Originally posted by spitfiremkv
i like the hurri IIC. it has 4 20s and can turn pretty well tho it's heavier than the I. with unlimited ammo it can be a killing machine.
Eventually, HTC will add the Wildcat, either as the F4F or FM-2. I would prefer the FM-2 as it fulfills the roles of both early and late war. In terms of performance, the FM-2 is a bit faster than the Hurricane (any version), climbs about the same (or better) and rivals it in turn rate. Armed with four .50 Brownings (as in the F4F-3 and FM-2, the F4F-4 carried six guns but suffered a performance penalty), it's lethality should be on par with the Hurricane I. Unlike the Hurricane, the FM-2 dives very well, with good control right up to its Vne. Only the Zero will out-turn the FM-2, but remember that the Zero can only do so at speeds below 200 mph, and the Wildcat has a considerable roll advantage at speeds above that as well. I for one, would not want to be in a SpitV Co-E with a Wildcat and not have a positional advantage out the outset. It would be dicy to get away with one's hair intact.
As to Spitfires: I fly them frequently, especially in base defense. The new SpitXIV provides the ability to go up and challenge the Mustangs up high. It also will make life much more difficult for the Tempest drivers, who are faced with a fighter that can out-climb and out-turn them. Moreover, the SpitXIV can out-run them over a considerable portion of the speed/altitude curve as well. For a change, the BnZ crowd has to pay attention to possibility of being bounced by a fighter they can neither out-turn or out-run. In other words, if you're in a Mustang at 20k, and a SpitXIV arrives at 20k or higher, you have a real problem on your hands. However, to date, I have found most of the SpitXIVs down low, doing silly things like flying through ack and engaging in turnfights with SpitVs and SpitIXs. Not especially bright in my estimation. I killed one while flying a SpitV when the pilot screwed up and allowed me to get a snapshot in about 30 degrees off HO. Those Hizookas shot off his tail.
There's a common fault among online pilots. Many do not take any time to familiarize themselves with the performance and handling of a new aircraft. They simply take it straight into the nearest fight. Usually with less than hoped for results. I have taken up the SpitXIV three times, avoiding serious fights other than to finish off a B-17 with a diving attack from high 12 O'clock (earned only an assist). I did encounter a P-47 at 26k, However, spotting me at about d 5.8, he headed straight down to the safety of his airfield. That was probably the right decision, considering that 26k is right where the SpitXIV performs best. At 30k+ the P-47 will be a much tougher enemy should we have met at Co-E.
I have no pre-disposition against Spitfires. I fly almost everything (check my stats), and generally avoid taking on Spits if they have the tactical advantage from the outset. Yesterday, I encountered a large gaggle of Spits and F6Fs and a couple of La-7s. I was flying an La-5FN. I managed to get a couple of them without surrendering the tactical advantage that I carried into the fight. I dabbled with the P-51D a bit, but I find that it can't fight its way out of the "Ladies room" should its pilot find himself at a tactical disadvantage. The only option is to run. However, there are ever increasing numbers of fighters that can catch it. Especially if they have better E at the outset. Likewise, the current modeling of the P-38 leaves it to be little more than a target. If HTC ever corrects the modeling, it should become considerably more effective.
P-40: What some people may not realize is that the P-40 is a reasonably capable aircraft at low to medium altitude. Its turning ability should be close to that of the SpitIX, slightly better than the Ki-61. Climb is poor, similar to the Ki-61. Roll rate is outstanding, being only slightly inferior to the Fw 190A-5. Dive is also very good. Speed will also mimic the Ki-61. During the engagements in the SWPA, the Ki-61 and P-40E/M/N proved to be nearly equal in overall performance.
My regards,
Widewing
