Spitfire XIV .... ouch!

[Westy]

".. are you saying that introducing FW190D-9, Spitfires XIV and La-7 should automatically bring P-51H, P-47N, F4U-4 or F8F into the arena?"

 No. I'm discussing the bogus assumption that some people have in that they say the US planes are all 1944 stuff while everyone else has to fly 1942 equipment. These folks conveniently have different criteria as for what makes "their" aircraft 1942 models and what makes the US planes 1944 models.

 I agree that the190-D9, Spit XIV and La-7 should be in the arena now with all the other aircraft we have available. The TA-152, DO-335 and a few other aircraft belong with those other US aircraft up above in a "1945" or 'perk' system.

  -Westy

 

[F4UDOA]

Westy,

Don't waste your time. There is a bizarre alliance on the boards of people that can't remember or choose to forget history.

Juzz,

The first F4U-1A's were in action in the beggining of August 1943 with bubble cockpits and water injection.

Also in July of 1943 the XF4U-3 starts flying, 30 are built and delivered. They have a top speed of 480MPH at 40,000FT.
They were used for high alt testing until 1947 and stricken from the Navy inventory in 1949.

I guess if you want to be picky...

[gatt]

Westy, I agree with you.

F4UDOA, as you can see no one is wasting his time here. Cool down.

[This message has been edited by gatt (edited 12-15-2000).]

[Nath-BDP]

First F4Us were in action during February 1943 with VMF 124, first kill was scored on Feb 14th iirc.

[Westy]

Thanks Gatt.

Nath. What was your point?

-Westy

[F4UDOA]

Gatt,

Sorry about the inflection. There have been some very strange post lately that have getting under my skin. It really wasn't pointed at you    

Nath,

Your right. It was the St.Valentines day massacre. The first kill scored by an F4U was actually a head on collision. So much for HO's not being realistic.


Getting back to topic on the Spit XIV here is a recent article from Air Classics magazine in relation to the Spit XIV's performance.

Quote

"The MOF's Spitfire does not have clipped wing tips and I certainly feel that if I did, several more MPH could be achieved. For all the power in that big Griffon 65 the aircraft is not a particularly good Unlimited racer. It's surprisingly slower than a stock Mustang and as you add more power the coolant doors on the radiators open up and it feels like you accidentally put the flaps down. I raced the plane at METO power, +13/+14lbs of boost at 2600RPM. The aircraft has great visibility which is a plus and the controls are light on pitch but the ailerons really start to stiffen up as the speed increases while the rudder is quite light. Also probably because of the big five-blade prop there is a noticeable gyroscopic effect. In a way the plane is overpowered but it doesn't bleed of speed in a pylon turn. The handling characteristics are much better in the Mk.IX."


[This message has been edited by F4UDOA (edited 12-15-2000).]

[This message has been edited by F4UDOA (edited 12-15-2000).]

[gatt]

Pylon races!
F4UDOA, do you have any data about speed before and after the turns? Or any realated URL?
Cheers,
GATT

[Westy]

Pylon races?    Say "when" !!

-Westy

[gatt]

I'd like to see one, dang  

Hell, what about an AcesHigh Pylon Racing Championship? I mean HTC could use those big beer bottles as pylons ... ahahahaha  

[F4UDOA]

1. They wern't driving them. They were flying them.

2. The pilots that fly in those races have about 10 times more flying experiance than the average WW2 pilot. And some are ex-combat pilots.

3. It's a Spit XIV. Probably in better condition than any in wartime service with better fuel. Also lighter without the guns.
The engine is the same and so is the airframe.

I don't really care what you do with the information. I am just providing it.

[Nashwan]

Westy, all planes have to go through various stages before they enter service. The P51B may have first flown at the end of 42, but it entered service in late 43/early 44. That makes it a 1944 plane, in the same way that the Tempest V is a 44 plane, even though it first flew in Sept 42.
If you want to judge the planes fairly, judge them all by the same criteria. Either first production or entering service are probably the best choice. Which ever way you do it you will find the US planes are almost all a year or 2 later than most of the rest.

[Jekyll]

The problem with any 1944-45 flight sim is this:

By the latter stages of the war, the design of both side's aircraft were focussed on different roles.

Allied aircraft were designed for air superiority - knock down the enemy fighters to allow the buffs to get through.

Axis aircraft were designed to knock down the buffs - heavy armament and less emphasis on pure air-to-air ability.

Which is, IMHO, the main reason that you cannot do simple comparisons on RAF, USAAF, German or Japanese late-war aircraft.

[gatt]

F4UDOA, I'm really interested in pylon races data. It was not a sarcastic reply. Whats the matter with you? If your reply was for someone else, then never mind.

[Karnak]

Good point Jekyll.

Sisu
-Karnak

[RAM]

 

Originally posted by Jekyll:


By the latter stages of the war, the design of both side's aircraft were focussed on different roles.

Allied aircraft were designed for air superiority - knock down the enemy fighters to allow the buffs to get through.

Axis aircraft were designed to knock down the buffs - heavy armament and less emphasis on pure air-to-air ability.

Jekyll...I have to disagree.

I look to a Fw190D9 and I see the (IMO) best pre-1945 all around air superiority aircraft...

-Very fast
-Great visibility (A series canopy had good visibility, but with the bulged hood, the D9 had even better)
-Great high speed maneouverability
-Great roll rate
-Decent acceleration
-Decent climb
-Good range
-Well armed and with good ammo capability
-great zoom
-great dive
-great performance regardless the altitude
etc,etc etc


The only thing it really lacked was turning ability. Other planes were better in certain aspects, as the Spitfire XIV (turning, acceleration, climbrate...), the Tempest (acceleration ,climb,zoom, turn, visibility, weapons...), the P51d (turning ,range,zoom, dive, maybe visibility...), etc...but IMO the D9 was the best all around plane of them.

And it was not a buff killer. Was a pure fighter.
--------------------------------

Karnak...sheesh!!! my post was purely tongue in cheek  



[This message has been edited by RAM (edited 12-15-2000).]