Did some testing to see which was the best climber from a standing start on the runway to 20,000FT. Gives a pretty good indication of best sustained climbers in the game. Some suprises but not many. Didn't test them all but got enough for a pretty good idea.
Test conditions: 50% fuel, full ammo, no external ord. or DT's. Standing start on runway, apply full throttle, start stopwatch, hit WEP. Auto takeoff and climb.
Best to worst.
1.ME109-G10 5.02<==In a class by itself.
2.FW190D9 5.55<== Second best. Surprising to me considering it should have a pretty long takeoff run.
3.SpitIX 6.02 Is there any question why this bird see's so much use in the MA? From a standing start no less? And I here people compain it is under modeled? WTF? What is this thing supposed to reach 20K in?
4.Tempest 6.17<==Surpised it did not do better considering rocket like climb under 10K. Really drops off above 15K.
5. F4U-4 6.18<==Not that great under 10K but holds up well at higher alt where Tempest and La-7 start to slow.
6. TIE 6.19
La-7<==Rocket to 10K with G10 and D9, slows to 20K.
P-38L<==Starting to think it should be perked. Excellent the whole way up. In some pretty elite company. As easy as it gains alt you should never see it under 10K.
8. NIK2 6.55<==Really drops off over 15K. If you see one up there he's probably shouting "kill me, kill me".
9.F6F-5 6.56<==A NIK2 in sheeps clothes. Does everything a George can do and more. Very underrated A/C in AH. Cannon Bias is only thing keeping it from dominating low alt combat in AH.
10.P-51D 7.19<==Just shows what speed and tactics can do in the right A/C. Actually a good climber 5K to 15K and steady if unspectacular up high.
11. F4U-1D 7.23<==Can you say, keep it fast? A good zoomer and a better sustained climber than the NIK2 above 15K.
12. ME-262 7.28<==When your climing at 380MPH does it make any differance?
13. F4U-1 8.29<==Fast, turns and rolls well. Ehh did I mention it's fast?
Note: All American and British A/C ran out of WEP in exactly 5min. Gave it one min to cool and engaged it again. lasted 30seconds. German A/C IE. G10 and 190D9 did not run out of WEP adding to there impressive results.
Did not test any others for now. Will do the P-47 series for kicks and post soon. Hope to do sea level acceleration test and post them as well.
Later<S>