Design your own airplane contest

[Sol75]

Ever wish that pony had Hispano's? or the zeke was a little faster? Here is your chance!
Use your favorite sim with self-design capabilities (Xplane, MSFS, etc) to build your dream WW2 plane.

Rules:

1. Aircraft must be built using parts and technology available in the 1940-1944 time period (44 so that the aircraft has time to actually see combat)

2. Aircraft must be designed so service would be easy for ground crews.  Remember this is a COMBAT Aircraft, so you can expect battle damage, etc.

3. Aircraft must have accurate weight.  This CAN be an estimate but must be based upon, and backed up by, research documents  on aircraft of similar design and performance capabilites.

4. Aircraft must be constructed of materials available during the time period stated above.  that means NO composites, etc.

5. Aircraft must be fighter-centric, but with a secondary air to ground role.  Must be able to carry at least 1500 lbs external ordinance.

6. Aircraft must have a minimum of a 30 minute "range"

7. Aircraft is to be a single seat.

Flight Test:

I am listing here the performance data upon which the aircraft will be judged.  If Widewing or one of our other "flight test" gurus could chime in on the methods of performing these tests, and/or any additional tests that would be desireable, that would be outstanding.

1. Max Level Speed

2. Max Endurance Speed

3. Range (combat radius)

4. Roll Rate @ 75% max speed (degrees per second)

5. Turn radius @ best corner speed

6. Turn Rate @ best corner speed

7. E-retention during zoom climb

8. CLimb Rate

9. Max attainable speed in dive with no compressability issues.

again, ill be glad to entertain thoughts on other flight tests needed, though I reserve the right to apporve or disaprove suggestions.

You are encouraged to reply with additional rules if you think of any, this is jsut a preliminary draft.  I will update this post with rules as they are added/decided upon.  Keep in mind, this is my idea, so I reserve the right for final judgement on any proposed rulemaking.

Aircraft will be judged in 2 categories.
1. Pure Performance
2. Appearance (as we all know as airplane buffs, appearance counts for a lot! )
 
Prizes? No clue.  Maybe just bragging rights? maybe someone has some other idea?

Sol

[macerxgp]

What the hell?

[Sol75]

based on a previous post.  Thought it sounded like fun.

[Yossarian]

How can I build planes for MSFS?  I'm feeling particularly bored right now, and I don't really want to do my Physics homework, so I'll try it if someone gives me a few pointers in the right direction 

[Sol75]

Honeslty, with MSFS, I have no idea, I jsut know that people do so.  I personally use Xplane 9 for my designing entertainment.

[macerxgp]

Xplane 9?

Sounds distracting. Tell me more.


EDIT: I checked it out, sounds awesome, absolutely perfect for my fledgling RC hobby for designing custom planes. I just don't have the money on hand to buy it >:\

[BnZs]

Here are some things to consider:

Fuselage coefficient of drag. In X-plane, if I remember correctly, you simply set this number and the program calculates fuselage drag from the frontal area. So you can set it to zero, for instance. To keep things honest, you might just want to set this as a reasonable standard number for everyone. Perhaps a slightly higher number for radial vs. in-line engines.

Control surfaces-Unless the latest versions of X-Plane have changed it, it is pretty hard/impossible to simulate control surface forces in X-plane. The result being, you could say make your ailerons as large as you want, never minding the fact that a real pilot sans hydraulic boost couldn't budge them at speed. So that is something to consider as well.

[vonKrimm]

 

what? have we run out of real planes to addd for AH already? 


seriously, i think i will give this a try

[RAM]

5. Aircraft must be fighter-centric, but with a secondary air to ground role.  Must be able to carry at least 1500 lbs external ordinance.

That's a bit steep of a requirement...granted, most american fighters could load a couple 1000-pounders or more, but most other fighters of WW2 barely could attach 500 pounds of bombs...much less 1500lbs.
You've completely wiped out Spitfire, soviet fighters, Fw190s (well, some of those could take 1400kg of bombs, but with special kits only) or Bf109-alike models out of the contest just with that requirement;).

I'd drop that requirement down to 1000lbs, but that's just my opinion .

[Charge]

F8F Bearcat?

Maybe the guns could be better and more bomb carrying capability but its a very good platform.

-C+

[Wingnutt]

a hispano with a propeller, there what do I win.