Author Topic: Impressions of the new D-11? (Read 434 times)

Elysian · « **on:** May 29, 2001, 01:55:00 PM »

Hi guys,

I must admit when I'm flying around fast and low in my La-7, I usually shriek with joy at the site of a low p47. But I think that's about to change, these D-11s where making me sweat all weekend! I was doing my usual lazy high yo-yos to get on their tails, when to my surprise they were turning into me and quick enough to get snapshots! 8 50s make for great snapshots as well, they got me quite a few times.

After that I had to take it up a few times myself, I gotta say I like it a lot. It's not such an "air-barge", and still has all that gunnery firepower. What do you all think?

Elysian

SFRT - Frenchy · « **Reply #1 on:** May 29, 2001, 01:59:00 PM »

Any P47 will have a couple of snapshot occasions Vs LA7, especially if they do wide turns.

Now when we start to get slower, below 160 IAS, that's trouble for us in a turnfight on the deck.

As long as the P47 has altitude for turnfighting, it's ok for us.

------------------
Olivier "Frenchy" Raunier

http://www.jump.net/~cs3" TARGET=_blank>63rd FS, 56th FG
"Zemke's Wolfpack"
You may want to fly above this red light, Olivier "Frenchy" Raunier while flight instructing on short final runway 04 KMLB.

[This message has been edited by SFRT - Frenchy (edited 05-29-2001).]

SpitLead · « **Reply #2 on:** May 29, 2001, 02:05:00 PM »

Personally, I was having a hard time with the sort of offset gunsight and the bar across the front. BOTH were affecting my gunnery. That and with the bar interference the icon label would disappear (of course we've seen this before). Also, I don't like the more restricted visibility all around. I've been outflying D-11s over the weekend with the D-30 so I don't see any reason to change.

Lephturn · « **Reply #3 on:** May 29, 2001, 02:10:00 PM »

Love the D11.

Not far off from the D25 I was flying. Visibility is more restricted, but seems a TAD lighter to throw around. Pretty much the same as the other Jugs other than that from what I have seen so far. Fuel state at the time of the fight means more than the difference between models by far.

Low and slow your still dogmeat if the other guy is too smart to overshoot. With some E, the Jug is deadly though. It's a fantastic e fighter, and the D11 is no exception. It takes a lot of punishment, and can survive snapshots pretty well. When I do get a snapshot in, the Jug connects well. I set my convergence all to 250 to make these pay off.

------------------
Sean "Lephturn" Conrad - Aces High Chief Trainer

A proud member of the mighty Flying Pigs
http://www.flyingpigs.com

Check out Lephturn's Aerodrome for AH articles and training info!

Elysian · « **Reply #4 on:** May 29, 2001, 02:14:00 PM »

Interesting info Frenchy, somewhat of a newbie here, I'm sure fighting the true p47 vets is way different from your "average" p47 pilot.

I have to admit though, even in my limited experience I usually have a much easier time getting a guns solution on the other p47s as opposed to the D-11. They seem to have a just that bit of turning edge to really nail that snapshot. Is this only my perception? Or are others noting a marked performance increase in regard to dogfighting ability in this bird?

Thanks for input,

Ely

Elysian · « **Reply #5 on:** May 29, 2001, 02:22:00 PM »

Leph: Yeah, I noticed in flying the D-11 yesterday that snapshots have all of a sudden become a viable tactic for me! And quite fun as well... Since I'm usually flying La7s or Doras my enthusiasm for attempting snapshots was somewhat "dampened". Not so in this bird, zero happened to fly perpendicular through my D-11s sight and I just railed him...

Also, I'm sure you all know this, but I was blown away by the zoom climb yesterday. Did an engine-off dive from about 8k yesterday to release bombs on a hangar. Went as close to the deck as I could go, yanked back on the stick while putting on WEP. Came out at 6k+ with enough speed to maneuver a little bit... Very nice!

Ely

-ammo- · « **Reply #6 on:** May 29, 2001, 05:01:00 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Elysian:
Interesting info Frenchy, somewhat of a newbie here, I'm sure fighting the true p47 vets is way different from your "average" p47 pilot.

I have to admit though, even in my limited experience I usually have a much easier time getting a guns solution on the other p47s as opposed to the D-11. They seem to have a just that bit of turning edge to really nail that snapshot. Is this only my perception? Or are others noting a marked performance increase in regard to dogfighting ability in this bird?

Thanks for input,

Ely

Hiya--

The squad I belong too, the 56th FG flies the p-47's exclusively, well we do get into other stuff but our mainstay is the jug. Now the only real difference i can tell between the D11 and the other 2 is it is much more forgiving at the edge of its stall. Where the D25 and d30 as ithey are at the top of a immel, slow, will wallow and lose alt ...flopping a bit.. the D11 will still allow you to coax its nose around. I see no marked improvement in its cornering ability, rate of climb, roll rate, turn performance..etc.. It is essentially the same P47 in those aspects. And it is hindered quite bad by its views, especially its 6 view. This has gotten folks dead more often than anything else. The 56th however works as a team and we use combat formations and cover our wingy's..essential in this bird.

I will say that i have seen many more D11's than I use to see the other two Jugs, this will account for some of your experiences by the sheer fact that you are seeing more of them.

Good luck when you meet us in the 56th FG in our jugs

we love our jugs

Regurge · « **Reply #7 on:** May 29, 2001, 08:14:00 PM »

I'm really surprised how well the d11 turns. In my first flights I couldnt believe how long i could hold blackout turns before the stall horn came on. It almost felt too good, like when the d30 first came out (compared to the other pre-1.04 planes i mean). I tested offline and it looks to be about 5mph faster too. The only bad point is the resticted view, but its not that big a deal. Hell im usually afk on climbouts anyway.

Just imagine this bird with a paddle prop and overboost. It'd be a hi-alt tempest.

[This message has been edited by Regurge (edited 05-29-2001).]

Lephturn · « **Reply #8 on:** May 30, 2001, 11:09:00 AM »

No, I don't see any real marked difference between the D11 and the other D marks either. As I said above, fuel load at the time of combat makes far more difference than the differences in the models.

Your snapshot abilities come from the great performance of the .50 cals... and it's why I primarily fly .50 cal armed planes. The Jug has 8 of 'em, and that alone puts it way up on my list of planes when i pick. And yeah, it has great zoom climb.

I expect the D11 may be slightly faster due to the fact that it doesn't have any wing pylons. The greater stability you notice at stall is due to the greater side-plate area of the Razorback design compared to the bubble top.

In flight, I can detect almost no difference in performance once I factor fuel load into the equasion. The D25/D30 is just as nimble if you burn your tanks down to very low fuel. I've killed many a Spitfire that didn't think a Jug with a bit of E could "turn" with him in the D25 when low on fuel, and the D11 is no different. The fact that the D11's fuel tank is a bit smaller means it's a tick lighter at a given fuel %, but it's not much.

------------------
Sean "Lephturn" Conrad - Aces High Chief Trainer

A proud member of the mighty Flying Pigs
http://www.flyingpigs.com

Check out Lephturn's Aerodrome for AH articles and training info!

flakbait · « **Reply #9 on:** May 30, 2001, 11:32:00 AM »

Just being weird today.....

65 gallons of AV gas, times 6 pounds a gallon, equals 390 pounds difference at full fuel load. No wing pylons to add weight or drag, plus the increased dorsal area gives extra stability like Leph said.

BTW, I nailed three aircraft this morning flying the D11. Got me a wanna-be yak driver, a D30's wing, and a Spit 5's tail. Much more of this and I'll need a junkyard to hold my trophies!

-----------------------
Flakbait [Delta6]
Delta Six's Flight School
Put the P-61B in Aces High
"With all due respect Chaplian, I don't think God wants to hear from me right now.
I'm gonna go out there and remove one of His creations from this universe.
And when I get back I'm gonna drink a bottle of Scotch like it was Chiggy von
Richthofen's blood and celebrate his death."
Col. McQueen, Space: Above and Beyond

Fatty · « **Reply #10 on:** May 30, 2001, 12:32:00 PM »

I find a huge difference between the 11 and the 25,30. Flaps on a d11 will have a niki augering trying to stay with the turn, and it can accelerate back to speed afterwards, unlike its heavier cousins. If you're used to the d25 or d30, you should be near immortal in the d11.