Originally posted by Krusty
E-4 has 10 minutes of WEP, as do all 109 variants. The only thing to have less than 5 minutes of WEP in aces high is the Ki84 (I believe it has 3 mins)
I just tested it and actually we’re both wrong. I seem to remember a 3 minute WEP in AH1, but I guess HTC upped the WEP time to 5 minutes in AH2 (which I think is generous). Still that is half the time of the other 109’s, and going flat out you’ll still only be 3 mph faster than an A6M5 on the deck. A6M5 also being better in all other regimes of flight and range and guns. The Frank I believe has a 1 minute WEP.
Originally posted by Krusty
The F-4 cannot out turn a spit16 if flaps are up. If flaps are used it still has serious drawbacks, and only turns 12 feet tighter (almost identical). It can out turn an la7 if no flaps are used, but again is almost equal if full flaps are used.
You have to use flaps when stall-fighting 109’s. Not using them makes no sense. Spitfires rarely use flaps though, nor do La-7’s, but
when you meet that lone Spit or La with a good stick the F-4 will allow you to prevail with relative ease, while the G-2 needs a better pilot to even out the Spit’s advantages. Not needing a better pilot makes the F-4 the better plane IMHO.
Originally posted by Krusty
Don't get me wrong, I do think the 109F4 has a better turn capability, but not because it out-turns 2 specific planes. Plus, most fights aren't simply just low-speed stall fights (so pure turning radius isn't the only factor).
Both the 109F-4 and G-2 are very good fighters. Relative performance is what matters and comparing the 109’s to the two most prolific and dangerous opponents in the LW arenas is IMHO the only sound way of measuring performance. If you fly either the F-4 or the G-2 you have to fight yourself out of trouble, you can’t run. That means that you will eventually find yourself on the deck with one or more opponents trying to stop you from disengaging. The F-4 has proven itself to me time and time again is such situations, the low speed stability and turning capabilities are astounding.
Originally posted by Krusty
For me it's a toss up for the F-4 and G-2 when you want a better turning 109. The extra horsepower really helps the G-2, even if it's just hauling its own arse around in a circle. On the other hand it doesn't lose much turn radius over the F-4. It depends on if you want just a little more turn or just a little more horsepower. IMO both are better turn fighters than their later brothers.
As I said earlier
relative performance is the important statistic. The G-2 gains 8 mph on the deck over the F-4, but in reality it gains
nothing. It is still slower than the Spit, and the Spit still out-accelerates it, and the Spit’s pilot will still not let you go as long as he sees that nice “–“ symbol telling him he’s closing on you. You’ll end up having to turn at some point and engage a superior climbing, accelerating and turning plane. The F-4 allows you to engage with only two of those disadvantages and the F-4’s strength (turning) plays well into the common Spit pilot’s turn and burn style of combat allowing you to negate his other advantages. Good sticks in La-7 loves to saddle up on you. The 109F-4 allows you to deny the La that opportunity, while the G-2 does not. E fighting an La is nearly impossible in both 109’s given the La’s massive advantages in all regimes of flight (assuming a competent La pilot), and stall-fighting an La is very dangerous even in the F-4 if the La pilot knows how to use the throttle and flaps. As with the Spit; a 109F-4 will win a turn fight given equal and competent pilots, the G-2 will not. That said
all non-perked rides are at a serious disadvantage against the La-7, its performance is utterly amazing.
1K3 … leave my F-4 alone you little… or else!
