The fastest planes at 30k

[Megalodon]

Of the above, production of Ta 152's was miniscule, and there were only about 550 Spit 14's made that weren't recon models.

Funny thing is the Ta 152 was never used for what it was built for and never made it to 30K in combat. If memory serves me right only 1 flight of the JG301 where they were climbing out to intercept bombers and were repelled at about 26k by there own 109's.

The 152 is really an enigma in the game. Its here in the game but never used as intended in the war. Prolly the only bird with such a distinction in the game.


 

[Karnak]

Of the above, production of Ta 152's was miniscule, and there were only about 550 Spit 14's made that weren't recon models.

All of the FR Spit XIVs retained the 20mm cannons and machine guns though.  They weren't full unarmed PR aircraft.  That makes the Spit XIV total 957.

The Merlin 61 Spit IX total was about 300.  There were additional F.Mk IXs with the Merlin 63 and about 1000-1500 HF.Mk IXs with the even higher blown Merlin 70.

[drgondog]

I was looking at speeds of aircraft at 30k altitude.  The aircraft order (with WEP on) is, not too surprisingly:

P-47M, 465
P-47N, 465
Ta 152, 455
Spit 14, 440
P-51B, 440
F4U-4, 440
Bf 109K-4, 430
P-47-D11, 430
P-47-D40, 429
P-47-D25, 428
P-51D, 420
FW 190D-9, 408
P-38L, 405
Spit IX, 403

Well, actually, I was surprised by the Spit IX, the size of the difference between the P-51B and D, and the speed up high of the F4U-4.

By comparison, the fastest Japanese fighter at 30k is the Ki-84 at 350 mph, and the fastest Soviet fighter at 30k is Yak-9U at 385.  An F4U-1D is 380, and a Tempest is 385.

Brooke - the flight test data for the P-51D, full internal combat load, 67"hg at 3000 rpm w/1650-7 is 437mph at 24000 feet.  The same bird with 150 octane at 72" is 445mph

[Karnak]

Brooke - the flight test data for the P-51D, full internal combat load, 67"hg at 3000 rpm w/1650-7 is 437mph at 24000 feet.  The same bird with 150 octane at 72" is 445mph

Yeah, that is 24,000ft.  Brooke's test is at 30,000ft where the P-51's engine is losing power due to being above its engine's optimum altitude, hence the lower speed.

[drgondog]

Ah, yeah. I overlooked that..

Also the 441 was for the P-51B-1 at 29K with the 1650-3 engine at 61".. did it hold at 30K?

[Scca]

I haven't played for a bit - are there still Mossie 16s over the strats, or have the standing patrols made that a no-go?

It was just this week I did that, and got one...  I don't think he saw me till it was too late 

[Scherf]

Heheheh, the dar bar helps, however I've been trapped on more than one occasion...

[Brooke]

All of the FR Spit XIVs retained the 20mm cannons and machine guns though.  They weren't full unarmed PR aircraft.  That makes the Spit XIV total 957.

The Merlin 61 Spit IX total was about 300.  There were additional F.Mk IXs with the Merlin 63 and about 1000-1500 HF.Mk IXs with the even higher blown Merlin 70.

Even at 500, that isn't as few at P-47M or Ta 152.  Looking around, here's what I found on production of some other variants of some of the other aircraft in the list:

P-47M, 130
P-47N, 1816
Ta 152, very small
Spit 14, 957 (though about half used in recon roles)
P-51B, 1988
F4U-4, 2045
Bf 109K-4, 700
P-47-D, 12602 -- not sure of relative amounts for sub variants
P-51D, 8156
FW 190D-9, 1805
P-38L, 3810 (J is about the same speed, 2970 of those made)
Spit IX, >4000

So, in order of production:

P-47D
P-51D
P-38J/L
Spit IX
F4U-4
P-51B
P-47N
FW 190D-9
Spit 14
Bf 109K-4
P-47M
Ta 152

[Karnak]

Can't agree with your Spit IX numbers as that includes the Spit LF.IXs, which made up the majority of Spit IXs, and would perform exactly like the Spit XVI.

Merlin 61 production Mk IXs were only about 300.  Add in maybe 500 more Merlin 63 versions and 1000 Merlin 70 versions to get the number of good high alt Spit IXs.

[Brooke]

Can't agree with your Spit IX numbers as that includes the Spit LF.IXs, which made up the majority of Spit IXs, and would perform exactly like the Spit XVI.

Merlin 61 production Mk IXs were only about 300.  Add in maybe 500 more Merlin 63 versions and 1000 Merlin 70 versions to get the number of good high alt Spit IXs.

Yep, those numbers I posted were found in a quick survey and might not be the best available.  So, about 1300 in total then instead of >4000?

[Karnak]

Yep, those numbers I posted were found in a quick survey and might not be the best available.  So, about 1300 in total then instead of >4000?

Off of memory, yeah.  About 300 of the exact type we have in AH.

[drgondog]

Brooke - 1750 P-51C's built to add to 1688 P-51B's.  No difference except place of manufacture from the respective P-51B fabricated at same time. (i.e the P-51B's with 1650-3 engines vs P-51B/C with 1650-7 engines)  IIRC the P-51B-5 was the crossover from 1650-3 to 1650-7. 

The mid block P-51B-7 having production 85 gallon tank (redesignated -10 during the -7 rollout)

[bozon]

Cheers, when last I flew if the interceptors weren't at altitude before I broke into the open I could at least get to the strats, getting home could be a different matter, but the 16's a joy when light. (All assuming a flak ping in the port wing didn't PW me...)

The Moss16 defense other than speed is maneuverability. The problem is that if you took the two drones you cannot maneuver without losing them and their perks. A single Moss16 is much more survivable, can frustrate an attacker repeatedly and make the fight a very drawn out event - enough for friendly escorts to intervene. However, by not taking the drones the player lose 66% of its poundage in bombs. In addition, B17s 30K speed with the ridiculous buff gunnery is more survivable - not per plane, but you get three free "strikes" before you are completely down, as opposed to the mossie in which you effectively get just "one life" with or without the drones.

I use a single Moss16 as a town buster with the MOAB in the bay. Last time I dropped one on a town I got 23 system messages of destroyed structures and field guns. Got bounced by a P-51 which I dodged twice till friendly fighters were all over him and made my way home in a shallow dive holding 400 mph most of the way. Landed 6000+ lbs of damage from a single 4000 lbs bomb

The nice thing about this mission profile is that it is very efficient - climb out on WEP to get to 8Kft is barely 3 minutes and not much more is required. Arrive at 300 mph and the release point is quite a few miles before the target, so after release I make a nose-low 180 turn and race for home, never actually reaching your target. Unless I want to drop the 500 lbs on something else, then I just fly away for one minute and make a quick turn back for another run if not chased by fighters. Sometimes fighters are not too quick to engage me, especially if I visited the field before in the air-superiority Mossie VI - they cannot tell if I an a fighter again or the bomber version until very close range.

I really wish I had the useless 303s in the bomber. I'll be able to find use for them then.