Originally posted by Oldman731
On the other hand, the "real data" is also not necessarily accurate. Most of it was acquired by test pilots putting an aircraft through its paces; it is therefore only as accurate as the pilot was that day. You only have to peruse these boards to see wild variations in the "real data" for any given plane (although the 109, FW, Hellcat and Corsair seem to be the most prominent examples).
I think it is very unwise to ignore or dismiss anecdotal evidence, simply because it conflicts with test pilot data.
- oldman
Hi,
all aspects can be wrong or missleading. Test datas, pilot experiences, same like very nice looking calculations are not that much worth, if we dont know the background datas and of course it can all be very helpfull, if we know the exact circumstances where the tests, calculations and experiences was made in.
Even if we would have some real WWII fighters to test them, there always would be differents between planes of the same plane type, we even would get different results caused by the temperature and pilot.
In real life there is no 109G6 with exact this or that Vmax or climbspeed, like we have it in our games(actually even in game the pilot make a big different while testing the Vmax and specialy climb/turn ratio).
The best we can try to do is to minimize the 'greyzone of realism'.
We can say a Me109G14 had a Vmax of 400-420mph, maybe, after many more researches, we can minimize the greyzone to 405-415mph or what ever.
Regarding other values, like turn radius, climb rate, acceleration etc, the greyzone of realism will stay pretty wide.
Actually i count this as luck for the FM/DM makers, cause they can use this greyzone to adjust the performence relation to provide a good gameplay, without to get unrealistic.
As long as the performences stay inside the 'greyzone of realism' and provide a good even gameplay, we should be happy.
Imho AH is not bad regarding this, though not perfect!
btw. i dont think that the basic performences are that important at all.
A FM/Dm maker can create a plane that is faster than all others, climb better, accelerate better, but bleed energy like mad while a highspeed turn, so the other planes only need to turn a bit to gain all advantages.
Or a plane simply get a unrealistic high or low drag above Vmax.
Or one plane get a very ugly stallbehaviour, as result although its possible to turn more tight with this plane, only aces can do this under presure of a combat. Or make a very good performing plane to a unstable gunplattform, then the performence isnt that much worth(and the other way around).
Greetings, Knegel
