163 Flight Profiles?

[Innominate]

Basicly what I'm looking for is ways to maximize the effective range of the me163.  So far I've been able to get it(safely) to about 30 miles(assuming RTB to the base you took off from) with about two minutes of combat time.  It could probably be pushed to 40, since there is plenty of extra alt available as a safety margin.

Oddly enough the default climb speed seems to be rather far off.  I've found that 240mph works much better for both climbing and gliding.

The profile I've been using looks a bit like this:

• On takeoff, set speed to 240 and climb.
• When fuel hits 50%, kill the engine and glide(at 240mph)  It's a bit slow, but is the most efficient way I've found.  You should reach at least 30000feet.
• Continue gliding into the combat area, make a diving pass(or two, depending on E) and relight the engine.  
• You have 2-3 minutes of combat time(a bit under two at full throttle, longer with carefull managment)
• When fuel hits 25%, light the engine, go to full throttle and climb(at 240mph) towards home.
• The 25% fuel can easily cover 30 miles, longer if you don't mind cutting things close.

This applies mostly to furballing, when intercepting buffs, it's mostly higher altitude, with friendly bases nearby, so you can cut into that last 25% without any trouble.

One interesting thing about the 163 is that it turns amazingly well.  Although it is fast, it seems to be best used between 250 and 350mph, where it can turn with anything.  Drop a couple of notched of flaps, and there is very little it can't follow in a turn.  Using it strictly for bnz is a waste of it's abilities.

So does anyone have any corrections, flames, comments, tricks, or anything else worth adding?

[Ghosth]

Agree completely.


Did some basic tests all with 25% fuel.

Default climb engine died before 10k, topped out at 10500.

180 engine died just before 15k, topped out around 15500.

240 engine died right at 15k, topped out at 15600.

I suspect if you were climbing to 30+ you may want to increase climb speed after 15k.  Also depends on how much alt you need vs distance to targets.

How high to climb is of course dicated by how high the enemy is, best to give yourself at least 5k alt advantage.

This bird turns amazingly well and handles nicely.
Was in main harrassing incoming strike with it  When they overan the base I burned last 15% of my fuel to climb to 18k, glided 1.5 sectors to safe field for landing.

Sweet bird just go easy on the Gee's when your really fast.

[Golfer]

As far as taking it to altitude and getting max range...i have no troubles traveling around 150 miles (3 sectors there, 3 back or less depending on location of nearest friendly field)  Getting the komet to amazingly high altitudes isnt difficult.  highest ive had it for combat was 50,000 ft on a long ingress into a hot area with reports of 20,000+ ft bandits.  this flight ended up with 3 enemies killed, and a succesful landing.  as far as best climb angle, and best climb rate.  both are pegged i find right around 200.  it may seem slow off the deck, but using this when it was first released i consitantly took it to 63,950 feet.  couldnt get it to 64 to save my life.  a squaddie came in and took it to 64,400 ft, and ive been trying to set unofficial altitude records ever since.  highest i have ever taken a komet is 75,090 feet as illustrated in the screen shot im enclosing.  I had everybody squelched but kept typing alts until i finally stopped at 40,000 to concentrate as the fuel supply was becoming dismal LOL!  here ya go...it can be done.  i'll post the Screen shot on the next post, as it is not on this computer.

happy landings

[Golfer]

GhostH, you told me the day of the update to watch out for the Komet had a 20% random explosion rate.  I'd like to know whether or not you still stand by that.

[Innominate]

Originally posted by Golfer
GhostH, you told me the day of the update to watch out for the Komet had a 20% random explosion rate.  I'd like to know whether or not you still stand by that.

It's not true.  The 163 in AH has the same reliability problems as any other plane in AH(none that is).

Golfer, although it is possible to fly the 163 for ~150 miles or more, doing so leaves you no room to fight.  The point is pretty much to be able to get into a meaningfull fight(as opposed to a single diving attack, and rtb) while extending range as much as possible.

[Golfer]

true...but you have limited time on target no matter how you fly the komet.  this way leaves you time for a pass, another pass, and home.  if you select your targets carefully to give you the most efficent use of energy for the run, you can do quite well in a short time.  and a few minutes later let everyone know that was you buzzing around when the system broacasts your winnings to all to be heard.

[Ghosth]

It doesn't look like it.

I think whats happening is it gets going so fast you move the jstick and rip the wings off.


Sorry about that, proof that anyone can make a mistake.

[Innominate]

Originally posted by Ghosth
I think whats happening is it gets going so fast you move the jstick and rip the wings off.

Before the first patch, the 163's elevators were bugged giving it MUCH more authority at high speed, making even touching the stick able to kill the pilot.  This is how the rumors of "Self destructing" 163s got started.  The first patch fixed the bug, and the 163 is safe to fly again.

Though it IS touchy about landings, with the skid down, an impact that would be okay in a belly landing in any other plane will cause the 163 to explode.

[Golfer]

My SS of an unofficial altitude record set in an ME-163 Komet.  75,090 feet.

can anybody top it?

[Ghosth]

Nope, only tried once, got to 66k.

Was a LONG trip down

[MachNix]

Golfer;

Which map and field did you launch from?

MachNix

[Golfer]

ya know i really dont remember.  it was in the training arena not too long after the update.  i'll go back in and see if i can figure it out.

good hunting gents