Plane Stats

[BaldEagl]

Lately I've been seeing more and more plane performance statistics being posted in several of the forums in different contexts, usually as an example of why one plane is supposedly better than another.

While it's interesting to make such comparisons academically, unless the disparity is large there's little use for it in the context of an engagement.

I never go into a fight thinking "I'm 4 mph slower at 6.5K" or "My climb rate is 300 ft./min better at 10K".  I've got a lot more to think about than that.  E states throw those stats right out the window and engaging multiple cons of differing airframes make them irrelevant.

Oh sure, it's good to know if you're going up against a fast plane or a turny plane, a good diver or a good climber but beyond those broad generalities there's not much else to worry about except the opposing pilot.  Some pilots can wring every bit of performance from their plane, others not so much.

Now, if we could accurately rate each pilot across statistical categories and ID them in combat then we'd have something.  While the plane stats are interesting trivia it's the pilot, not the plane that you're fighting.

[Lusche]

  While the plane stats are interesting trivia it's the pilot, not the plane that you're fighting.

You are fighting both.

And I wouldn't exactly call plane stats "trivia"... it's just that sometimes the difference between two planes performance's can be trivial. But like anywhere else, knowledge is power 

[deadstikmac]

Knowing the rate of climb the Ki84 has from sea level to 10k (4k a minute untill 5 thousand ft then it drops off steeply)

Does make a difference knowing that when fighting in a Ki and against one...... As a quick example. 


Lusche nailed it. Knowledge is power! 

[SmokinLoon]

I agree.  KNOWING what a plane can do well, vs average, vs below par is just as important as who is flying it. 

Little things like knowing that a zeke starts to stiffin' up at 375 TAS, or that 109's have a horrible view over the nose, or that Spitfire's do not pull out of a low speed dive well, or that the Typhoon and Tempest are greatly handicapped while rolling/turning LEFT, etc, etc, all mean something.  Taking an La7, Spit16, or P51D time after time and not learning and enjoying the rest of what is available is sad, really.  Flying and learning the different aircraft is what makes AH fun, at least for me.