Spit 14

[Fruda]

I disagree in several respects. I find the Spit XIV's torque issues reduce its agility at all altitudes. I have fought duels against the Spit XIV at 30k with the F4U-4, and it can consistently defeat the Spitfire. Why? Because flap deployment is based upon IAS, not true air speed. Thus, the F4U-4 can deploy two to three notches of flaps at relatively high true air speeds. 400 mph TAS translates into 244 mph IAS at 30k. Therefore, the F4U-4 can deploy flaps at up to 410 mph TAS. Moreover, the Spit can't get slow enough to use its flaps and not fall out of the sky with the slightest g loading. The F4U-4 wins the turning contest hands down at 30k. Acceleration at 27k is a wash, virtually dead even. At 25k, the Spit has a very slight, insignificant edge. While the Spit XIV does climb (steady state) a bit faster at 25k, it's only a 300 fpm advantage. Zoom climb is what counts in a dogfight, and the F4U-4 zooms better at any altitude. Another factor mentioned is torque. Maneuvering at 30k exacerbates the torque issue for the Spitfire. In comparison, the F4U-4 is docile.

Given equal pilots, the F4U-4 will usually beat the Spit XIV at the Spit's best altitude. You might not know that the F4U-4 is 9 mph faster at the Spit's best altitude (453 mph vs 444 mph).

I like the Spitfire Mk. XIV. However, the F4U-4 will beat it where it was designed to perform best. That's one reason why I consider the F4U-4 to be without peer.

My regards,

Widewing

Well, that does make sense. Though the Spitfire XIV, in my opinion, still warrants a perk price due to its performance, even though it's not quite up there with the F4U-4. Even then, its perk price is almost 40 points lower, so it really shouldn't be a big issue.

[Delirium]

First off, comparing the Spi14 to the P38J isn't terribly accurate. For the most part, only vets fly the P38J as the noobs and ground pounders take the L as it can carry more ord and it is a later version in the series.

I think they should drop the perk value on the Spit14 to about the C-hogs, but they need to perk the spit16 as well. I'm convinced the Spit16 has taken the place of the La7 as the most over used aircraft in AH, and the Spit16 is by far a much better ride.

[Fruda]

First off, comparing the Spi14 to the P38J isn't terribly accurate. For the most part, only vets fly the P38J as the noobs and ground pounders take the L as it can carry more ord and it is a later version in the series.

I think they should drop the perk value on the Spit14 to about the C-hogs, but they need to perk the spit16 as well. I'm convinced the Spit16 has taken the place of the La7 as the most over used aircraft in AH, and the Spit16 is by far a much better ride.

I agree with this.

And I knew I remembered you from somewhere, ass.

[Bronk]

Ok I'm out, not interested in throwing direct insults just over spitfires and perk rides. cya.


<S>...-Gixer

Yup you prefer to indirectly insult. Way to go.

[AAolds]

SpitXIV should get the larger drop tank that was available to spits to help make it more perk worthy in comparison to the 16.  I love the spitXIV and Ill fly it perked or not.

[MajIssue]

Ohh you mean where the XIV just starts getting into it's element?

Bronk... Have you ever fought against the Rooks? Hard deck on Rook hops is 20K!

[BaldEagl]

Yup you prefer to indirectly insult. Way to go.

How true.   

[MotorOil1]

The stats really just mean that many people who fly it don't actually know how to use it properly. When you use it the way it's supposed to be used, it's an outright monster, and the perk price is more than reasonable. It's got speed. It's got ridiculous acceleration and climb rate. It turns well. Its aileron performance is excellent. Its guns package is fantastic. It also has decent range, to boot.

It's not meant for low-altitude drudge fights at stall speeds, which is where I almost always encounter them. It's an E fighter through and through, quite evenly matched with the F4U-4 Corsair. And let us not forget that aside from turn rate at low altitude, the XIV outclasses the XVI in every respect (guns package is the same, of course).

That's bang on.  Spit XIV is a monster in the right hands.  The K4 is the only thing that will compete with it, but at altitude the Spit will eat the K4.

[leitwolf]

Keep in mind, the perk system is not about performance, it is to prevent one plane unbalancing the arena.
And the statistics w/respect to the Spit14 are clear: nobody flies it.
A few years back the 262 was free for a few nights. That was unblancing..
All arguments that start with "In the right hands" simply do not take the net effect of the Spitfire XIV in the MA into account: it has none.

Unperk it.

[Tr1gg22]

That's bang on.  Spit XIV is a monster in the right hands.  The K4 is the only thing that will compete with it, but at altitude the Spit will eat the K4.

what??

[Lusche]

Keep in mind, the perk system is not about performance, it is to prevent one plane unbalancing the arena.
And the statistics w/respect to the Spit14 are clear: nobody flies it.
A few years back the 262 was free for a few nights. That was unblancing..
All arguments that start with "In the right hands" simply do not take the net effect of the Spitfire XIV in the MA into account: it has none.

Unperk it.

Watch it, Krusty might see this 

[Masherbrum]

The funny thing is you could un-perk the 14 and it still wouldnt get that much use.

The Spit-16 is the uber-fighter in the game.

spixteens are far from it. 

[AAolds]

I find the SpitXIV to my overall favorite fighter plane.  It has great high performance, a climb rate at 30K that is better than the f4u-4--granted fuel range is pitiful.  It is fast enough to keep in the fight vs LAs, p51s, and 190s, while able to turn well enough versus all others planes to get a break and enough accelleration to make some distance.   The Spit XIV is good at TnB and BnZ IMO, not dominate, but able.  I think in the right hands, the SpitXIV can be a terror.  I have much to learn still about dogfighting and ACMs, but as I make my way. I think the the Spit XIV will be a plane that I'll always enjoy flying even if I dont get into a scrape.

[Karnak]

Odd that you should put it that way AAolds.  The Spitfire Mk XIV is about the only plane in AH I actively dislike "just flying" as it feels like I am fighting it the whole time.  Combat in it is pretty fun though as it is challenging to get the potential out of it.

[AAolds]

I agree the plane can be squirrely at low speed, especially at landing.  Once up high over 15K, at cruising speed it is a dream, very responsive.  I found it to be rather capable in low alt turn fights.  Just dont contnue to keep turning, at some point break get some distance and use that speed and climb rate.