Author Topic: Help me like the C.205 (Read 556 times)

Fancy · « **on:** November 03, 2002, 11:15:03 PM »

In the past two tours I've been a Leather-Clad Luftweasel all the way. Fw190s have been my ride of choice and it will probably stay that way for some time. HOWEVER, this tour so far I've been in a bit of a slump. I'm looking for a new plane to fly to break up my Fw routine. I like some TnBers like the Hurri and the Spit V, and find it easy to land kills in these planes when there are a limited number of bogeys present. But I don't like the IDEA of TnBing, especially in the MA because as soon as you focus on a bogey on your 12, one'll climb up your bellybutton for sure. I like knowing that if I'm at speed and check my six and it's clear, it's going to stay that way for at least a little while.

I abhor some other speed demon planes for any one of different reasons. La7: too easy, ENY way too low, too fragile. P51: .50 cals require the ability to hold on a target and land several pings. I lack this ability. Yak: too little ammo, see P51, plus handling is not so good at high speeds. Bf109: HORRIBLE handling at high speeds which is funny because it gets to high speeds so quickly. Gondolas (which would get firepower up to snuff with 190s) only exasterbate the problem. Typhoon: HORRIBLE roll rate. I've come to value roll rate as the real evader. Flat turning is death with a bogey on your 6. Even if you think you can outturn him, he may still be able to get guns on and once he finds that spot, it's over. A split-S in a 190 with a fast snap to a random direction can really leave almost anyone in the dust. F4U: I like these planes but am unwilling to pay perks for cannons when there are so many planes that are free and pack a similar whallop. As for the D-Hog and the -1, see P51 .50 cal argument.

So, what am I left with really? The C.205 to answer my own question. I gave it a preliminary whirl offline just now and found it to have SUPERB handling at 400mph. It turns better than a Fw190 easily and it has a really brisk roll rate. It has a familiar gun package (cowl MGs + German MG151/20's on the wing, but close to fuselage) so that I won't really have to relearn gunnery (which would be a fatal blow to sucky gunnery anyway). It climbs and accelerates well. Besides, you can't beat a high speed plane like this with an ENY of 40. The only drawback I see is that there is no drop tank option and apparently the 205 burns gas pretty quickly. But that's just something I'll have to keep in mind when I'm in the hangar. (A sidenote: I imagine every WWII pilot would love to have been able to stroll through a hangar full of the most prominant A/C of the war from all countries and pick just whatever the hell he wanted.)

My question is, am I missing anything? Does the 205 have such a high ENY because no one has evere really heard of it? Is it very fragile? Help me love the C.205 please. My breath even smells like garlic most of the time so I thik we were maed for each other.

Xjazz · « **Reply #1 on:** November 04, 2002, 02:10:40 AM »

S!

I dont know too much about C205 but maybe links below could littlebit help you:

How to fly, fight & beat...
http://www.telusplanet.net/~dsoder/models.htm

Performance
http://www.jannousiainen.net/online_sims/jg_4/index.htm

J_A_B · « **Reply #2 on:** November 04, 2002, 02:19:23 AM »

The MC205 is an interesting airplane. On paper it doesn't seem like much, but in the arena it is quite capable of getting kills.

The best thing about the 205 is its high speed handling, especially compared to the Me-109. In a typical attack dive the Macchi has beautiful handling and will do exactly what you tell it to. It climbs well, not so well as most of the 109's but better than the 190's. The 205 has a good climbrate up to about 20K and a decent climbrate up to about 25K. Above 25K it starts wheezing although that's not much of a concern in the AH MA.

That combination of climbrate and superb highspeed handling makes this airplane GREAT for vertical energy fighting or vertical BnZ maneuvers. It's sort of like a 109G-2 that trades away some climbing ability for MUCH improved handling (and better firepower too). If you're looking for an energy fighter with similar performance to the 109G2/G6 but better weapons and handling, the 205 is the plane for you.

This is very much an "attacker's" plane. All of the Macchi's good points are best used when you're on the offensive. It has great handling, good firepower with a good ammo load, good ability to maintain an energy advantage, and in a fight is generally more capable than the other "E fighters". I honestly feel the 205 is superior to the Spit 9 in the MA environment. NOTE: Under about 6000 feet, the MC 205 is actually faster than the Spitfire 9, although the difference is small (about 7 MPH).

IMO the reason the 205 doesn't see a lot of use is it's not a great fighter defensively. It's sustained speed isn't very fast so running isn't always an option, it can't always climb out of trouble and its turning ability isn't going to save it against the likes of Spitfires and N1K2's (the 205 handles well but doesn't turn all that well). While a 205 can usually deal with a lone attacker, it's not going to save your hide if you find yourself beset by multiple enemies. The LA7 or Spitfire CAN sometimes "fight the horde", which is likely why they see more use.

In other words, get out of Dodge before you have to go defensive. Don't get sucked into a big furball unless you have a clear exit plan. As you were previously a FW-190 driver, you already are used to flying carefully so with the 205 just remember that your top level speed isn't so good.

Compared to the 190, the 205 trades away some of its defensive ability (speed) for superior offensive ability. If you attack more than you GET attacked, this is a good plane. Plus, as an added bonus, it's unique and gets you lots of perks

J_A_B

FTJR · « **Reply #3 on:** November 04, 2002, 09:22:41 AM »

I've been flying the C205 for the past couple of tours and have found that its best used for high altitude intercepts. As J_A_B noted its not a plane to be used in a 1 vs many. Of course there is always someone that can claim to decimate the enemy and survive, but it aint me.

The way I use it is.. climb up from a rear/high alt field.. burn the wing tanks first usually this will get you to 20k with about a quarter of the right tank left. This is not really important but it does seem to improve the roll rate. At twenty K let the speed up too 200 indicated then throttle back to save fuel.

Then I intercept the eternal p51's and p47s who are grabbing for alt. If they are jabo's i consider it a victory if they dump their ordance before getting to their target. But you'd be surprised at the number will not go light to fight you and they pay for it.

If you keep it above 15k you can outrun la7's(this is against the chart) but not one has caught me yet. Yaks I dont know about. P38s give me the most trouble and i try to avoid them if possible.

P51's unless flown by a expert will be meat for your cannons. P47's I enjoy, except when i meet Frenchy then it is a real fight.

Spits.. well are spits dont turn with them they'll will kill you try to keep the fight vertical.

Under 15k unless you have friends you are basically meat for lala's & niki's.

If you do get caught, go into a tight spiral get the nose up to less than 200 then pop 1 stage of flap and spiral up.

So yes its a big challenge but it does give a fair amount of satisfaction.

People who are fair better than I are FDutchmn and Tack who flies the 202's for a lark.

Best of Luck:D

Ghosth · « **Reply #4 on:** November 04, 2002, 09:37:36 AM »

It may look like it burns fuel fast, be because it has several tanks its never really been a problem.

When I flew this bird a lot I would burn the wing tanks off first, then back to auto fuel for combat.

She's a sweet bird, fly smart, bring a wingman, start high and pick your fights.

AtmkRstr · « **Reply #5 on:** November 04, 2002, 02:35:14 PM »

see signature

JB73 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 04, 2002, 06:12:26 PM »

if noone mentioned it ...

drain the wing tanks first ... will really help turning... also when wings get hit they like to flame if they have fuel in them so you die fast.

Hap · « **Reply #7 on:** November 06, 2002, 04:38:29 PM »

Consider one of the P-47's. My speeds might be off a bit, but the model 30 & 25 will deploy a notch of flaps near 290'ish, 2 notches around 275.

If you find a FW driver who'll follow you through acms, the 47 is fun fun fun.

It's rate of climb w/o ordinance & w/wep is 3,000 ft per min or a hair under with 50% fuel & a 75 gal drop tank. Wep lasts a good long time, & you can always shut it off to cool the engine.

Hap