New P-40's

[Krusty]

Was going to add re the flaps used in Aces High. I am all for having the flaps jam in the position they are in if and when the max speed restrictions modelled are exceeded.

The problem with that is people could and would let them jam, knowing once they are jammed they would never retract at higher speeds, allowing them to exploit the game, finish their fight in an unrealistic way, and then fly home for a new plane. Say the jam point is N mph, so the pilot could jam it then keep making wild manuvers in a hairy dogfight at N+100, N+200, even making hard dives and pulling out in the vertical (and with the flaps still "working" would be able to pull major moves).


I'd much rathe the flaps SNAP OFF and disappear, with all additional lift GONE. That way you wouldn't intentionally jam them.

[Bronk]

How do the "new" p-40s compair to the airacobras? When last I played the 40s appeared to be too agile when compared to the 39s. This looks slightly contradictory from what I have read.

[Krusty]

They felt less like a slow spitfire when I tried a couple out offline. The old P-40 would be surprisingly nimble (inaccurately so, I'd argue). I think it's a lot more in-line with historical accounts now. Just a bit more sluggish.

In hindsight that's also how I'd describe the La-7 and N1K2 when they were redone. Just a tad less responsive. Just a tad less capable. Maybe it's such a small margin that it's placebo effect, but that's how it feels to me so far.

[wil3ur]

I've found the P40N to be a particularly lethal GV bomber.  It can get around quick and put 500lbs right where you want it.

[Krusty]

I haven't tried that yet, but since the bombs got removed from my 109E/F, I'm lacking a "cool" jabo. I'll definitely have to try that on the P-40N!

I wonder what climbs faster? 3-bomb P-40N or 3-bomb (and rkt?) P-47?

[SmokinLoon]

The P40N w/ %50 fuel and 3/500 lbs climbs at roughly 1300ft a min at low level, I dont remember if that was with or w/o WEP.  FWIW, the P40N has a major performance boost with WEP at lower altitudes.

Overall, I think the F is my favorite for air to air combat.  The wee bit extra speed is nice.  Im not exactly sure of the slightly heavier weight actually hinders it at all.  Time will tell.

[Krusty]

About that... It doesn't make sense to me. Why should the P-40N have such a difference between mil and WEP?



It's not all that much faster at FTH than the E or F, but its milpower is that much slower! Shouldn't it be more like a P-40E without WEP?

[Tank-Ace]

Not entirely sure on this source I found, but it says the P-40E has 1150, P-40F has 1300, and the P-40N had 1325 (doesn't mention if those numbers are at military power, or WEP).

[Widewing]

Was going to add re the flaps used in Aces High. I am all for having the flaps jam in the position they are in if and when the max speed restrictions modelled are exceeded. Im not a fan of the auto retracting flaps. With that modelled in the game you would quickly find many not dropping flaps all the time every time. Not just for the P-40...for all of them. Players would have to pay attention to IAS and actually be familiar with the various safety settings of the planes. Perhaps have an "ez mode" flight setting similar to auto trim that would enable newbies to fly them and the flaps would only deploy if the gear was lowered. If later they wanted to disable that in settings thats fine but then they are taking that step knowing that if they mess up their flaps will jam.

In terms of the P-40s, if the pilot moves the flap control to "Neutral", as he's supposed to do after lowering them to where he wants them, the flaps will not jam at speeds in excess of the 140 mph. They will simply blow up.

[Squire]

They will simply blow up.

I could see that being a motivator to keep them within parameters. Oh well its a topic that has been driven around before more than a few times on the BBS.