Speeds for revised and new P-40s

[Widewing]

I didn't have a great deal of time to test these like I prefer, so I concentrated on recording speeds at several different altitudes. I also didn't get to fully test the revised P-40E. Note that the E model no longer has a WEP setting (which is correct).

P-40C (formally the P-40B)
SL: 287 mph (10 mph faster than the previous P-40B)
5k: 306 mph
10k: 326 mph (13 mph faster than the previous P-40B)
12k: 334 mph
15k: 345 mph (11 mph faster than the previous P-40B)

P-40E
SL: 301 mph (2 mph faster than the previous P-40E)
12k: 347 mph (speed unchanged from previous P-40E)

P-40F
SL: 305 mph
5k: 326 mph
10k: 346 mph
12k: 353 mph
15k: 355 mph
18k: 358 mph

P-40N
SL: 314 mph
5k: 336 mph
10k: 353 mph
13k: 334 mph*
15k: 342 mph
* This is an oddity, and not consistent with the expected power curve for a single-stage, single-speed supercharged Allison.

I'll try to get a more definitive speed curve on each in the short term future.

Note that the P-40N is the fastest of the lot at or below 10k. The Packard-Merlin powered P-40F is the fastest from 15k upward. The improvements to the P-40C are significant, and make it a bit more effective and somewhat more survivable. Adding a 500 lb bomb or drop tank (as the P-40C/Tomahawk IIC was able carry), adds some flexibility.

[Babalonian]

Didn't they remove WEP from the E?  Shouldn't that of brought it's overall maximum potential power rating (non-WEPed) in the game up, even just a tad at 12k?   

[Karnak]

Odd that the 13k oddity does not show up on the WEP chart from HTC:


I wonder if there is a bug in the MIL performance?

[Squire]

WW check again. I got 350 TAS at 13k with WEP sustained in the P-40N. Maybe you accidentally had it in MIL? 

[Widewing]

WW check again. I got 350 TAS at 13k with WEP sustained in the P-40N. Maybe you accidentally had it in MIL? 

I believe you are correct.. My P-40N must have been out of WEP when I returned to the computer and recorded the speed.

Here's the corrected speeds:

P-40N
SL: 314 mph
5k: 336 mph
10k: 353 mph (354 mph with 4 gun option)
13k: 350 mph (351 mph with 4 gun option)
15k: 342 mph

[gyrene81]

would be nice to know exactly which varients of the p-40's are modelled in ah...different production stages had different specs.

judging from those speeds we don't have the n-1-cu
http://www.p40warhawk.com/Variants/P-40N.htm

http://www.raafwarbirds.org.au/targetvraaf/p40_archive/p40_data.htm

the speeds on the f seem a bit off too...

http://www.p40warhawk.com/Variants/P-40F.htm

http://www.raafwarbirds.org.au/targetvraaf/p40_archive/pdfs/P40s%20compared.pdf

of course all that stuff could be off as well, always some variations shown between data sources...ya just never know.

[DMVIAGRA]

Wait they removed the WEP from the P-40E? 

That was going to be my bird when I came back later this year, ahh that hurts! 

I hope the new P-40s have the same load out of the E and is a tad faster or more, or else I'll just go back to the P-47D25.....

[Widewing]

I'm leaning towards the P-40N-5-CU...

As to the P-40F... Variations in performance from test to test were commonplace. For example, the Navy listed the maximum speed of the F6F-5 at 376 mph... However, Grumman and TAIC tests clearly demonstrate that the F6F-5 could handily exceed 400 mph in WEP and around 385 mph in MIL power. In Aces High, the F6F-5 does 384 mph at its best altitude, but that is much higher than most fly in the game. Thus, the impact on the game is virtually nil.

Last evening Gnat and I played rat race in P-40Ns in the TA.. I hadn't flown the P-40s in combat since the update, and I found that they are very prone to snap rolls if the pilot is heavy handed. Flaps are useless in a dogfight, so it's a mistake to use them for anything other than tightening up coming over the top of vertical maneuver. It took me about 10 minutes to get a good feel for the P-40s, and still I had to counter the occasional tendency to snap roll. However, the P-40C is a vast improvement over the P-40B and the P-40N can, if flown carefully, threaten many fighters deemed more maneuverable. The P-40C will out-turn (flat turn on the deck) all of the other P-40s with relative ease. The biggest handicap for any P-40 is that they will begin many fights at a significant E disadvantage.

[DMVIAGRA]

I'm leaning towards the P-40N-5-CU...

As to the P-40F... Variations in performance from test to test were commonplace. For example, the Navy listed the maximum speed of the F6F-5 at 376 mph... However, Grumman and TAIC tests clearly demonstrate that the F6F-5 could handily exceed 400 mph in WEP and around 385 mph in MIL power. In Aces High, the F6F-5 does 384 mph at its best altitude, but that is much higher than most fly in the game. Thus, the impact on the game is virtually nil.

Last evening Gnat and I played rat race in P-40Ns in the TA.. I hadn't flown the P-40s in combat since the update, and I found that they are very prone to snap rolls if the pilot is heavy handed. Flaps are useless in a dogfight, so it's a mistake to use them for anything other than tightening up coming over the top of vertical maneuver. It took me about 10 minutes to get a good feel for the P-40s, and still I had to counter the occasional tendency to snap roll. However, the P-40C is a vast improvement over the P-40B and the P-40N can, if flown carefully, threaten many fighters deemed more maneuverable. The P-40C will out-turn (flat turn on the deck) all of the other P-40s with relative ease. The biggest handicap for any P-40 is that they will begin many fights at a significant E disadvantage.

Well what the amrament? Six .50s on the N and F or what?

[Widewing]

Well what the amrament? Six .50s on the N and F or what?

You can choose 4 or 6, and select the ammo count as well. Going with 4 guns reduces weight, and therefore improves overall performance a small amount. The downside is reduced hitting power.

[Widewing]

I found another interesting thing about the P-40N...

Last night, I was flying a P-40N and was returning to base. I had to leave the computer for a while and set the P-40 on auto-level. My time AFK went much longer than I expected. When I finally got back to the game, I was fully expecting to find myself in the tower after the low-gas P-40 crashed. Except, it didn't crash. the P-40 bellied in a sector beyond the base, within sight of another friendly base.  

[Owlblink]

Hmmm, must have good glide characteristics, or your trim was just right. Wonder if this could happen with many other planes.