Last December, I was asked by my squadron CO to generate the list of squad planes for 2003. Typically, we assign two different aircraft for each month, to be flown on squad nights. Pilots are allowed to fly anything they wish at all other times. The logic behind this is to get every pilot familiar with all aircraft. Some of us have experience in every type, however most squad members do not have this “across the board” background. So, it does serve a useful purpose. We also designate by type, not model. So, if the Fw 190 is the fighter for the month, you can fly any type including the Ta 152. Likewise for P-47s, 109s and so on. When we flew Typhoons, pilots had the option to fly the Tempest if they wished. After all, the Tempest was originally intended as an improved Typhoon.
When preparing my list, I placed great emphasis on balancing the pairs. For example, for March we are flying the F6F-5 and Bf 110G-2. This provides us with a good, solid blend of fighter and attack capability. For the previous month, I had selected the P-47 and Typhoon. Again, both offer superior attack capability. However, both require skill to succeed as fighters. Not just ACM skills, but good SA and a clear understanding of how to use them against more agile fighters. Overall, the guys did very well considering that they did not generally have much experience flying fighter sweeps in these large, heavy and powerful fighters.
As those who have mastered the P-47 know, this is a fighter that requires careful tactics and good energy management. In the hands of someone who knows how to exploit the Jug’s strengths and avoid fighting under circumstances where it is performs poorly, the P-47 is a formidable fighter. One need only fly with the guys from the 56th to see exactly what I’m talking about.
As for the Typhoon, it’s generally similar to the P-47, except that it is considerably faster at low altitudes. Like the Jug, the Tiffy is not a fighter for low-speed dogfights. Its stall characteristics are poor, worse than the Jug, with torque being a significant factor. Once having wasted one’s E, the Tiffy is an absolute beast to horse around at low speed, easy meat for most other fighters. Roll rate is no better than average. Climb rate is unimpressive. Acceleration is good, but nothing like the La-7 or Bf 109G-10. It also has one of the most vulnerable radiators in the game. Dive acceleration, however, is awesome. High-speed handling is good, although there is some control stiffening when speeds really get up there, but it’s much better than the 109. Visibility is good, but lags behind the P-51D, late model Jugs and the Yaks. Energy retention is very good and it zoom climbs like crazy. Perhaps its most redeeming quality is the four Hispano cannon protruding from the wings. Loaded with 560 rounds of very lethal 20mm, the Tiffy is one of the most dangerous aircraft in the plane set.
Like the Jug, the Typhoon requires good energy management. Few aircraft present a threat equal to a Tiffy with both altitude and energy. Those four Hizookas will make you pay for the slightest mistake.
While a lot of pilots fly the Typhoon, remarkably few fly it well. Most seem content to using for suicide runs, Jabo and vulching. Yet, when used to its potential, it can rip through hordes of opposition like a laser through wax. A pair of Typhoons can demolish a sizable NOE raid, catching them low, killing many and forcing the rest to dump their bombs and maneuver.
It is always good practice to break into any enemies approaching you. This is only magnified when flying a four cannon fighter like the Typhoon or C-Hog. No one knowing what they are dealing with would challenge either of these to an HO attack without great trepidation. Those foolish enough to try usually die.
Where the Typhoon shines is working a furball. Invariably, the majority of the aircraft involved will not have a whole lot of speed. Blasting through the mob at high-speed, the Tiffy pilot can snapshoot to his heart’s content. Two or three passes can easily result in several kills, plus an assist or two. Meanwhile, there is little the opposition can do but watch you scorch on by.
It took a few hours of flying the Typhoon to get completely comfortable with it simply because I hadn’t really explored its limits as a fighter, mostly using it as a strike platform.
After five weeks of flying it on a daily basis, I have lost only 5 of them, and not a single one to enemy fighters other than being vulched on the runway landing one deadstick (out of gas). Because it is such a difficult plane to master, success was somewhat surprising despite the lethality of the guns.
I now fully understand why some pilots fly the Tiffy as their main ride. I also understand now that it takes considerable time and skill to master this monster, increasing my admiration of guys like DMDCoach who do so well with it.
My regards,
Widewing
