The Spitfire XIV Q

[Babalonian]

This isn't the first time this has been asked, but it's been a while since I've seen it top-side.


Was there ever a time (or has it ever been considered) that the Spit XIV wasn't perked?  I understand why it was/is perked, but compared to many other non-perked aircraft in the MA... would it actualy be over-used or abused if it didn't have a perk cost but rather a low ENY?  Has this ever been tested, intentionaly or inadvertently?  Contemplated?  Would it be likely over-utilized during the intial change (for whatever reason) _and_ after the dust settles?

As is, it feels highly under-utilised (see: hangar queen), especialy compared to the prevolence of Spit XVIs.  This has been a question on my mind for a few weeks now as there is a Spit XIV that I see frequently now at the air museum I've been volunteering time at recently.

[Karnak]

Spitfire Mk XIV was perked at 60 when first added to AH and it has been gradually reduced to where it is now.  No lowering of it's perk cost has ever had a significant effect on it's usage.

[Babalonian]

True, although I didn't know it was originally 60, yikes.  But I'm specificaly asking about it's complete removal of cost.  That's a different ballgame than simpley a signifigant reduction, or so I would think.

[Vudu15]

I dont think we would see a ton of em all of a sudden.
+1 to unperk it.

[Shane]

I think you would.  The XIV out performs the other spits even at lower alts. While the engine would take getting used to, it's still a spit, yanno? 

I think a low 2-5 perk is about right, but am okay with unperking.

if unperked then the 109k4 needs a look at its eny. the k4 is the 14's nemesis and there's a disconnect with these two planes relative to each other and the rest of the planeset, imho.

[Vudu15]

The 14 is a whole other creature compared to any of the other spits. It takes a fine hand to run a 14 like a 16.

[Babalonian]

I think you would.  The XIV out performs the other spits even at lower alts. While the engine would take getting used to, it's still a spit, yanno? 

I think a low 2-5 perk is about right, but am okay with unperking.

if unperked then the 109k4 needs a look at its eny. the k4 is the 14's nemesis and there's a disconnect with these two planes relative to each other and the rest of the planeset, imho.

I've heard that comparison to the K4 before, that they are nemesis to each other, but you'd never know it in the skies of AH.

[MachFly]

I think it should stay the way it is, it has a well deserved perk value.

[SmokinLoon]

There are a whole bunch of fighters that could stand to use a small perk cost.  I could see why the Spit14 would cost 1 or 2, but not 7 or whatever it is.  At one time, the P47N and Ta162 were perked as well.  HTC woke up.  Sooner or later they will drastically reduce the perk price or remove it all together for the Spit14. 

What I fail to comprehend is how the Spit14 is perked, yet the P51D, Spit16, La7, and possibly a few others are not perked.  Just add up the "good and best" of each plane and tell me which aircraft of the 4 mentioned in this paragraph really out class the others at anything.  Figure out why the Spit14 is perked and let me know.

[Babalonian]

I think it should stay the way it is, it has a well deserved perk value.

Is it truely well deserved though?  Founded, yes.  But why do other planes almost as deserving not have one then?

There are a whole bunch of fighters that could stand to use a small perk cost.  I could see why the Spit14 would cost 1 or 2, but not 7 or whatever it is.  At one time, the P47N and Ta162 were perked as well.  HTC woke up.  Sooner or later they will drastically reduce the perk price or remove it all together for the Spit14. 

What I fail to comprehend is how the Spit14 is perked, yet the P51D, Spit16, La7, and possibly a few others are not perked.  Just add up the "good and best" of each plane and tell me which aircraft of the 4 mentioned in this paragraph really out class the others at anything.  Figure out why the Spit14 is perked and let me know.

That's along the line of the discussion I'm stirring here, it's not a "waaah, I want free Spit XIVs" but "hey, is it really necessary?  it might dilute up the number of Spit 16s you see in a furball.".  If removed would it truely be outclassing many other quite capable late-war era machines?  I personaly don't think so, but thats the debate I'm trying to stir here. 

[MK-84]

Is it truely well deserved though?  Founded, yes.  But why do other planes almost as deserving not have one then?


That's along the line of the discussion I'm stirring here, it's not a "waaah, I want free Spit XIVs" but "hey, is it really necessary?  it might dilute up the number of Spit 16s you see in a furball.".  If removed would it truely be outclassing many other quite capable late-war era machines?  I personaly don't think so, but thats the debate I'm trying to stir here. 

From a perked standpoint, it outclimbs from low to med alt anything else in the game (not 163 duh)  Even a 109k or La7 doesn't quite match it.  The things pure horsepower.

From an unperked standpoint, I do not see many (I DID NOT SAY EVERYONE..so please do not go there) flyers using it any different than spit16  in which case I'd rather imagine they would be in for an unpleasant surprise. 

So I'm on the fence, in the right hands (prolly not mine )  It's a monster of a plane.  But I dont think that alone deserves a perk price, kind of like how I view the Ta152, which used to be perked as well. (also crazy good in the right hands, but not mine...as usual )

[MachFly]

post deleted

[MK-84]

From a perked standpoint, it outclimbs from low to med alt anything else in the game (not 163 duh)  Even a 109k or La7 doesn't quite match it.  The things pure horsepower.

From an unperked standpoint, I do not see many (I DID NOT SAY EVERYONE..so please do not go there) flyers using it any different than spit16  in which case I'd rather imagine they would be in for an unpleasant surprise. 

So I'm on the fence, in the right hands (prolly not mine )  It's a monster of a plane.  But I dont think that alone deserves a perk price, kind of like how I view the Ta152, which used to be perked as well. (also crazy good in the right hands, but not mine...as usual )

I did actually.

[MachFly]

Is it truely well deserved though?  Founded, yes.  But why do other planes almost as deserving not have one then?

Think of it this way, what is the disadvantage of ever Merlin Spitfire? The speed, they are not fast. They climb great, maintain their energy really good, turn great, can out accelerate anything, but all those advantages do not allow it to fly fast. Griffon Spitfires are overpowered so they do not have the speed disadvantage. Granted Spit14 does loose some of it's maneuverability because of the weight but it can still out turn most (if not all) late war righter. It's the best of both worlds.

People just keep thinking that it's some super cool Spit16 and take it into a furball low and slow, then complain that it does not deserve it's perk value. You just got to know what your doing. It is the opposite of a Spit16.

[MachFly]

I did actually.

I read it wrong. Your right then.