Author Topic: Very powerful fighters without the dweeb moniker (Read 2948 times)

Saxman · « **Reply #60 on:** March 09, 2007, 09:37:25 AM »

If you're saying the Hog's a newbie plane you are SERIOUSLY mistaken. She can, does and WILL spin without warning, and even after over a year of flying the Corsair here almost exclusively I still have her get out from under me from time to time.

There's some guys in here who can make the F4Us do some absolutely gravity-defying stunts, but you're talking less than 10% of Hog drivers, if THAT. Guaranteed you take a guy who's learned everything about the game from Spitfires or ElGay-7s and stick him in a Hog he's gonna be lost, most likely spending most of his time spinning himself into the ground or getting run down trying to bug out 'cause all of his acceleration has gone buh-bye.

She may not have the challenge of some of the German iron, but she's NOT an easy bird to learn.

Knegel · « **Reply #61 on:** March 09, 2007, 10:48:16 AM »

Hi,

the F4U is one of the most forgiven planes in AH and due to the flaps the plane with the widest range of possibilitys. If you think it have a bad behaviour, try the FW190, P47, P51 or even Tempest, even the SpitIXc stall/spin more dangerus.

With the flaps its one of the best turnfighters and without flaps its one of the fastests and energysaving planes in AH.

The F4U-4 imho is the best plane in AH.

Greetings,

Knegel

Lusche · « **Reply #62 on:** March 09, 2007, 10:50:41 AM »

The F4U, while very capable planes, are among the last rides I would ever recommend a newb to start his AH career in. Definitely no easy rides.

Saxman · « **Reply #63 on:** March 09, 2007, 11:14:04 AM »

The key to the F4U isn't just dumping flaps, it's knowing WHEN to drop them. Kicking a notch of flaps at the right time can haul that nose over just enough to take a shot. Too soon and you'll go too far, too late and you've just bled off a bit more energy and not gained angles.

Also remember that while the Hog has a tight turning circle with full flaps, she's got a slower turn RATE that way. That means if you don't have your shot within the first 1-2 turns you'd better hope there's a friend in the area cause that bad guy's going to circle in behind you.

Stability is also GREATLY reduced near stall stall speeds, especially when attempting turns to the right.

BaldEagl · « **Reply #64 on:** March 09, 2007, 11:19:43 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Lusche
The F4U, while very capable planes, are among the last rides I would ever recommend a newb to start his AH career in. Defenitely no easy rides.

One of my squaddies did just that. He's now a very capable F4U pilot (saw him land 7 in the D model after exiting a furball just last night). I do agree however that it's probably not the 1st plane I'd recommend to a newbie.

That said I've been flying the F4U's more and more lately and they aren't that difficult to fly. While I like the D I find the A easier to fly. The first one I flew was the C which was a great introduction. They are however difficult to land. They have a nasty tendancy to want to ground loop on landing.

Whomever mentioned it above, the FW190's aren't that hard to fly either. They happen to be one of the familys of planes I do the best in but are also one I've spent a lot of time in. Model makes a difference with the 190's. The A8 is my favorite with the D9 second but you have to fly them very differently. I had some trouble getting used to the A5 and I don't know why as it's flight charachteristics aren't a lot different from the A8. I also like the Ta152 a lot which is yet another entirely different beast. With the 190's you just have to remember to limit your turns and never (or at least rarely) take them over the top.

Karnak · « **Reply #65 on:** March 09, 2007, 06:03:32 PM »

Well, my list wasn't meant to be seen as a "what a newbie should fly" list, but rather what an experienced or veteran pilot might want to fly to get almost all of the ease of the top dogs and none of the bad rep for using an easymode fighter.

Brooke · « **Reply #66 on:** March 09, 2007, 08:18:00 PM »

I've been flying the P-38J a lot recently. For me, it is a much harder plane to fly than a P-47 because of its poor roll at some speeds and quick transition to complete control lockup. It probably just has to do with the individual.

(I'd like to be flying the P-38G instead, but I just can't see through the gunsight acceptably -- too dark, as AH has the optional dark glass installed, which is like sunglasses and which wasn't used always.)

Ack-Ack · « **Reply #67 on:** March 09, 2007, 08:33:00 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Brooke
I've been flying the P-38J a lot recently. For me, it is a much harder plane to fly than a P-47 because of its poor roll at some speeds and quick transition to complete control lockup. It probably just has to do with the individual.

Here's a tip that might help you with over speeding. Just ease back on the throttle some (I know you already know this) and just use your rudders to add some extra drag to slow you down. Doing this in a high speed dive, you can keep your plane around the 450-475MPH mark and still retain control without locking up, provided you're below the compressability threshold (below 20,000ft). Although, at those speeds the controls will be sluggish and will take a lot of rudder input for rolls.

ack-ack

BaldEagl · « **Reply #68 on:** March 10, 2007, 12:31:41 AM »

I took the P-38G up for a couple more spins tonight. One misson I was alone in a one on about ten. Stayed alive for several minutes (3-4) and managed one kill.

Later in the evening I tried it again. Up against Spits, NIKs and others. 2 landed kills.

I'm becoming more and more impressed with this thing every time I up in it. For some reason the handling charachteristics really remind me of the Hurri (I or II) which is another of my best planes to fly. I'm sure it doesn't turn quite as well but it's much better going over the top. It seems you have to manage the throttle on the way down though.

Think I found a new one to add to my favorites list.

That said I'm sure my time is going to come where I'm not so lucky in it but for now I'm enjoying it a lot. Maybe when that day comes I'll try one of the others.

Widewing · « **Reply #69 on:** March 10, 2007, 09:18:56 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Saxman
Diving in a 38, even with the dive flaps, is a dicey prospect. Even at reduced power she can accelerate to speeds where elevator authority is close to non-existent.

Most pilots do not realize that the dive recovery flaps (called "speed boards" by the P-38 pilots of the day) only work properly if combat trim is turned off. This is because combat trim attempts to neutralize the pitch-up induced by the speed boards.

With combat trim off and elevator trim neutral, the speed boards will cause a 3g, hands-off pull out.

You can assist this further by rolling in some elevator trim.

My regards,

Widewing

BaldEagl · « **Reply #70 on:** March 10, 2007, 10:24:06 AM »

BTW, Widewing/Krusty,

I finally took the C.205 up again last night. You were right. 375/380ish was all it would do at 15K (hard to tell exactly as speedo is only incremented in 25 mph increments).

Memory must be failing me as I grow older.

Widewing · « **Reply #71 on:** March 10, 2007, 11:26:25 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by BaldEagl
BTW, Widewing/Krusty,

I finally took the C.205 up again last night. You were right. 375/380ish was all it would do at 15K (hard to tell exactly as speedo is only incremented in 25 mph increments).

Memory must be failing me as I grow older.

LOL... I can certainly relate.

Use E6B to get accurate speed readings.

My regards,

Widewing