptors. If the P-47N is substituted for the P-47M, it just might turn up in these missions (woe be unto the Luftwaffe).

P-47N 2:24.37
Bf 109G-10: 2:53.87
P-51B 3:02.04

I suspect that many will be surprised to discover that the P-47N is easily the best climbing fighter in the game (excluding the Me 163) at these altitudes. At 30k the P-47N climbs faster without WEP than the 109G-10 does WITH WEP! Adding to the 109's disadvantage is the fact that the P-47N is about 50 mph faster than the G-10 up that high. Likewise, the P-51B climbs slightly better than the G-10 at 30k, and it notably faster (about 12 mph). The various 190s would be well above their best altitudes and would be easily outclassed by either Mustang. Typical cruise altitudes used by the P-51s doing escort duty varied between 25,000 and 35,000 feet, with the higher being more common than the lower.

Rule number one in an air war: Air battle altitudes are determined by how high the bombers fly. B-17s were usually found at around 27,000 feet, with B-24s usually two or three thousand feet lower.

I suspect that many people will shocked at difficulty associated with high altitude fighting, especially when trying to attack bombers while dealing with the escorts, which will probably be higher than them.

My regards,

Widewing

BUG_EAF322 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 17, 2005, 12:19:17 AM »

Probably a chance of 1 pass.

Trying to catchup would be stupid.

But i like high alt dogfight

U dont see it realy anymore in the MA.
I seldom come above 15K (under cloud deck).

Karnak · « **Reply #2 on:** August 17, 2005, 01:53:51 AM »

If you could, try the Spit XIV from 20k to 30k. It is a high alt tuned fighter as well.

Urchin · « **Reply #3 on:** August 17, 2005, 06:19:49 AM »

Hehe, just a stupid anecdote I always thought was funny.

I read that P-47 pilots said if you met a 190 or 109 at 25k and you wanted to beat them to 30k, dive to 20k and zoom.

FalconSix · « **Reply #4 on:** August 17, 2005, 12:06:01 PM »

When did the P-47M enter service?

Urchin · « **Reply #5 on:** August 17, 2005, 02:54:01 PM »

1945 I believe. Maybe very late in 1944.

Wolfala · « **Reply #6 on:** August 19, 2005, 05:14:10 PM »

Had a fight last night in the 47N between myself and a 51D. I started at 10k, and the 51 came down from 19k - couldnt cut the corner and extended out. I climbed upto 17k, accellerated - and we got into a high speed yo yo which went down to 15k, then back upto 19k, and finally 23k. 23K the 51 was tired, we had a merge in the vertical, both of us had refrained from firing upto this point, a .5 sec burst hit his engine dead square and was disabled h2h, with a 30 * angel offset.

Was the strangest uphill fight i've ever had. And probally a great shock to the 51 driver that a jug could do that to a 51 in the climbing regime.

Wolf

Widewing · « **Reply #7 on:** August 19, 2005, 06:10:32 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by FalconSix
When did the P-47M enter service?

On October 8, 1944 the first production P-47M was test flown. Deliveries to the 8th AF began in December 1944.

My regards,

Widewing