I'm leaning toward the F6F-5, what are you thoughts?

[frumpus]

I've been experimenting with a lot of the fighter/attack planes and I really like the F6F-5. It's seems pretty maneuverable and carries a pretty good load of arms. I'd like any advice you more experienced guys have on this plane and its strengths, weaknesses and such.

[odin3]

here you go. http://members.shaw.ca/soda_p/F6F5.htm check that site out.. lots of info for you

[Vudak]

This thread would be well worth your reading:

http://forums.hitechcreations.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=185928&highlight=Hellcat

[frumpus]

thanks! both of these resources are great. I started with the hellcat wiki but it didn't seem that useful for AH purposes.

[Soulyss]

Hellcat is a great plane to cut your dogfighting teeth on.  For the very reason that while it's quite capable in that arena, it's also not fast compared to most of the other late war planes which means you're often faced with having to fight your way out.  This means two things;

One, you will initially get shot down, a lot.  Stick with it and try to take something away from each defeat because,

Two, you will learn a lot more flying the hellcat than a plane like the 51 or 190D.   Not that they cannot function as a learning tool, but for most players the ability to put the nose down and run for home becomes irresistible, which is good for the K/D but you don't learn anything from it.  

For dogfighting, whenever possible try to go into the first merge packing at least  250mph whenever possible, 300 is even better.  The hellcat is very maneuverable in that speed range and you should have an edge over most opponents, this is important because against some of the more nimble planes like the spit this advantage starts to fade as the fight gets slower and slower, which it inevitably will.  Also the hellcat can slow down in a hurry which you can use to your advantage to force an overshoot.  

If all else fails, she can take a beating and still keep on flying.

*** These are my recollections of the hellcat, which are mostly from AH1 and early AH2.. I haven't flown it much recently and it has had a few flight model tweaks, I'm sure someone will come along if I've said something false... where's Widewing when you need him. ***

[Saxman]

F6F is also a decent trainer if you ever plan to switch to a REAL plane, like the F4U.

[odin3]

i like the f4u's.. they are easy to shoot down.. but then again, they are moving slow and i'm in a spit or a seafire and they try to out turn me.. and i'm kinda new to this game.

[SkyRock]

Originally posted by odin3
i like the f4u's.. they are easy to shoot down.. but then again, they are moving slow and i'm in a spit or a seafire and they try to out turn me.. and i'm kinda new to this game.

You obviously haven't fought a decent F4U stick then.  I found you last night flying through the crowd HOing everything in sight!  Easy kill you were!:aok

[Speed55]

I agree with skyrock..  

In my opinion, the F4U's in the right hands are the deadliest plane in the game in a 1v1 situation, by far.

[Hazard69]

Originally posted by: Speed55
In my opinion, the F4U's in the right hands are the deadliest plane in the game in a 1v1 situation, by far.

Especially after their new-found turnability.....

[Vudak]

Originally posted by odin3
i like the f4u's.. they are easy to shoot down.. but then again, they are moving slow and i'm in a spit or a seafire and they try to out turn me.. and i'm kinda new to this game.

I had a nice little 2v1 against some Spit 8's last night...  It was a good time, until the surviving one drew very different conclusions than you and ran away

[frumpus]

Originally posted by Vudak
This thread would be well worth your reading:

http://forums.hitechcreations.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=185928&highlight=Hellcat

Wow you people are hardcore! I only understood about 1/3rd of that thread. After flying the F4U around for a bit it really does seem a lot faster so I might be changing my mind.

[Vudak]

Originally posted by frumpus
Wow you people are hardcore! I only understood about 1/3rd of that thread. After flying the F4U around for a bit it really does seem a lot faster so I might be changing my mind.

Yes, it is faster, but the Hellcat has plenty of advantages over it and is an aircraft that is probably better suited for newer players.  

The Corsair can be a real handful to get close to the most out of...  It takes a good deal of balance between joystick and rudder and flaps.  There's a lot to think of all at once and it's not something I'd recommend new guys jump right into.

But gee, some people whine like you've never heard when you pull that off

(I'm just assuming you're new because I'm not familiar with your forum handle yet, no offense if you aren't).

[Patches1]

It's apparent from you post that you haven't flown the F4U over the years.

[Saxman]

Comparing the F6F vs the F4U:

Low speed turn: Slight edge to the F6F, however it's slight enough as to be largely insignificant. The difference is the F4U has the smaller turning circle full flaps, but the F6F a higher turn rate.

Speed: The F4Us have the edge at all altitudes, from slight (F4U-1C/D) to "Eat my dust" (F4U-4).

Vertical performance depends on the Hog. The F4U-1 is notably underpowered in the vertical, and while the A/C/D aren't stellar, they'll generally match up well. As always, the -4 blows the F6F away.

The same holds true for acceleration. The F4U-1's sluggishness is notable, however the A/C/D are more evenly matched. The F6F is toast if it tries to out-drag the -4.

At high speeds the F4Us have the advantage. The Corsair's rate of roll and high-speed turning capability is superior (again, the degree depends on the model). I believe she can also get her flaps out at higher airspeeds, (first notch at 250mph) and as noted in MANY threads, Der Uberflappen are among the best in the game.

Fixed firepower is equivilant, excluding the cannon-armed Charlie. For ground-attack, the F6F carries a heavier load than the 1 and 1A, however the 1Cs cannon help offset the extra pair of rockets on the F6F. The 1D and 4 out-haul the Hellcat slightly, with an extra pair of rockets (the difference would be MORE notable if we had the center pylon w/2000lb bomb + wing pylon 1000lbers + HVARs option on the 1D).

Durability is a tougher question. There's some people (myself included) that believe the F4U has been incorrectly made of glass in some areas (depending on who you ask it's the engine, outer-half of the wing, and rear fuselage). However both generally take a good heavy burst of .50cal to bring down, and can take a couple 20mm shells and keep flying.

The main advantage the F6F has is, as noted, it's more forgiving for newer pilots. Being able to really handle the Corsair slow takes a hot stick, and is more vulnerable in large fights if she's out of speed. Both planes match up very well in a number of areas are are very similar in performance, (which is why the F6F makes such a good bird to learn on if you want to fly the Hog) but assuming equal pilots the edge ultimately goes to the F4U.