Fuel Dump

[4Prop]

I was thinking the same thing but then i realized..

That or fly near base ack in an F4U or P47...  you're guaranteed a main fuel hit.

is very true

[Old Sport]

I argued like you are in the past on these forums and I was proven wrong, maybe I can get Widewing to bring up the references he had earlier. Suffice to say, under most situations, you are correct but sometimes they did take less in combat.

"All available fighter pilots! Man your planes!" boomed the squawk box in Essex' ready room. The ship's radar had detected three large groups of Japanese planes coming in."

"David McCampbell, the CAG and the Navy's most famous living aviator, considered this announcement. Earlier that morning, Admiral Sherman himself had forbidden McCampbell from joining a dawn sortie. Given his responsibilities as Commander of Essex' Air Group and his public prominence as a top ace, McCampbell was too valuable. He decided that he was indeed "available" and headed for his airplane, Minsi III. His plane crew hurried to fuel Minsi III, which had not been scheduled to fly that day. With the Hellcat only partially fueled, the Flight Officer ordered it off the flight deck - either into the air or below to the hangar deck. McCampbell went up, leading Essex's last seven fighters toward the Jap strike force. "

This was the mission where McCampbell downed nine.

http://acepilots.com/usn_mccampbell.html

[SmokinLoon]

"All available fighter pilots! Man your planes!" boomed the squawk box in Essex' ready room. The ship's radar had detected three large groups of Japanese planes coming in."

"David McCampbell, the CAG and the Navy's most famous living aviator, considered this announcement. Earlier that morning, Admiral Sherman himself had forbidden McCampbell from joining a dawn sortie. Given his responsibilities as Commander of Essex' Air Group and his public prominence as a top ace, McCampbell was too valuable. He decided that he was indeed "available" and headed for his airplane, Minsi III. His plane crew hurried to fuel Minsi III, which had not been scheduled to fly that day. With the Hellcat only partially fueled, the Flight Officer ordered it off the flight deck - either into the air or below to the hangar deck. McCampbell went up, leading Essex's last seven fighters toward the Jap strike force. "

This was the mission where McCampbell downed nine.

http://acepilots.com/usn_mccampbell.html

Of course there are exceptions to the rule.  That is the brilliance of local commanders, in this case having 3 groups of incoming Japanese fighters inbound to your fleet and not having the time to load max fuel, mount a DT, sip some coffee, and shake hands is going to be rather apparent.  I'd be curious to know what kind of fuel McCambell had in his F6F when he upped, or even if he had a full load of ammo.  Remember, full flight time is over an hour with %100 fuel and no DT @ full power.

As for the P38's and %25 fuel = 615 lbs... like someone already said that knowing the plane you are in is top priority.  If the dogfight is between two P38's then sure.  But if the dogfight is between a P38 and P47, P40, 190A, Tiff, or other such plane in which the P38 can shine by going vertical, then having a few hundred extra pounds shouldnt make or break your battle especially if all the tricks of the P38 are used.  Vs a 109 or Spit maybe.   

[Delirium]

As for the P38's and %25 fuel = 615 lbs... like someone already said that knowing the plane you are in is top priority.  If the dogfight is between two P38's then sure.  But if the dogfight is between a P38 and P47, P40, 190A, Tiff, or other such plane in which the P38 can shine by going vertical, then having a few hundred extra pounds shouldnt make or break your battle especially if all the tricks of the P38 are used.  Vs a 109 or Spit maybe.   

It must be great that you can choose what particular enemy aircraft you want to fight, you'll always have altitude on your opponent, and you'll have enough speed to go vertical and remain outside guns range.

I tell my P38 students to fight at 50% whenever possible, but then again, I'm clueless when it comes to flying the P38.

[Karnak]

I take 50% in the Mossie, which shaves about 1700lbs off of it.  25% doesn't give enough time and I hate to clutter the airframe with the attachments for anything, even drop tanks.

[FLS]

It's easy enough to fly any aircraft with different fuel amounts and note the difference in stall speeds. The difference in accelerated stall speeds being relevant to combat maneuvering you might note the difference in max G load at 200 mph.

[Ack-Ack]

I tell my P38 students to fight at 50% whenever possible, but then again, I'm clueless when it comes to flying the P38.

I take 75% and a DT in the P-38. 

ack-ack

[kvuo75]

Just about every aircraft just short of GA aircraft have the ability to dump fuel. Even some cesnas have this ability. I sugest doing a little research before posting nonsense

737's dont. a320's dont. md80's dont.

[RTHolmes]

I only ever take a drop tank if Ive got 100% internal, just feels too gamey taking part fuel and a drop tank.

[SmokinLoon]

It must be great that you can choose what particular enemy aircraft you want to fight, you'll always have altitude on your opponent, and you'll have enough speed to go vertical and remain outside guns range.

I tell my P38 students to fight at 50% whenever possible, but then again, I'm clueless when it comes to flying the P38.

You're missing the point, sherlock.  But that is ok.  Move along. 

[fbEagle]

737's dont. a320's dont. md80's dont.

he must have missed the MOST part eh? Brilliant..

[MK-84]

Just about every aircraft just short of GA aircraft have the ability to dump fuel. Even some cesnas have this ability. I sugest doing a little research before posting nonsense

      Perhaps I am wrong.  I was under the assumption that most modern aircraft can not dump fuel.  The response of course was about the wish requesting that our AH aircraft should, which is essentially not possible to my knowledge, and I added that most modern aircraft still can not.
     I did not consider rules of which aircraft are now considered. That was never mentioned.  My bad.
     I looked around to try and find a list of aircraft with this capability, but all I've found is that GA aircraft essentially cant, narrow body aircraft mostly can not, Widebody's mostly? can?, and military aircraft...I'm not certain of.
     I apologize for the lack of research, I assumed, possibly wrongly that this is feature in an aircraft specific to its role, and thus mostly they do not have the ability due to cost, or their intentioned use.
     Since you mentioned me not doing any research, and called me out on it, and you are correct (which I did only a little because I assumed it)  You alluded to you have doing such, I really want to see what you came up with.
 
     

[fbEagle]

I didnt do any research. Im a pilot. Its just something i know. All military aircraft can dump fuel. Newer commercial jets can. And high end ga planes are starting to add this ability