Originally posted by OOZ662
http://www.gonzoville.com/ahcharts/index.php?p1=p47d11&p2=p47d25&p3=p47d40&p4=p47n
Okay, here's actual test data on the four P-47s. All planes flying with 25% fuel, zero burn. Each armed with 8 guns, but the standard ammo load of 267 rounds per gun (as actually used for most WWII missions), not the max load. This is what I fly with 90% of the time.
Acceleration, 150 mph to 200 mph at 100 feet ASL. Measured in seconds.
P-47D-11: 11.09
P-47D-25: 10.83
P-47D-40: 10.12
P-47N: 10.44
Acceleration, 150 mph to 300 mph at 100 feet ASL. Measured in seconds.
Drag is a bigger factor in this test.
P-47D-11: 54.84
P-47D-25: 55.27
P-47D-40: 51.66
P-47N: 45.68
Max speed at sea level, MIL power.
P-47D-11: 335 mph
P-47D-25: 332 mph
P-47D-40: 333 mph
P-47N: 329 mph
Max speed at sea level, Combat Power (WEP).
P-47D-11: 345 mph
P-47D-25: 343 mph
P-47D-40: 344 mph
P-47N: 367 mph
Max speed at 30,000 feet., Combat Power (WEP).
P-47D-11: 436 mph
P-47D-25: 434 mph
P-47D-40: 438 mph
P-47N: 476 mph
Time to climb to 10,000 feet, beginning at 150 mph, measured in minutes:seconds.hundredths of seconds.
P-47D-11: 3:07.02
P-47D-25: 2:57.40
P-47D-40: 2:44.10
P-47N: 2:50.06
As a side note, at 40,000 feet, the P-47N can attain 455 mph.
At 30,000 feet and above, the P-47s are superb. The P-47N is faster at 40k than the Bf 109K-4 is at its best altitude, which is just 22k. It's important to remember that at high altitude, maneuverability is almost totally dependent upon reserve horsepower. Up there, your indicated airspeed is the one thing you must watch carefully. For example, at 32,000 feet, the Fw 190A-8 can barely do 210 mph IAS. That's not very fast and the 190A series were not good performers up that high. However, it is vital to understand that when turning at just 2g, the 190A-8 will stall at 170 mph IAS. Think about that; max speed and stall speed are separated by just 40 mph IAS. There's little margin for error when flying the 190A-8 up high. In contrast, the P-47D-40 can attain 260 mph IAS at 32k, giving it a huge advantage in maneuverability as it has the power to turn at 4g and not lose altitude or risk a stall and subsequent spin. You should also note that the P-47D-40 climbs 3 times faster than the 190A-8 at 32k.
So, you may ask, "why this is significant?" When Combat Tour debuts, the first tour will be ETO based. This means that the Luftwaffe will be defending against Allied heavy bombers. The B-24s typically flew between 24k and 26k, with the B-17s often flying higher, up to 28k. Escort fighters will be well above the bombers, at least as high as 30k, and often higher. Thus, fighter vs fighter combat will begin at very high altitudes. So, while not significant to MA combat, high altitude combat will very much be the standard fare in Combat Tour.
Anyone who intends to fly Combat Tour should start practicing high alt combat now. Load the TA map for offline play. Fly from one of the two 30k bases (launch on the NE runway, as the others spawn as air starts at various locations). Climb out and attack the drones. You will find this very challenging to accomplish. Thus, you will experience that high alt combat is very different from furballing down low.
The Aces High Trainers will holding high alt combat clinics at least once a month until CT debuts, and probably after too. Our first clinic will be held on Friday, March 16 at 9 PM Eastern in the Training Arena. Take advantage of this opportunity to get some experience before CT is released.
My regards,
Widewing
