Aircraft Modelling

[Ranger45]

Are the historical differences in performance besides the basic speed, cimb, and turn modeled to any accuracy in AH.

For example do Jugs and P-38s perform better at high altitude than low, do LA-5/7s, Zeros, or P-39s lose performance or maneuverability at high altitudes.  Just curious.

[Motherland]

 Yes.

[Ranger45]

Does anybody know where they got the info from, what source do they use.

[Captfish]

I use these:

http://members.shaw.ca/soda_p/models.htm
http://gonzoville.com/ahcharts/index.php
http://hitechcreations.com/frindex.html

other great sources of information :
http://www.netaces.org/
http://trainers.hitechcreations.com

 

[Ranger45]

Thanks for the info Captfish, but I was looking for the info or data that they modeled the flight carractoristics off of.

[Captfish]

  Ohhhhhh, they try and stick to real world data. Exactly were they get it Im not sure.

[WMLute]

Thanks for the info Captfish, but I was looking for the info or data that they modeled the flight carractoristics off of.

That is, and has been, a fairly closely guarded secret.

I'm doubting HiTech will post it.

[Karnak]

Does anybody know where they got the info from, what source do they use.

They use primary source documents as much as possible.  Their specific resources are secret, though in many cases you can figure it out based on the performance of the aircraft in the game.

I know they also have turned to local players for some information at times.  In the case of the Ki-84 quite a bit of Japanese language documentation was obtained that way.

Here is a source for a lot of primary source documents pertaining to WWII aircraft performance: http://www.wwiiaircraftperformance.org/


BTW, the Zero actually had fairly decent performance at altitude.

[RATTFINK]

Ranger45,

If there is a difference it is very minor, from what I have heard from trainers.  There are some planes that need to be remodeled; but that will be fixed when they get around to it. For the most part, the game is as accurate as they can make it.

I am sure they obtained information from the companies who made the planes, historical data, pilots, books, historians etc., etc.

I do not foresee HT giving out any information on how they design the flight characteristics in this game.

[Ranger45]

Thanks for the replies fella's, I've been ready which gets me to thinking.  You know how it is.

The Zero did have decent high alt performance, but it didn't have a powerfull motor and motors get weaker the higher you go, also it's maneuverability advantage was lessened.

[Karnak]

The Zero did have decent high alt performance, but it didn't have a powerfull motor and motors get weaker the higher you go, also it's maneuverability advantage was lessened.

Yes, but how much weaker it gets depends on the supercharger it had and the gearing for the supercharger.  In the case of the Zero it actually has a critical altitude of over 20,000ft, higher than that of the F4F Wildcat.  Also the Zero's low wing loading helps it maintain agility in the thin air.

As a quick example, look at the performance graphs for the Spitfire LF.Mk VIII and Spitfire F.Mk IX we have in AH.  The Mk VIII's Merlin 66 is actually a bit more powerful than the Mk IX's Merlin 61, but the Mk VIII's supercharger's critical altitude is lower.  What this means is that the Spitfire Mk VIII significantly out performs the Spitfire Mk IX at lower altitudes, but above ~20,000ft the less powerful Mk IX is the superior fighter.

[Angus]

Does our Spit VII have the Merlin 66 or the Merlin 70?
Anyway, at very high alt, the VIII had the benefit of lower wingloading
And then, there were both low and high alt variants. Would perhaps make a possibility in the hangar. Or for sub-variants, since they would look exactly the same, just internal mec settings....just wondering.

[Karnak]

Angus,

Our Spit VIII is a Merlin 66 powered Spitfire LF.Mk VIII.

And as a slightly heavier aircraft on the same wings, why would the Mk VIII's wingloading ever be lower?

[Masherbrum]

I use these:

http://members.shaw.ca/soda_p/models.htm

I'm in tears over the write up on the Ki-61.   I hope some folks actually believe it.   

[Angus]

Angus,

Our Spit VIII is a Merlin 66 powered Spitfire LF.Mk VIII.

And as a slightly heavier aircraft on the same wings, why would the Mk VIII's wingloading ever be lower?

I meant lower than on the Spixteen....the VIII isn't clipped