Originally posted by Yeager
Not every fighter suffers a drag penalty from fuel and bomb pylons. P-38s, P-47s, and P-51s do not as they are standard equipment, already factored into their basic drag model.
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Where did you get this info? At least as it relates to how HTC designed the P-38, P47, and P51 flight models with regards to the underwing stores pylons .
Thanks
I believe that Pyro has discussed this in the past. However, the easiest way to determine if there are drag increases is to actually test the aircraft.
Take any model P-47, P-51, P-38 or the F4U-1D. Load bombs, or fuel tanks, or a combination where allowed. Take off, and pitch off all of the external stores. Now, do a max speed run (MIL power till it maxs out, then WEP). Record the maximum speed attained. Repeat the test, but don't take any ordnance or fuel tanks. Record the maximum speed. You will see that it is exactly the same.
This exists because the pylons are standard equipment, not add-on racks. Thus, they are factored into the basic drag model.
Do the same testing with the F4U-1A or an Fw 190A-5 and you'll see about a 6 mph loss of speed compared to clean. These racks were add-on equipment, not factored into the basic drag model.
Moreover, the racks cannot be jettisoned.
This is why the F4U-1 is faster than the F4U-1D... It's cleaner, not having pylons as standard equipment. However, add a bomb or drop tank to the -1 and after its dropped, you'll find it no longer has a speed advantage over the -1D.
There is actual, real world test data of P-51s with and without the pylons. Naturally, it's faster without them. However, I cannot think of one instance where P-51s flew in combat with the pylons removed. I'm sure HTC investigated that too. Therefore, you cannot omit them in the game.
My regards,
Widewing