Top 5 of Roll Rates?

[Slade]

Guys,

In your opinion, what planes would be in the top 5 for best roll rates in the game?


Thanks,

Slade 

[BaldEagl]

190A-5, 190A-8, 190F-8, 190D-9... see a pattern here?

Finally I'll throw in the clipped wing Spit XVI but that depends on speed.

[Karnak]

Depends on the speed at which you are comparing them.

But generically:

1) Fw190A-5/Fw190A-8/Fw190F-8/Fw190D-9
2) F4U-1/F4U-1A/F4U-1C/F4U-1D/F4U-4
3) Spitfire Mk XVI
4) Ki-84-I?

Not sure after that.

Above 350 or 400mph the P-38L actually has the best roll rate.

[SmokinLoon]

The 190's top the list, but the Spit16 and Ki-45 are very close behind.  The F4U's are surprisingly good as well    though they need more rudder to keep it under control.  As Karnak mentioned at high speeds the P38L gets the nod thanks to hydrolic control surfaces. 

The 109's have the best snap roll. Almost instantaneous.

[Latrobe]

P47 has a pretty good roll rate as well, at higher speeds. 190 is by far the best though.

[Slade]

Thanks all for the posts.  As always these type questions expose flight properties that I did not know or factor in.

I know there are plenty that disagree with this but for me many encounters are determined by single digit (1-9% that is) percentage differences in a plane and tactics, i.e. small things (and multiples of) do factor into success in an encounter. Plus you can never know enough about these planes it seems. 

[Debrody]

At very high speeds, the jug and the 38L are the kings, at medium speeds (200-~400) the 190s and spit16s excels. At very low speeds, i would vote for the ki84, the spit16, or the a6m3, but none of them can snaproll as precisely and smoothly as a late model 109.

[MOSQ]

I kept thinking that I remembered a AH roll rate test list.....and Google is our friend. Back from the depths of January 2002:
http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php?action=printpage;topic=27995.0

Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Aircraft and Vehicles => Topic started by: F4UDOA on January 09, 2002, 11:01:00 AM


Title: Aces High Roll Rates Compared
Post by: F4UDOA on January 09, 2002, 11:01:00 AM
Heya's,

My latest venture in testing. I tested 10 of the top birds in the MA roll rates.

First the test criteria.

Combat trim on
25% fuel
Climb to 6,500FT.
Dive to approx 5,500FT. to gain 300MPH.
Complete three individual timed 360 degree rolls.
Dive to reach 400MPH.
Repeat timed rolls.
Reduce speed to 200MPH.
Repeat timed rolls.
All results are average of three test times.
All test performed in IAS.
All rolls to left except LA-7 to the right.

Results


P-47D-30
200MPH= 5.69
300MPH= 3.90
400MPH= 4.52

P-51D
200MPH= 5.67
300MPH= 3.93
400MPH= 4.62

P-38L
200MPH= 6.97
300MPH= 4.27
400MPH= 3.52

F6F-5
200MPH= 5.47
300MPH= 3.95
400MPH= 4.92

F4U-1D
200MPH= 4.63
300MPH= 3.34
400MPH= 4.01

Spit IX
200MPH= 4.59
300MPH= 4.23
400MPH= 5.78

LA-7
200MPH= 5.01
300MPH= 3.72
400MPH= 4.37

NIK2-J
200MPH= 5.56
300MPH= 4.67
400MPH= 5.93

ME109G-10
200MPH= 5.91
300MPH= 5.24
400MPH= 7.86

FW190D-9
200MPH= 3.6
300MPH= 2.85
400MPH= 4.05

[SmokinLoon]

Why did you rest roll rate in the La7 to the right?  Just curious.   

[--)SF----]

Why did you rest roll rate in the La7 to the right?  Just curious.   

La7 rolls left much, much faster left than right due to engine torque.

[FLS]

Why did you test roll rate in the La7 to the right?  Just curious.   

The prop rotation is opposite the other aircraft.

[Motherland]

The prop rotation is opposite the other aircraft.

The only aircraft that pull to the right instead of the left due to engine torque are the Yaks and the Il2

La7 rolls left much, much faster left than right due to engine torque.

So do the 109s. I think in the 109 it's almost worth it to roll 270* left rather than 90* right. Actually that's most likely an exaggeration but it feels like it sometimes.

[Randy1]

The only aircraft that pull to the right instead of the left due to engine torque are the Yaks and the Il2 . . .

And the Typhoon.

[FLS]

The only aircraft that pull to the right instead of the left due to engine torque are the Yaks and the Il2

You're right I mixed up the Yaks and La7.

And the Typhoon.

And the Spitfire XIV.

[BaDkaRmA158Th]

I find it so ironic the 190 can roll so well, but still turns like a cigar.

Wasn't the 190 on par with the 51's during 43' 44'  down lower?