Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Aircraft and Vehicles => Topic started by: Krusty on December 16, 2005, 06:41:08 PM

Title: It's official...
Post by: Krusty on December 16, 2005, 06:41:08 PM
Spit16 has been out... what, about 4 weeks now? Despite being released half-way into last tour, and only being half-way through this tour, the spit16 has WELL out-stripped the La7 in kills both tours (breaking 40,000 kills for the spit16, La7 being around 30,000 kills). Close runner up N1K2 (only really close contender) was also left in the dust at about 27,000 kills.

I fear nothing in one. I have landed dozens of multi kill sorties in one. I've taken on bombers, dweebs, turn and burners, a 30k afk 190D heading to my HQ, and you name it I've fought it with ease in the spit16. Much as I actually like the ride, I smell a small perk coming.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Grits on December 16, 2005, 07:11:45 PM
I said the first time I flew it that it would be perked, a light one somewhere around the C-Hog, but perked nontheless.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Krusty on December 16, 2005, 07:12:29 PM
Chog? No... How about Ta152? 5-7 perks? Just enough to lessen its use, but enough to make back in 1 good sortie.

EDIT: Probably should have an ENY of 4 lol :)
Title: It's official...
Post by: Grits on December 16, 2005, 07:58:07 PM
Nah, I am pretty sure I am correct in guessing it will be perked nearly equal to the C-Hog.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Krusty on December 16, 2005, 08:11:50 PM
That sucks... 17 is a bit high for the spit16... but we shall see what the HTC folk say
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 16, 2005, 08:49:46 PM
Heres the sad thing -
IF, a big if, the XVI gets perked, the VIII will be next, and yet again us poor RAF fans will be back to a 1942 Spit IX as the latest available free Spit, or a 1943 Tiffy that was relegated to ground attack.
Yet the other big two continue to have their free 1944/45 planes, hell the RAF hasn't even got 1 1945 plane, free or otherwise.

VIII - Same motor, turns better, rolls worse, better range, climbs as well: all the XVI guys will turn to the VIII.

As I've said all this fuss over what is essentially a 1943 LF IX LOLOLOLOL.

Shame on ya R.J. Mitchell for producing such an uber bird.

Now give us the F.21 and Seafire XV - They are worth perking :) .

If it wasn'r for the inevitable "oh not another Spit" whines and we had got something like -

I, II, Vb, Vc, VIII, IX, XII, (free) XIV, XVI then it would have all got spread around, admittedly prob between the Vc, VIII, XII, XIV, XVI.

With his current lineup Pyro has all the different parts (wings, fuse, tail) needed to make any Spit up to but not including the F.21 (new wing design), and up to and including the Seafire XV.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Grits on December 16, 2005, 09:30:09 PM
The XVI out turns the VIII, look for the charts posted earlier this month.

Kev, I am not anti-Spit, I rather like them actually, but put aside your "RAF doesnt have a free '45 plane" Jihad for a second and tell me why the XVI should NOT be perked? It turns with a V, rolls just shy of a 190, accelerates like an La7, and climbs with a K-4. That sounds like a perk plane to me, regardless of year.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 16, 2005, 09:50:20 PM
Reasons -

Only has 1.12K/D
Acceleration is almost same as La7 up to the XVI top speed (still sub 400mph)
Roll still worse than the 190
Next inline would be the VIII

So perk the 1944 (cough) XVI, everyone moves to the 1943 VIII, perk that, we're back to a 1942 F IX!!!!

Now might be a good time to try a tour with the XIV unperked, see what happens.

The solution is to give MORE options, not take away what little the RAF has.

With the limited (but much better) Spit lineup, of course the XVI is going to see lots of use, it's the best (VIII very similar) performing FREE one, especially for the MA low alt furballs.
Before I get the "Spit has the most of any type ingame", consider this -
The main opponent was the 109 AND 190, which combined has much more than the Spits available.

The reason you don't see a lot of perk the D9, K4 or Pony threads is because both the USAF and LW have many more planes available to them that are competitve in the MA that none gets OVERUSED.
Solution is simple - Give the RAF more FREE options in the 1943 onwards area.
I would guess that even reinstating the old V as an LF Vc with clipped wings would reduce XVI usage.

Lets imagine we hadn't got the XVI, but just the VIII, we'd still be in the same situation.
So are we saying that any Spit produced after the 1942 Spit IX is going to be perked, because thats the way it's heading.
Even heard it suggested the Seafire should be perked to reduce it's usage of CV's - ITS INSANE.

What would be useful is to find out what planes have lost sortie numbers to the XVI, find out were all the 'extra' came from. Obviously the V and IX sorties have dropped.

RE: Turns with a V? - That I'd like to see.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 16, 2005, 10:28:26 PM
As a follow on -

The problem isn't overuse but lack of choice.
What if we also had the LF Vc, XII, and a free XIV?

Heres WBIII soon be Spit lineup, and this is only up to the VI, still deciding on later models -
Spitfire M03 Mk I
Spitfire M12 Mk II
Spitfire M20 MkIIc
Spitfire M45 Mk Vb
Spitfire M45 Mk Vc
Spitfire M45M LF Vb
Spitfire M55M LF Vc
Spitfire M47 HF VI

(they will have a total of 22 109's covering whole war)

With more choice comes greater diversity, unfortuneately as it stands the current best 'free' Spit is the XVI, take that away, everyone migrates sideways to the VIII.
Then that gets perked also.
It may have been a mistake to replace our old V, maybe the new one should have been an addition instead.

More choice not less is the solution.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 16, 2005, 10:32:29 PM
Quote
As I've said all this fuss over what is essentially a 1943 LF IX


Examining the science and technology of the aircraft just exactly what should make the Spit XVI so uber?  Nothing that I can see.

According to Supermarines published guarenteed performance specs for a production aircraft it only hits 322mph TAS at SL with a maximum speed of 386 mph at .  With a 3% variation of course.  It's climb is only a maximum of 3900 fpm again with a normal variation.

It should hardly be a perked plane as it nothing but a 1943 LF IX!!

What exactly did HTC model?

Is someone trying to pass 100/150 grade performance off as normal 1943 performance for the type?

According to Shacklady and Morgan, the Spitfire Mk XVI was not using 100/150 grade until after the trials conducted in November 1944.  Then it needed to be much faster than it's 100/130 ratings to remain competative with the Bf-109K's and Dora's entering service with the Luftwaffe.

As for any clipped wing Spitfire rolling with an FW-190...

I am sure the RAE thought so when they compared roll data against RAE 1231.  Unfortunately that report does not represent the rolling ability of a normal FW-190A in Luftwaffe service.  Hence the results when Spitfire pilots flying clipped wing spits were surveyed to see if their combat experience backed up RAE measurements.
 
http://img129.potato.com/img.php?loc=loc10&image=5b3b7_715_1094128429_rolltestonspit5_9_12_conclusions.jpg

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 16, 2005, 10:37:29 PM
It's definately not using 150 grade fuel.

That would give it 25lbs boost and an initial climb rate of 5700fpm.

Even with clipped wings its roll rate is inferior (though better than std wings) when compared to 190.
Your link doesn't work, but it could be the same report which basically says, "yes it's still inferior, but better than standard wings".

Trials were way before Nov 1944, Spit IX's started using 150 grade from May 1944.
Final clearance for 2TAF was Nov 1944, conversions started Dec 1944/Jan 45. Probably because initial 150 grade supplies were provided to sqns tasked with chasing down V1's.

Yes it needed to be faster, thats why the F.21 was being introduced starting Jan 45, although not operational until Mar/Apr 45.
If it wasn't for the end of the war the F.21 would have become the RAF's frontline Spit.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 16, 2005, 10:46:19 PM
Quote
Even with clipped wings its roll rate is inferior (though better than std wings) when compared to 190.


No it's the one that says "Don't clip the wings, the loss of handling and performance is not worth the small gain in roll rate."

According to Boscome Down, it was November 1944 for the Spitfire Mk XVI.

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 16, 2005, 10:50:04 PM
Isn't that the same one that is posted somewhere way back on another thread?
If so I remember some heated debates over it.

Think it basically came down to - If it was so pointless and not recommended why would all the XII and XVI be manufactured with clipped wings, and a lot of V and IX have clipped wings?

Your right Krusty it's not so uber - It's just the best performing FREE Spit, although the VIII is so close its negligable. Thats why it's seeing a lot of use.

As I said the solution is more choice, not less.

Heres an intersting theory - Put in an 1943 LF IX with 20mm's and .303's, clip the wings so its exactly the same performance wise as the XVI. then give it May 1944 150 grade 25lbs boost.
I wonder how many people would choose it over the XVI?
Then also unperk the current XIV and add a perked 21lbs boost XIV.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 16, 2005, 11:01:55 PM
Quote
Think it basically came down to - If it was so pointless and not recommended why would all the XII and XVI be manufactured with clipped wings, and a lot of V and IX have clipped wings?


That is a good point.  They were certainly better than not clipping the wings to combat the FW-190.

However it is also a fact that Spitifire pilots using clipped wing aircraft did not feel they it made much of a difference when fighting FW-190's.   It was certainly improvement over a non-clipped wing but still unable to match the Focke Wulf.

It is also a fact that clipping the wings reduced the turn ability, raised the stall speed, lowered high altitude performance, degraded the handling characteristics, and detracted considerably from the fighting characteristics of the aircraft as this report concluded.
 (http://img131.potato.com/loc285/th_51aca_pilotopinions.jpg) (http://img131.potato.com/img.php?loc=loc285&image=51aca_pilotopinions.jpg)

 (http://img108.potato.com/loc126/th_eb7b9_clipped_wing_conclusions.jpg) (http://img108.potato.com/img.php?loc=loc126&image=eb7b9_clipped_wing_conclusions.jpg)

Clipping the wings was not a magical solution during the war nor should it be a magical solution in AH.

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 16, 2005, 11:06:57 PM
Thats what strange about that whole report -

All the pilots say its definately better with clipped wings, can still outurn the 190 with clipped wings, improvements in lateral control.
Yet the reports conclusion is not to clip the wings, doesn't make sense.

Add to that the mention of seaborne operations - Seafires were flown with clipped wings on trials and had NO problem getting airborne.

The guy writing the conclusion seems to have missed the whole point of clipping the wings.

It's not just the clipped wings thats the difference, the low alt Merlin 66, tall tail, all improved the later Spits over the early F IX we have. Don't forget this is the one that everyone is comparing the new XVI to, or is used to fighting against.

Would be a similar situation if we had been stuck with a Mk I, then HT introduced a clipped wing LF Vc, of course it would seem uber compared to the earlier Mk I.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 16, 2005, 11:17:05 PM
Quote
Yet the reports conclusion is not to clip the wings, doesn't make sense.


I think the big clue is the handling.  Sort of like AH LW planes now.  The numbers might be correct for performance.  I even think Kweassa's turn test concluded the Bf-109's were pretty competative for turn ability.  However the handling characteristics are degraded it is very difficult to fight the aircraft.

The report does comment that the stalling speed in increased in the turn.

That is how I interpret the reports conclusions and pilot comments.

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 16, 2005, 11:20:42 PM
You got a date for the report?

Just noticed it is for a Mk V, doesn't say which type.
If it was an F V then of course the worry about lowering of max ceiling, loss of 160-200fpm climb would make sense.

However for an LF V these conscerns would be immaterial.

Would any of these points even be valid for later Merlin 66 spits?
Basically I don't think you can use it as a basis for saying clipped wings on later Spits wasn't or might not have been appropriate.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Guppy35 on December 16, 2005, 11:20:58 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Crumpp
That is a good point.  They were certainly better than not clipping the wings to combat the FW-190.

However it is also a fact that Spitifire pilots using clipped wing aircraft did not feel they it made much of a difference when fighting FW-190's.   It was certainly improvement over a non-clipped wing but still unable to match the Focke Wulf.

It is also a fact that clipping the wings reduced the turn ability, raised the stall speed, lowered high altitude performance, degraded the handling characteristics, and detracted considerably from the fighting characteristics of the aircraft as this report concluded.
 (http://img131.potato.com/loc285/th_51aca_pilotopinions.jpg) (http://img131.potato.com/img.php?loc=loc285&image=51aca_pilotopinions.jpg)

 (http://img108.potato.com/loc126/th_eb7b9_clipped_wing_conclusions.jpg) (http://img108.potato.com/img.php?loc=loc126&image=eb7b9_clipped_wing_conclusions.jpg)

Clipping the wings was not a magical solution during the war nor should it be a magical solution in AH.

All the best,

Crumpp


The report refers to a Spit V.  We don't know what engine etc.  Where is it a 'fact' that pilots didn't feel like the clipped wing helped?  That sounds more like an opinion.  Some may have found that the case, but again, as a Spit XII fanatic, I haven't come across anyone who thought the clipped wing was a mistake on that bird.  Down low it made a difference.

As for the XVI in AH.  Maybe it's just me, but I'd suggest some of the Spit drivers go fly the new Spit IX.  That's my Spit favorite.  To me it's the smoothest of the Spits and the easiest to handle.  I have no 'fear' of mixing it up with XVIs or VIIIs down low in the IX.

As a clipped Spit fan, I hate to admit that, but the new IX is the best of the bunch in my opinion.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 16, 2005, 11:23:37 PM
You beat me to it Dan, I just noticed it was a V.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Guppy35 on December 16, 2005, 11:24:06 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Grits
The XVI out turns the VIII, look for the charts posted earlier this month.

Kev, I am not anti-Spit, I rather like them actually, but put aside your "RAF doesnt have a free '45 plane" Jihad for a second and tell me why the XVI should NOT be perked? It turns with a V, rolls just shy of a 190, accelerates like an La7, and climbs with a K-4. That sounds like a perk plane to me, regardless of year.


Any of the birds you compared it to perked? :)
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 16, 2005, 11:27:38 PM
That report refers to all clipped wing spits, the Spitfire Mk V, IX, and XII.

 (http://img127.potato.com/loc14/th_2c401_Effect_of_clipping_Spitfire_Wings.jpg) (http://img127.potato.com/img.php?loc=loc14&image=2c401_Effect_of_clipping_Spitfire_Wings.jpg)

Clipping the wings was not a magical solution.  It had performance consequences.  Some good and some not so good.

The wing design does not change.

Again what data is AH using as Supermarine only guarantees within plus or minus 3 % of 322mph at SL and a maximum speed of 386mph for the Spitfire Mk XVI.

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 16, 2005, 11:28:55 PM
Yes it does, but the pilot comments you have so far posted only refer to a Mk Vb, not even a low alt version of the V.
The IX is also not a low alt version.

I'll leave it up to Dan for the XII's.

Clipping the wings of a F based Spit i.e. F Vb, F IX would definately not be recommended (althoguh it did happen).
However I would suggest in the absence of anything to the contrary the situation may have been completely different on LF Spits, designed to fight at lower alts were clipped wings were intended for.

Wing design may not have changed, but the engines alt bands most certainly did.
Thats why the HF series usually had extended wings, something that was totally unsuitable for lower alts.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Guppy35 on December 16, 2005, 11:31:19 PM
Safe to say the advantages outweighed the disadvantages?  Seems like it when you consider the XIIs all went clipped, and the XVIs did as well and that was in 44-45.

Again, in the realm of down low air combat it was an advantage.  Up high it was not.

Kind of like the VIIs that had their extended wing tips removed and regular wing tips added when they were used as normal fighters since the high alt threat was gone.



None of it would suggest the XVI should be perked however :)
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 16, 2005, 11:36:09 PM
Quote
Safe to say the advantages outweighed the disadvantages? Seems like it when you consider the XIIs all went clipped, and the XVIs did as well and that was in 44-45.


I think Guppy that was more a move of desperation to combat the FW190 down low.  Clipping the wings was better than not clipping the wings when dogfighting an FW-190 in a Spitifre.  It just was not a vast improvement nor was it a complete answer as the Spitfire pilots who fought the FW190 comment.

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 16, 2005, 11:37:26 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Crumpp
I think Guppy that was more a move of desperation to combat the FW190 down low.  Clipping the wings was better than not clipping the wings when dogfighting an FW-190 in a Spitifre.  It just was not a vast improvement nor was it a complete answer as the Spitfire pilots who fought the FW190 comment.

All the best,

Crumpp


I think that we can agree completley on, I don't actually think anyone suggested it was, just that it was an improvement.

I think its actually the combination of the clipped wings, tall tail and Merlin 66 that is making the difference ingame compared to what people are used to (F IX).
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 16, 2005, 11:40:56 PM
Quote
Wing design may not have changed, but the engines alt bands most certainly did.


Same thing happenend in the design of the Focke Wulf 190.  It gained the exact same amount of power that the  most powerful wartime Spitfire did and the 190 gained less weight.  Does the RAF posses special "flying fairy dust" or were the physics of aerodynamics changed just for the FW-190?

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 16, 2005, 11:44:50 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Crumpp
Same thing happenend in the design of the Focke Wulf 190.  It gained the exact same amount of power that the  most powerful wartime Spitfire did and the 190 gained less weight.  Does the RAF posses special "flying fairy dust" or were the physics of aerodynamics changed just for the FW-190?

All the best,

Crumpp


Naw just R.J.Mitchells superior design ;) .
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 16, 2005, 11:49:54 PM
Quote
I think its actually the combination of the clipped wings, tall tail and Merlin 66 that is making the difference ingame compared to what people are used to (F IX).


It simply should not make that much of a difference.  

Supermarines performance specs say the Mk XVI should be good performer but far from superior.  It's LW conterparts should give it a good run for it's money.

Quote
Naw just R.J.Mitchells superior design


That is a matter of opinion.  How many world speed records did the Spitfire win?

;)

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 17, 2005, 12:02:24 AM
If you look at its K/D ratio it's not.

I think a similar comparison would be the early Mk I vs a late LF Vc, huge difference. Point being down low were the MA fights are the LF VIII, LF XVI are both streets ahead of the F IX (remembering our is an early IX i.e. a Mk V airframe with a Merlin 61). It wasn't until later the IX's and later got airframes specifically designed for the Merlin 60 series.

People are saying because theres so many of them in the MA it should be perked.

My point was if that happens, people will move sideways to the VIII, then that will get perked.

My suggestion is MORE not less options is the best way to counteract it.
i.e.
Re-instate the old V as an LF Vc, add the XII, unperk the XIV.
More choices, less XVI's in the air.


Most powerful wartime Spit -
F.21 - Griffon 61@ 2035HP, or Griffon 64 @ 2375HP, both 18lbs
Spit XIV - Griffon 61 2200HP @ 21lbs

Griffon 61/5/6 series were trialled up to 25lbs boost (2400HP+), but were never introduced at that level.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Guppy35 on December 17, 2005, 12:26:57 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Crumpp
I think Guppy that was more a move of desperation to combat the FW190 down low.  Clipping the wings was better than not clipping the wings when dogfighting an FW-190 in a Spitifre.  It just was not a vast improvement nor was it a complete answer as the Spitfire pilots who fought the FW190 comment.

All the best,

Crumpp


LOL desperation seems a bit strong.  I KNOW you are a 190 junkie, just like I'm a Spit XII junkie, but I doubt it was desperation on anyone's part :)

That implies that any modification done to fill a need was desperate.  The XII was meant for down low, and would outperform any wartime Spit below 10K.  As it was put into service to combat the low alt 190 hit and run raiders, it made sense to give it the best performance for the job.

Again, using the VII, the implication then would be they extended the wing tips out of desperation to combat high alt E/A

I think we've agreed in the past that the wartime development of the 190 and Spit parallelled each other with each taking steps up the ladder towards the far end of piston engined fighter development, and I think you'd agree when all was said and done they kept pace with each taking the lead on occasion with the other catching up or passing it again.

You'd take a 190A3, 5, 8, I'd take a Spit IX, VIII, XII.  You'd take a D9, I'd take a Spit XIV.   You'd take a Ta152, I'd take a Spit 21.  It goes on and on :)
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 17, 2005, 12:29:54 AM
Exactly Dan.

The whole war for the Spits/109/190 was a constant 'leapfrogging'.
One side gained the advantage, the other countered it, all the way to the end.

Would say the first Spit IX's were a desperation measure thoguh.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Grits on December 17, 2005, 12:30:54 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Kev367th
RE: Turns with a V? - That I'd like to see.


Badboy made EM charts comparing the V to the VIII and then the VIII to the XVI. The sustained turn rate of the VIII was better than the V, and much to my surprize, his testing showed that the XVI sustained turn rate was again better than the VIII. The differences were not large, but they were there. Couple that with its spectacular (for a Spit) roll rate, outstanding climb rate, great accelleration, decent top speed and its no stretch to see the XVI being perked.

This has nothing to do with the real plane, only its performance and resulting overuse in AH.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Grits on December 17, 2005, 12:32:30 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Guppy35
Any of the birds you compared it to perked? :)


No, but they all have one outstanding trait, the XVI has everything but top speed.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 17, 2005, 12:39:44 AM
Decent top speed?
It's sub 400mph straight and level at ANY alt.
Best I think is around 396mph.

Give us RAF fans more choices, you'll see less Spit XVI's - simple.

Easy to say perk this, and perk that, if your country has a good selection of FREE competitve aircraft.

Like to see the turn compared at the F V's best alt, the LF XVI would have trouble up there.
Like comparing the top speed of an La-7 with a P-47N.

Whole idea of clipping the wings was to increase the roll rate.

So I guess if it gets perked and we start seeing lots of Mk VIII's you be wanting that perked also?
Its faster than XVI, turns better, rolls worse, climb with = fuel is better than the XVI, same acceleration (maybe better = fuel because retractible tailwheel)

Remember 25% fuel is not the same on XVI and VIII due to the VIII wing tanks (more fuel).

Hell perk all Spits, give us a Gloster Gladiator, oops that'll get perked for its oustanding turn rate.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Guppy35 on December 17, 2005, 12:59:36 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Grits
Badboy made EM charts comparing the V to the VIII and then the VIII to the XVI. The sustained turn rate of the VIII was better than the V, and much to my surprize, his testing showed that the XVI sustained turn rate was again better than the VIII. The differences were not large, but they were there. Couple that with its spectacular (for a Spit) roll rate, outstanding climb rate, great accelleration, decent top speed and its no stretch to see the XVI being perked.

This has nothing to do with the real plane, only its performance and resulting overuse in AH.


Nothing scientific about the following comment, other then my own lousy flying, but I just don't see the big differences.  In fact the more I fly it, the more I think the new Spit IX is the better of the 3 as it seems to outurn the 16 and can certainly hang in there with the VIII.  It rolls better then the VIII and has the same gun package, and the speed difference just isn't noticable to me in the midst of a fight.  I keep knocking down 16s and 8s in the IX.

It just flies smoother to me.

The XVI drivers are flying it like they think it's an LA, so that doesn't work as it isn't that much faster.  If anything they are more apt to try and stay in and turn fight.

So what if it's the flavor of the month.  I know I was up last night in a Spit IX and it still seemed to be nothing but LAs I was  fighting.

The question isn't whether the best AH pilots in the XVI are going to be unbeatable.  The question is are the average pilots in the XVI going to be unbeatable.  The answer is a definate no.  The advantage to the average joe's flying XVIs is they tend to stick around and fight, which is a benefit to everyone as more guys are learning ACM, not just shoot em in the face and run like heck as most do in the LA7.

As soon as the average Joe's in the MA get unbeatable then perk the 16, but since the LA7 hasn't been perked yet, I'm of the belief that the 16 shouldn't be either.  

Again, a guy in a 16 thinking he's got the beast that can't be beat is more apt to stay in and fight, and that's the key here.  Don't take that away.  They'll all be back in LA7s going light speed the other way.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 17, 2005, 01:27:07 AM
One big problem with perking the Spit XVI -

You won't reduce it's usage, you'll all but elimante it. Why?

People will just take the VIII, it's all the XVI is, minus the 50 cals and clipped wings, but with the advantage of better range and speed.
So why pay for a XVI, I'd take a XIV over it (and it has problems surviving in the MA), and the VIII will be free (for a while).

When the VIII becomes the Spit of choice, and I've no doubt it would be, we'll be back here again with the "perk the VIII" threads.

If the XVI gets perked, it's all but inevitable the VIII will follow in time.

Then were not only back to pre the new Spits, we're worse off, we lost the uber Mk V.

Far fetched - I don't think so.

Just think if we had a true free 1944 Spit, i.e. the XIV or a free 1945 Spit the F.21, then you would probably have something to scream about.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Squire on December 17, 2005, 01:40:57 AM
At 20k you can get 404 mph TAS out of it, confirmed by E6B. Clean condition.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 17, 2005, 01:43:50 AM
404mph sounds within the margin of error for them.

Easy solution, give us more mid/late war 'free' competitive RAF planes to choose from, instead of perking them all, and viola you'll see less XVI's.

RE - Mk VIII, should turn better than the XVI, another thread says there may a bug in the FM for it.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Squire on December 17, 2005, 02:15:11 AM
Ya, just posted for info.

AFDU tests shows 407 mph for a standard +18 lb boost merlin 66 Spit IX, the clipped wings had no detrimental effect on top speeds.

I got 404 sustained from a dive, held with WEP (I think I was at @ 25 percent fuel too). With a test of level flight and a full tank, I think you get @400 before WEP runs out, so it depends.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Waffle on December 17, 2005, 02:38:57 AM
Simple fact: All the studs Kurt Tank's leather werk looked cool, but caused way too much drag.

no pun intended.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Squire on December 17, 2005, 03:04:45 AM
Had some time to kill, so took Spit XVI up with 100 gas clean, got 404 at +18 lbs at 19,900 ft, which I beleive is FTH (above that the boost drops off). Achieved without aid of a dive.

Just for info...:aok
Title: Re: It's official...
Post by: Furball on December 17, 2005, 03:15:39 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Krusty
I fear nothing in one. I have landed dozens of multi kill sorties in one. I've taken on bombers, dweebs, turn and burners, a 30k afk 190D heading to my HQ, and you name it I've fought it with ease in the spit16. Much as I actually like the ride, I smell a small perk coming.


what is your MA handle? i cant remember ever even seeing you in MA?
Title: It's official...
Post by: gatt on December 17, 2005, 06:45:03 AM
Hmmmmm .... :huh
Title: It's official...
Post by: storch on December 17, 2005, 07:15:24 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Kev367th
Reasons -

Only has 1.12K/D
Acceleration is almost same as La7 up to the XVI top speed (still sub 400mph)
Roll still worse than the 190
Next inline would be the VIII

So perk the 1944 (cough) XVI, everyone moves to the 1943 VIII, perk that, we're back to a 1942 F IX!!!!

Now might be a good time to try a tour with the XIV unperked, see what happens.

The solution is to give MORE options, not take away what little the RAF has.

With the limited (but much better) Spit lineup, of course the XVI is going to see lots of use, it's the best (VIII very similar) performing FREE one, especially for the MA low alt furballs.
Before I get the "Spit has the most of any type ingame", consider this -
The main opponent was the 109 AND 190, which combined has much more than the Spits available.

The reason you don't see a lot of perk the D9, K4 or Pony threads is because both the USAF and LW have many more planes available to them that are competitve in the MA that none gets OVERUSED.
Solution is simple - Give the RAF more FREE options in the 1943 onwards area.
I would guess that even reinstating the old V as an LF Vc with clipped wings would reduce XVI usage.

Lets imagine we hadn't got the XVI, but just the VIII, we'd still be in the same situation.
So are we saying that any Spit produced after the 1942 Spit IX is going to be perked, because thats the way it's heading.
Even heard it suggested the Seafire should be perked to reduce it's usage of CV's - ITS INSANE.

What would be useful is to find out what planes have lost sortie numbers to the XVI, find out were all the 'extra' came from. Obviously the V and IX sorties have dropped.

RE: Turns with a V? - That I'd like to see.
the reason why the K/D is low (in your opinion) is because every two week noob is in one.  I've out turned some players with a heavy 100% fueled up 110 while still keeping my bombs.  the spit may not need to be perked but it would be better for game play if were mildly perked.  I would argue to reduce the perk on the spit14 at this time as well.  your argument regarding the LW models is not valid.  were HTC ever to correct those models then perhaps it would be.  I don't see HTC ever doing that though it would seriously hurt their quarterly projections.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Grits on December 17, 2005, 08:02:56 AM
LOL...before this gets too far along, I want to clarify my position. I am not lobbying for the XVI to be perked, I couldnt care less if they perk it personally. I just wanted to throw out my guess that it will be perked and why. I could be wrong, who knows? If you ask me I say unperk everything but the Temp and the 262.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kurfürst on December 17, 2005, 08:55:48 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Guppy35
Safe to say the advantages outweighed the disadvantages?  Seems like it when you consider the XIIs all went clipped, and the XVIs did as well and that was in 44-45.]


Outweighted? What you say shows the complete opposite, if we realize that only two, relatively low production variants had them clipped as standard : the MKXII, of which only a mere 100 were built,equipping 2 Sqns and the XVI, that equipped, err, a whole FIVE squadrons in the 2nd TAF.

We are talking about a 100 or so Spitfires with clipped wings out of a THOUSEND or two  that retained the normal wings, because it just wasn't competitive, what they found that clipping the wings helps the poor aircraft but not much the good ones, while the strenghts of the Spitfire, turning and climbing was compromised.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Wilbus on December 17, 2005, 09:06:58 AM
In AH the cXVI rolls pretty much the same as the 190 A's at most speeds. Another interesting thing is that either there is way less stick forces for the XVI then the 190 or the pilot in the spit is modelled stronger.

The stick in the plane reacts fast and moves quicker then that in the 190 (or any other plane).
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 17, 2005, 09:12:10 AM
In reality there were 1054 Mk XVI's built, ALL with clipped wings, so with the XII that only slighlty exceeds your '100' or so.
Note were talking BUILT/PRODUCED here. Guess they just left them clipped for chits and giggles?

Many many more from the V onwards had clipped wingtips fitted.
Problem is no definate numbers will ever be know because Spits were fitted with all three wingtip types as and when the need arose.

A loss of 160-200fpm climb, but still retaining a turning circle still inside a 190, is not a big deal for an aircraft designed to fight at low alts.
Before you point to the report posted above -
a) Both the 2 Mk V's and the Mk IX are F series Spits NOT LF.
b) The climb rate of the LF IX and LF XVI (even clipped) at low alts is far superior to the F IX.
c) They still out turned a 190
d) Had better roll

Quite frankly looking at the report I still say the guy summing it up TOTALLY lost the plot.

It's like using an F IX or F V with extended wingtips at medium alts to show why an HF VII shouldn't have them.

So as usual Kurfy you are comparing apples to oranges, much the same as the report.
Look at point (ii) Increase in take off run (Only serious for CV operations).
Turned out to be BS, fully laden clipped wing Seafires were trialled off CV's without a take off run problem.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 17, 2005, 09:28:46 AM
Quote
That implies that any modification done to fill a need was desperate.


I kind of took it as just that, Guppy.  Not being a "fan" either.  

Think of it like this.  The RAF had nothing in service which would stay with an FW-190 when it rolled out of the attack to extend.  The pilots in the report state that it was "practically impossible" for a clipped wing Spitfire to follow.

This and some other factors tied to design, gave the Focke Wulf pilots the initative in dogfighting.  They could attack and break off when they wanted too at any altitude they were faster.

Just like the Spitfire could stay relatively safe from the FW-190 by reefing his plane into the tightest possible turn, the FW-190 could stay relatively safe while in close with the Spitfire by changing the direction of it's vector of lift.

If one plane could nullify the others "safe" move, well the advantages are obvious.

The normal wing Spitfire had no chance at all of doing this.  The clipped wing Spitfire it was "practically impossible".  That implies a chance.  Not a big one but a chance.  Which is better than nothing.

As to the report, it most certainly covers all clipped wing Spitfires.  I don't think it can be discounted just because it list's some less than outstanding characteristics fans do not like to read.  Nothing in it says clipped wing spitfires were incapable aircraft.  They still outturned an FW-190 though not like a full wing Spitfire and they had at least a chance of following in the roll.


All in all, a pretty good upgrade in Spitfire performance vs FW-190.  It is not a magical upgrade though allowing the aircraft to bend the rules of science.

Where we see an imbalance is in a computer model based off faulty information from a report done 60 years without full intelligence or knowledge of the enemy design.

Quote
I think we've agreed in the past that the wartime development of the 190 and Spit parallelled each other with each taking steps up the ladder towards the far end of piston engined fighter development, and I think you'd agree when all was said and done they kept pace with each taking the lead on occasion with the other catching up or passing it again.


I do agree Guppy.  Nobody is saying either plane dominated the other.  They had design strengths and weaknesses.

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kurfürst on December 17, 2005, 09:32:40 AM
These are two different reports, one is summarizing the pilot's frontline experience, the other is a the conclusions of flight tests done by RAE. In other words, objective and subjective ones, but stating the same. These reports are also very clear and in agreement that the real 'improvement' from clipping the wings is only noticable on planes that have poor sets of ailerons, and perform poorly, which becomes significantly better when the wings are clipped, but there's little difference with 'good' planes in roll when clipped/unclipped.

It was probably a nice, but not very significant improvement of roll rate for the loss of other qualities, which makes me believe that's why it was only smaller number of Spits were built this way as standard (up to the end of 1944 given how late the XVI entered service, I guess that means a few hundred planes produced and less seeing service at most), and most of them retaining their normal wings.

If it would be a huge improment in roll rate vs. relatively small loss of Roc, then I guess it would have been serialized on ALL planes.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Widewing on December 17, 2005, 09:38:54 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Squire
Had some time to kill, so took Spit XVI up with 100 gas clean, got 404 at +18 lbs at 19,900 ft, which I beleive is FTH (above that the boost drops off). Achieved without aid of a dive.

Just for info...:aok


When the last update came online, I tested the Spit VIII and the Spit XVI for general performance.

Your speed number is spot on.

MK. VIII
Speed @ sea level: 337 mph
Speed @ 22,000 ft: 402 mph
Acceleration, time from 200 to 300 mph at SL: 33.66 seconds
Climb from SL to 10K, starting at 300 mph: 1:44.72

Mk. XVI
Speed @ sea level: 343 mph
Speed @ 20,000 ft: 405 mph
Acceleration, time from 200 to 300 mph at SL: 30.88 seconds
Climb from SL to 10K, starting at 300 mph: 1:38.38

Mk. XIV
Speed @ sea level: 359 mph
Speed @ 27,000 ft: 445 mph
Acceleration, time from 200 to 300 mph at SL: 28.56 seconds
Climb from SL to 10K, starting at 300 mph: 1:44.69

Limited testing of the new 109s produced the following.

109G-14
Speed @ sea level: 347 mph
Climb from SL to 10K, starting at 300 mph: 1:45.72

109K-4
Speed @ sea level: 367 mph
Climb from SL to 10K, starting at 300 mph: 1:43.19

109G-6
Speed @ sea level: 337 mph
Climb from SL to 10K, starting at 300 mph: 1:53.79

Other revised Spitfires, limited testing.

Mk. IX
Speed @ sea level: 319 mph
Climb from SL to 10K, starting at 300 mph: 2:05.94

Mk. Vb
Speed @ sea level: 305 mph
Climb from SL to 10K, starting at 300 mph: 2:26.04

Seafire Mk. IIc
Speed @ sea level: 304 mph
Climb from SL to 10K, starting at 300 mph: 2:33.21

Other recently added or revised aircraft.

P-38G
Speed @ sea level: 327 mph
Speed @ 25,000 ft: 401 mph
Acceleration, time from 200 to 300 mph at SL: 45.03 seconds
Climb from SL to 10K, starting at 300 mph: 2:27.59

P-38J
Speed @ sea level: 344 mph
Speed @ 25,000 ft: 419 mph
Acceleration, time from 200 to 300 mph at SL: 36.53 seconds
Climb from SL to 10K, starting at 300 mph: 2:03.55

P-51D
Speed @ sea level: 367 mph
Speed @ 25,000 ft: 441 mph
Acceleration, time from 200 to 300 mph at SL: 35.32 seconds
Climb from SL to 10K, starting at 300 mph: 2:12.03

Fw 190D-9
Speed @ sea level: 375 mph (367 mph w/bomb rack)
Speed @ 20,000 ft: 426 mph (419 mph w/bomb rack)
Acceleration, time from 200 to 300 mph at SL: 30.83 seconds
Climb from SL to 10K, starting at 300 mph: 2:04.35

I've always had an issue with P-38 acceleration in Aces High. Pilots who flew both the P-38 and the P-51 universally agree that the P-38 was a "drag racer" in comparison, and the power loading of the P-38 seems to support that opinion. At normal weights in the RW, the P-38J uses little less than 65% of the runway distance to get airborne when compared to a P-51D.

My regards,

Widewing
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 17, 2005, 09:42:49 AM
The only reason I am saying I don't put much stock in the report is the aircraft they tested with clipped wings.

Vb and IX - Both F versions, where ceiling is important.

Going through the disadvantages listed in the report -

(i) Inability to turn as fast - True, but still turned inside a 190

(ii) Take off run - A disadvantage? Were the RAF operating out of backyards? As for CV ops, see previous post, wasn't a problem.

(iii) Loss in rate of climb - Consider that a clipped wing Merlin 66 Spit climbs better at it best alts than the F IX or F V's in the report.

(iv) Lowering of service ceiling - Yup a problem for an F series Spit, not a problem for an LF series designed for lower alts anyway.

(v) Decrease in speed over 20k - As above, yup a problem for F series, but resulted in an increase in speed at lower alts, again where the LF series was designed for.

In it's context comparing it to F series Spits it's valid, however it's not valid against the Merlin 66 LF series Spits.

Like I said its the equivalent of taking F IX, F V fitting them with extended wingtips and using that as a basis for why they shouldn't be fitted to the HF series Spits.
 
Much the same as certain people using a VIII with extended wings to prove a standard wing VIII rolls/turns badly.

I'll leave the XII to Dan, they were Griffon birds.

Widewing - Data appreciated.
How much fuel in the VIII, 100%?
If so you would need to burn off some fuel to get it the same as the XVI. Then you would find the VIII is a lot closer if not better in some categories than the XVI.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kurfürst on December 17, 2005, 10:06:46 AM
Interesting, some data seems off :


Quote
Originally posted by Widewing

MK. VIII
Speed @ sea level: 337 mph ...aboutOK
Speed @ 22,000 ft: 402 mph .... - 2mph
Acceleration, time from 200 to 300 mph at SL: 33.66 seconds
Climb from SL to 10K, starting at 300 mph: 1:44.72

Mk. XVI
Speed @ sea level: 343 mph... too fast, +7mph (+18lbs)
Speed @ 20,000 ft: 405 mph... +1 mph


Limited testing of the new 109s produced the following.

109G-14
Speed @ sea level: 347 mph... to slow, -6mph
Note : The G-14 was also reported 10mph too slow at rated altitude.


109K-4
Speed @ sea level: 367 mph... about OK, should be 369mph (for 1.8ata)
Climb from SL to 10K, starting at 300 mph: 1:43.19

109G-6
Speed @ sea level: 337 mph.. too fast, should be 329mph, by +8mph
Climb from SL to 10K, starting at 300 mph: 1:53.79

Other revised Spitfires, limited testing.

Mk. IX
Speed @ sea level: 319 mph.... way too fast, by +9mph (for +15 lbs)
Climb from SL to 10K, starting at 300 mph: 2:05.94
[/B]



From the above, if there's issues with the XVI performance, it's quite understandable why it's so highly rated in low altitude combat. It's slightly faster at low alt than it should be, and it's opponent G-14 is slightly slower than i should be.

Historically, the XVI was good for about 337 mph at SL, the G-14 for 353mph. There was 13mph difference between them.But in AH, the XVI does 343, the G-14 only 347, so the diffo is only 4 mphg actually.

Another pair that is mutually overmodelled is the Merlin 61 FIX and the G-6, both faster by 8-9mph at SL than they should be in absolute terms, even though they are relative to each other OK in speed.


....
Quote

I've always had an issue with P-38 acceleration in Aces High. Pilots who flew both the P-38 and the P-51 universally agree that the P-38 was a "drag racer" in comparison, and the power loading of the P-38 seems to support that opinion. At normal weights in the RW, the P-38J uses little less than 65% of the runway distance to get airborne when compared to a P-51D.

My regards,

Widewing [/B]


From what I have seen the P-51D Cd0 was around 0.0170, the P-38J's - 0.0270 Add the fact that the P-38 had much higher wing area with what you have to multiply the Cd0, and there's absolutely NO WAY the P-38 could be claimed a 'drag racer', esp. compared to the Mustang. Powerloading, dunno, the P-38 has about twice the weight, and twice as many similiarly powerful engines, so it could cancel it out.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 17, 2005, 10:22:52 AM
Quote
The only reason I am saying I don't put much stock in the report is the aircraft they tested with clipped wings.


That's true and you are entitled to your opinion.  I would certainly agree with you if this was the Luftwaffe testing an RAF design.  This however, is the end user testing their own equipment.  Different animal entirely whose conclusions are much harder to discount on a whim.  Keep in mind the report was requested by the Royal Air Force to help win the air war.

 They came to a different conclusion with a lot more pertinent facts at their disposal than anyone on these boards.

That is backed up by the fact only certain Spitfires were produced with clipped wings.  Certainly not the majority of Spitfires produced had clipped wings.

Looks to me like the optimism of the proponents of the clipped wing Spitfire found their inspiration from the data contained in RAE 1231.  On paper the Clipped Spitfire should have been equal and even superior to the FW-190's roll depending on the speed.

That simply did not carry over into combat, as RAE 1231 was not the correct roll capability of the FW-190.

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 17, 2005, 10:23:25 AM
Spit XVI sea level - As its performance is comparable to a LF IX and a normal span LF IX could hit 336mph at SL.

Then a clipped wing Spit would be faster, clipping wings gave a speed increase at low alts, maybe even the 7mph your stating.
Yet again your mixing your wing types where performance is conscerned.

RE: The report - Looking at the top of the pilot comments, all were flying the F Vb, so yes in that context it may be considered undesirable.
However I would suggest in the case of low alt Merlin 66 equipped Spit, the same is not true.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 17, 2005, 10:25:28 AM
Quote
Mk. XVI
Speed @ sea level: 343 mph... too fast, +7mph (+18lbs)
Speed @ 20,000 ft: 405 mph... +1 mph


Looks to me like it is within Supermarines published limits.  It is just on the upper end of the percentages and optimistic.

Didn't all Mk XVI's come with clipped wings?  I would think Supermarine would factor that in.

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 17, 2005, 10:27:38 AM
No Crump that data is for a NORMAL SPAN LF IX, not a clipped wing LF IX/XVI.

XVI
Should be 336mph at sea level + increase for clipped wings.
Rate of climb sea level would be 4620 - loss 160-200fpm for clipped wings. (not the 3700fpm or so that was suggested earlier in this thread)

VIII
I would suggest that the VIII is actually underperforming quite badly, it's performance figures are closer to extended wing VIII than a normal span VIII.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Nashwan on December 17, 2005, 10:49:17 AM
Quote
Mk. XVI
Speed @ sea level: 343 mph... too fast, +7mph (+18lbs)
Speed @ 20,000 ft: 405 mph... +1 mph


Spitfires were tested with mirrors, the AH Spitfires don't have them. Removing the mirror accounted for about 6 mph.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 17, 2005, 11:15:55 AM
Quote
No Crump that data is for a NORMAL SPAN LF IX (same performance as a LF XVI), not a clipped wing LF IX/XVI.


No I meant what I wrote Kev, the data is optimistic.  However you want to slip the curve due to wings, facts remain it is based on optimistic data.

BS539

Quote
The two remaining gun stubs were fitted with hemispherical blanks. All gun ports were sealed, but the ejection chutes beneath the wings relevant to the guns fitted were open.


http://www.spitfireperformance.com/bs543.html

JL165

Quote
Except for these modifications, the engine was a standard production Merlin 66, the aircraft being a normal Spitfire IX, with 10'9" diameter Hydulignum propeller and standard tropical type of air intake, operating as temperate. The aircraft was flown at a weight of 7,234 lbs. (84 galls. total fuel capacity).


There is a 9mph difference in the speeds.  Both aircraft are within normal specs.  It is just that BS539 represents the far end of the scale while JL 165 is a normal finish standard production without special attention to improve performance.

Before you even bring up the tropical filter, they were standard on all spitfires and this one was opened to temperate conditions.  Just like Europe not Africa.

Now let me pause and spell out my position.  I support either data set.  Both are realistic and obtainable by the design.  Arguing over a few mph is frankly just stupid.

What I do not support is data that is so far to one side of the other that the historical balance of the game shifts.  The Spitfire MkXVI was not the wondercraft it is showing itself to be in AH in the real world.  

If it was, I doubt any other variant would have been developed.

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 17, 2005, 11:28:18 AM
Quote
Spitfires were tested with mirrors, the AH Spitfires don't have them. Removing the mirror accounted for about 6 mph.


When are they going to model FW-190's with the Kommandgerät boost overridden to 1.8ata cause the crewchief drills out the jets?

How about when FW-190 crews put the supercharger out of limits contrary to regulations?

I can give them the reports on those Geschwader level mods that have the Focke Wulf  190A screaming along at 595kph on the deck in 1943.  Is it representative of a frontline FW-190 fighter.  Sure, in some of the Stafflen.  Is it average, not a chance.  

Can we get summer/winter fuel so our aircraft are faster all year long?  Summer fuel with attenuating ring gave some pretty good gains.

How about just getting the right corrections for the data used?

Most importantly:

Did Spitfires come from the factory with mirrors?

This is exactly why things are out of whack in AH world.  Whose modification can make it into the game as substitute for standard.

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: Widewing on December 17, 2005, 12:04:38 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Kurfürst
From what I have seen the P-51D Cd0 was around 0.0170, the P-38J's - 0.0270 Add the fact that the P-38 had much higher wing area with what you have to multiply the Cd0, and there's absolutely NO WAY the P-38 could be claimed a 'drag racer', esp. compared to the Mustang. Powerloading, dunno, the P-38 has about twice the weight, and twice as many similiarly powerful engines, so it could cancel it out.


Francis Dean provides calculated data in America's Hundred Thousand that shows the P-38L with about an 8% advantage in acceleration rate over the P-51D. He used the following data for his calculation.

P-38L 3,200 hp   16,880 lb weight  3,840 lb thrust  1,676 lb drag  

P-51D 1,720 hp   10,208 lb weight  2,064 lb thrust  845 lb drag

His calculation resulted in an acceleration rate of 4.13 ft/sec/sec for the P-38L, and 3.85 ft/sec/sec for the P-51D (difference equal to 7%). If the P-38J/L accelerated 7% faster than the P-51D in the game, it would turn in a time of 32.84 seconds in my acceleration test, instead of 36.53 seconds.

By the way, I also tested the 109G-14 to determine best speed and best altitude. I measured 401 mph @ 21,000 feet, with 1.42 ata. Still too slow, but a bit better than some have stated.

My regards,

Widewing
Title: It's official...
Post by: Nashwan on December 17, 2005, 12:08:01 PM
Quote
This is exactly why things are out of whack in AH world. Whose modification can make it into the game as substitute for standard.


It's not a "modification". Spitfires were usually fitted with mirrors. Certainly all the VIII/IX tests I know of had mirrors fitted.

AH does not model mirrors. Should they model the drag of something that isn't fitted?
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 17, 2005, 12:08:04 PM
Quote
Francis Dean provides calculated data in America's Hundred Thousand that shows the P-38L with about an 8% advantage in acceleration rate over the P-51D. He used the following data for his calculation.


Have you checked out the TAIC tested results, Widewing?

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 17, 2005, 12:09:50 PM
Quote
Should they model the drag of something that isn't fitted?


They don't model the effect's of subzero winter temperatures either.

Should all the Luftwaffe planes have to carry around over 100 lbs of winterization gear all the time??

Facts are it came on the aircraft and should be modeled.

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 17, 2005, 12:38:54 PM
RE: BS539
Two gun ports covered with hemispherical blanks - Should be, was standard fit, this was where the 50cals 'would' be.

All remaining gun ports sealed off - Assuming they mean the 4x.303 ports, yet again whats so unusual. Spits on takeoff had the infamous red patches covering the .303 gun ports to prevent icing prior to initial firing.

It also states mirror was fitted.

So we still have Spit LF IX with normal span wings and a sea level speed of 336mph with a Merlin66.

As per the other report, clipping the wings had the effect of increasing roll, increasing low alt speed, but at the detriment of turn radius.

So I don't see where the extra 7mph is a problem, clipped wings difference?
Title: It's official...
Post by: Widewing on December 17, 2005, 12:53:28 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Crumpp
Have you checked out the TAIC tested results, Widewing?

All the best,

Crumpp


I don't recall if I've seen it or not. I have seen the report from the P-51B, P-38J-10, P-47D-10 and P-39Q-5 comparison test done at Eglin. The P-38J was clearly better in climb and acceleration to the other three. I may have a photocopy from Bodie in my files... I'll have to look.

My regards,

WIdewing
Title: It's official...
Post by: Squire on December 17, 2005, 01:06:45 PM
Alfred Prices book indicated a "slight speed increase" from the clipped wings, I beleive it was 5 mph, but I don't have it in front of me.

As if it makes any real difference, but that wont prevent a 400 post thread on it I guess.

Fix the Spit PYRO, it doesn't bleed E!

There ya go. Happy to be of service. ;)
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kurfürst on December 17, 2005, 01:24:06 PM
Crumpp is correct about BS 543, it was some early prototype for the IXLF from 1942, and differed considerably from the production plane in engine and propellor. It had an experimental screw, type XH54D-RM-S5, which did not see service.

It's engine was also in the early development stage, and was rated higher than the production Merlin 66 was. It's readily appearant if you look on the climb curves that 543's early development Merlin 66 had a rated altitude for climb of 18000 feet, and 22 000 feet for speed run.
That's 2000 feet higher rated alt for the engine that what was standard for the production Merlin 66, ei. 16/20 000 feet.

Compare :

Prototype : http://www.spitfireperformance.com/bs543climb.gif
Note 18 ft rated altitude.

Datasheet : http://www.spitfireperformance.com/spitlf9ads.jpg
Note the production Merlin 66 has 16 000 feet rated altitude.

Prototype speed : http://www.spitfireperformance.com/lfhfspeed.gif
Note it's 22 000 feet rated alt.

Production Engine rammed power :http://www.spitfireperformance.com/merlin66hpchart.jpg
Note it's 20 000 feet.

Obviously, an engien with a higher rated altitude will produce greater speed because of the thinner atmoshpere. That explains why BS 543 obtained slightly higher speed than the officially accepted speed as per the IXLF datasheet (404mph) : they were different type of aircraft and it's not valid to compare results to it.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 17, 2005, 01:37:06 PM
Quote
So we still have Spit LF IX with normal span wings and a sea level speed of 336mph with a Merlin66.


It is however clearly on the upper scale of performance and is no different from "normal" FW-190A6's doing 580kph on the deck.  All are within manufacturer's tolerances.  

None represent the middle of the road performance however.

I am not even advocating that modeled performance needs to be "average".  I do advocate that performance can adjusted within tolerances to best reflect an aircraft's historical balance within the planeset.

Would it be correct if I posted flight tested data from 5 different aircraft in which three of them were above Focke Wulf's listed specifications and started claiming the FW-190 should be faster than those specifications always?  They are simply possible performance within a normal range.

I mean come on.  As much as some folks would love for it to be, the Spitfire was not running all over the skies during WWII outrunning, outdiving, outclimbing, or outturning all planes at all times.  Like every other design it was about the engineering trade offs.  Just as there are "Lemons" there are exceptional examples of any manufacturered product.

We can take selected data though and make charts all day long showing our favourite plane as the "uberfighter" proving it's prowness to ourselves.

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: Nashwan on December 17, 2005, 01:38:29 PM
Quote
Facts are it came on the aircraft and should be modeled.


Oh, I agree, but I believe the graphics hit is the reason they didn't model it. I don't think they'd model the drag for someting that isn't fitted.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 17, 2005, 01:50:27 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Crumpp
It is however clearly on the upper scale of performance and is no different from "normal" FW-190A6's doing 580kph on the deck.  All are within manufacturer's tolerances.  

None represent the middle of the road performance however.

I am not even advocating that modeled performance needs to be "average".  I do advocate that performance can adjusted within tolerances to best reflect an aircraft's historical balance within the planeset.

Would it be correct if I posted flight tested data from 5 different aircraft in which three of them were above Focke Wulf's listed specifications and started claiming the FW-190 should be faster than those specifications always?  They are simply possible performance within a normal range.

I mean come on.  As much as some folks would love for it to be, the Spitfire was not running all over the skies during WWII outrunning, outdiving, outclimbing, or outturning all planes at all times.  Like every other design it was about the engineering trade offs.  Just as there are "Lemons" there are exceptional examples of any manufacturered product.

We can take selected data though and make charts all day long showing our favourite plane as the "uberfighter" proving it's prowness to ourselves.

All the best,

Crumpp


Exactly, and HT doesn't model lemons.
If he did he would include the poor build quality of late war LW rides, and such things as aircraft being delivered minus some instruments.

I believe I have already stated I don't believe the XVI is the uber fighter some seem to think it is.
However for the MA environment, it and the VIII are the two best Spits out there.
Why the XVI more popular - a) Clipped wings, b) 50 cals

If anything I think the VIII is slighly under performance specs, seems more like the data came from a extended wing Spit VIII, not a normal span one.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 17, 2005, 02:04:14 PM
Quote
Exactly, and HT doesn't model lemons.


That is a pretty good deflection, Kev.

Your correct HTC is not modeling Lemons in the case of Spitfire Mk XVI.  They have been duped into modeling cherry picked upper end performance.

What do you think the performance should be?

Quote
If he did he would include the poor build quality of late war LW rides, and such things as aircraft being delivered minus some instruments.


Yep it happens.  However all in all the Luftwaffe actually kept things together pretty well.  Some things fell through the cracks as can be expected under those circumstances.  To characterize "poor quality" builds or incidents of gross negligence on the part of the inspectors as hardly typical is not correct.  Unless we are talking the last week or so of the war.

The discussion is on the Spitfire Mk XVI especially sense I would hardly characterize the Luftwaffe data HTC uses as "cherry picked".  We have an FW-190A5 modeled on a captured FW-190G they attempted to cobble together as a fighter.  Our FW-190A8 data does not appear to have any positional error corrections applied.

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 17, 2005, 02:28:30 PM
Quote
If anything I think the VIII is slighly under performance specs, seems more like the data came from a extended wing Spit VIII, not a normal span one.


It should be fixed then.

Quote
Oh, I agree, but I believe the graphics hit is the reason they didn't model it. I don't think they'd model the drag for someting that isn't fitted.


Kind of a freebie for the Spitfire.  Seems like a signicant gain for mirror though.  I don't think the ETC 504 rack caused that large a performance change.

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: Squire on December 17, 2005, 03:06:35 PM
Tested the VIII. 401 mph TAS at 22,000 ft. on the dot. Clean, achieved in level acceleration at max boost.

Thats within 6 mph of the AFDU tests, and you guys all know enough about a/c test regimes that when you start quibbling over an error of 1 percent, that thats close enough.

Seems fine to me.

The XVI is 3 mph faster at 19,900 ft.

Could be any # of things to account for that. Clipped wings, or anything else.

Seems fine to me.

PYRO is not about to revisit a FM over microscopic #s quibbles. Nor should he.

As for the roll rate of the VIII, I have seen no hard data on that to indicate there is even a problem, it would require some very precise tests, and FM data from the AFDU to back up the claim of the error. I find it unlikely thats going to happen.

...but who knows.
Title: It's official...
Post by: straffo on December 17, 2005, 03:29:31 PM
As I fly mostly 190 I'll be pretty pissed to see my favorite target perked.

If you have trouble with the spit ... LEARN don't ask for it be perked.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Squire on December 17, 2005, 03:46:22 PM
Was going to mention too, just in regards to testing, its not easy when you dont have the HTC graphs to show what the FTH is with the new 2.06 a/c and you have to guess.

Widewing, remember when you are testing climb to 10k its from on the runway. You get very close #s if you do that. Air starts of 300 mph will throw them way off, although, as you did a comparison, the #s are still worth looking at. Im referring to AFDU tests.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 17, 2005, 04:30:04 PM
I am not asking for the Spitfire to be perked.

The data error on the Spitfire Mk XVI is  2.7% however, Squire.   That is 1.2% outside the range of what Supermarine says the aircraft should be capable of doing.   The error is 1.5% above or below listed specifications over a 3% spread.

It is outside what a Spitfire Mk XVI should be capable of doing.

The FW-190A5 data in AH is outside that 3 % spread as well.  However it is 2.35% BELOW the average FW-190A5 speed.

The FW-190A8 at 565kph on Erhöhte Notleistung achieves the speed it should without position error applied.  We have CAS modeled as TAS.

That is also a 2.3 % error BELOW average speed and outside guarenteed performance.

All in all that puts the FW 190 vs Spit considerably off.

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: Guppy35 on December 17, 2005, 07:34:23 PM
Gonna try one last time on the clipped wings.

It was done to improve the roll rate and because at lower levels the performance loss, as in turn radius was minimal.

They were never meant for high alt work.  The reason the XVI was produced with clipped wings as were many of the LFIXs in 44/45 was because they were going to be operating down low with 2 TAF in the ground attack role.

You'll find that Spitfire VIIIs and IXs in the MTO that were operating in this roll were also clipped.

If you look, you'll find that many postwar LFIXs, and XIVs, again operating down low in either a tactical or armed recce roll, had clipped wings.

Go check the Spits postwar that  the Belgians got, the Dutch, the Norwegians, the Czechs, the Burmese, the Isrealis and so on.  If it was such a disaster clipping them, why did they take the Spits that way?

They got clipped Spits because they were using them down low in a tac air roll.

Had the role of the Spit XVI been something besides 2 TAF ground attack, it more then likely would not have had the clipped wings.  

Take it up high and the performance penalty was greater.  Down low, where it operated for real and where it operates in AH, it's not a hinderance.

The XII drivers operating at medium to low alts found the clipped wing worked to their benefit as they didn't lose the performace in the turn noticably.

This would apply to the LFVb and LFVc operating in a similar role.

Jeez you guys want to beat it to death sometimes when it's right in front of your faces :)

And again, for the perk the XVI crowd.  Keep in mind the guys flying it are acutally thinking they have a chance when they stay in and fight.  Don't take that away.  Let em turn and burn for a while. They might learn something.

There are always going to be uber sticks out there who can do wonders in whatever bird they fly.  We've all run into them.  You can tell the minute that plane does something you know you can't replicate.

I do get tired of the same guys coming around moaning about the Spits.  The evidence is there for clipped wings on all kinds of Spit variants, yet somehow the RAF screwed up, the records are wrong, the photo evidence is wrong, the Spit was a dog, etc etc.Heaven help us if the RAF fans had some fun for a change.

Now where's my Spit IX?
Title: It's official...
Post by: Squire on December 17, 2005, 07:54:49 PM
Santa knows you have been good Guppy :)

Spit XVIE, yes indeed, its role was fighter-bomber at low level, hence the clipped wings.

Do you have "Invasions Without Tears" Guppy? its a great read on 126 Wing with 2nd TAF, and sheds a lot of light on the kinds of missions they flew, although Chris Shores books on simikar subjects probably covers the same ground, but its a more close up look at the ops of a fighter wing in France and Holland from the ground staff as well, and has a lot of interesting bits of info on the daily grind of the campaign. It war written from the memoirs of the Senior Intel Officer attached, F/L M. Berger RCAF.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 17, 2005, 08:16:00 PM
Quote
Heaven help us if the RAF fans had some fun for a change.


I certainly have to scratch my head at this statement Guppy.

Maybe it is because I fly the CT, an arena they very rarely added the AH Spitfire even in AH1, due to it's unbalancing effect.  An effect with little basis in reality.  I have to say that if it was "realistic" the Luftwaffe would have been destroyed in 1942.  



Quote
The evidence is there for clipped wings on all kinds of Spit variants, yet somehow the RAF screwed up, the records are wrong, the photo evidence is wrong, the Spit was a dog, etc etc.Heaven help us if the RAF fans had some fun for a change.


No one has claimed anything of the sort Guppy.  The documentation is clear and says what is written.

As I stated earlier, some chance is better than no chance.  It makes sense to clip the wings.

Clipping them did not perform aviation miracles however.

What does not make sense is the fact it seems perfectly ok for some rides to exceed their published specifications while others are consistantly lagging behind.

As long as it good for the fans, right?

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: Guppy35 on December 17, 2005, 09:04:04 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Crumpp
I certainly have to scratch my head at this statement Guppy.

Maybe it is because I fly the CT, an arena they very rarely added the AH Spitfire even in AH1, due to it's unbalancing effect.  An effect with little basis in reality.  I have to say that if it was "realistic" the Luftwaffe would have been destroyed in 1942.  



 

No one has claimed anything of the sort Guppy.  The documentation is clear and says what is written.

As I stated earlier, some chance is better than no chance.  It makes sense to clip the wings.

Clipping them did not perform aviation miracles however.

What does not make sense is the fact it seems perfectly ok for some rides to exceed their published specifications while others are consistantly lagging behind.

As long as it good for the fans, right?

All the best,

Crumpp


Never claimed the clipped wing was a miracle worker, just trying to clarify the point as to its use.

To be honest, all I go by is what I see when I fly AH.  I don't see the XVI as being uber.  Like I mentioned I now fly the IX when I fly a Spit cause it works better then the XVI to me.

Folks seem to be concerned that lots of folks are flying the XVI.  Yep it does things well.  It's easy to fly.

As mentioned before, in talking to a present day Spit driver.  His comment was that he thought they should have started pilots training in Spits, then moved them to Tiger Moths and later Harvard/ T6s.  It's that easy and forgiving of an airplane.

His group has a Hurricane and a Spit and he often takes the Hurricane because it's more of a challenge to fly.

So be it.  So lots of AH pilots are flying an easy plane to fly that has good performance that lets it compete with anything out there in one way shape or form.  Now maybe some of the runners will stay in and try and learn to dogfight.

That's my point.  Why take that away if it can help make guys more willing to mix it up, instead of HOing and running in their LA7s?

Obviously your last comment is in reference to your concerns about the 190.

You'll not find any spot where I ripped the 190 or said quit complaining or you are wrong about it etc etc.

I hope that it gets to where the LW drivers think it needs to be.  So be it for the 109 fans too.  

It gets hard as a Spit fan to have been stuck with for so long a 1942 hodge podge Spit IX as well as listening to the whines about the Spit Vc we had.

So now we have 44-45 variants and the call is out that it/they should be perked because too many people are using them.  In the end a Spit fan can't win, or at least has to be limited to Spits that aren't too good.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Guppy35 on December 17, 2005, 09:05:49 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Squire
Santa knows you have been good Guppy :)

Spit XVIE, yes indeed, its role was fighter-bomber at low level, hence the clipped wings.

Do you have "Invasions Without Tears" Guppy? its a great read on 126 Wing with 2nd TAF, and sheds a lot of light on the kinds of missions they flew, although Chris Shores books on simikar subjects probably covers the same ground, but its a more close up look at the ops of a fighter wing in France and Holland from the ground staff as well, and has a lot of interesting bits of info on the daily grind of the campaign. It war written from the memoirs of the Senior Intel Officer attached, F/L M. Berger RCAF.


Yep, have Invasion Without Tears.  Also have  "Blue Skies" by Bill Olmsted, who flew Spits with 126 Wing.  Interesting to read alongside the other book.
Title: It's official...
Post by: hubsonfire on December 17, 2005, 09:20:46 PM
Call me crazy, but I think things would be a great deal easier for many of us if everyone else flew crappy planes.

Just my pointless $.02.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 17, 2005, 10:54:56 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Guppy35
It gets hard as a Spit fan to have been stuck with for so long a 1942 hodge podge Spit IX as well as listening to the whines about the Spit Vc we had.

So now we have 44-45 variants and the call is out that it/they should be perked because too many people are using them.  In the end a Spit fan can't win, or at least has to be limited to Spits that aren't too good.


45 variant?
Anyway, yup thats the whole point Dan, there isn't a way to win.
It's a lose/lose situation - If we get more variants and therefore spread people out we get "OH NO NOT ANOTHER SPIT", if we get anything halfway decent (and yup it will get used a lot) we get "PERK IT".

People really need to have a close look at the big 3 planesets -
USAF and LW - 60%+ single engine are 44/45
RAF - 30% are 44 (no 1945, a total of 3, and two are perked at this time).

LW - Has more than a few at their MAX performance boost levels
USAF and RAF - Not ONE plane uses 150 grade fuel.

So leave the XVI unperked, let the RAF fans have our toy, the other 2 'sides' have more than their fare share of toys.

OR

Give us more late war RAF birds to choose from.
Title: It's official...
Post by: DoKGonZo on December 17, 2005, 11:07:11 PM
I can see some justification for perking the Spit16. Consider that it's only vices are a lack of armor and a tendency to lose wings at very high speeds. On the plus side it has great visibility (better than any LW plane), decent range with the slipper tanks, one of the best guns packages (better than any other 20mm by a wide margin), and top tier climb, speed, and turn rate. It can fight T&B or B&Z equally well - and with the Hispanos it can afford to HO anything that doesn't have 'em.

So, yeah, obviously people will fly it. And they'll get kills in it - and therefore keep flying it.

Maybe there needs to be more of a sliding scale for perks based on frequency of use. That is, any plane with less than 10 ENY can become perked if it gets flown often enough. NOthing more than 5 perks. So take a simple case. Lets say the top 3 uber rides were the Spit16, La7, and P51D - which is more likely than not. The Spit16 would cost 5 perks, the La7: 3 and the P51D: 1. If at the next checkpoint the distribution changed, then the perks would change. And if none of the sub-10 ENY rides crossed the threshhold of being flown "too much" then they'd stay free.

Dunno ... just an idea.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 17, 2005, 11:09:33 PM
Would be an idea, but there no way on this green Earth a system would be implemented whereby a Pony may become perked. (think about, you'll realise it will never happen)
Theres enough screams when it gets ENV'ed.

Only here would a Spit XVI possibly cost MORE than a Pony D or Lala.

Personally I think perk cost should be based on K/D ratio, maybe once every 6 months make everything free for 1 tour (apart form 262, 163, Tempest, they deserve perking).
At the end of the tour K/D -
1.5 - 1.99 = 5 perks
2.0 - 2.49 = 10 perks
2.5 --> = 15 perks

So next tour (and the following 5 months) if your ride had a K/D ratio of 1.75 it will cost you 5 perks.
After all isn't K/D ratio an indication of how well a plane does in the MA?

After those 5 months are up, they become free for one month again, would also allow for introduction of new aircraft.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Guppy35 on December 17, 2005, 11:12:42 PM
OK so perk the 1944-45 Spit XVI and give me the 1943 Spit XII.  Definately not a 45 bird.  It was retired from front line service in September 44 and saw it's 'prime time' use in the Summer and Fall of 43.  Clipped wings, the earlier Universal wing with 2 20mm and 4 303.  No hard points but able to carry the slipper tanks.

Single stage Griffon III/IV so not a high alt bird.

Give me a 1943 XII and you can perk the rest of em.

I know, there's some reason we shouldn't have a Spit XII too :)(http://www.furballunderground.com/freehost/files/27/DP84555555.jpg)
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 17, 2005, 11:18:14 PM
Guaren'dam'tee a Spit XII would come out perked from the get go.
Hell if people want a Merlin 66 XVI at 1943 performance levels perked for overusage, just how much would a free 'Griffon' Spit get overused.

Main reason for perk - Too dam good.

Its partly the answer though Dan, more choice, not limiting them.
Re-instate the old V, make it an LF Vc, hell even clip it.
Add the XII (free).
Add the LF IXc
Make the XIV free
Change the XVI to a bubbletop.
Add the F.21 perked (between XIV and a Tempest)

More choices = less chance you'll see lots of XVI's.

Pyro even has all the 'parts' available to do all that (apart from redo on the XVI)

Here the current beta lineup for WBIII (later Spits not included yet)
Spitfire M03 Mk I
Spitfire M12 Mk II
Spitfire M20 MkIIc
Spitfire M45 Mk Vb
Spitfire M45 Mk Vc
Spitfire M45M LF Vb
Spitfire M55M LF Vc
Spitfire M47 HF VI
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 18, 2005, 01:43:01 AM
Did some comparisons between the last two tours.

As HT doesn't monitor actual sorties the figures are based on deaths. HT reckons it's a good guide to plane usage anyway.

There were 31000+ more deaths last tour than the previous one.
So either -
a) People are playing more
b) More customers
c) More likely a combination of a + b (which is GOOD)

Most planes are around the same ballpark figure for deaths for both tours apart from the Spits -

Spit 9 deaths dropped by 7000+
Spit 5 deaths dropped by 9000+

New Spits tour 70
Spit 8 deaths 8500
Spit 16 deaths 36904

So taking (8500+36904) - (9000+7000) = 29404 more Spit deaths.

Conclusion - Looks like the new Spits are probably the newbies choice of plane, in fact it may be what is drawing them, and perhaps keeps them in AH2.

And people want it perked?
Nothing quite like biting off the the hand that feeds you.

[edit] XVI is the highest scoring La7 killer, and that can't be a bad thing :)
Title: It's official...
Post by: Waffle on December 18, 2005, 02:12:25 AM
Sorry, I've been drinking and think this is pretty funny:

(http://www.dangreve.com/deadhorse.jpg)

Now back to your regularly scheduled programming....
Title: It's official...
Post by: DoKGonZo on December 18, 2005, 02:12:51 AM
Setting perk based on k/d is the opposite of what's needed.

Your stats about more deaths highlights what I was getting at. The more uber planes are not only getting used by the newer players, they're also being used in way which exploit their uberness. That is - half the La7's I see decline combat so they can make vultch passes on the nearest field - 3/4 of the Tiffy's I see decline combat so they can blow up field assets - 3/4 of the Spit16's I see clearly have no intention of getting home and just want to get to the nearest furball as fast as possible since now they can chase down almost anything which gets slow around them.

The angle I'm taking on this is that if you want to take a 10 or less ENY plane and die in it time after time after time (for whatever reason) it should cost you something. What it costs you is the ability to keep doing this for "free." The people who love the P51, Spit, etc - who respect the planes - aren't the ones racking up them 29,000 extra deaths.

I guess what I'm saying is that the Spit16 ain't the problem (because up to a month ago, the La-7 was "the problem"). There's enough stats collected I'm sure to be able to determine when a plane's usage or usage profile hits some level which fires the provisional perking. Same for players - and it can't be on k/d ratio - it'd need to be based on landed kills to missions flown or something. Some way to indicate a level of play which deserves to take uberrides for free.
Title: It's official...
Post by: straffo on December 18, 2005, 04:27:32 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Crumpp
I am not asking for the Spitfire to be perked.


Don't take it personally , my comment was a general comment , not directed to you.

(general comment again)

Whatever is your personnal favorite plane it's your responsability as a pilot to use her efficiently.
I agree the Spit I ,109E4 are difficult to use in the MA but well if you up one of this planes it's your job to make it shine.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kurfürst on December 18, 2005, 04:33:21 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Kev367th
45

LW - Has more than a few at their MAX performance boost levels
USAF and RAF - Not ONE plane uses 150 grade fuel.
 


Sorry but don't think it's the case. I don't know the 190 line as much as Crumpp does, but I can assure you the grass isn't 'greener' on the LW/109 side.

We don't have any of the DB 601N powered Emils, 1.42ata 109 F-4 from 1942, G-2. Probably we have the 1.42ata G-6, cool, that's actually worser than the G-2 at 1.3. We don't have the 1.98ata 109K either.

The RAF has the +12 lbs Spits I and V though, and now has the +18 lbs IXLF/XVI, sure it doesn't have the +25 lbs Spit yet. But you can't say you are worser off.
Title: It's official...
Post by: storch on December 18, 2005, 07:24:14 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Kev367th

Conclusion - Looks like the new Spits are probably the newbies choice of plane, in fact it may be what is drawing them, and perhaps keeps them in AH2.

And people want it perked?
Nothing quite like biting off the the hand that feeds you.

[edit] XVI is the highest scoring La7 killer, and that can't be a bad thing :) [/B]
 just out of curiosity how does the spitXVI stack up against the 110G2?
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 18, 2005, 10:43:51 AM
Dok, I see what your getting at but it will never happen, for the following reasons-

i) I would imagine that HT main player base is from the U.S.
ii) Newbs coming to the game usually look for one of the big 4 (Spit/Pony/109/190)
iii) Apart from the early models most of those are lower than ENY 10.
iv) A system that perks the Pony D at any level woud probably hurt HTC see (i) and (ii).

As for people charging into furballs, whats wrong with that?
I haven't been on recently (waiting for fix for the warpy/slidy/vanishing planes), but when the XVI was introduced there were a great many more furballs.

The reason the La7 wasn't perked was that although there certainly was a lot of them it never really managed a K/D much higher the 1.1 to 1.2, i.e. it didn't dominate the MA.
At the moment the XVI is in the same category, yup theres a lot of them, but it hasn't managed a K/D much over 1.1 . Now if it suddenly starts hitting 1.5+, then I think it may happen to get perked.

Still say the answer is to have more choices, not restrict the choices available.
Perk the XVI you'll suddenly have the combined XVI and VIII (over 40k) deaths all on the VIII, then it would end up perked also.
Result - RAF Spits back to a worse position before the new models (lost the uber Mk V), and two more hanger queens in the planeset.

Maybe try unperking the XIV for a tour, see what happens.
Spits own worst enemy is its reputation -
a) It famous
b) It is easy to fly in AH2, just as it was in 'real life', was only the later Griffon spits that became 'handfuls'.

Storch - Couldn't tell you, taken a short break, all the warps/sliding/subterranean and vanishing planes was driving me nuts.
Title: It's official...
Post by: wrag on December 18, 2005, 11:00:16 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Crumpp
That is a good point.  They were certainly better than not clipping the wings to combat the FW-190.

However it is also a fact that Spitifire pilots using clipped wing aircraft did not feel they it made much of a difference when fighting FW-190's.   It was certainly improvement over a non-clipped wing but still unable to match the Focke Wulf.

It is also a fact that clipping the wings reduced the turn ability, raised the stall speed, lowered high altitude performance, degraded the handling characteristics, and detracted considerably from the fighting characteristics of the aircraft as this report concluded.
 (http://img131.potato.com/loc285/th_51aca_pilotopinions.jpg) (http://img131.potato.com/img.php?loc=loc285&image=51aca_pilotopinions.jpg)

 (http://img108.potato.com/loc126/th_eb7b9_clipped_wing_conclusions.jpg) (http://img108.potato.com/img.php?loc=loc126&image=eb7b9_clipped_wing_conclusions.jpg)

Clipping the wings was not a magical solution during the war nor should it be a magical solution in AH.

All the best,

Crumpp


The spit16 we have seems to preform extremely well above 20k.  It seems it doesn't suffer at altitude at all.  It seems to out turn some of our other spits.

Thinkin maybe the flight model for the spit16 needs revisiting????
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 18, 2005, 11:20:30 AM
Wrag I think the problem is with the VIII FM not the XVI. VIII FM seems to be based on the VIII with extended tips, not std ones.

BTW that report - A close look shows although it claims to have flown the V, IX and XII with and without clipped wings, the comments from the pilots are ALL flying the F V  only.

All the pilots say it was definately better in roll than a standard wing, yet the guy summarising recommends not doing it.

Most of his problems wouldn't even be a problem with LF series Merlin 66 Spits
i.e. Reduced alt - No prob, LF were designed lower alts anyway
Reduced climb - No prob, Merlin 66 had much better ROC than a 45/46
Carrier - Seafires did in fact fly off CV's fully loaded with clipped wings WITHOUT a problem.
Deacrease in speed over 20k - No prob, led to increase at low alts, were the LF's were desinged for.
Inability to turn as fast - No prob, still outturned LW opponents.

Some of his conscerns are valid for F V Merlin 45/46 Spits, but cannot be applied to Merlin 66 spits.
Seems strange they never used a LF V in the 'tests'.
Title: It's official...
Post by: wrag on December 18, 2005, 11:33:51 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Kev367th
Wrag I think the problem is with the VIII FM not the XVI. VIII FM seems to be based on the VIII with extended tips, not std ones.

BTW that report - A close look shows although it claims to have flown the V, IX and XII with and without clipped wings, the comments from the pilots are ALL flying the F V  only.

All the pilots say it was definately better in roll than a standard wing, yet the guy summarising recommends not doing it.

Most of his problems wouldn't even be a problem with LF series Merlin 66 Spits
i.e. Reduced alt - No prob, LF were designed lower alts anyway
Reduced climb - No prob, Merlin 66 had much better ROC than a 45/46
Carrier - Seafires did in fact fly off CV's fully loaded with clipped wings WITHOUT a problem.
Deacrease in speed over 20k - No prob, led to increase at low alts, were the LF's were desinged for.
Inability to turn as fast - No prob, still outturned LW opponents.

Some of his conscerns are valid for F V Merlin 45/46 Spits, but cannot be applied to Merlin 66 spits.
Seems strange they never used a LF V in the 'tests'.


I was in a spitix flying at about 20k against a spit16.  The 16 seemed to fly as well, possibly even better then the 9.  The spit16 did not SEEM to suffer any lose of abilities at alt.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 18, 2005, 11:39:58 AM
XVI should be good up to around 22k or so, not much more.
Above 25k it really suffers.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 18, 2005, 11:44:02 AM
The gauges on the FW-190A's cannot be simulated under Aces High so no one can really say if they are at the correct boost.

Nor can the Kommandogerät's operation be simulated either.

Kev, we are not talking about what the gauge says in the graphic's showtime of the cockpit anyway.

I am refering to performance in the air.

For example, it appears the AH FW-190A8 is based off of these charts:

 (http://img43.potato.com/loc222/th_c4355_190a8GM_1.jpg) (http://img43.potato.com/img.php?loc=loc222&image=c4355_190a8GM_1.jpg)

 (http://img128.potato.com/loc77/th_71337_FW_190A8graph.jpg) (http://img128.potato.com/img.php?loc=loc77&image=71337_FW_190A8graph.jpg)

As the chart says this if for a NORMAL finish FW-190A8 and represents a chart of uncorrected speeds.

When you run this data through Focke Wulfs position error corrections, you get the published data Focke Wulf guarenteed the FW-190A8 could achieve [/b] on average[/b] in True Air Speed, not the Calibrated Air Speed of the chart.

The on average part is why you can find FW-190A8's doing 585kph TAS on the deck.  It is almost exactly 1.5 % above the published figures.

Now how come there is no outrage from Spitfire fans who want to see a correctly modeled Spitfire when the data exceeds Supermarines guarenteed percetages?

Personally I don't think it is far enough outside the swath of achievable performance of the Spitfire Mk XVI to warrent correction in and of itself.  However if the Spitfire Mk XVI is not representative of the type's historical abilities and unbalances gameplay, then by all means it needs to be corrected.  

It certainly might warrent attention if it's high altitude performance is out of the realm of possibility.

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 18, 2005, 11:57:05 AM
When you've put up with the Spit lineup as it was for so many years anything tends to an improvement.
The only thing we tend to complain about is that none of the later war ones have ever been at their max boost.
Mostly it's cosmetic stuff, i.e. I would have liked a bubbletop XVI.

I think we tend to have more confidence in HT getting it right, or as close to right as you can get to run on a home PC, without having to spend half the national budget for a 'real' simulator.

LF XVI should be good up to around 22k as I said, as you get higher you start getting into the area the F IX excels, but there is an overlap.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 18, 2005, 11:59:56 AM
Quote
All the pilots say it was definately better in roll than a standard wing, yet the guy summarising recommends not doing it.


I think you keep missing the portion about the normal wing aileron variation.  As you well know roll rate is not only extremely difficult to measure or compare, it also has a natural variation among aircraft of the same type.

In general the report says it is a large improvement over a normal wing with low end ailerions.  It is not much of an improvement over a normal wing with good ailerions.

It is an engineer method to ensure all Spitfires perform at least as well as a normal wing with good ailerions.

Quote
A close look shows although it claims to have flown the V, IX and XII with and without clipped wings, the comments from the pilots are ALL flying the F V only.


Is there any engineering basis to suggest a large roll rate variation among Spitfire variants?  AFAIK, the wing design remains unchanged although both metal and fabric ailerons were used.

Other natural frise type aileron variation, having three different types of ailerons with different hinging axis and extremely sensative adjustment characteristics there is no difference in rolling ability amoung the FW-190's with the Grosse Flugel.  In otherwords, with the same set up and properly adjusted, the variation is just natural frise ailerion variation acounted for in the adjustment regulations.

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 18, 2005, 12:04:24 PM
Wasn't so much that Crumpp -

All the conscerns or disadvantages he lists are not a problem for LF series Spits, especially the Merlin 66 series Spits.
He's using F series 45/46 Spit V's, it's like using them with extended tips to show they shouldn't be used on the HF Spits.

In fact the one about CV ops is patently wrong considering Seafires flew off CV fully laden with clipped wings, WITHOUT a problem.

What is troubling is the doc appears to be dated 1943, yet not aircraft tested was an LF V.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Angus on December 18, 2005, 12:16:12 PM
Well, Imagine the whines there would be if there was the mere finest 1943 Spitty, - IX LF with 25 boost,,,,,,,,,
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 18, 2005, 12:19:10 PM
Ah but an LF IX with 25 boost would in reality be at earliest a May 44 one.

Still like to see whine-o-meter if we had got a XII and F.21 :) .
Title: It's official...
Post by: DoKGonZo on December 18, 2005, 12:28:16 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Kev367th
Dok, I see what your getting at but it will never happen, for the following reasons-

i) I would imagine that HT main player base is from the U.S.
ii) Newbs coming to the game usually look for one of the big 4 (Spit/Pony/109/190)
iii) Apart from the early models most of those are lower than ENY 10.
iv) A system that perks the Pony D at any level woud probably hurt HTC see (i) and (ii).

As for people charging into furballs, whats wrong with that?
I haven't been on recently (waiting for fix for the warpy/slidy/vanishing planes), but when the XVI was introduced there were a great many more furballs.

The reason the La7 wasn't perked was that although there certainly was a lot of them it never really managed a K/D much higher the 1.1 to 1.2, i.e. it didn't dominate the MA.
At the moment the XVI is in the same category, yup theres a lot of them, but it hasn't managed a K/D much over 1.1 . Now if it suddenly starts hitting 1.5+, then I think it may happen to get perked.

Still say the answer is to have more choices, not restrict the choices available.
[...]


Based on what I see in the MA, the reason the La7 has such a rotten K/D is that it seems to spend half its combat time in enemy AAA. If an enemy La7 is anywhere near your field, you pretty much know what it's there for. So it gets a pass or two or three - gets its one kill - and dies. Voila, K/D around 1.00.

On any nite you can also see almost ritualistic mass suicide JABO attacks by P51's. Why the 51? Because it carries a mess of ORD and it climbs better than a P47 and dives better than a P38. As such, its pretty much unstoppable.

What I'm suggesting is that if your "style of play" is not only prone to dying a lot, but has that designed in, you're just going to have to use a 2nd tier plane to get your kicks or be effective enough to spend 2 or 3 Perks per flight. No plane is "unavailable" ... just that if you insist on throwing away planes eventually the base CO will take away the keys to the good stuff unless you slip him a few perks under the table.


I'm actually looking at a bigger picture here. Take the typical La7 runway vultcher. Because he's so fast he can almost always boom in on a enemy runway (defended or not, makes no difference) and eventually find someone rolling to pounce on. He gets his "thrill" and gives up a death he doesn't care about anyway ... cuz ... well ... he sucks and he knows it.

But -- this player has learned nothing on that last flight. All he did was "lather-rinse-repeat." His skill has not improved and all he really did in terms of the flow of the MA is waste the time of 3 or 4 enemies chasing him down to his evential demise - because the outcome is never in doubt.

If after 3 or 4 consecutive deaths the host said "no more" and forced him to use an La5 or Fw190A to carry out his missions (or pay perks for an La7) that will affect either his style of play (can't die every time) or how automatic his kill is ... unless he decides to learn to freakin' fly a lesser plane.


Same metaphor applies to the Spit16. If a player insists on dieing every time he should be stepped back to a lesser variant, or pay the perks. He can still furball his tiny pea brain out - he just can't out-climb 3/4 of the other planes any more.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 18, 2005, 12:47:45 PM
All very true Dok, I just don't see the answer is to perk them.

If that was the answer I'm sure they would have been perked long ago.

Mainly US playerbase therefore the Pony will never get perked.

La7, well theres so little to choose from in the Russian planeset at the moment, may change if enough are added eventually.

LW as a whole - 262 and 163 should be perked, can only imagine the 152 is perked because it is the rarest plane in the game. It's hardly a stellar performer in the low alt MA furballs.

RAF seems to be (call me paranoid) the only major planeset missing a good selection of 44/45 birds, in fact no 45 birds. Those we do have from 44, 2 are perked already (XIV and Temp (Temp should be)), and the XVI (no better performance than a 43 IX).
Give the RAF MORE choices you'll see less XVI's, answer is simple really. Its only because of the 'limited' selection you see a lot of XVI's.
Perk them, youll see more VIII's than you see XVI's now.
Then what, perk them also?
Title: It's official...
Post by: Angus on December 18, 2005, 01:11:27 PM
Well from the USSR planeset we have about the best possible. Just need the YAk-3
Title: It's official...
Post by: DoKGonZo on December 18, 2005, 01:40:31 PM
Without hijacking the thread, having lots of LW planes in the game doesn't mean they're as useful as the competition. Modelling, visibility, 20mm effectiveness - where do you want me to start?

Russia needs the Yak-3 and maybe a Pe-2 and then they're fine from a selection standpoint for the MA.

Part of the reason the Spit16 is perk-worthy isn't so much the Spit16 as the relationship of its strengths to what should be its competitors. Flight modelling, visibility, weaponry. So if "the answer" is more choices, then "the solution" is to re-examine the competing planes and make adjustments so that there are more alternatives.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 18, 2005, 02:08:59 PM
Dok

The main problem is the MA environment, in WW2 pilots tried to fly their rides to their strengths.
Where else would get into a dogfight with a 30k La7 in a Spit XIV apart from in a game. (Yup it happened and the Lala didn't last long).

For MA low alt furballs the Spit XVI is perfect, thats why it's used a lot. People just haven't realised yet that the VIII is just as capable, but they will. Because if the XVI is perked watch the mass move to the VIII.

So sure go ahead and perk, then the VIII, then we'll be back to our 1942 Spit IX, and AH will have gained another 2 hanger queens.
Neither are surviveable enough in the MA to warrant ANY perk

Spit XIV is the classic example, it barelely manages a K/D better than any other Spit, even at its current reduced cost, it's still not worth it, and this is the Griffon monster that some people think deserves to keep a perk.

So sure go ahead perk every decent performing Spit virtually out of the game, and they'll still find things to whine about the IX.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Grits on December 18, 2005, 02:24:29 PM
Kev, they wont move to the VIII or any other Spit because of the roll rate, or lack thereof. The reason all of the former La7 losers moved to the XVI is the roll rate, and its roll rate is what puts it on a different level than any other Spit (XIV included).

However...as I have said, if you ask me, perk only the 262, 163, and Temp. I never ASKED for the XVI to be perked, I just said that my guess was that it will be, and that it will be a very light perk something like the C-Hog.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 18, 2005, 02:25:48 PM
Quote
All the conscerns or disadvantages he lists are not a problem for LF series Spits, especially the Merlin 66 series Spits.


Hey Kev,

My questions about Spitifire engineering was not answered.

Why?  I can see no valid engineering reason why it does not apply, as the report says, to all Spitfire Marks.

Do you know something that the RAE does not?

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 18, 2005, 02:35:58 PM
Understood Grits about not asking for perk -

La7 deaths are almost exactly the same for the last two tours, so I can't see any mass move from the Lala to the XVI.

There were however 31000+ extra deaths overall last tour prob attributable to both people playing more and new customers.

Crump -
a) There is no data on the V's used in the testing apart from one had a modified balance or something.
b) No mention of aileron type.
c) Yes I am using the V's because ALL the pilot comments are from them flying V's, despite the front page mentioning IX's and XII's.
d) The conclusions maybe valid for F V's, not IMO valid for a LF IX or XVI. The main reasons against clipping wings on an F V are all irrelevant on later LF IX's and XVI's.

In fact it's strange they never used an LF V in the test, it would have been a lot more meaningful.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 18, 2005, 02:45:05 PM
Yeah Crumpp it's all a conspiracy.
Just about every flight simulator has it wrong.

Every allied plane is overmodelled, every axis plane isn't, they should all turn like Zekes, accelerate like F15s, have totally unobstructed views and have guns like lasers.

LW should have the latest boost, rarest planes in game, allies should make do with standard stuff (oops already happens).

There were 4 men on the grassy knoll and Area 51 is not a secret base. (allegedly)
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 18, 2005, 02:55:48 PM
Quote
Still like to see whine-o-meter if we had got a XII and F.21


Yeah I would like to see the whine-o-meter if they correctly modeled the FW-190A.

Here is an exerpt from some flight testing of various fighter and bomber variants in 1943...uncorrected speeds:

 (http://img128.potato.com/loc142/th_9126a_FW190speed.jpg) (http://img128.potato.com/img.php?loc=loc142&image=9126a_FW190speed.jpg)


Quote
The conclusions maybe valid for F V's, not IMO valid for a LF IX or XVI. T



Right, In YOUR Opinion.  Which is different from the RAE's conclusion about a British Design.

Quote
Yeah Crumpp it's all a conspiracy.


No conspiracy Kev.  Kind of juvenile and a tactic of last resort to fall back on this old "standbye", huh?

Just a lack of data is all.

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 18, 2005, 03:00:59 PM
Was just a bit of sarcasm.

Ok let me put a scenario to you -

Would you take LF IX fit extended wingtips to it and use as a justification why HF VI and VII shouldn't have them?

The report shows a similar scenario.
It mentions F Vb, F IX and XII on the 1st page, yet on the comments from the pilots page it clearly states at the top its only the Vb being flown.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 18, 2005, 03:03:42 PM
Quote
There were however 31000+ extra deaths overall last tour prob attributable to both people playing more and new customers.


I bet HTC would make up any lost revenue from realistically modeling the Spitfire in the increase fun of the fights.

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 18, 2005, 03:08:19 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Crumpp
I bet HTC would make up any lost revenue from realistically modeling the Spitfire in the increase fun of the fights.

All the best,

Crumpp


Put us all in Sopwith Camels you'd still find something to complain about.

It will be a sad sad day when you can't get a free RAF plane later than 42/43. (AGAIN)
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kurfürst on December 18, 2005, 03:25:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Kev367th
Still like to see whine-o-meter if we had got a XII and F.21 :) .


I'd like to remind you that the whine-o-meter only gets crazy by your boasting about how uberscary the XII or the F21 would be. As Crumpp nicely put it, that's a fine opinion, but I very much doubt that any decent 109/190 would be actually that much scared of the nothing extra,poor altitude performance XII, or the 700 lbs heavier, 200 lbs worser climb than it's precedessor XIV plus directionally troubled F21, that on the plus side has.... 1-2mph faster speed and two extra Hispanos, and is plagued by handling problems. I'd take a XIV over that sucker any day. The 109 analogy to the XIV/21 is a 109K with gunpods vs. a clean 109K... at 1.98ata. :D And we don't have to make assumptions about the whine-o-meter in connection with that, we have already seen that from you. :D
Title: It's official...
Post by: Sketch on December 18, 2005, 03:31:57 PM
The Spit 16 is a joke in a sense. Should be perked and not 5-7 perkies, like 15-20... and that is the truth.  It rolls, turns, climbs, dives and speed is matched to or almost too all the top end planes in those categories.  I think it is a crock when you roll into a base that your trying to get a CAP on and they guys up 20 Spit 16's and 20 Lgay-7's.  :O
It is bad when you roll a Pony or Dora and are half way down the runway and a Spit 16 just rolling catches you before your gear is up!  But I guess people need to get easy kills in something, first the Lgay, now the Spit 16.... :noid
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 18, 2005, 03:33:29 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Kurfürst
I'd like to remind you that the whine-o-meter only gets crazy by your boasting about how uberscary the XII or the F21 would be. As Crumpp nicely put it, that's a fine opinion, but I very much doubt that any decent 109/190 would be actually that much scared of the nothing extra,poor altitude performance XII, or the 700 lbs heavier, 200 lbs worser climb than it's precedessor XIV plus directionally troubled F21, that on the plus side has.... 1-2mph faster speed and two extra Hispanos, and is plagued by handling problems. I'd take a XIV over that sucker any day. The 109 analogy to the XIV/21 is a 109K with gunpods vs. a clean 109K... at 1.98ata. :D And we don't have to make assumptions about the whine-o-meter in connection with that, we have already seen that from you. :D


Here we go -
Poor alt performance XII - Well the XII was a low alt Spit (shows how much you know).

F.21 - Problems were resolved but did delay introduction into service until 45. Plus side - 455mph at 25,600ft , as for 4x20mms, see the uproar when it was suggested the V should get 4x20mms.
Guarentee if a free F.21 was ever introduced into AH2 it would make the XVI perk discussion or ANY other look timid, it would also make the free F4U-C situation look like a storm in a teacup.
If you actually played in the MA or AH2 for that matter you'd realise why we wont ever get an F.21 free or otherwise.

Not even going into the 1.98ata thing again, the day you show one record of one being converted I'll believe you. Until then its wishful thinking.
Bit like the "109K had operational flettners, look I found a photograph", until Butch pointed out to you NO actuator arm was fitted.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Urchin on December 18, 2005, 03:52:40 PM
I think it is great that the RAF fans finally got a 1944 Spit to fly around in.  The only spit 9 really wasn't competitive (which was obvious, seeing as the old spit 5 got more use).  

As for as the LW planes go, they've pretty much always sucked, assuming you wanted to knife-fight in them.  I haven't played in a while, but the 190 was pretty much a "make 1,2 moves then run if you haven't killed em" type plane.  No comment on the 109, since I haven't flown the new ones.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 18, 2005, 03:56:59 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Urchin
I think it is great that the RAF fans finally got a 1944 Spit to fly around in.  The only spit 9 really wasn't competitive (which was obvious, seeing as the old spit 5 got more use).  
 


Exactly.
Finally after a long long time waiting a free 1944 spit. (even if at 1943 performance levels)

Kurfy - At least with Crumpp it's possible to have a civil, if sometimes heated discussion, maybe a little humor and sarcasm also.
With you it always ends up with you resorting to personal insults, think from now on your IGGIED.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 18, 2005, 04:13:57 PM
Quote
It will be a sad sad day when you can't get a free RAF plane later than 42/43. (AGAIN)


Stop being self pitying.

Facts are there should be no need to perk the Spitfire Mk XVI.  Just correct the cherry picked data more online to what Supermarine says it should be.

Fix the altitude performance some and it will still be a very competative aircraft.  In AH fights rarely occur above 22,000 feet anyway.  

In fact if I were HTC I would model 100/150 grade performance for Late '44/early 45.  The Spitfire Mk XVI would need it to stay competative with the Dora's and Bf-109K's.

The roll rate is not that the clipped wing spits are overmodeled, it is that the FW-190 is based off of RAE 1231.  That report represents at the very least, the bottom end of FW-190 roll performance.

Quote
It mentions F Vb, F IX and XII on the 1st page, yet on the comments from the pilots page it clearly states at the top its only the Vb being flown.


Roll performance is tied to wing design and ailerion design.  As the Spitfire Marks do not change wing design, they will all have similar roll performance.  Just as the FW-190's do up until the Ta-152 when the wing was changed.

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 18, 2005, 04:28:58 PM
I understand Crummp I think your missing my point.

i) You have to agree all the pilots comments state it improved roll rate.

ii) The V's being tested - makes no mention of aileron type (metal or fabric).

iii) For an LF plane most of the conclusions are immaterial.
a) Less speed at alt - But more at low alts, where LF's were designed for
b) Lowering of ceiling - Problem for an LF, I don't think so.
c) Increased take off run - 1943/44 not a problem
d) CV ops - Seafire did fly clipped form CV's without a problem
e) Turn radius - They still turned inside their opponents.
f) Lowering of max climb by 160-200fpm

In the context of the report i.e. clipped F Vb's, 3 of them would be undesirable (a) (b) (f).
For the more powerfull LF Merlin 66 none would be a problem.

Trying to use early F series Spits to say clipped wings were not recommended on late LF's with Merlin 66 doesn't add up.

Theres one thing that should throw up a big red flag - The XII's were still ALL clipped wing, despite it.

I could be missing something tho?
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kweassa on December 18, 2005, 04:30:40 PM
Quote
As for as the LW planes go, they've pretty much always sucked, assuming you wanted to knife-fight in them. I haven't played in a while, but the 190 was pretty much a "make 1,2 moves then run if you haven't killed em" type plane. No comment on the 109, since I haven't flown the new ones.


 Word!

 As a guy who flies LW stuff, it doesn't matter if they are La-7s or Spit16s. They all pretty much the same thing with simular tactics required to beat or survive from. But the good thing is these Spit16s are much slower than the La-7 so personally I find it actually easier to fight.

 In other words, for people who don't give a shi* about uber planes and flies just what they like, fighting against a mix of La-7s and Spit5('42)s is much more difficult than just facing a horde of Spit16s - since all of them are the same, all of them fly the same.

 The irony is that individually, all those wishy washy folk who always flock to the best MA planes, might think being in a Spit16 will give them better results... except the only kind of result such mindless folk can ever expect to get is always by becoming a part of a large flock horde - the irony being that everybody in Spit16s make the flock weaker, not stronger.


 Besides, I fly uber planes myself - 109K-4s, Fw190D-9s. Every where I see I people complaining about Spit16s and yet, all those noisy folk are themselves flying with plane that go 380mph at deck, climb 4500fpm, roll 180d/s, accelerate from 0 to 300 in 10 seconds, make loops and verticals forever.. etc etc.. Obviously we all enjoy flying all these '44~'45 planes. It's not like the Spit16 is a uber multi-purpose plane like the Chog.



 I say unperk the Spit14 too.

 As long as people aren't willing to perk the entire section of late-war planes, any perk suggestions that would perk only certain late war planes and leave all their favorite '44~'45 planes alone is pure hypocrisy - no excuses allowed. It's either perk all '44~'45 stuff or none. Anything else is bullsh**

 I say leave the Spit16 alone, and unperk the Chog, 4hog, Ta, Spit14.. and drop the Temp, 262 perk price to half.

 Either that, or if people want to perk Spit16s, then they'd better be ready to accept to perk all '44 planes along with it. 190A-8, D-9, 109G-14, K-4, P-51s, P-47s, P-38s, Typhoons, Temps, La-7s, and the post '43 Spits..  etc etc.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Squire on December 18, 2005, 04:37:15 PM
"Blue Skies", I will have to get that one, rgr.

Santa may owe me a rebate yet.

:aok
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 18, 2005, 04:37:16 PM
Kweassa - You make far too much sense, go out and have some beers :)
Title: It's official...
Post by: 1K3 on December 18, 2005, 04:45:49 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Kweassa
I say leave the Spit16 alone, and unperk the Chog, 4hog, Ta, Spit14.. and drop the Temp, 262 perk price to half.

 Either that, or if people want to perk Spit16s, then they'd better be ready to accept to perk all '44 planes along with it. 190A-8, D-9, 109G-14, K-4, P-51s, P-47s, P-38s, Typhoons, Temps, La-7s, and the post '43 Spits..  etc etc.



hehe i already said the same thing years ago:p

perk a '44 plane then might as well perk all 1944-45 planes.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Squire on December 18, 2005, 05:05:48 PM
They will never, ever, widely perk the 44-45 set, as most of the AH customers don't want that.

MA = the 44-45 Arena.
Title: It's official...
Post by: DoKGonZo on December 18, 2005, 05:44:56 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Kev367th
Yeah Crumpp it's all a conspiracy.
Just about every flight simulator has it wrong.

Every allied plane is overmodelled, every axis plane isn't, they should all turn like Zekes, accelerate like F15s, have totally unobstructed views and have guns like lasers.

...


Kev, I agree that the Spit9 wasn't all that much of a ride. Which is why you saw a lot of folks in the Spit5. I have no problem with the Spit16 *except* that it highlights an imbalance that does exist.

Lets ignore flight modelling for the moment. Lets just look at two things - visibility and weaponry. No RAF plane has worse forward visibility than the 109's. No Spitfire has worse forward visibility than the 190's. There have been plenty of threads in these forums about this - yet the disparity remains. As for weaponry, a Spit should never want to HO a Fw190, but in AH the Spit has the edge due to the way the 20mm's are modelled.

No one is asking for the LW planes to do anything unrealistic - it'd just be nice if they did what they're supposed to so that there WERE more viable plane choices.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 18, 2005, 05:55:48 PM
Visibility- Everything I've read says the Spit had better visibilty.

Guns - If it were a live pilot in a real Spit, no you wouldn't, however its not. As yet another example - how many times you been in something like a 110 with the complete gun package and something like a A6M will try and ho you.
How many guys gets kills in IL2's because people try to ho them.
Hispanos - Only real complaints I ever read about conscerned the early ones that were prone to jamming, but HT doesn't model any kind of failure.

You can't compare real life anything to AH2.
Things happen on a regualr basis in AH2 that would probably be one in a million 'real life', because we only have our virtual life on the line.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 18, 2005, 05:57:07 PM
Quote
The V's being tested - makes no mention of aileron type (metal or fabric).


They have metal ailerons.  The report is from March 1943.  All Spitfire Mk V's were supposed to be delivered with metal ailerons.  However there were delays for the first 7 months of production and some normal wing Spitfire Mk V's did not get fitted with them.  By March 1943 all Spitfire Mk V's had them, especially the newer clipped wing.

Quote
Turn radius - They still turned inside their opponents.


No.  They turned inside the FW-190.  The trials determined the Clipped Wing Spitfire was no match for the Bf-109G6.  The trials were conducted without 600lbs of armament for the Spitfire.

It makes perfect sense for the Spitfire Mk XII's to be clipped wing.  There main purpose was attempting to stop the low level bombing raids being conducted by the FW-190G/F of SKG 10.

As you can see from the graph I posted, with empty racks and no ordinance, some of those bombenflugzeugen FW-190's were much faster than a regular Spitfire on the deck.   You can figure the fast one was doing about 595kph TAS on the deck with the average one doing 580kph TAS.  The RAF needed something to answer the problem so they developed the Spitfire Mk XII.

The clipped wing increases the Spitfire's chances against an FW-190.  The trade off is that they become highly vunerable to the 109 especially in the turn.

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: justin_g on December 18, 2005, 06:01:20 PM
Quote
Just correct the cherry picked data more online to what Supermarine says it should be.


So I guess Pyro is the cherry-picker here? Or did I miss the thread where he got all the FM data from the community?
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 18, 2005, 06:06:57 PM
Quote
Or did I miss the thread where he got all the FM data from the community?


No the community is the one cherry picking data.  Pyro just models what he is given and thinks is the best for the game.  

Actual aircraft performance is not exact.  It falls within a range and manufacturers will pick the average performance.  They will then guarentee to the end user that all manufacturered aircraft will meet that performance within the specified range.

So it is very east to find "exceptional" aircraft.  While they are flight tested data, they do not represent the typical performance.

It is also very easy to compare these exceptional aircraft to normal aircraft or even the "lemons" to produce a skewed picture of relative performance.

All of those FW-190's are frontline aircraft pulled from Geschwaders for endurance/quality control testing.  They have armament, normal finish, and are set up for combat duty.  Some of them are exceptional performers while others are lemons.

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 18, 2005, 06:09:15 PM
Thanks Crumpp -

So why is not one LF V included included in the report, it would have made it a lot more methodical and logical?
Who knows.

Why mention the IX and XII on page one, then only include comments from the Vb pilots?
Who knows.

Dunno Crumpp, the recomendation makes sense in respect of clipping F or even HF series Spits, but as an LF of any kind was not included..........

If this report was prior to the LF being introduced it makes even less sense to say clipping was undesirable for later Spits based on it.

I will agree with it in as much that clipping an F V, F IX would produce undesireable results, not favourable for their usual operating alts.
However the same wouldn't necessarily hold true for LF V's, and would definately be in question for Merlin 66 LF's.

Pyro already had the data he needed for the XVI (spoke to him at length about the XVI well prior to its release), I don't believe anything came from the community.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 18, 2005, 06:16:03 PM
Quote
Pyro already had the data he needed for the XVI (spoke to him at length about the XVI well prior to its release), I don't believe anything came from the community.


I am willing to bet it did come from the community.  Some interested soul sent in the data.

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: DoKGonZo on December 18, 2005, 06:19:01 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Kev367th
Visibility- Everything I've read says the Spit had better visibilty.

Guns - If it were a live pilot in a real Spit, no you wouldn't, however its not. As yet another example - how many times you been in something like a 110 with the complete gun package and something like a A6M will try and ho you.
How many guys gets kills in IL2's because people try to ho them.
Hispanos - Only real complaints I ever read about conscerned the early ones that were prone to jamming, but HT doesn't model any kind of failure.

You can't compare real life anything to AH2.
Things happen on a regualr basis in AH2 that would probably be one in a million 'real life', because we only have our virtual life on the line.


"Better visibility" doesn't begin to describe the difference between the views from AH2's RAF/US and LW planes. I actually think the LW planes are closer to "right" based on the in-cockpit photos that people have posted.

For the guns, I am talking about in AH2. Two Hispanos HO better than 4 MG151's - in accuracy and lethality.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 18, 2005, 06:23:51 PM
Anythings possible.
I just know when I offered to send a copy of a report I had ordered from the National Archives comparing XVI to LF IX, he said he already had all he needed.
This was the same day he allowed me to post on the BB that the XVI was to be included in the new lineup.

Just as well really - Was expecting nice performance charts, got a single page doc that boiled down to:
"We expect the LF XVI to perform the same as the LF IX"

Dok - Been numerous threads along the lines of Pony 50 cals neutered etc, Guy will state that the Jug 50's are a lot better than the Ponys ones, then HT points out all 50 cals are modelled the same on all the different aircraft.
Hispanos have always been known for their hitting power, yet now in AH2 compared to AH 'classic" you can't hit as far out, peppered guys with 4x20mms (Tiffy) did very little, ping a different guy one once his wing has fallen off.
All seemed to change when the new hit detection was introduced.

Another thing that makes it harder to tell - You don't always see hit sprites.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Squire on December 18, 2005, 06:35:28 PM
I can tell you right now all the stuff about HOing 190s is completely taken out of context.

You guys argue about the FM, guns and tactics as if the MA flyers are flying real WW2 missions. They are not.

Spits HO because they have cannon, and many players HO anything in sight. So do LAs, P-51s, P-38s, 190s, and N1K2s.

Why?

Would it be because its just a game where you can be shot down 20 times an hour and still re-up?

You think any Spit pilot is going to HO a 190 in this sim if he was told that if he is shot down, he will be carted off to the electric chair as a penalty?

 I flew many Spits in Scens and other Events, fought many a 190 and 109 in limited life setups, and I dont recall *once* forcing a HO in one. Why? because I wanted to land my sortie. Only a complete fool would HO a 190 if they cared 2 cents for their skin.

So dont be ridiculous.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 18, 2005, 06:38:41 PM
Quote
then only include comments from the Vb pilots?


The pilot survey is a seperate report.  It is a fact finding report on the effectiveness of clipping wing Spitfires against the FW-190.

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: Angus on December 18, 2005, 06:49:26 PM
Speaking of Spits - here's some bit of the VIII.
A RAF sqn based at China Bay. Those guys were amongst other duties testing G-Suits being able to pull 8g's while still being in a visual state.
(unfortunately the guns wouldn't fire with more than 5g's)
Then they  played with the Hellcat boys from USS Saratoga and pilots from HMS Illustrious.
The pilot in question is M.C. "Bush" Cotton.
He quotes ROC as 5000 fpm (initial presumably) and top speed as 420 mph PLUS!!!!
Wonder what octanes they were running on there.....

Anyway Mk VIII should out turn the XVI if the loading is the same - that does not mean 50% vs 50% fuel - more like 50 to 75..... ;)
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 18, 2005, 06:52:09 PM
Ah, well that would make sense then.

One report (pilots comments) stating clipping definately improved roll vs a different report saying it was not to be recommended.

Angus - I definately think the Mk VIII FM is based on an extended wing version that was test flown. But have so far been unable to find performance charts for a std wing VIII.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 18, 2005, 07:08:02 PM
Quote
One report (pilots comments) stating clipping definately improved roll


One report stating clipping the wings improved the roll rate vs the FW-190.  None of the pilots felt it was competative or the answer.  It is not equal or superior to the Focke Wulf and "leaves a lot to be desired".

The report is talking about roll performance which should not generally change among the Spitfire variants.

http://img131.potato.com/img.php?loc=loc285&image=51aca_pilotopinions.jpg

The other report recommends not clipping the wings because normal wing spitfires can roll almost as well.  Clipping the wings does not give the Spitfire any advantage over the FW-190 in the roll and it makes the Bf-109 greatly superior.  So it is no wonder it was not recommended.

http://img108.potato.com/img.php?loc=loc126&image=eb7b9_clipped_wing_conclusions.jpg

The Spitfires like the Mk XII looking to go after FW-190's gained a chance of following the FW-190 in the aileron turn and would be the ones who benefited from clipping.

The LF Merlin 66 equipped Spitfires were an attempt to wrestle low altitude superiority from the FW-190.  According to the FW-190 pilots they did for a few months.

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 18, 2005, 08:30:26 PM
Let try this Crummp if your agreeable.

We can go through what is listed as the disadvantges one by one, I can give you my take on them, then you can state your side.

As you have already agreed clipping the XII was a good idea (contrary to the report) we can just deal with the V and IX.

Few prelims -
a) It didn't give the Spits an advantage, but narrowed the advantage the 190 had.
b) Both the V and IX in the report are F versions (Merlin 45 and 61)
c) Report is pre LF IX but probably within LF V timeframe.
d) Mid/late1943 onwards the airwar for the RAF was moving to lower alts, hence majority of aircraft produced were LF versions.
e) All the pilots said it definately improved the roll.
f) LF's were designed for different alts than F's.
g) Comparison to be with LF models.

Any probs with them?
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 18, 2005, 08:52:28 PM
Quote
Any probs with them?


None at all.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 18, 2005, 09:11:24 PM
Excellent.

OK lets start with disadvantage # (ii) in the report -

Small increase in take off run (serious for ship borne aircraft).

1st part - We are talking 1943 here where the airwar was for the most part over German soil. RAF was operating from well established airfields not some backyard garden.
2nd part - Patently wrong, Seafires flew off carriers with clipped wings fully loaded without a problem.

Ok or not?
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 18, 2005, 09:29:37 PM
Part two

(v) Decrease in speed over 20,000ft
Definately a disadvantage for an F series, but resulted in speed increase at low alts, a definate bonus for LF models.

Agree or not

Rest tomorrow, have a good night.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Guppy35 on December 18, 2005, 11:47:45 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Crumpp


Now how come there is no outrage from Spitfire fans who want to see a correctly modeled Spitfire when the data exceeds Supermarines guarenteed percetages?

Crumpp


I think you'd agree that the guys talking Spits here, all agreed the previous AH Spit V variant needed to be brought back to the pack.  I think you'll also find we all agreed it should be the 41 Vb with less ammo as well.  That was certainly my suggestion.

I'd also suggest that the Spit fans have not complained about LW planes or asked for them to be changed, and in fact have supported the efforts of the LW experts to get their point across.  I think it interesting that it's LW fliers that are the ones leading the charge to neuter the Spit XVI, and in some cases LW junkies who don't even play the game.

I'd ask if you gents complaining about  the XVI are actually flying it in the arenas?  I have yet to see it uber unless I've run into a pilot who knew what he was doing, and that's been exactly twice since it arrived for me.  BluKitty ate me alive in one, and Lev did.  But I'd suggest they are hardly representative of the average Spit pilot in the MA.

I also have said it a number of times, that based on flying the Spits in the arena, the Spit IX appears best overall to me,and that's even down low cause I don't know how to get above 10K.  I sure don't mind taking on 16s while flying a 9 as it out turns the 16.  Something about those regular wingtips I guess
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 18, 2005, 11:56:43 PM
Quote
Small increase in take off run (serious for ship borne aircraft).


Agreed.

However from an aerodynamics point of view it shows a decrease in lift which would effect climb,  useful load capacity, and turn ability.  Which clipping the wings does.

Quote
Decrease in speed over 20,000ft


Agree that it is not a big disadvantage when your focus is on the tactical air war at low altitudes.

It is a big advantage when your trying to increase your low altitude performance.

You do know it has never been my contention that Spitfires did not get clipped wings nor that it did not offer some advantages.  Only that there are design consequences which should be modeled.

Does the Bf-109 outturn the Spitfire Mk XVI in AH?  It should as the RAE determined that the 109 was greatly superior.

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: 1K3 on December 19, 2005, 12:16:43 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Crumpp
Does the Bf-109 outturn the Spitfire Mk XVI in AH?  It should as the RAE determined that the 109 was greatly superior.

All the best,

Crumpp


In your dreams (no offense)

I've run SPIT (F. XIV and LF. XVI)  vs  109 (G-14 and K-4) late war setup in H2H.  The settings are 1.0 fuel and ammo, no external views, and forced STALL LIMITER DISABLED.  It was good fights for both sides but we 109s still have to combat spit 16s by using Wolfpack (TM) mentality/tactics just to maintain respectable air superiority.  We also find SPIT 14 and 109K-4 a good match.

back to original question... does Bf-109 outturn the spitfire 16 in AH?

yes if you're flying Bf-109E-4.  If you want a lil bit more speed, climb, and better armament to keep up with spit 16 in dogfights, get 109F-4:)
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 19, 2005, 12:28:09 AM
Quote
I think it interesting that it's LW fliers that are the ones leading the charge to neuter the Spit XVI, and in some cases LW junkies who don't even play the game.


There is no charge to neuter the Spitfire.   IMHO it would be silly to not model the aircraft as accurately as possible even if it is not one I routinely fly.  


If the FW-190 was doing things it should not in the game, I would be the first to speak out.   I don't run around and post every flight test of exceptional aircraft screaming that this is what a Focke Wulf should be doing in this game.     I would want Focke Wulf Gmbh published figures to RLM modeled.  The ones they staked their company reputation on that every Focke Wulf produced could come with 1.5% above or below.

In fact you will see I have complained in several threads that the FW-190A5 is too light.  It's all up weight is completely wrong.  The AH FW-190A's gain almost as much weight between the two variants modeled as the entire series in reality.

It seems to me that the Spitfire experts should be doing the same thing.  Instead of picking "the best" data they should be picking the most representative.  

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: Urchin on December 19, 2005, 12:57:31 AM
I think part of the Lw "quest" to nueter the spitfire is just a misunderstanding of the air war in Europe (or air wars in general).  Another facet is the fact that the German aces had simply obscene kill tallies.  

So people come with the argument that "Oh my god, the LW planes here suck!  How could they have sucked so bad and Hauptmann von Epeen scored 856 kills??!!" (Yes, that is exageration, cut me some slack).  

For one, we have a WW1 type (and I'm not even sure WW1 was like this) arena where the emphasis is on "fighting" mano y mano.  The fact that we use late WW2 equipment does not change the WW1 mentality (or maybe pre WW2 Japanese mentality) of the MA.  The emphasis is on manueverability (particulary flat turning and low speed handling) and acceleration, not so much on any other facet of an airplanes performance.  So a good fighter can turn well, handle forgivingly, and as a tie-breaker, packs a wallop.  Someone mentioned earlier that it wasn't the Spit, or La-7, that makes the LW planes ineffective, it is the combination of the two.  I agree with that wholeheartedly.  1v1 vs a Spit, the 109/190 can fight for a bit, and at least run away if the fight isn't going well.  Even if a 109/190 gets in over its head vs multiple Spits, it still has the option of running away (assuming the 109/190 and Spit are of similar vintage).  However, the MA has lots of different planes, and it is fairly rare to be fighting 1 spit, or X spits without any other planes.  The La-7 is actually the LW killer, to me.  It does everything better than any 109 or 190, it is kind of a mix between the two except with better performance and firepower.  

Anyway, the MA is an arena where "hi alt" is 12k, and the most common altitude for fighting is 0-5k.  Generally, an engagement is Co-alt (within a couple K of the enemy, anyway) and both sides know there is a fight.  The war in Europe took place at all kinds of altitudes, but was generally considered to be a "high altitude" war... it would be considered an alt-monkey war in the MA... to put it in terms of planes... if the most common altitude band for fighting in the MA was the same as it was in Europe in 1944, the Ta-152 wouldn't be quite as worthless as it is.  It still probably wouldn't reign supreme, but it wouldn't be useless.  More importantly, in Europe... both sides did NOT know there was a fight.  More often than not, "fights" lasted one pass.  You either killed your unsuspecting opponent, or blew it and ran away.  That was true no matter what nationality the pilot was, or what plane he was in.  So what made a plane a good "fighter" in Europe is different from what makes a plane a good "fighter" in the MA.  

Second, the German pilots really WERE that good, at least the ones that posted absurd numbers.  They were fighting constantly for 6 years, and one can assume that it is safe to say that had the British or Americans had the same philosophy, there would have been several Allied pilots with scores in the triple digits.  

Hell, I flew AH for around 4 years.  In that time, if I recall correctly, I had around 3,000 kills in 190s (was ~1k in D-9, A8, A5) and a couple more thousand in 109s (mainly in G-10, but I flew the F4 and G2 with regularity as well).  I think I can say that I know the AH LW about as well as anyone (well, except for the latest changes, that is).  The planes WERE competitive.  The problem is they are harder to fight in (AH style) than almost any other plane we have.  Eventually people (myself included) get tired of handicapping themselves to that extent.. so they either burn out or switch planes.  I flew the Ki-84 almost exclusively for the last ~5-6 months I flew AH, simply because it was different from the LW stuff I had flown almost my entire time in AH.  

The only "LW gripe" that I really buy into is the guns issue.  I do feel that the way that AH models ammunition unfairly hampers the cannons that aren't Hispano's, but really hurts the LW in particular.  Anyway, this has been a wall o text, more than I've typed here in a couple years I think.  Congratulations if you got through it all lol.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Guppy35 on December 19, 2005, 01:17:45 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Crumpp
There is no charge to neuter the Spitfire.   IMHO it would be silly to not model the aircraft as accurately as possible even if it is not one I routinely fly.  


If the FW-190 was doing things it should not in the game, I would be the first to speak out.   I don't run around and post every flight test of exceptional aircraft screaming that this is what a Focke Wulf should be doing in this game.     I would want Focke Wulf Gmbh published figures to RLM modeled.  The ones they staked their company reputation on that every Focke Wulf produced could come with 1.5% above or below.

In fact you will see I have complained in several threads that the FW-190A5 is too light.  It's all up weight is completely wrong.  The AH FW-190A's gain almost as much weight between the two variants modeled as the entire series in reality.

It seems to me that the Spitfire experts should be doing the same thing.  Instead of picking "the best" data they should be picking the most representative.  

All the best,

Crumpp


So what is the most representative from your point of view?  Which reports fit what you believe to be most representative?

Back when they asked about the best representative Spit line up, my request was the Spit I, early Spit Vb, Spit FIX, Spit LFVIII and clipped Spit XVI along with the Spit XIV.  

I'm still waiting for someone to tell me what's wrong with the XVI numbers.  Kev pushed for +25 boost, but that went no where.  We've got a LFXVIe with 3 hard points, the standard (for the XVI) clipped wing and +18 boost.

Again, someone tell me what the XVI is doing so much better then other birds  in the MA?

I'll agree lots of folks fly it, but is that because it's the flavor of the month, and enough folks have screamed 'uber!" to get it to be the flavor of the month?  When some of the big guns started flying Tempests, guess what!  Lots of the crowd started flying Tempests.

When folks whined LA7s, the mob flew LA7s

Which of the guys posting here are actually flying it in the game and having it do all these amazing things?

I've flown it a lot and went back to the IX because the IX is overall the better bird to me.

What am I missing in the game about the XVI that is making it so uber?

So far in my limited flying this tour, I'm 20-2 vs XVIs and that's flying the 38G and the Spit IX.  And I suck!   It can't be that good if I'm knocking em down like that.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Shane on December 19, 2005, 01:41:13 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Guppy35
So far in my limited flying this tour, I'm 20-2 vs XVIs and that's flying the 38G and the Spit IX.  And I suck!   It can't be that good if I'm knocking em down like that.


it's not that you suck.  it's that they suck harder.

:aok
Title: It's official...
Post by: Guppy35 on December 19, 2005, 02:15:15 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Shane
it's not that you suck.  it's that they suck harder.

:aok


The point remains the same.  If these guys in what they believe is the uber Spit XVI are sticking around to fight, because they think they can win in it, how can that be a bad thing? :)

They'd have been running for the hills after their HO in thier LA7.  So perk the XVI that they're at least trying to dogfight in, and send them back to LA7s?  How can that be a good thing?
Title: It's official...
Post by: Debonair on December 19, 2005, 02:33:44 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Urchin
....Congratulations if you got through it all lol.


Thanks
Title: It's official...
Post by: straffo on December 19, 2005, 03:25:43 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Urchin
Congratulations if you got through it all lol.


Can I have my brownie now  ?

:p
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kweassa on December 19, 2005, 03:40:04 AM
Quote
Does the Bf-109 outturn the Spitfire Mk XVI in AH? It should as the RAE determined that the 109 was greatly superior.


 The proverbial 'not a chinaman's chance', Crumpp.
 
 My tests on 109/Spit turn performance, normal flight conditions, no flaps, no external equipment, tightest turn possible. Some 'typical' planes left within the list for comparison:

 ------ Type ------------------------------ Radius --------

Spitfire Mk.I: 147.5m
Spitfire Mk.V: 157.0m
Seafire Mk.II: 170.6m
Spitfire Mk.VIII:           170.7m
Spitfire Mk.IX:         174.1m
Spitfire Mk.XVI:         182.6m
Ki-84-I-Ko:         185.1m
F4F-4: 186.8m
Bf109E-4:         188.3m
Bf109F-4:         199.5m
N1K2-J: 202.0m
Spitfire Mk.XIV:         203.2m
La-7: 207.5m
La-7(3x20mm): 207.5m
Bf109G-2:         214.0m
Bf109G-14(20mm): 214.0m
Bf109G-14(30mm): 217.2m
Bf109G-6:         218.8m
Bf109K-4:                  233.3m
Typhoon Mk.Ib: 232.0m
P-51D:         248.1m
P-47D-11:         254.5m
Fw190D-9:         283.4m
Fw190A-8:         296.3m
Fw190A-8(30mm): 296.3m
Me262A: 392.0m



 Theoretically, the results could change with flap use... but actual testing usually proves that if plane A outturns plane B at normal flight conditions, no amount of flaps can make plane B outturn plane A, unless the flaps are very efficient, such as those in the Ki-84.
Title: It's official...
Post by: storch on December 19, 2005, 05:18:43 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Guppy35
The point remains the same.  If these guys in what they believe is the uber Spit XVI are sticking around to fight, because they think they can win in it, how can that be a bad thing? :)

They'd have been running for the hills after their HO in thier LA7.  So perk the XVI that they're at least trying to dogfight in, and send them back to LA7s?  How can that be a good thing?
I was just thinking that last night as an endless wave of spit16s was hitting a base they were trying to capture.  sadly the anti spit medicine for me is the La7 once it's fighting more than one spit.  it's a conundrum.  the spits take an average of 5-6 20mm cannon hits to kill from the LW cannon so in a single popgun 109G2 it takes me forever to kill one. I've been in the 110G2 and the La7 mostly now.  but you are right.  they stick around until they realize their buds are down and then they can't run away.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kurfürst on December 19, 2005, 07:20:00 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Kev367th
Kurfy - At least with Crumpp it's possible to have a civil, if sometimes heated discussion, maybe a little humor and sarcasm also.
With you it always ends up with you resorting to personal insults, think from now on your IGGIED.


Sure. :D I guess it was awfully rude and personally insulting of me to note that I don't think the XII or the 21 is anything scary or special, and to when I noted the XII has poor altitude performance, you replied "shows how much you know". Sure, it's me who's full of personal instults.
I guess I missed the logic between the statement and the reply of a guy shouting 'you ignorant n00b it's a low-alt version'.
Guess if the uber-scary, whine-o-meter riser XII gets modelled (hopefully) and finds itself facing enemy at 20k ft, the pilot opens canopy and wave the flag : "I am a low altitude version of the Spitfire. Engaging me at this altitude is considered unfair and is against the rules. Be assured I am uberscary, but right now I'd opt for running away." :D

How rude I was, truely. :lol

1.98ata, I can count guys with the self-emberassing partisan attitude on that subject one hand, so I guess I shouldn't care about it too much.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Charge on December 19, 2005, 07:42:22 AM
I'd like to add my stuff to this soup, too.

Roll rate
The Spitfire's wing design did not change significantly and the wing tip removal is not a magical way to unleash hidden roll rate potency. I'd imagine that although the wingtip removal did increase the roll rate the same problems affecting the roll rate were still there which were caused by the basic design of the wing. The wing was made large to provide low wingloading and because it was so big it was made elliptical to decrease drag. The wing is relatively thin for its area so I don't think that in rigidness it cannot come close to that of FW190. I wonder how fast the CW spit was to inititate roll compared to 190? I'd think it should either be slowish to initiate roll, or the roll rate deteriorates after certain aileron deflection due to wing twist. The differences in wing stiffness has to show somewhere.

Also the better handling characteristics caused by wing clip is not a surprise. The leading edge profile changes thus changing the pressure build-up areas at the leading edge causing a build-up at near the tip  inceasing the stability (and drag) and probably giving more control upon stall, too. So the clipped wing does not stall totally on whole its length as a pure elliptic wing does.

XVI vs. 109G
I find it hard to believe that the clipped wing Spits suddenly became vulnerable to 109Gs in turning. The change in turning ability simply was not that big. Again, I believe that 109s generally should have different handling capabilites in turning due to it having the slats. That is not against XVI but all Spits. (Note:NOT a 109,190 against Spit rant!!!) I believe that 109s were capable of executing very tight turns by using their slats, while at the same time heavily bleeding E. The wingloading is still in favor for XVI so I think that the capability of 109 being able to turn WITH Spits was more marked against XVI than it were against normal winged ones, but still in sustained turn it was inferior.

Flap usage in combat
According the chart (about flaps and slats) Crumpp posted months ago flaps do add lift, but at the same time the critical AoA the wing can handle actually decreases. By employing the flaps in combat too much gives you added lift and control in slow speeds but it also makes sharp AoA changes dangerous as the wing easily stalls if too much angle is pulled because its profile and thus critical AoA has changed. So if the critical AoA for a wing profile is around 16 deg. (in cetrtain R number) it may go down several degrees upon flap deflection as the effective top profile of the wing is now of different shape from airflow point of view, and it usually does not change into better...
And thus I'd think that IF the flaps were used in combat they were usually only slightly deployed.

Just my opinions and observations, not  f a c t s.

-C+

"Eventually people (myself included) get tired of handicapping themselves to that extent.. so they either burn out or switch planes."

I'm burning out...
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 19, 2005, 07:46:06 AM
Quote
So what is the most representative from your point of view?


Supermarines published specifications....

Quote
The proverbial 'not a chinaman's chance', Crumpp.


Well according to the RAE, the real one could.  I imagine that more than anything kept the "clipped wing" from becoming the "universal wing".

Quote
Also the better handling characteristics caused by wing clip is not a surprise.


Hey Charge!

Just wanted to point out that according to the report, handling deteriorated due to stall speed raising.

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kurfürst on December 19, 2005, 08:00:52 AM
Great post Charge, I agree 100% what you are saying there.

Re: clipping the wings, there seem to been major problems with the Spitfire's design regarding roll rate :

1, the elliptical form called for the use of ca2% washout on the outer wing, which shielded the Frise-type aileron noses and more or less cancelled their good effect on stickforces, and the same time caused problems with aileron flutter (Frises are quite intolerant to such).

2, In connectio to 1, the very heavy aileron forces on the ailerons limited their available deflection angle, it's some question of gearing, the oddstick and the rather large surface ailerons, whatever, fact that it was very heavy.

3, the thin wing lacked neccesary rigidity, twisting at higher speeds under aileron loads, basically working as a huge counter-aileron itself, effecting roll rate quite badly at higher speeds


AFAIK there's a rule of thumb how much roll rate improves with change in the wingspan, clipping the wings didn't effect this much, maybe around 1 meter in total or less. I can't attribute effect to the the wingspan decrease alone, unless there was some other factor, too.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 19, 2005, 08:39:39 AM
We can kind of get an idea of the reduction in turn ability by examining the reduction in climb.  We can also get an idea of the scope of speed increase:
 (http://img45.potato.com/loc193/th_89d39_clippedwingperformance.jpg) (http://img45.potato.com/img.php?loc=loc193&image=89d39_clippedwingperformance.jpg)


Roll rates seem to vary rather wildly in the Spitfire due to flow seperation at the aileron surface.  So I imagine when you had one which was not experiencing such difficulties, there was not much of a difference as the report concludes.  That is essentially all clipping the wings did was remove or reduce the amount of  flow seperation at the tips.
 (http://img104.potato.com/loc191/th_430b9_spitwing1.jpg) (http://img104.potato.com/img.php?loc=loc191&image=430b9_spitwing1.jpg)

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: thrila on December 19, 2005, 08:47:17 AM
The speed increase was at low alt.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 19, 2005, 09:49:07 AM
Quote
The speed increase was at low alt.


I really don't think it was a big increase looking at the numbers.  However I am ordering the following reports as I am curious to see.

DSIR 23/12562
DSIR 23/12925
DSIR 23/13075
AVIA 6/10192
AVIA 18/682
AVIA 18/1302


All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: Guppy35 on December 19, 2005, 12:23:00 PM
OK I know I'm dumb as a fencepost when it comes to these discussions, but having just taken the time to re-read it, what are we arguing about?

What is it that the Spit XVI is doing that it shouldn't?  Best I can figure is that some are arguing that it's 7 mph too fast at sea level and it rolls too fast?  Is that it?

Are we saying we need to perk it because too many people fly it?

Or is this a round about way of complaining that the LW birds are undermodeled and can't compete?

Seems to me it's a lot of the latter disguised in "its not fair that the Spit works!"

So would it make more sense to put together a detailed thread on what's wrong with the 190 without it becoming a whine fest

A detailed thread on what's wrong with the 109?

etc etc?

I'm going to say it again in regards to the Spitfire XVI in the MA in AH which is what we're talking about.

Yes, lots of folks fly it.  It may or may not have replaced the LA7 as the dweeb ride of choice.  Personally I hope it has replaced the LA7.

As I've said a couple times already in this thread.  THe advantage of the Spit XVI being the dweeb ride is that guys are staying in and fighting in it.  They can't just HO and run away in it like they can in an LA7.  They are dogfighting in it.  Sure lots of them are dying.  As mentioned earlier, if I can be 20-2 vs 16s in the 38G and Spit IX, as sucky as I am as a pilot, it does speak to those even suckier then I am staying in to fight.  They weren't doing that in LA7s

THAT IS WHAT WE WANT THEM TO DO!  They might just learn something about ACM and not just HO and run.

So now some folks want it perked to throw the newbs all back into LA7s?  Heck no!

Quit complaining about the XVI, focus on presenting the underlying concerns about the LW birds in a non whining fashion, and get into the arena and shoot down the XVI pilots so they learn something.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Nashwan on December 19, 2005, 12:40:27 PM
Quote
Does the Bf-109 outturn the Spitfire Mk XVI in AH? It should as the RAE determined that the 109 was greatly superior.

All the best,

Crumpp


Crumpp, what's the source for that claim? You mentioned earlier that that result was obtained with 600 lbs of armament removed from the Spit, and that seems an extraordinary result, as with armament removed a clipped wing Spit is going to have a much lower wing loading than a normally loaded normal wing Spit.

I'd really like to see what made the RAE conclude this.

Quote
Roll rates seem to vary rather wildly in the Spitfire due to flow seperation at the aileron surface. So I imagine when you had one which was not experiencing such difficulties, there was not much of a difference as the report concludes. That is essentially all clipping the wings did was remove or reduce the amount of flow seperation at the tips.


The logical conclusion from this is that the clipped wing Spitfire roll rate is correct, but the normal wing roll rate is for a bad example, and should be much better on average, closer to the clipped wing results.
Title: It's official...
Post by: gripen on December 19, 2005, 12:43:49 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Guppy35
OK I know I'm dumb as a fencepost when it comes to these discussions, but having just taken the time to re-read it, what are we arguing about?


Somehow any thread where the word "Spitfire" is claimed, seem to turn long Spit vs LW planes discussion and discussions about possible modeling errors. It has been that way for years but AFAIK nothing has really changed except Spit VIII and XVI are now out and LW side got G-14 and renamed K-4 (G-10). Apparently people claiming modeling errors can't offer convincing evidence for HTC.

gripen
Title: It's official...
Post by: DoKGonZo on December 19, 2005, 01:10:14 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Guppy35
OK I know I'm dumb as a fencepost when it comes to these discussions, but having just taken the time to re-read it, what are we arguing about?

What is it that the Spit XVI is doing that it shouldn't?  Best I can figure is that some are arguing that it's 7 mph too fast at sea level and it rolls too fast?  Is that it?

Are we saying we need to perk it because too many people fly it?

Or is this a round about way of complaining that the LW birds are undermodeled and can't compete?

...


There's nothing wrong per se with the Spit16. The RAF planeset needed a non-perked late-war Spit.

What's "wrong" is that it does so many things well compared to other planes that do too few things well (the LW birds, mainly). Consider that a month ago there were still threads to perk the La-7. Well, the Spit16 beats the La-7 in visibility, turn, range, and guns ... climb rate too, I think. Why fly anything else?

There needs to be balanced choices. Perking the Spit16 would force people to use other planes - they'd switch back to the La7 - and we'd be back to that old argument. So I don't see the current perk system as the answer.

I think two things are needed. One is to get the LW planes where they should be ... especially before ToD. The other is I think there needs to be special perk/ENY/whatever handling for the "franchise" planes: P51D, La7, Spit16, 190D9. Something that would only affect players who abuse the planes (i.e. lose 80% oif the planes they take off in). If they insist on flying one-way missions all night, eventually it'll either cost 'em perks to do so in the franchise planes, or they'll switch to another ride (La5, Spit8, etc.).
Title: It's official...
Post by: Grits on December 19, 2005, 01:25:09 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Guppy35
Are we saying we need to perk it because too many people fly it?


HT has said that overuse is the reason for perks, not plane performance in and of itself. I am not anti-Spit nor anti-LW, I like them all. I merely pointed out that with the far greater roll rate of the XVI, while not losing any of the performance of other Spits, that its overuse would eventually earn it a light perk. I am not advocating for that perk, just saying that I think it may be only a matter of when, not if it happens.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 19, 2005, 02:17:46 PM
Quote
Crumpp, what's the source for that claim?


The trials of W3248.  I have ordered the report and will post them when it comes in.  The line actually says the Bf-109G's performance is "greatly superior" to the clipped wing spitfire.

We will see when the reports arrive.  I also ordered the production trials for several Spitfire variants and will share those complete reports as well.

Guppy, this is not a LW vs Spitfire thread.  Not interested in hyping my favourite aircraft or handicapping the opposition.  Interested in the truth.

This is a thread about the modeling of the Spitfire Mk XVI and the effect of clipping the wings, nothing more.  Now as the majority of my experience is in researching the FW-190 series, I draw experience from that.

I personally think that some exceptional performance has been made available for easy access.  This exceptional data has taken on the perception of the average performance for the type in the case of some of the Spitfires.  

To illustrate that point I posted some very good FW-190 data that even uncorrected challenges the fastest 1943 Spitfire.  That was not done though to start a comparison thread between the FW-190 and Spitfire.  It was done to prove that data can easily be manipulated or misinterpreted as is the case for the FW-190A8 performance AH has based their model on.

For either aircraft there is no conspiracy theory or attempts at dishonesty.  To me that is a laughable suggestion.  It is unintentional based on a lack of knowledge or data.  Lets get that knowledge and work together to learn about our favourite subject, WWII planes.

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 19, 2005, 02:34:37 PM
Quote
One is to get the LW planes where they should be ... especially before ToD.


I think your correct but I also think that should be the subject of another thread.  Unfortunately it is difficult to have a discussion on this subject in these forums due to the "luftwhining" and calls of "conspiracy theory".

Quote
HT has said that overuse is the reason for perks, not plane performance in and of itself.


I think correctly modeling the design strengths and weakness of the aircraft would prevent it from being perked at all.  It would still leave the Spitfire Mk XVI the formibable opponent that it was for the Spitfire fans while dampening the mass appeal some.

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: Karnak on December 19, 2005, 02:39:01 PM
As I understand it the Spit VIII should both out climb and out turn the Spit XVI, and be faster at higher altitudes.  The Spit XVI should roll faster than the Spit VIII across the board and be a bit faster than the Spit VIII down low, as it now is.  It may be a bit too much faster down low though.  Yes, it loses the drag from the outer part of the wings, but it adds racks under the wings that dirty it up compared to the Spit VIII.

Currently the only thing that the Spit VIII seems to do is out turn the Spit XVI, and some people debate even that.  I don't think slightly more fuel is going to alter the performance that much, particularly when on 25% fuel where it is only 7 gallons, or so, more.

The Spit VIII's roll rate is also suspect in being low.  The Spit XVI's roll rate is probably directly taken from the NACA chart which includes a clipped Spit in the graph.

The comments about the Spit's mirrors are silly.  They aren't there for modern, technical reasons.  The game is Generous with the rapidity that we can look around.  The are trying to model representative performance levels for these aircraft.  Following that, it is absolutely clear to me that the drag of the mirrors should be included in the model even though the mirrors themselves are absent.


As to the Bf109s and Fw190s, I agree that there are very suspect handling qualities and though I am not a big Luftwaffe fan I do hope that something can be done to address this issues.  Some of the Bf109 and Fw190 performance claims strike me as excessive, but others do not.

In addition to that there is the docile nature of some of the USAAF and USN fighters that do not seem to match the recorded behaviors.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Guppy35 on December 19, 2005, 02:41:31 PM
If from the beginning, Pyro had called the Spit LFXVIe, a Spitfire LFIXe would we be having the same discussion?

Some folks(not you Crumpp) seem to believe because 16 comes after 14 it must be a more uber bird.  It's still nothing more then a Spitfire LFIXe with clipped wings and the American made Packard Merlin 266 in place of the Rolls Royce Merlin 66.  In essence it's as Kev has said many times a late 43-44 design.

And refresh my memory on this.  What's the problem with the roll rate?  Is the 16 too fast, or is the problem that the 190 roll rate is too slow in AH?

That's why I asked if this was really about undermodelled LW birds vs overmodelled Spit 16s.

And I think folks keep forgetting that the 16 in AH is being used in its element, down low where the clipped wings would have minimal impact on turn radius while improving the roll rate.

I suppose in terms of the 190, you'd almost have to look to modelling the low alt, de rated engined version that were the reason for the XII and rushing the Tiffie into service.  

That or we need to have an arena that starts with a minimum alt of 20K and works up with nothing going below it so some of the birds we have that were built for that realm can really show their stuff.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Nashwan on December 19, 2005, 02:52:20 PM
Quote
The trials of W3248. I have ordered the report and will post them when it comes in. The line actually says the Bf-109G's performance is "greatly superior" to the clipped wing spitfire.


Do you have part of the report, or are you quoting from a book? And do you mean overall performance is greatly superior, or roll performance? Can you at least give us the paragraph that says this, rather than just part of sentence? (sorry to hassle, but it's the sort of thing I really like to know :) )
Title: It's official...
Post by: Guppy35 on December 19, 2005, 03:03:21 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Nashwan
Do you have part of the report, or are you quoting from a book? And do you mean overall performance is greatly superior, or roll performance? Can you at least give us the paragraph that says this, rather than just part of sentence? (sorry to hassle, but it's the sort of thing I really like to know :) )


W3248 was a very early production Spitfire FVb.  It was the first Spitfire V to have clipped wings.  

The 109G's performance was better then the Spit Vb clipped or otherwise.  Where does it stand against the LFIX etc?  That would be the better comparison.  

Spit I-II - 109E
Spit Vb - 109F
Spit VIII,IX, XVI-109G, 190A
Spit XIV-190D9, 109K
 
etc etc
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 19, 2005, 03:04:26 PM
Quote
What's the problem with the roll rate?



The FW-190 is too slow in AH.  Looking at the problems with seperation at the ailerons the Spitfire experienced, I would say HTC has a wide path to model "realistic" rolling performance for the type.  An argument could be made that normal wing spits do not roll well enough.  

Man if I were them, I would keep a spread sheet and use this kind of stuff to balance the game.  Spitfires are not doing as well as they should against the 109's...bump that roll rate up some. 190's are doing too well, give them the Rho 7 thermostats!

:lol

One of those reports is on the roll ability of the clipped wing Spitfire.

If it calculated vs measured then the statement of "not much of an improvement" over a normal wing with good ailerons will make even more sense.   If the curve matches the NACA report/RAE 1231 for the clipped wing we will also know the origins.

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: gripen on December 19, 2005, 03:35:45 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Guppy35
It's still nothing more then a Spitfire LFIXe with clipped wings and the American made Packard Merlin 266 in place of the Rolls Royce Merlin 66.


There is some differences between the RR Merlin 66 and Packard Merlin 266, shortly:

Reduction gear:
66 0,477
266 0,479

1st SC gear:
66 5,79
266 5,80

2nd SC gear:
66 7,06
266 7,35

1st FTH rating +18lbs:
66 1705hp 5750ft
266 1710hp 6400ft

2nd FTH rating +18lbs:
66 1580hp 16000ft
266 1490hp 19400ft

Generally the 266 is very similar with the V-1650-7.

gripen
Title: It's official...
Post by: Guppy35 on December 19, 2005, 03:59:29 PM
Quote
Originally posted by gripen
There is some differences between the RR Merlin 66 and Packard Merlin 266, shortly:

Reduction gear:
66 0,477
266 0,479

1st SC gear:
66 5,79
266 5,80

2nd SC gear:
66 7,06
266 7,35

1st FTH rating +18lbs:
66 1705hp 5750ft
266 1710hp 6400ft

2nd FTH rating +18lbs:
66 1580hp 16000ft
266 1490hp 19400ft

Generally the 266 is very similar with the V-1650-7.

gripen


Point being that they came off the production line together and got their mark number based on the engine.  Put a 266 in a current Spit IX and technically it's a Spit XVI.  Both under the Supermarine Type 361 designator  Spit VIII being Supermarine Type 359
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 19, 2005, 04:13:39 PM
Quote
W3248 was a very early production Spitfire FVb.



We will see when the report gets here.  If the aircraft is over 600lbs light then I think it will make some good general conclusions.  Without the report though we are all just guessing.

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: gripen on December 19, 2005, 04:18:24 PM
Yep, I just wanted to point out that the 266 is more like a medium altitude engine. The XVI should have some 3-4k higher 2nd FTH than the LFIX and therefore also max speeds should be a bit higher.

gripen
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 19, 2005, 04:26:04 PM
Quote
3-4k higher 2nd FTH than the LFIX and therefore also max speeds should be a bit higher.


Wow, Do engines gain more power below or above FTH??  You should probably check that logic as it completely wrong.

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: gripen on December 19, 2005, 04:28:59 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Crumpp
Wow, Do engines gain more power below or above FTH??  You should probably check that logic as it completely wrong.


Please explain what is wrong with the logic.

gripen
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 19, 2005, 04:42:40 PM
Look at these engine graphs:

 (http://img107.potato.com/loc140/th_cb87d_merlin3curve.jpg) (http://img107.potato.com/img.php?loc=loc140&image=cb87d_merlin3curve.jpg)

 (http://img129.potato.com/loc180/th_2a663_P51vsF4U9.jpg) (http://img129.potato.com/img.php?loc=loc180&image=2a663_P51vsF4U9.jpg)


Perhaps you can start another thread if you do not see it.  I am sure there are plenty on this board who will take the time to explain it to you.

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: Karnak on December 19, 2005, 04:52:20 PM
That is rather dismissive and insulting Crump, particularly given that he is right and you are wrong.

If you were right the Spitfire Mk XII would be faster than the Spitfire Mk XIV because the Griffon IV has a lower full throttle height than the Griffon 65, yet we know that this is not remotely true.

The higher that a full throttle height is the faster that aircraft will be, all other things being equal, because the engine with a higher full throttle height is producing that power where the air is thinner and therefor the aircraft can reach higher true airspeeds.

As such the Merlin 266 with a full throttle height of 19,400ft would make for a faster Spitfire than a Merlin 66, with its full throttle height of 16,000ft, Spitfire.  That is only in terms of absolute top speed at fastest altitude.  At 16,000ft the Merlin 66 Spitfire would obviously be faster.
Title: It's official...
Post by: gripen on December 19, 2005, 04:57:13 PM
Generally max speed will increase if the FTH is raised with higher SC gearing despite the shaft output is lower.

As an example:

Mustang III with V-1650-7 1505hp at 2nd FTH 24500ft 442mph
Mustang III with V-1650-3 1330hp at 2nd FTH 28000ft 450mph

Infact the same phenomena can be seen from about any performance graph showing two different SC speeds, including the Fw 190 graphs.

gripen
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 19, 2005, 04:57:27 PM
Quote
That is rather dismissive and insulting Crump, particularly given that he is right and you are wrong.


He is not correct.  Engines loose power after FTH.  

Once more at the edge of the drag wall it takes considerable power to make small gains.  The difference in those two motors would have to be much greater to have a signifcant impact.

Gripen gets exactly what he dishes out.  There are some people on this board I value there opinion and there are others who I don't always see eye to eye with but know their stuff.  Gripen falls into neither catagory.

Please search the BBS Karnak before passing judgement.

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kurfürst on December 19, 2005, 04:59:15 PM
Quote
Originally posted by gripen
There is some differences between the RR Merlin 66 and Packard Merlin 266, shortly:

Reduction gear:
66 0,477
266 0,479

1st SC gear:
66 5,79
266 5,80

2nd SC gear:
66 7,06
266 7,35

1st FTH rating +18lbs:
66 1705hp 5750ft
266 1710hp 6400ft

2nd FTH rating +18lbs:
66 1580hp 16000ft
266 1490hp 19400ft

Generally the 266 is very similar with the V-1650-7.

gripen



Tales from GripenWorld. :D

Nope, you are completely wrong. The Merlin 66 and 266 had exactly the same rating.

 (http://img127.potato.com/loc113/th_42455_Spit16_266.jpg)

Same specs as the Merlin 66.

There goes the theory going to the trashcan. And frankly, it's awfully boring to witness that you are willing to make up any sort of nonsense always bearing the mark of same side bias. And never ever backing them up.

Guppy and Crumpp is right, the XVI is just a late production LFIX with detail improvements and pretty much the same engine. Almost the same as the G-6/G-14 thing.
Title: It's official...
Post by: gripen on December 19, 2005, 05:07:47 PM
I'm quoting directly the RR listing of ratings from the appendix of "The Merlin in Perspective" by Alec Harvey-Bailey.

gripen
Title: It's official...
Post by: Karnak on December 19, 2005, 05:09:41 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Crumpp
Engines loose power after FTH.

Agreed.

But that doesn't change the fact that an engine with a higher critical altude will make an aircraft faster than the same engine, but with a lower critical altitude.

Heck, even a less powerful engine like the Merlin 61 produces a faster aircraft due to the higher critical altitude.  The Merlin 66 is losing power above 16,000ft whereas the Merlin 61 is losing power above 27,000ft.  Is it any wonder then that the Spitfire F.Mk IX does 408mph and the Spitfire LF.Mk VIII does 402mph despite the Spitfire LF.Mk VIII being less draggy and having the more powerful engine?


Any ways, all kind of moot given that Kurfurst just posted data that confirms what I understood to be the case originally.  That the Merlin 266 is a Merlin 66 built in the USA and with American tooling.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 19, 2005, 05:09:50 PM
Quote
Mustang III with V-1650-7 1505hp at 2nd FTH 24500ft 442mph


Over how many flight test's?  8mph difference??

If you take the average speeds might increase over a small portion of the envelope.  For example the FW-190A9 is faster only because it's has a greater output over a higher FTH.  It also has a greater output, Gripen.

Raising the FTH alone does nothing for the top speed.  

 (http://img107.potato.com/loc232/th_390c1_Intakes.jpg) (http://img107.potato.com/img.php?loc=loc232&image=390c1_Intakes.jpg)


Looking at the Merlin specifically, if that were the case then the LF would not be the "low altitude" version.

Quote
Tales from GripenWorld.


Just like the FTH statements.

Karnak, you are one of those whose opinion I do value.  I understand what you are saying but I do not think just raising the FTH alone is the reason for the gains.  Unless it is a significant FTH gain to a much higher altitude and thinner air.


All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: gripen on December 19, 2005, 05:14:02 PM
Crumpp,
Why don't you just compare speeds at 1st and 2nd FTH in the graph you posted.

gripen
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 19, 2005, 05:14:42 PM
Quote
ny ways, all kind of moot given that Kurfurst just posted data that confirms what I understood to be the case originally. That the Merlin 266 is a Merlin 66 built in the USA and with American tooling.


Yep the engine discussion can move to a new thread.

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: gripen on December 19, 2005, 05:16:59 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Karnak

Any ways, all kind of moot given that Kurfurst just posted data that confirms what I understood to be the case originally.  That the Merlin 266 is a Merlin 66 built in the USA and with American tooling.


Please check the source I claimed above.

gripen
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 19, 2005, 05:18:25 PM
Quote
Why don't you just compare speeds at 1st and 2nd FTH in the graph you posted.


I have Gripen.  That is why I posted it.  Maybe the "1" and the "2" have you confused.

The lower FTH is the faster of the two at all altitudes.

Feel free to add some graphics to it.  Maybe your eyes see something different in your world.

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: gripen on December 19, 2005, 05:26:59 PM
Crumpp,
Well, at least according to my eyes the Fw 190 (with internal intake)  in your graph did about 680km/h at 2nd FTH 6500m and only 610km/h at 1st FTH 2000m.

BTW the date is 2.12.1943 so is it the V34?

gripen
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kurfürst on December 19, 2005, 05:29:55 PM
Quote
Originally posted by gripen
I'm quoting directly the RR listing of ratings from the appendix of "The Merlin in Perspective" by Alec Harvey-Bailey.

gripen



.... and I am qouting the RAF Air Intelligence's datasheet for British and enemy aircraft, from February 1945.I'd rather trust a primary source over a secondary one which may have printing errors, or simply the author is in error.

I just checked Jane's, too. They note the Merlin 266 is 'the same as the Merlin 66". Curious name... Packard-Merlin 266. Must be a concidence.

Guys, stop arguing with Gripen. We already have threads that turned into 15+ page of nonsense trying to convince him. It's hopeless. it would be taxing to read another 30+ pages of gripen repeating the same while being in conflict with his previous statements and completely ignoring/dismising everything that disproves him, and not backing up himself a single time.

We're loosing focus on the subject because of a single partisan who sits behind a 15-feet thick concreate wall against all reason, observing the world on a 9-feet long telescope with 200x zoom.

We had enough of this. Lone partisans don't need to be fought.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 19, 2005, 05:31:09 PM
Quote
Any ways, all kind of moot given that Kurfurst just posted data that confirms what I understood to be the case originally. That the Merlin 266 is a Merlin 66 built in the USA and with American tooling.


That is exactly what Morgan and Shacklady say as well.  The FTH match up exactly with the Merlin 66.  It says the code was changed to keep them straight in the supply system because some of the peripheral fittings were different.

It is a non-issue then.

Quote
Well, at least according to my eyes the Fw 190 (with internal intake) in your graph did about 680km/h at 2nd FTH 6500m and only 610km/h at 1st FTH 2000m.


Good lord Gripen.  The line with the lower FTH is the faster one at all altitudes.  That is why they put the numbers on the chart.  So you look and see which line is which.  

Quote
Guys, stop arguing with Gripen.


Good advice.

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: gripen on December 19, 2005, 05:35:31 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Kurfürst
.... and I am qouting the RAF Air Intelligence's datasheet for British and enemy aircraft, from February 1945.I'd rather trust a primary source over a secondary one which may have printing errors, or simply the author is in error.


The source I quote has direct copies of original RR spec sheets in the appendix.

gripen
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 19, 2005, 05:36:13 PM
Code change was mainly because of the different tooling required, British measument system vs the American measurement system.
Like metric v imperial today. (mm v inches)
Title: It's official...
Post by: Karnak on December 19, 2005, 05:39:42 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Crumpp
Karnak, you are one of those whose opinion I do value.  I understand what you are saying but I do not think just raising the FTH alone is the reason for the gains.  Unless it is a significant FTH gain to a much higher altitude and thinner air.

Yes, looking at Gripen's numbers, even though they seem pretty well countered now they still work to play with, the Merlin 66 would be producing 90hp more than the Merlin 266 with an altitude difference of only 3,400ft and that is not much different in terms of thinning the air.  That does seem that it would not produce much difference whereas the Merlin 61's 11,000ft difference would be quite significant.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 19, 2005, 05:40:30 PM
Quote
Code change was mainly because of the different tooling required, British measument system vs the American measurement system.


That makes perfect sense.

Quote
Yes, looking at Gripen's numbers, even though they seem pretty well countered now they still work to play with, the Merlin 66 would be producing 90hp more than the Merlin 266 with an altitude difference of only 3,400ft and that is not much different in terms of thinning the air. That does seem that it would not produce much difference whereas the Merlin 61's 11,000ft difference would be quite significant.


Exactly!  Yes in theory raising the FTH alone will increase speed.

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: gripen on December 19, 2005, 05:41:09 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Crumpp

Good lord Gripen.  The line with the lower FTH is the faster one at all altitudes.


You are mixing FTHs and different intake systems. Both intakes, internal and external, have same gearing ratios. And both lines show that the plane is faster at 2nd FTH than at 1st FTH.

gripen
Title: It's official...
Post by: Nashwan on December 19, 2005, 05:46:38 PM
Crumpp, I had a look in Spitfire The History for W3248, and I found something that I think explains the "greatly superior" 109G. I don't think it applies to rolling or turn rates, in fact I think someone has got confused, and it doesn't refer to W3248 at all.

From the book, page 157:

Quote

THE CLIPPED WING VB

Prototype for the clipped wing Spitfire VB can be considered to be W3248 and this variant was developed for low altitude duties, appearing in all war theatres. In the Middle East local modifications resulted in wooden tip fairings with more rounded profile than those fitted in England. In the fighter reconnaissance (FR) role several Spitfires, including EP878. were fitted with an oblique camera behind the cockpit. All skin joints were taped over and other blemishes removed and the whole aircraft highly polished. Engine supercharger blades were also cropped in an effort to increase speed. Several FR VBs were operated by No 40 Squadron of the SAAF during the fighting and chase of the Afrika Korps after the Second Battle of El Alamein in November 1942.

Production of the Mk V continued until the latter half of 1943, with Castle Bromwich building their last example-MH646- in August, and Westland the following October when they rolled out EF753. These models were very different from the original Mk Vs by having metal covered ailerons, an inertia weight on the elevator control system, modified horn balance to elevator. Engines included the Merlin 45, 46, 50, 50A, 50M, 55, and 56.

An interesting Mk VB was EN830 of No 131 Squadron which, whilst flying over France in a sweep on a dull November day. was intercepted and made a forced landing in a practically undamaged state. It was repaired and painted in standard Luftwaffe fighter splinter camouflage of dark and light green upper surfaces and blue under surfaces. It was coded CJ+ZY and seconded to Daimler Benz for the installation of an l,475hp DB605A engine. Armament was recovered and many minor modifications carried out. An example was the carburetter air intake installed on the port side of the engine cowling.
During trials the Mk V was no match for the BflO9G as the following figures demonstrate, but it is interesting to note that its climb rate to 19,000ft was far better than that of the German aircraft. It must be borne in mind, however, that the Spitfire's armament would have added 600 lbs dead weight.

SPITFIRE (AUW6550) Me109G (AUW6054)
Max speed s/l   300 mph   316
Max speed @ 22,000ft   379 mph   385
Rate of climb to 19,000ft   3,540 f/min   2,520


The test vs the 109G refers to EN830, which was captured by the Germans, fitted with a DB 605, and stripped of armament. It seems to much to be a coincidence that they talk of a Spit V tested with 600 lbs armament removed right next to discussion of W3248's roll rate.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kurfürst on December 19, 2005, 06:02:42 PM
I guess the 'greatly superior 109G' part that ticks off poor Nashwan comes from the simple fact that even the possibly worst variant of the 109F/G was at 30-70 kph faster than the Spitfire V at altitude or even more at the really high altitudes, which let's face it was the mainstay of the RAF Spitfire squadrons,the MkIX being just as 'common' as the Me 262 until mid-1944.

They must have felt they're chasing jets anywhere over the MkVs modest critical altitude. There was no 'fight', either the 109 choose to engage the Spit or it didn't. Hell even that poor G-6 cruised as fast as the MkV's all-out. :p
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 19, 2005, 06:04:12 PM
Quote
It seems to much to be a coincidence that they talk of a Spit V tested with 600 lbs armament removed right next to discussion of W3248's roll rate.


:o

You could be right.  I took the paragraph about the captured Spit Mk V to be an interesting side note.

Since the chapter is on clipped wing spits, I would assume EN830 had clipped wings.   Otherwise it seems an interesting but rather silly footnote to include in the THE CLIPPED WING VB section.

Either way the tactical trials of a clipped wing spitfire are on the way.

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: Guppy35 on December 19, 2005, 06:13:36 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Crumpp
:o

You could be right.  I took the paragraph about the captured Spit Mk V to be an interesting side note.

Since the chapter is on clipped wing spits, I would assume EN830 had clipped wings.   Otherwise it seems an interesting but rather silly footnote to include in the THE CLIPPED WING VB section.

Either way the tactical trials of a clipped wing spitfire are on the way.

All the best,

Crumpp


EN830 did not have clipped wings.  That section is written poorly in Spit the Hist.  There is no transition from mentioning the clipping of the one Spit Vb to talking about the captured Vb
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kurfürst on December 19, 2005, 06:16:04 PM
Indeed :

(http://hsfeatures.com/images/beuteflugzeuge.jpg)
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 19, 2005, 06:16:29 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Kurfürst
I guess the 'greatly superior 109G' part that ticks off poor Nashwan comes from the simple fact that even the possibly worst variant of the 109F/G was at 30-70 kph faster than the Spitfire V at altitude or even more at the really high altitudes, which let's face it was the mainstay of the RAF Spitfire squadrons,the MkIX being just as 'common' as the Me 262 until mid-1944.

They must have felt they're chasing jets anywhere over the MkVs modest critical altitude. There was no 'fight', either the 109 choose to engage the Spit or it didn't. Hell even that poor G-6 cruised as fast as the MkV's all-out. :p


Yeah we all know about the technically inferior, slower Spit.
Still funny how an earlier, more technically inferior Spit somehow beeatch slapped the LW in 1940, a beeatch slapping the LW never recovered from.

Sorry the rest of you guys who were keeping the thread civil, but Kurfy, well you know him.

I now return you to the civil discussion...
Title: It's official...
Post by: Guppy35 on December 19, 2005, 06:17:09 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Kurfürst
I guess the 'greatly superior 109G' part that ticks off poor Nashwan comes from the simple fact that even the possibly worst variant of the 109F/G was at 30-70 kph faster than the Spitfire V at altitude or even more at the really high altitudes, which let's face it was the mainstay of the RAF Spitfire squadrons,the MkIX being just as 'common' as the Me 262 until mid-1944.

They must have felt they're chasing jets anywhere over the MkVs modest critical altitude. There was no 'fight', either the 109 choose to engage the Spit or it didn't. Hell even that poor G-6 cruised as fast as the MkV's all-out. :p


LOL you never quit do ya.  Every time I think you are going to be a rational part of the conversation you make some statement again taking a shot at someone or over generalize.  We realize the 109 won the war.  Get over it

I'd love to give ya the benefit of the doubt, but it's hard
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kurfürst on December 19, 2005, 06:23:10 PM
Yep, I never do. It's actually quite a fun to lay back and watch what a little teasing can do. Killer bees are nuthin compared to spitdweebs. Light some incense on your Spit shrine for me as well, to please the gods you know. :lol
Title: It's official...
Post by: Karnak on December 19, 2005, 06:24:15 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Kurfürst
I guess the 'greatly superior 109G' part that ticks off poor Nashwan comes from the simple fact that even the possibly worst variant of the 109F/G was at 30-70 kph faster than the Spitfire V at altitude or even more at the really high altitudes, which let's face it was the mainstay of the RAF Spitfire squadrons,the MkIX being just as 'common' as the Me 262 until mid-1944.

They must have felt they're chasing jets anywhere over the MkVs modest critical altitude. There was no 'fight', either the 109 choose to engage the Spit or it didn't. Hell even that poor G-6 cruised as fast as the MkV's all-out. :p

I am puzzled as to why you think the RAF stationed it's Spit IXs in Scotland or some other place away from the war and used the Mk Vs exclusively until they had a brainstorm in mid-1944 to actually use all of these Mk IXs they'd been wasting money on.

Odd, don't you think?

Ah well, I guess those Brits are just comical idiots who couldn't think their way out of a wet paperbag.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kurfürst on December 19, 2005, 06:27:48 PM
You say there were only 10 Squadrons of SpitIX fighting the Luftwaffe, while all the rest 35-odd Spit V squadrons were on permanent holiday in Scotland? That's quite a 'rest and refit'.

Have you considered the possibility there were not enough MkIX around until 1944 to replace the MkVs...? Not many IX were produced in 1942 or 1943.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Karnak on December 19, 2005, 06:37:21 PM
I would say that it was a mix, with the Mk IX's being tasked with the activities more likely to involve air-to-air combat.  Both would have seen air-to-air combat of course, with the Mk V's coming off for the worse.

I am also skeptical that there were only 10 squadrons on Mk IXs by the end of 1943.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Guppy35 on December 19, 2005, 06:39:34 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Karnak
I would say that it was a mix, with the Mk IX's being tasked with the activities more likely to involve air-to-air combat.

I am also skeptical that there were only 10 squadrons on Mk IXs by the end of 1943.


Don't waste your time Karnak.  We've been down this road before with IXs on Ops.

I count 56 squadrons that began operating IXs during 42-43.  Not counting those who started in 44.  Of course there were never enough IXs which is why they sent over 1000 to Russia under lend-lease.

Same old same old.
(http://www.furballunderground.com/freehost/files/27/More-SPits.jpg)
(http://www.furballunderground.com/freehost/files/27/IXSquadrons.jpg)
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 19, 2005, 06:39:37 PM
Quote
EN830 did not have clipped wings.


Then in that case we are still left with conclusion of the full wing spitfire being greatly inferior.

Quote
That section is written poorly in Spit the Hist. There is no transition from mentioning the clipping of the one Spit Vb to talking about the captured Vb


He does jump around a bit.  I can't tell from Kurfurst photograph if the wings are clipped or not.  

Now I am even more interested in seeing those reports from the PRO.

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: Guppy35 on December 19, 2005, 06:42:55 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Crumpp
Then in that case we are still left with conclusion of the full wing spitfire being greatly inferior.

 

He does jump around a bit.  I can't tell from Kurfurst photograph if the wings are clipped or not.  

Now I am even more interested in seeing those reports from the PRO.

All the best,

Crumpp


I don't think anyone would argue that the Spit FVb was inferior to the 109G.  I don't think that included turning circle, but as we've discussed before that was much more defensive then offensive and a cause of frustration to RAF pilots trying to fight the 190s in particular in the Vb.  Making tight turns just to survive is just that.  It's not attacking it's surviving.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 19, 2005, 06:51:47 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Crumpp
Then in that case we are still left with conclusion of the full wing spitfire being greatly inferior.

 

He does jump around a bit.  I can't tell from Kurfurst photograph if the wings are clipped or not.  

Now I am even more interested in seeing those reports from the PRO.

All the best,

Crumpp


Pic is a full span Spit, clipping would be visible just outboard of the aileron, theres too much outboard for it to be clipped.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Guppy35 on December 19, 2005, 06:57:35 PM
Just because there were clearly so few clipped.  Vs, VIIIs, IXs, XIIs, XIVs, XVI

(http://www.furballunderground.com/freehost/files/27/ClippedSpits.jpg)
Title: It's official...
Post by: Karnak on December 19, 2005, 07:03:58 PM
Dan,

Yes, 56 squadrons sounds a lot more likely.  Kurfurst seems to take 1942 numbers and extend them through into 1944 unchanged.

I wish he wouldn't do that.  It feels like he'll have settled down and become reasonable, posting good data and then out of the blue he goes and starts either A) trolling or B) posting obviously false information in pursuit of distorting the historical picture.

The only reason I have not put him on ignore is because he does have good information about the Bf109 and as long as the subject pertains exclusively to the Bf109, without any comparisons, he provides a lot of good data.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 19, 2005, 07:26:26 PM
Quote
Just because there were clearly so few clipped. Vs, VIIIs, IXs, XIIs, XIVs, XVI


In comparison to normal wing variants, it is not very common.  

I don't see anywhere the conclusions of the RAE regarding clipped wing performance are invalid.  It clearly has engineering trade offs but offers advantages against the FW-190, the most common Luftwaffe fighter for much of the time on the Kanalfront, than the normal wing variants.  For rolling performance the surveyed Spitfire pilots comments are valid.

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: zorstorer on December 19, 2005, 09:25:25 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Guppy35
Just because there were clearly so few clipped.  Vs, VIIIs, IXs, XIIs, XIVs, XVI




PHOTOSHOP!!!!!

















;):noid



Actually would the RAF have put down its future plans for clipping spits or was it done at the squadron level?  Just thinking they might have been planning more clipping as the war went along and the war moved lower?
Title: It's official...
Post by: Guppy35 on December 19, 2005, 10:16:33 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Crumpp
In comparison to normal wing variants, it is not very common.  

I don't see anywhere the conclusions of the RAE regarding clipped wing performance are invalid.  It clearly has engineering trade offs but offers advantages against the FW-190, the most common Luftwaffe fighter for much of the time on the Kanalfront, than the normal wing variants.  For rolling performance the surveyed Spitfire pilots comments are valid.

All the best,

Crumpp


It was common for the Spit fighting at low alt.  Did the Spit IXs in 43 have them?  Nope.  Did the LFVcs and XIIs have them.  Yep.  They were down there with the 2 TAF bombers flying escort and fighting at lower alts.

Did the 2 TAF fighter bomber Spits have them in late 44-45?  Lots did, lots didn't.  Again, purely for the down low work.

The Spit Vbs in the MTO had wings clipped at squadron levels often.  Again.  The war they were fighting was down low.

Could wing tips be changed back if the mission called for it?  Absolutely.  Did it happen?  Absolutely.  You can often find photos of Spits from the same squadron flying alongside each other with one clipped and one not.

Was it a rare occurance?  Nope.  Was it standard practice in 40-42?  Nope.  Did it start to happen in 43 as the air war moved lower both in the ETO and MTO?  Yep.  Did all Spitfires get clipped?  Nope.

An example from the MTO.  Spitfire Society founder David Green in his 73 Squadron Spitfire LFIX with clipped wings, being followed out by two standard wing Spitfire IXs.  Note these have Universal wings and the three hardpoints.
(http://www.furballunderground.com/freehost/files/27/BomfireIXs.jpg)
Title: It's official...
Post by: Squire on December 19, 2005, 10:57:17 PM
If your talking Spit IX/XVI/XIV with 2nd TAF, their opposition was just as commonly Bf 109s. The clipped wings were used for fighter-bomber ops and med-low alt work.  

They were not clipped to oppose Fw190s specifically. They didnt need to be. On top of that the LW fighters they ran into were from many different units, so it would have been impossible to "guess" what their opposition might be on any given day. In many air combats post Normandy they also ran into mixed groups.

The 1943-44 Spit IXs in England did not generally clip their wings, as they were often used for sweeps and escorts from 30K-20k. They were not used as fighter-bombers very often. That was mainly for the Typhoons.

The Spit LF Vs often did use the clipped wings because their engines were low alt rated 55Ms, and they were at their best below 15k. So it made sense.

Also, some pilots liked the clipped wings, and some didnt, so some pilots flew with them clipped, and some didnt. The tips could be fitted or removed at Sqn level.

As Guppy said, they were generally used when low alt work was going to be done over an extended period, but thats a generisation, because they often went with standard tips too.

If your looking for  black and white reason or circumstance, there isn't one.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 19, 2005, 11:33:25 PM
Quote
They didnt need to be.


Yeah.  We obviously are not looking at the same information or documents.   You should probably re-read what the Spitfire pilots wrote:

http://img121.potato.com/img.php?loc=loc24&image=275e4_pilotopinions.jpg

A normal wing Spitfire has NO CHANCE of following an FW-190 in an aileron turn.  It's called agility.  The FW-190 has estabilished a turn long before the Spitfire even begins.  Every document printed by all sides agrees on this point.  Some with comments like "would rip the wings off a Spitfire".

It is not just Spit V's that the RAE concluded on their own aircraft:

http://img120.potato.com/img.php?loc=loc24&image=cfd2f_Effect_of_clipping_Spitfire_Wings.jpg

http://img130.potato.com/img.php?loc=loc24&image=b2870_715_1094128429_rolltestonspit5_9_12_conclusions.jpg

Clipping the wings came at a real price.  The science and engineering of aerodynamics say it is so.  The fans may not like it but the fact remains.

The RAF was certainly concerned with the FW-190 the entire war.  If you get the documents and trace the history of the RAF's involvement with the Focke Wulf, familiarity did not breed contempt.   The Focke Wulf was considered a much more dangerous opponent AFTER the tactical trials than it was before them.  In 1942-43 they paid a heavy price from a realitively few Focke Wulfs too.  

I think Guppy will agree that the major driving factor behind Spitfire development was the Luftwaffe's low level superiority over the allied fighters.  If you examine the chart I posted, in 1943 there was not a fighter in the allied inventory that did not have a tough time catching a Focke Wulf at tree top level.  The majority could not do it and certainly no Spitfire in the 1943 inventory was capable of catching one.  England was bombed almost daily by FW-190's from SKG 10 and other bomber units and they needed something to stop it.  

Quote
If your looking for black and white reason or circumstance, there isn't one.


See above.  It is called a desire to win the war and gain an edge over your enemy.

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: Squire on December 19, 2005, 11:35:24 PM
Well lets see Kurfurst, KG51 deployed a single staffel of Me262s to France in July of 1944. 4 got there and flew a few missions.

As for the # of Spit IXs there were 56 Squadrons of them in England by D-Day.

How does that compare?

Where in the world do you get your sources from anyways? Can't be from books. In any case this is the 3rd thread in which you have made a completely baseless claim, with no sources provided, and have been corrected. Again.

Its getting old.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Guppy35 on December 19, 2005, 11:58:57 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Crumpp
Yeah.  We obviously are not looking at the same information or documents.   You should probably re-read what the Spitfire pilots wrote:

http://img121.potato.com/img.php?loc=loc24&image=275e4_pilotopinions.jpg

A normal wing Spitfire has NO CHANCE of following an FW-190 in an aileron turn.  It's called agility.  The FW-190 has estabilished a turn long before the Spitfire even begins.  Every document printed by all sides agrees on this point.  Some with comments like "would rip the wings off a Spitfire".

It is not just Spit V's that the RAE concluded on their own aircraft:

http://img120.potato.com/img.php?loc=loc24&image=cfd2f_Effect_of_clipping_Spitfire_Wings.jpg

http://img130.potato.com/img.php?loc=loc24&image=b2870_715_1094128429_rolltestonspit5_9_12_conclusions.jpg

Clipping the wings came at a real price.  The science and engineering of aerodynamics say it is so.  The fans may not like it but the fact remains.

The RAF was certainly concerned with the FW-190 the entire war.  If you get the documents and trace the history of the RAF's involvement with the Focke Wulf, familiarity did not breed contempt.   The Focke Wulf was considered a much more dangerous opponent AFTER the tactical trials than it was before them.  In 1942-43 they paid a heavy price from a realitively few Focke Wulfs too.  

I think Guppy will agree that the major driving factor behind Spitfire development was the Luftwaffe's low level superiority over the allied fighters.  If you examine the chart I posted, in 1943 there was not a fighter in the allied inventory that did not have a tough time catching a Focke Wulf at tree top level.  The majority could not do it and certainly no Spitfire in the 1943 inventory was capable of catching one.  England was bombed almost daily by FW-190's from SKG 10 and other bomber units and they needed something to stop it.  

 

See above.  It is called a desire to win the war and gain an edge over your enemy.

All the best,

Crumpp


Certainly the XII was a response to those low alt 190s.  And in the end they did the job.

I quoted Jeff Quill from his book in another thread where he talks about how at a certain point both sides recognized that moving the air war down was a better way to go.

I'd suggest that more then just the 190 played into it.  The Medium bombers of 2 Group and the USAAF were flying at lower altitudes to targets in France and the LW also if they chose to oppose those flights had to play at those lower altitudes.  The airwar of 30K that took place in 41-42 over France went away in 43.

You keep talking about the price paid for clipping the wings.  Had that airwar stayed high that price would have been larger.  As it was, the price paid down lower was not great as the benefit of the improved roll rate, was greater then the loss in turning circle as it just wasn't that great down low.

We had this discussion in another thread when Kurfie was on the rampage.  Here's what I posted then quoting the RAF report on comparitive trials between a clipped and standard Spit, as well as what Jeff Quill had said.

Regarding the clipped wings again and hopefully to put to rest this BS about loss of performance. From the RAF trials of a clipped Spit vs a Standard wing Spit.

"At all heights to 25,000 feet the rate of roll is considerably improved by the removal of the wingtips. The response to aileron movements is very quick and very crisp. Four dog-fights were carried out starting with the standard Spitfire on the tail of the clipped wing Spitfire. On two occasions the clipped wing Spitfire evaded so rapidly in the rolling plane that it was able to lose the standard Spitfire and reverse the positions in about 20 seconds. On the third occasion the clipped wing Spitfire was able to lose the standard Spitfire. The fourth occasion was at 25,000 feet and the standard Spitfire was able to keep the clipped wing Spitfire in sight.

The minimum turning circle of the clipped wing Spitfire at 20,000 feet has been increased by 55 feet . This slight increase does not detract in any way from the fighting qualities of the aeroplane..."

Quoting Jeffrey Quill, Supermarine Chief Test pilot on the clipped wing and Merlin 66 LFIX.

"Then at some in definate time in 1942, there seemed to be a change in the tactical philosophy on both sides. It was rather as if, by some sort of mutual tacit consent between enemies, it was realized that the band between 30,000 an 40,000 feet was a silly place in which to have an air battle, and the fighting tended to drop down into the more practical regions roughly between 15,000 and 25,000 feet. I remember how, at the time, this trend interested me very much indeed. It WAS CLEARLY REFLECTED in the LF MK IX(Merlin 66) with engine performance adjusted to the reduced height band.

IT WAS ALSO REFLECTED in the fact that, by removing the wingtips of the Spitfire, an improvement in lateral control could be achieved, but because it increased the wing loading and the span loading of the wing, an aerodynamic penalty was incurred at HIGH ALTITUDE. Such a proposition was unthinkable in 40/41 but in 1942/3 the idea was ENTHUSIASTICALLY adopted by squadrons in 11 group and the "clipped wing" Spitfire became a common sight in the sky."


Note Jeffrey Quill's words about the addition of the clipped wings and the reaction from Spit pilots.  Seems like he'd know.

Note the emphasis on the penalty at high alt.  Not down low.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Squire on December 20, 2005, 01:29:32 AM
The Fw190 had a faster roll rate than the Yak-3, LA-5, P-51, and  P-47 as well, but that didnt prevent them from being shot down.

You seem to think that its evasive roll tactic was a magic force field that made it bulletproof to attack. At least thats how you write it.

No single ability made any fighter invulnerable, for all the obvious reasons I won't labor on again.

Most Spits 44-45 did not have clipped wings. If it was so imperative that they have them just to shoot down a Fw190 then they would have all been standardised that way from 1943 to war's end.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Karnak on December 20, 2005, 01:54:18 AM
In AH2 I cannot follow an Fw190 in the roll when flying a Spit VIII, but there are other tactics I can use besides just rolling  and trying to catch up to it's turn in a new direction.  That would be true even if the Fw190s in AH had better turning capabilities (and I think they should from what I've read).
Title: It's official...
Post by: Angus on December 20, 2005, 02:07:46 AM
In AHII the 190 outrolls everything, but there are indeed countermeasures.
Rolling isn't enough, and if you have an aircraft close in speed, you can counter it by cutting the corners instead,,,,indeed.
Chasing a 190 in a Spit VIII is quite a challenge and loads of fun.
That said, I'm off to AH II ;)
Title: It's official...
Post by: Charge on December 20, 2005, 04:57:33 AM
"You seem to think that its evasive roll tactic was a magic force field that made it bulletproof to attack. At least thats how you write it.
No single ability made any fighter invulnerable, for all the obvious reasons I won't labor on again."

I'm not sure who you are talking about but you are right. No single ability made any fighter invulnerable. And if you would have read every thread about 190 maneuverability and flown the kite in AH you would know that even if it rolls faster than anything else in the game now it does not prevent it from being shot down. In fact I consider the rolling to be a quite useless defence because the 190 lacks so much in other maneuverability that it is simply a waste of energy to try to roll and break away from the enemy.


***

"Chasing a 190 in a Spit VIII is quite a challenge and loads of fun."

Sure, and trying to evade VIII in A8 is frustrating as hell, but I'm glad somebody has fun...

-C+
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kurfürst on December 20, 2005, 06:27:15 AM
Compilation of Spitfire IX Squadrons in service from Guppy's scanned list of Mk IX units :

June 1943

RAF : No. 32,64,66,81,152,222,241,249,611,682. Total : 10 Squadrons.

In addition underlined by : "...In June 1943, in the RAF Fighter Command] there were 34 Squadrons of Spitfire Vs, nine of these in the north, but, more importantly, 10 units were operational with the Spitfire IX, two with the Spitfire XII, and one each with the high altitude VI and VII."

Source:  Fighter Command War Diaries July 1943-June 1944 by John Foreman, Page 11.

Allied : No. 315,317,340,341,
Commonwealth : No. 403, 416, 421
RAAF : No. 453
RNZAF : No. 501
Total : 9

Grandtotal : 19 Squadrons of MkIX. x 12 planes = 228



September 1943

Mk IX[/b]
RAF : No.19,32,43,64,65,66,72,74,92,111,131,132,152,222,241,249,682. Total 17 Squadrons.

Allied :No. 306,310,312,315,317,340,341,
Commonwealth : No. 421,
RAAF : No. 453, 457.
RNZAF : No. 485, 501
Total: 12 Squadrons.

Grandtotal : 29 Squadrons of MkIX. x 12 planes = 348


MkV :
Compiled from Mushroom Model/Yellow Series - Supermarine Spitfire MkV by Wojtek Matusiak.

Home based Squadrons
RAF : No. 64,66,118,130,131,132,165,288,
Allied : No. 302,306,308,310,312,315,316,317,322,340,349,350,
RCAF : 401,402,411,412,416,
RAAF : 453,
Other Sqn : 501,504,602,610,611,897.
Excluded : various OTU and aux. units/flights.
Total 34 Sqn of Home-based MkV Squadrons.


Mediterranean Squadrons
RAF : No. 32,43,72,73,74,80,81,87,92,93,94,111,123,126,127,145,152,154,185,225,229,232,238,242,243,249,253. Total 27 Squadrons.
RCAF : No. 417
RAAF : No. 451
Total 29 MkV Squadrons in the Mediterranean.

Squadrons in Australia
RAF and RAAF : No. 54,452,457. Total 3 MkV Squadrons.

Squadrons in South-East Asia
RAF : No. 607, 615. Total 2 MkV Squadrons.


Grandtotal : 68 Squadrons of Mk V x 12 planes = 816




December 1943
Mk IXs:[/u]

RAF : No. 19,32,43,64,65,66,72,74,93,111,131,132,152,165,222,237,241,249,602,682. Total : 21 Squadrons.

Allied : No. 302,306,308,310,312,315,326,341,350
Commonwealth : No. 401, 411, 412, 421,
RAAF : No. 451, 453, 457.
RNZAF : No. 485, 501. Total : 18 Squadrons.

Grandtotal : 39 Sqn x 12 = 468

PS : That's nowhere near of that 56 Squadrons Guppy claims in service at a time. Of course, as Squadrons arriving to the frontline inherited the equipment of those leaving for some R&R, and this would boost the number of Squadrons that used it for some time, but there was quite unit flow back and forth.




(BTW, what's the matter with these Squadron numbers, what's the idea ?
No 19 till No 290 seems to be reserved for british RAF units, the 300s are foreigners, the 400s seems to be various commonwealth units, and the 500s and 600s are again British? 700 is the fleet, 800 again is...?)


NOTES :

Uncertain, precise date missing, not added to possible MkIXsqn :
122? - flew MkV Apr-Aug 1943
129? - flew MkV up to June 1943
229? - flew MkV Aug42 - Apr 1944
232? - flew MkV Apr42 - Nov 1942
238?
316?
331?
332?
521?

What's 1435 Sqd ? Some sort of special unit? Was not included. Seems to operate MkV  Aug42-Nov43 and May-Sept1944. Another mixed squadron....?

Curiously, many of the "MkIX Squadron"s are also listed amongst MkV Squadrons (ie. No 64, No 66, No 131 etc.), which probably means they run mixed types, so the actual number of MkIXs in service was even less than the pure Sqn listing would suggest.


CONCLUSION :[/u]

Even after a full year after it's introduction, the MkIX was a secondary type compared to the numbers the older MkV was present :

In June 1943, the RAF Fighter based in Britiain command possessed 10 MkIX Squadrons, but 34 Squadrons of Spitfire Vs, plus a Squadron of the similiar Spitfire VI. A ratio of 3.5 : 1.

In September 1943, with all Spitfire Squadrons being inspected, shows there were 17 Squadrons of MkIXs in the RAF, further 12 in other allied and commonwealth units, a total of 29 Squadrons.

At the same time, there were 35 Squadrons of MkVs in the RAF, further 28 in in other allied and commonwealth units, a total of 63 MkV Squadrons in Europe : 34 Home based and 29 in the Mediterranean. Further 5 were in SE-Asia and Australia.

That's 68 MkV Spitfire Squadrons vs. 29 MkIXs Spitfire Squadrons in service in September 1943; a ratio of 2.35 : 1 in favour of the MkV. Time to bow before the facts.

...And to get back the to the original point, even the G-6 could cruise as fast as the MkV would manage on all-out power. :p

Thus ends the sermon.

EDIT : edited for UBB code and layout etc.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Guppy35 on December 20, 2005, 08:09:30 AM
Sorry Kurfurst.  You said 10 squadrons of Spit IXs til Mid 44.   I said  56 Squadrons operated IXs in 42-43.  Don't go changing what I said.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 20, 2005, 08:10:19 AM
Quote
In fact I consider the rolling to be a quite useless defence because the 190 lacks so much in other maneuverability that it is simply a waste of energy to try to roll and break away from the enemy.


Oh absolutely.  The FW-190 in AH could roll 3 times as fast as it does and it would make no difference.

People must not read the original reports.  They all say the exact same thing.

The FW-190 was very manuverable.  More manuverable than any of the allied fighters tested.  They also say an outstanding feature of the aeroplane was it's roll and it was capable of performing ailerons turns which would rip the wings off a Spitfire.

Not one single report says the ONLY feature of this aircraft is it's roll.

One problem is that Aces High models all the FW-190's as if they were the FW-190A3/A4 series flown by an RAE pilot with only a few hours experience in the aircraft.

Quote
The Medium bombers of 2 Group and the USAAF were flying at lower altitudes to targets in France and the LW also if they chose to oppose those flights had to play at those lower altitudes.


So your saying Spitifires needed increased low altitude performance because of Luftwaffe fighters??  Isn't that exactly what I said?  

Quote
Most Spits 44-45 did not have clipped wings. If it was so imperative that they have them just to shoot down a Fw190 then they would have all been standardised that way from 1943 to war's end.


So now your saying it was NOT imperative that Spiftfires have some ability to shootdown Luftwaffe fighters in a dogfight?  Let's see, both German fighters were faster, one was more manuverable and the other could equal the turn ability for a time.

They were not standardized Squire because just as the reports states, they did not represent a quantum leap in performance.

 
Quote
On top of that the LW fighters they ran into were from many different units, so it would have been impossible to "guess" what their opposition might be on any given day. In many air combats post Normandy they also ran into mixed groups.


Luftwaffe only had two types of single engine fighters Squire.  Allied intelligence was well aware that the FW-190 was the most numerous type on the Western Front.  That is not including the Reichsverteidigund but Spitfires were removed from that battle and never could penetrate far enough to be a factor.

With 70% of the Gruppes of the Kanalgeschwaders flying FW-190's it only makes sense to plan for your most likely opponent.

Quote
As it was, the price paid down lower was not great as the benefit of the improved roll rate,


Oh most certainly.

Quote
The minimum turning circle of the clipped wing Spitfire at 20,000 feet has been increased by 55 feet .


I have a hard time with this statement as it does not make sense.  A 55ft circumference increase would be unnoticable from the cockpit.  Yet all the Spitfire pilots note the exact same thing, an perceiable increase in turn.   It is not even a .5 second difference.

You sure he did not mean the radius was increased 55 feet?

I wonder if the clipped wing Spitfires ran into aileron flutter problems similar to the FW-190 with out of adjustment ailerons, then if Quills statement about circumference is correct.  The report I posted earlier on the aerodynamic qualities of the Spitfires ailerons mentions this quality appearing in some normal wing Spitfires.

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kurfürst on December 20, 2005, 08:25:18 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Guppy35
Sorry Kurfurst.  You said 10 squadrons of Spit IXs til Mid 44.   I said  56 Squadrons operated IXs in 42-43.  Don't go changing what I said.


I didn't say there were only 10 Squads of IX til mid-1944.  I said there were 35-odd MkV and 10 MkIX squadrons, I should have added its for the Figher command (see John Foreman) in June 1943, but the ratio beween MkV and IX was correct even then.

Though this small diffo between 56 Sqns operating the type at one time  or another, and the absolute max. of 39 Squadron operating the type at one time by the end of 1943 didn't bothered you until I pointed out the correct facts..

Moral of story, the IX was not the mainstay Spitfire until 1944, period. MkVs must have had a bad time vs. 109Gs.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Angus on December 20, 2005, 09:38:44 AM
The equal number was produced if not more of the IX.
Funny how many survived.

And Crumpp, - you couldn't rip the wing of a Spitfire with an aeleron turn,- you're stuck with "would" again.

The quick pitch of the Spitfire as you hopefully remember could also not easily be followed,- no wonder, - it had to be calibrated down so it would not break the aircraft.

Pitch vs roll ?
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 20, 2005, 09:56:58 AM
Actually Angus your mistaken -

Vb # produced - 3993
Vc # produced - 2447
IX # produced - 5665 (approx 3700+ were LF's, rest F, FR, HF)

So there were slightly more V's produced overal.
Unless you count the XVI as a IX -

XVI # produced - 1054

That would give total V's = 6440
total IX + XVI = 6714


Kurfy -
Luckily as most informed people know, speed alone isn't the be all and end all of air combat.
No the Spit wasn't the fastest, best turning, or best climbing of any WW2 aircraft, BUT it did all three collectively better than almost all WW2 aircraft, and was a dam sight easier to fly (up to the Griffons anyway).
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kurfürst on December 20, 2005, 10:11:28 AM
A large number of MkIX were just converted MkV airframes. And, looking on the numbers it seems the production of the MkIX did not run up until 1944.

In 1942 only the Merlin 61 one was producted, Hop/Nashwan claims that w/o a source as only 350, inc. some 1943 production.

Say, 300 MkIXs produced in 1942.

And looking how slowly the new Squadrons emerged, well...

June 1943 - 19 Squadrons
Sept 1943 - 29 Squadrons
Dec  1943 - 39 Squadrons of MkIX.

It took them a steady 3 months to equip 10 new squadrons, with 12+8=20 planes each. That's 300 planes if we assume reserves and losses, or 100 MkIX produced a month and I am being very generous here.


That's a very small scale, but given what we were shown about the MkXIV production, and the fact that the mkV was still produced in 1943, I am not surprised. Perhaps there was shortage of proper engines. Most seem to have been produced in 1944, which is when coincidently the IX finally replaced the V with most units.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 20, 2005, 10:11:56 AM
Quote
And Crumpp, - you couldn't rip the wing of a Spitfire with an aeleron turn,- you're stuck with "would" again.


Not my words Angus, a Spitfire test pilots who flew a captured FW-190.

Quote
The quick pitch of the Spitfire as you hopefully remember could also not easily be followed,- no wonder, - it had to be calibrated down so it would not break the aircraft.


Obviously you have not seen the elevator forces over G measurements of the Focke Wulf FW-190.  The elevator was extremely effective.  Over-effective in fact.  With the rearward CG of the FW-190A3/A4 it was even easier to overcontrol the aircraft.  Overcontrolling will make it appear that the elevator is not effective.

We have covered this before.

At 2 KM altitude, it takes 1 degree of elevator movement on the FW-190 to load 1100kg/m2 on the aft at 450 kph.

At 2 KM altitude at 300kph 1 degree of elevator movement delivers 490Kg/m2.  Hardly ineffective and certainly the results the RAE obtained were due to inexperienced pilots overcontrolling the aircraft.

To put that into perspective, the FW-190 has a stick gearing of 4.1 degrees per inch and 31 degrees of upward elevator movement.

As Oscar and the other FW-190 pilots have related, the Focke Wulf was a true one handed aircraft for most of the envelope.  Flying it with two hands, as you would a Spitfire, 109, or Hurricane is a recipe for overcontrolling it.

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kurfürst on December 20, 2005, 10:23:07 AM
Neil Stirling has just posted some nice numbers on butch boards :

Quote
As of 18th May 1944.

Spitfires with Sqn's

MkV 531
MKVII 62
MK VIII 209
MK IX 996
Mk XII 22
MK XIV 61.

Neil.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Angus on December 20, 2005, 10:37:28 AM
Funny how many of those sorry V's were still flying then :D
Anyway, Kev, I'd put the XVI with the IX basically - it's very much the same.

And Crumpp:
"Overcontrolling will make it appear that the elevator is not effective.

We have covered this before."

Obviously you have not comprehended this before. The problem on the Spitfires end was that the elevator kept BEING effective. Feel and action alike. Coupled together with the delicate C.o.G. this could break the aircraft with forces presumably in excess of 12G.
When entering the problem, if the pilot was quick enough, he would bunt and get out with a blue eye. The elevator was still effective.
So, they weighted it up a bit.

Got a test pilots description on it that I bet none of you have, (A.Bartley)  as well as Quill's describtion :D
Title: It's official...
Post by: Guppy35 on December 20, 2005, 10:55:56 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Kurfürst
A large number of MkIX were just converted MkV airframes. And, looking on the numbers it seems the production of the MkIX did not run up until 1944.

In 1942 only the Merlin 61 one was producted, Hop/Nashwan claims that w/o a source as only 350, inc. some 1943 production.

Say, 300 MkIXs produced in 1942.

And looking how slowly the new Squadrons emerged, well...

June 1943 - 19 Squadrons
Sept 1943 - 29 Squadrons
Dec  1943 - 39 Squadrons of MkIX.

It took them a steady 3 months to equip 10 new squadrons, with 12+8=20 planes each. That's 300 planes if we assume reserves and losses, or 100 MkIX produced a month and I am being very generous here.


That's a very small scale, but given what we were shown about the MkXIV production, and the fact that the mkV was still produced in 1943, I am not surprised. Perhaps there was shortage of proper engines. Most seem to have been produced in 1944, which is when coincidently the IX finally replaced the V with most units.


Not sure what you mean about a large number of IXs being converted Spitfire Vs.

THe IX was built using the Spitfire Vc airframe.  It was a Spitfire Vc with a two stage Merlin 60 series engine.

The Spitfire XII had the first 50 built on the Spitfire Vc airframe.

The Spitfire XVI was the same as the IX which means it was built off the Vc.

The VII, VIII, XIV etc were built of the strengthened airframe that was the basis for the VIII.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Guppy35 on December 20, 2005, 11:11:35 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Kurfürst
I didn't say there were only 10 Squads of IX til mid-1944.  I said there were 35-odd MkV and 10 MkIX squadrons, I should have added its for the Figher command (see John Foreman) in June 1943, but the ratio beween MkV and IX was correct even then.

Though this small diffo between 56 Sqns operating the type at one time  or another, and the absolute max. of 39 Squadron operating the type at one time by the end of 1943 didn't bothered you until I pointed out the correct facts..

Moral of story, the IX was not the mainstay Spitfire until 1944, period. MkVs must have had a bad time vs. 109Gs.


LOL you correcting the facts.  I love that.  Based on your facts, the LW won the war and the 109 was the best piston engined fighter ever built.  Maybe you should argue with Crumpp for a while about how much better the 109 was then the 190.  Maybe he'd have the patience for it :)

Lets narrow it down for you.  The frontline squadrons of 11 Group that carried the fight to France, were primarily equipped with the Spitfire IX.  Throw in the two XII squadrons and the Tiffies and that about covers 11 Group.  Were there Spit Vs operating over France in 43? absolutely.  And they were generally the clipped Spitfire LFVs flying the close escort to the medium bombers of 2 Group or the USAAF.  But of course they had high cover from the VIIs and IXs as well as cover from the XIIs and Tiffies.

How many LW fighters based in France to oppose those RAF fighters along with the USAAF fighters?  How many 109s in France compared to IXs operating in England?

OF course as always, this is a waste of time as you aren't listening anyway
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 20, 2005, 11:16:02 AM
Quote
The quick pitch of the Spitfire as you hopefully remember could also not easily be followed,- no wonder, - it had to be calibrated down so it would not break the aircraft.


Man, Angus, do you understand the report where the elevator of the Mk V was bob weighted?

All aircraft have the ability to overload the airframe in an overspeed condition.  Aircraft designers purposely build in higher forces in the elevator to keep the pilot from killing himself and destroying the airplane.

Having light elevator forces at high speed is a design flaw, not a feature.  Installation of bob weights is one method designers can use to cover up this flaw.

http://img106.potato.com/img.php?loc=loc24&image=7169f_elevator_limits.jpg

http://img128.potato.com/img.php?loc=loc24&image=23498_spits1.jpg

The Spitfire was fitted with bob weights, however the consequences of this design flaw would continue to haunt the design.

http://img15.potato.com/img.php?loc=loc24&image=6c879_bobweightopinion.jpg


All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 20, 2005, 11:28:07 AM
Quote
Obviously you have not comprehended this before. The problem on the Spitfires end was that the elevator kept BEING effective. Feel and action alike. Coupled together with the delicate C.o.G. this could break the aircraft with forces presumably in excess of 12G.


You need to read the report Angus.  Push force was required to keep the accellerations under control.  Why do you think the pilot would have to alternate push then pull forces?

Phugoid oscillations or the beginings of Spiral dive.  Both symptoms of a stability problem caused by elevator design in the Spitfire.  You keep wanting to claim "elevator effectiveness".  Unfortunately the problem has nothing to do with effectiveness of the elevator.

"Elevator effectiveness" is not even mentioned in the report!  What is discussed is the design flaws of the elevator balancing and fabric distorsions which cause the stability issues.

All aircraft if designed badly, can destroy themselves in an overspeed condition.

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: MiloMorai on December 20, 2005, 11:30:05 AM
From the 5th order for Spitfires, production from Feb to Nov '42

MK IXs - 188

From the 6th order for Spitfires, production Dec '42 to Apr '43

Mk IXs - 39

From the 7th order for Spitfires, production from Nov '42 to Aug '43

Mk IXs - 160

From the 8th order for Spitfires, production Mar to June '43

Mk IXs - 417

If you were not so cheap Kurfy and bought Spitfire: The History you would have these numbers.

To help with your ignorance of the RAF:

RAF squadrons from 1 to 299 were British squadrons

The 300 series of squadrons were for for other nationalities flying with the RAF

The 400 series of squadrons were for Commonwealth squadrons

The 600 series were originally for 'Auxillary AF' units (week-end warriors)

The 700 (training and ancillary) and 800 (operational) series of squadrons were for the FAA. (860-879 Commonwealth and allied navy squadrons)
Title: It's official...
Post by: Angus on December 20, 2005, 11:36:26 AM
Crumpp:
Pull=up and into a turn if the position is such
Push= down

Weighting them a wee with BoB weights completely cured the problem.

The problem being that at a high speed enough the pilot could pull the aircraft into a narrowing circle, as well narrowing itself with the shift of C.o.G. aftwards. The control still remained effective, hence the chance of getting out, which some of the quickest sticks did.
Bottom line hypersensitive and very hypercontrollable elevator that needed to be weighted down to make it easier to handle. Happened, was done, - won't get much better.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 20, 2005, 11:38:55 AM
Quote
The problem being that at a high speed enough the pilot could pull the aircraft into a narrowing circle, as well narrowing itself with the shift of C.o.G. aftwards. The control still remained effective, hence the chance of getting out, which some of the quickest sticks did.


Do you even have the report?  What shift in CG????  The CG does not change during the dive.

WTF are you talking about?

The pilot did not pull anything Angus.  The aircraft was unstable and he was pushing and pulling the stick to keep it from destroying itself.

Bob weights provide a constant pull to improve stability issues!
 (http://img132.potato.com/loc121/th_4f3b9_bob_weights_results.jpg) (http://img132.potato.com/img.php?loc=loc121&image=4f3b9_bob_weights_results.jpg)

Rate of change of angle, your thinking of as "elevator effectiveness" has nothing to do with stick force gradiants.  It is a design function of the area of the tail to elevator control surface.
 (http://img43.potato.com/loc29/th_12335_angle_rate_of_change.jpg) (http://img43.potato.com/img.php?loc=loc29&image=12335_angle_rate_of_change.jpg)

Now there are many other factors which effect the angle rate of change, stability is one of them.  Stability problems do not improve the controllability of the aircraft or it's combat useful characteristics.

Funny how fandom can turn a liability into an asset.  

The stick force gradiants being too low is a flaw both the FW-190 and the Spitfire shared.  The FW-190 did not have the stability problems though.

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: DoKGonZo on December 20, 2005, 12:48:14 PM
... I really gotta try to install a Wiki on my server over the holidays so we can start capturing all this data in one place ...
Title: It's official...
Post by: gripen on December 21, 2005, 05:53:43 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Kurfürst

Nope, you are completely wrong. The Merlin 66 and 266 had exactly the same rating.

 (http://img127.potato.com/loc113/th_42455_Spit16_266.jpg)


If we look the speed values in the same sheet, we got different a bit different picture:

(http://img124.potato.com/loc1/th_7fd8f_406.jpg) (http://img124.potato.com/img.php?loc=loc1&image=7fd8f_406.jpg)

The sheet gives same rating as for the Merlin 66 but 1500ft higher 2nd FTH and 2mph higher top speed if compared to the LF. IX values (http://www.spitfireperformance.com/spitlf9ads.jpg).

gripen
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kurfürst on December 21, 2005, 06:02:15 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Guppy35
Lets narrow it down for you.  The frontline squadrons of 11 Group that carried the fight to France, were primarily equipped with the Spitfire IX.  Throw in the two XII squadrons and the Tiffies and that about covers 11 Group.


At what period ? By 1944, certainly. In 1943, and even more so in 1942, certainly not. Ramrod S.36 , flown 6. september 1943 , out of 32 spitfire squads, 18 still flew Mk.V



Quote
How many LW fighters based in France to oppose those RAF fighters along with the USAAF fighters?[/B]
Quote


Certainly a lot less, there was no reason or threat coming from the RAF to make the Luftwaffe think about more fighter should be deployed in France. But, they were provided with the technological edge, receiving always the latest models, whereas the RAF was pretty slow in getting the 'anti-190' MkIX in service in numbers.


Quote
How many 109s in France compared to IXs operating in England?[/B]


A handful, since most of the Gruppes at the Channel had FW 190, the 109s were mostly of pressurized high altitude types with GM-1, providing high cover and other special tasks.

But why narrow it down to France? There was nothing important happenning there, the RAF launched nuisancse raids for years with a handful of bombers as bait, but the LW didn't buy the trick as the JG2/26 kill ratios show. The Bf 109s were primarly used in the Med, and that's where Spitfires and 109s mostly met.  And there the ratio of MkVs was even higher vs. MkIX. The typical Spitfire vs. 109 engagement in 1943 was usually 109G-2, G-4 or G-6 facing old MkVs against which they were quite superior, or when a MkIX turned up once in a month, it put them on equal footing.


Quote
OF course as always, this is a waste of time as you aren't listening anyway [/B]


Well perhaps back up your statements with OOBs of 11 group in 1943, or the sortie statistics of MkV vs MkIX in 1943, and then your posts will have more weight than what they seem now, an mere opinion.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 21, 2005, 06:14:47 AM
Quote
If we look the speed values in the same sheet,


:rofl
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kurfürst on December 21, 2005, 06:35:18 AM
Quote
Originally posted by gripen
If we look the speed values in the same sheet, we got different a bit different picture:

(http://img124.potato.com/loc1/th_7fd8f_406.jpg) (http://img124.potato.com/img.php?loc=loc1&image=7fd8f_406.jpg)

The sheet gives same rating as for the Merlin 66 but 1500ft higher 2nd FTH and 2mph higher top speed if compared to the LF. IX values (http://www.spitfireperformance.com/spitlf9ads.jpg).

gripen


I thought we were discussing engine outputs and rated altitude, not top speeds, you should understand the difference.

As I understand, your point to ignore/dismiss the engine ratings given for the Merlin 266 by the datasheet, and then speculate about the top speeds based on the same datasheet you dismissed two times already...?

Besides, there was hardly any difference between the Mk IX/Merlin 66 top speeds between 19500 and 24 000 feet, just let's look at the BS 310 curve (or the others), which gives the 404mph top speed, the same as qouted in the IXLF datasheet.

Trouble is, there's practically no change in speed between 19500 and 24 000 feet... pretty much 403-404mph all the way :

http://www.spitfireperformance.com/ma648speed.gif

Appearnaltly the IXLF and the XVI has the very same performance. Simply because they have the same engine. I can easily see that 2 mph diffo coming from some airframe factor between the IX and XVI, most likely from the reduced drag from clipped wings.
Title: It's official...
Post by: zorstorer on December 21, 2005, 06:54:52 AM
Quote
Originally posted by DoKGonZo
... I really gotta try to install a Wiki on my server over the holidays so we can start capturing all this data in one place ...


As a side note....nice site Dok

:aok
Title: It's official...
Post by: gripen on December 21, 2005, 08:42:57 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Kurfürst
I thought we were discussing engine outputs and rated altitude, not top speeds, you should understand the difference.


Seems that who ever made the datasheet you posted has erroneouysly used ratings for the Merlin 66 but the max speed and 2nd FTH are logical for the Merlin 266, while a bit lower as expected from RR data sheet but still clearly higher than for the LF.IX. Note that at 1st FTH claimed speeds and FTHs are same for LF.IX and XVI.

Quote
Originally posted by Kurfürst
As I understand, your point to ignore/dismiss the engine ratings given for the Merlin 266 by the datasheet, and then speculate about the top speeds based on the same datasheet you dismissed two times already...?


The engine rating for the Merlin 266 at 2nd FTH is simply wrong in the datasheet you posted. Below is the data sheet for the 266 from "Rolls Royce Aero Engine Data handbook" from the Appedix of Harvey-Bailey's book (originally printed 1945 by RR). It is as primary source as a source can be.

http://img23.potato.com/img.php?loc=loc147&image=d06a8_266.jpg

I wonder why you did not post those parts of the sheet which show higher 2nd FTH and higher max speed?

gripen
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kurfürst on December 21, 2005, 09:31:11 AM
You claimed :

Spit IXLF, Merlin 66.
66's FTH = 16 000 feet
IXLF's rammed FTH = 404mph at 21 000 feet.

FTH difference to, ram .5000 feet.

Spit XVILF, Merlin 266.
266's FTH = 19 400 feet
IXLF's rammed FTH = 406mph at 22 500 feet.

FTH difference to, ram .3100 feet.

Explain me how can this be, if the two engines are different.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 21, 2005, 09:31:20 AM
Quote
2mph higher top speed if compared to the LF. IX values.


Does anybody else see the absolute absurdity and ignorance of this statement in terms of aircraft performance?

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: MiloMorai on December 21, 2005, 10:35:18 AM
The 66 had a 0.477 gear ratio reduction for the prop.

The 266 had a 0.479 gear ratio reduction for the prop.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Kev367th on December 21, 2005, 10:58:10 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Kurfürst
But why narrow it down to France? There was nothing important happenning there, the RAF launched nuisancse raids for years with a handful of bombers as bait, but the LW didn't buy the trick as the JG2/26 kill ratios show. The Bf 109s were primarly used in the Med, and that's where Spitfires and 109s mostly met.  And there the ratio of MkVs was even higher vs. MkIX. The typical Spitfire vs. 109 engagement in 1943 was usually 109G-2, G-4 or G-6 facing old MkVs against which they were quite superior, or when a MkIX turned up once in a month, it put them on equal footing.
 


Exactly why narrow it to France.
Hmm, all these superior LW fighters couldn't even beat a handful of Hurricanes and 3 Gloster Gladiators in Malta.
Guess once the V's turned up they had definately lost thier chance.

Going back to the ORIGINAL point of the thread -

Spoke to Skuzzy yesterday - There are NO immediate plans to perk the XVI's, suck it up :) .
Title: It's official...
Post by: Karnak on December 21, 2005, 11:02:04 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Crumpp
Does anybody else see the absolute absurdity and ignorance of this statement in terms of aircraft performance?

All the best,

Crumpp

What?  You mean that all aircraft of a given model don't perform exactly the same? :O :p

Yeah, 2mph is meaningless as you could just as likely find an LF.IX that did 405mph and an LF.XVI that topped at 397mph.  All well withing manufacturer's spec.
Title: It's official...
Post by: DoKGonZo on December 21, 2005, 11:09:28 AM
Quote
Originally posted by zorstorer
As a side note....nice site Dok

:aok


Thanks ... its been a pile of work condensing stuff strewn across almost two decades into something quasi-concise.


I played around with Wiki's last night. MediaWiki (which WikiPedia runs on) was nice ... but slow and more effort to learn than I have time or patience for. I ended up installing DokuWiki - small footprint, very quick, decent plugins. It doesn't use mySQL to store data, but since it looks like 2/3 of the pages I expect to be written will have a file attachment or two embedded, performance probably won't be helped all that much by being in a database.

I'll work on getting namespaces defined and transcribe a few things to get started and then loose the hounds on it ... no idea if people will use it or not, but I know having such a resource just for sim-gaming has been discussed several times in the past.
Title: It's official...
Post by: gripen on December 21, 2005, 12:15:49 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Kurfürst
You claimed :


I have not claimed much, mostly quoted sources presented here.

Quote
Originally posted by Kurfürst

Spit IXLF, Merlin 66.
66's FTH = 16 000 feet
IXLF's rammed FTH = 404mph at 21 000 feet.

FTH difference to, ram .5000 feet.

Spit XVILF, Merlin 266.
266's FTH = 19 400 feet
IXLF's rammed FTH = 406mph at 22 500 feet.


FTH difference to, ram .3100 feet.

Explain me how can this be, if the two engines are different.


There is allways some variation, anyway 22500ft at standard condition for the XIV is higher than any IX reached in the source (http://www.spitfireperformance.com/ma648speed.gif) you used above, the highest being the MA648 (22k) with SU injection and improved intake the rest being between 19-21k (the JL165 was lowest with tropical aquipment). The P-51B and D reached 2nd FTH typically around 23-24,5k with the similar V-1650-7, higher max speed and about same MAP ie the datasheet misses just 500ft which is well within normal variation.

Quote
Originally posted by Crumpp

Does anybody else see the absolute absurdity and ignorance of this statement in terms of aircraft performance?


That is "a bit higher" just like I originally said, if max speed and FTH had been measured with a better performing example, these would have been a bit higher than given in the spec sheet.

gripen
Title: It's official...
Post by: Crumpp on December 21, 2005, 12:22:42 PM
Quote
Hmm, all these superior LW fighters couldn't even beat a handful of Hurricanes and 3 Gloster Gladiators in Malta.


Do you think that is even close to an accurate account of History?  Come on Kev, quit being silly and baiting.  You too Kurfurst.

There is a little bit of knowledge in this thread. We could have a great discussion or we can nit pick on each other’s nerves.

Quote
Yeah, 2mph is meaningless as you could just as likely find an LF.IX that did 405mph and an LF.XVI that topped at 397mph. All well withing manufacturer's spec.


Exactly.  Arguing or even presenting the "fact" my plane is 2 mph faster or slower is comical.  It would only have some relative bearing in a side-by-side performance trial.  Even the "2mph" is rather relative and would mean one plane was creeping away from the other very slowly.  The "2mph" would assume all corrections are absolutely perfect.

It's rather funny some of the "theories" that get pushed on these boards.  In the years of research I 've done now a few glaring points stand out.

1.  They really did know what they were doing, on all sides.  They were much smarter than we are on their own aircraft.

2.  No organization spends money on equipment without knowing exactly what that equipment can do.  Most important "specifications" are the manufacturers guaranteed performance.  These do change too.  I can actually trace a few technical developments in the FW-190 form the discovery of the problem, testing, and issuance of new specifications or instructions.  Graphs of individual plane performance are useful for gleaning trends or effects of aircraft set up/outfitting.  Not for claims of absolute performance of a type.

3.  Calculations are generally conservative not optimistic.  Simple things, like the mathematical modeling of the atmosphere can have huge effect though and lead to erroneous conclusions.  In other words, if you took a flight test vs. a calculation or even two calculations, if the atmosphere model was not the same performance absolute conclusions will not be correct.

In general 90 percent of the "my graph is better than your graph" is just ignorance.  I did it too when I was ignorant and now that I am better educated it does not have the same appeal.

All the best,

Crumpp
Title: It's official...
Post by: Guppy35 on December 21, 2005, 01:08:07 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Crumpp
Do you think that is even close to an accurate account of History?  Come on Kev, quit being silly and baiting.  You too Kurfurst.

There is a little bit of knowledge in this thread. We could have a great discussion or we can nit pick on each other’s nerves.

 

Exactly.  Arguing or even presenting the "fact" my plane is 2 mph faster or slower is comical.  It would only have some relative bearing in a side-by-side performance trial.  Even the "2mph" is rather relative and would mean one plane was creeping away from the other very slowly.  The "2mph" would assume all corrections are absolutely perfect.

It's rather funny some of the "theories" that get pushed on these boards.  In the years of research I 've done now a few glaring points stand out.

1.  They really did know what they were doing, on all sides.  They were much smarter than we are on their own aircraft.

2.  No organization spends money on equipment without knowing exactly what that equipment can do.  Most important "specifications" are the manufacturers guaranteed performance.  These do change too.  I can actually trace a few technical developments in the FW-190 form the discovery of the problem, testing, and issuance of new specifications or instructions.  Graphs of individual plane performance are useful for gleaning trends or effects of aircraft set up/outfitting.  Not for claims of absolute performance of a type.

3.  Calculations are generally conservative not optimistic.  Simple things, like the mathematical modeling of the atmosphere can have huge effect though and lead to erroneous conclusions.  In other words, if you took a flight test vs. a calculation or even two calculations, if the atmosphere model was not the same performance absolute conclusions will not be correct.

In general 90 percent of the "my graph is better than your graph" is just ignorance.  I did it too when I was ignorant and now that I am better educated it does not have the same appeal.

All the best,

Crumpp



Amen to that Crumpp.
Title: It's official...
Post by: HoHun on December 21, 2005, 02:38:58 PM
Hi Dokgonzo,

>I played around with Wiki's last night. MediaWiki (which WikiPedia runs on) was nice ... but slow and more effort to learn than I have time or patience for. I ended up installing DokuWiki - small footprint, very quick, decent plugins. It doesn't use mySQL to store data, but since it looks like 2/3 of the pages I expect to be written will have a file attachment or two embedded, performance probably won't be helped all that much by being in a database.

I can also recommend PmWiki. PHP-based, file-system storage/no database required, easy to install, loads of useful features and add-ons. Password protection and user management, too (though I only tried the former, not the latter). I'm running PmWiki as a corporate intranet system, and consider it a major success. Something like 1700 pages with 4000 files online, and growing at an alarming rate. More than a million page hits in a bit over a year, and everything was quite fun and almost effortless. (Highly efficient would be more accurate.) People mistake me for a wizard though in fact I'm just a dweeb and the wiki does all the wizardry ;-)

(There's an add-on called WikiForms which makes it possible to create form-based, structured pages to combine the advantages of a wiki with those of a database. I imagine that could be a useful feature for applications like squadron lists etc., too.)

If your decision on DokuWiki is not final yet, please have a look at http://www.pmwiki.org and consider my favourite wiki engine, too :-)

And way to go for starting such a cool project! :-)

Regards,

Henning (HoHun)
Title: It's official...
Post by: DoKGonZo on December 21, 2005, 03:10:56 PM
Quote
Originally posted by HoHun
Hi Dokgonzo,

I can also recommend PmWiki.  


Cool ... I'll try it out ...
Title: It's official...
Post by: DoKGonZo on December 30, 2005, 03:33:38 PM
OK ... I think I have things set up on the Wiki and all the cool plug-ins loaded (incl. one for entering all these fizzicks equations you guys love).

http://wiki.gonzoville.com/

Set up an account and I'll grant access to the "warbirds" namespace and you can start posting stuff. There's also a namespace for Aces High and flight sims in general.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Eagle Eye on December 31, 2005, 05:06:03 PM
Why does it seem everyone can out turn me no matter what im in or what they r in STALL STALL STALLL DEATH!!!!!!

If WW2 planes were really this crappy it"s a wonder any pilots survived.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Angus on December 31, 2005, 08:12:38 PM
WW2 aircraft were, in comparison of a modern day Cessna, very heavy and with incredible power.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Badboy on December 31, 2005, 08:45:23 PM
Quote
Originally posted by DoKGonZo
OK ... I think I have things set up on the Wiki and all the cool plug-ins loaded (incl. one for entering all these fizzicks equations you guys love).



Hi Dok,

Just noticed on that page it says about "combat flight sims" that "It all started in 1987 with a game called “Air Warrior.”" and that isn't strictly true in general terms. There were combat flight sim’s since at least 1980 and more than 25 different combat flight sim’s came out before AW. If memory serves, I don't think it was even the first to allow players to compete against each other online, because I seem to recall getting my first modem to modem dogfight around 1985. I think AW was the first "multiplayer" combat flight sim’, though.

Badboy
Title: It's official...
Post by: Angus on January 01, 2006, 05:39:10 AM
Haha, beat you by a year. Had my first H2H fight in 1984!
2 Spectrums!!!!
Title: It's official...
Post by: HoHun on January 01, 2006, 08:16:45 AM
Hi Badboy,

>If memory serves, I don't think it was even the first to allow players to compete against each other online, because I seem to recall getting my first modem to modem dogfight around 1985.

The first two-player combat flight simulation I remember was "Top Gun", featuring  a single-computer vertically split screen display. It came out for the Sinclair Spectrum and the C-64 (at least), and might have been a 1983 or '84 game :-)

Regards,

Henning (HoHun)
Title: It's official...
Post by: Angus on January 01, 2006, 09:14:16 AM
I tried that one.
I flew the "Delta Wing" through 2 Spectrum computers via the RS232 modem.
Since in was prone to crashing, and tapeloading took 5 minutes, I hacked the program and saved onto a microdrive disc which both had.
It was a wee tricky, for the program was max size, meaning that you couldn't even mess with the display file.
Got through that one by using the lowest part of the display file for data, - it was the only part of the screen that was changed.
The program featured an all around cockpit view, and even the pilot's feet moved!!

Edit: on Microdrive, the program loaded and started in 13 seconds.

Did the same to "The Hobbit" BTW ;)
Title: It's official...
Post by: DoKGonZo on January 01, 2006, 10:51:50 AM
Yeah ... I meant "multiplayer" ... there were several flight sim games on the Mac in the mid-80's as well, some weren't bad, all things considered.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Angus on January 01, 2006, 06:12:44 PM
Mac was late 80's, - before it was the C64 and the awesome AMIGA
Title: It's official...
Post by: DoKGonZo on January 01, 2006, 07:47:45 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Angus
Mac was late 80's, - before it was the C64 and the awesome AMIGA


Mac's started in '84 as I recall.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Hades55 on January 02, 2006, 10:56:58 AM
I was playing AW with Amiga500 and a 1200 b serial modem. January 1993.
AW could not  Amigas Joystick so i was flying with mouse, and i had kills with it.
Title: It's official...
Post by: Hades55 on January 02, 2006, 11:03:33 AM
ooops, i forget.....AMIGA NEVER DIES

when you pc suckers had only black and white letters, We Amiga Kings had
four windows open at the same time in interlaced color ,hehe :))
Title: It's official...
Post by: Lye-El on January 02, 2006, 02:39:34 PM
I still have my Amiga 500 with the 40 Meg hardrive that plugs in the side. I even ran it a few months ago.:aok