Author Topic: Total newbie here, not sure I'm doing this right (Read 1643 times)

sidneylopsides · « **on:** May 13, 2007, 01:48:43 PM »

Hi guys, I downloaded this game a couple of days ago and have been slowly working out how to play the game, when I first tried it with keyboard controls I had no throttle control, the keys were mapped correctly and everything else seemed to work ok, just couldn't throttle up to take off.
I found my old Wingman Force 3D and set it up, remapped the controls and got myself in the air.
The thing that is confusing me is that I'm not sure the throttle range is right, I've re-calibrated a few times, full throttle on the stick seems to be around 45% in game.
If I start in a fighter it gets in the air ok, it seems to be fine but even leaving it straight and level for a while the speed never increases above just after take off, and I can hardly gain height at all, the alt-x thing does it ok though.
I also seem to be flying on the edge of a stall, any turn causes the stick to rattle and a buzzer to sound, I assume that's a stall warning?
In a large bomber I can only just get off the ground, for example the Lancaster will get off the runway with the flaps down, it only gets to 10m or so in the air and stalls if I try to climb. If I raise the flaps it drops straight out of the sky, speed never gets above 120ish.
The following aircraft always pull up before I can and gain much more altitude at a much great rate of climb than I can hope for!
I've tried looking though the help and around these forums but I haven't found anything, and as I'm totally new I don't know what half of the abbreviations mean

If anyone can help me out it would be fantastic, thanks!

Lusche · « **Reply #1 on:** May 13, 2007, 01:57:57 PM »

Welcome, Sidneylopsides!

There are many issues to cover in your first post. Almost all of them will be covered at the Aces High II Trainer Corps Webpage

As I am short on time right now just one little tip when flying Lancs: Don't take more than 25% fuel, don't take off towards a hill. Retract flaps (hit Q key twice). And let autotakeoff to the initial climbout for you till you gained a few thousand feet.

The Fugitive · « **Reply #2 on:** May 13, 2007, 02:03:14 PM »

These are not jets, you have to give them time to build speed for maneuvering. A bomber for example can take a good 10-15 minutes to build enough level speed to really start pulling up.

When in the air, click the E6B on the clipboard to see your speed in digital form. Easier to read and see whats happening there.

Welcome to AH2 !

Auger · « **Reply #3 on:** May 13, 2007, 03:28:44 PM »

Make sure you are bringing the gear up (I know it's obvious, but I have to point it out). If that's not it, tell us what planes you are flying and what the engine RPM and manifold pressure are at full throttle. Someone will know if the numbers are what they should be.

You can try the + and - keys on the keypad to raise and lower the RPM. The throttle controls manifold pressure.

sidneylopsides · « **Reply #4 on:** May 13, 2007, 03:35:18 PM »

Thanks for the replies guys, dropping the fuel load etc seems to have been it
The only other experience I have is from IL2, the planes on there feel like they have more lift :-/

Dichotomy · « **Reply #5 on:** May 13, 2007, 03:51:53 PM »

as previously stated I'd go to the trainers site first then go over to netaces.org.

Pretty much everything that needs to be covered can be found at one or the other places. Also make sure you calibrate your stick in windows first then in game.

I found out I had been flying at about 90% a month after I got my CH gear.

Good luck and welcome aboard

SgtPappy · « **Reply #6 on:** May 13, 2007, 05:28:28 PM »

If you're good at landing planes in IL-2, landing planes in this game should be no sweat. Btw, don't forget that the auto trim feature in this game lifts your nose up a lot at low speed, doesn't happen in IL-2. Instead, you're pushing your nose forward since elevator trim is set at 'full up' for you. In this game, the auto trim combined with the flaps causes your nose to point skyward as you lurch off the runway. Essentially you're gaining very little speed with flaps uber down so attempt only a max of 30 degrees (3 notches). I find that it helps me get forward speed first by getting my nose pointed downwards a bit, THEN retracting flaps and gear and then climbing at a suitable speed.

ridley1 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 19, 2007, 06:18:58 PM »

if you're using a keyboard, the best way to know if you've got full throttle (well, any controller, actually) is to hit the WEP button (default "P"). If you get a boost in manifold pressure, then you have full throttle mapped correctly.

N.B.: not all aircraft can use Wep...I don't think any bombers have WEP...and some fighters don't. To test your calibration for throttle, use the P40E

sidneylopsides · « **Reply #8 on:** May 20, 2007, 05:58:54 AM »

Thanks guys, I think I'm getting it.
I've been mainly sticking to bombers so far, I can now get a fully loaded Lanc with 100% fuel up without getting near to a stall (the vibrating stick thing).
The trim mentioned seems to be part of it, I have to force it to stay low to pick up speed.
I need to see if I can map turrets to the mouse as I find them really hard to aim with the joystick.

I've got a Logitech Wingman Force 3D, it's cool having the force feedback, but it has a massive loose area in the centre. I've had to adjust for a huge dead zone or the joystick just flops about really and makes fine controls hard.
I'm not sure fighters are a good idea with this stick as I either have over sensitive controls with no spring to them, or a massive deadzone making small adjustments harder. I might get a cheapo stick to compare against.
It also gets itself in a self-righting oscillation if you knock it to hard, swinging side to side until you grab it

Last thing, can you turn off the "don't move your controls so rapidly" thing that reduces your control effects? It keeps happening when I get hit or something as the force feedback makes the stick move quite a bit.

Max · « **Reply #9 on:** May 20, 2007, 07:25:58 AM »

Sidney, two points, if I may.

1. Unless you're planning on flying the width of the map several times, 100% fuel on a Lancaster is overkill.

2. Logitech sticks are notoriously terrible. Saitek makes pretty good low end gear; CH Products is unmatched for the high end stuff.

Good luck!

sidneylopsides · « **Reply #10 on:** May 20, 2007, 07:55:12 AM »

I worked that 100% fuel was pointless straight away, but I still practiced on that, the theory being if I can do a max load ok, I can do anything else every better

I used to have a Saitek ages ago till it broke, and FF tempted me, plus I got it clearance from my old work. The best stick i remember owning was a Thrustmaster Topgun, the old big heavy black thing, really solid. Weigh a ton, my sister still managed to snap it. I got the newer version after that but it was no where near as good. I think I'll save for a good stick, I've been getting into my flight sims more recently.

Thanks for the tips though

I just need to keep practicing, I'm really terrible in a fighter right now.

bozon · « **Reply #11 on:** May 20, 2007, 08:39:29 AM »

As max said, Logitech are terrible and Wingman Force 3D is the worst of them. I had one and gave it away after a few days. I kept stalling with it and I'm not a newbie.

sidneylopsides · « **Reply #12 on:** May 20, 2007, 08:50:00 AM »

I'm going to look for a joystick right now!

Bruv119 · « **Reply #13 on:** May 20, 2007, 08:58:29 AM »

Welcome Sidney,

My squad The Few are made up of Brits. I'm prepared to help new British players with the info needed and to answer any questions.

If you manage to get online in any of the arenas look us up. We usually play for Rooks but I dont mind swapping.

We also have a ventrilo server.

This game is the best online WW2 flight sim hands down so welcome to the addicton.

Bruv
~S~

sidneylopsides · « **Reply #14 on:** May 20, 2007, 12:04:19 PM »

Could only find a cheapo Logitech Attack 3 for £15, but I wanted to see if it was me or the Force 3D so bought it to try. Even though it's a naff stick the basic controls work so much better
I've actually shot something down now! I've taken down a couple of bombers, I've been in a couple of dogfights that came out as a draw. The only problem is this stick has no rubber and landing is really hard with it. I'll find a good stick in the next few days.

edit: anyone know what these are like?

Saitek X52