Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Aircraft and Vehicles => Topic started by: Red Tail 444 on February 14, 2007, 12:02:12 PM
-
Still one of the best kept secrets of the MA? Or, has word gotten out?
(http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/CORPOD/HU034107~F4U-1-Corsair-Aircraft-in-Flight-Posters.jpg)
-
Depends on who you ask.
Although I have to say it's all about the 1A, now. Just as fast, better visibility, actually a BETTER turner, and accelerates/climbs like the 1D (which while average overall, leaves the birdcage in the dust).
-
How many variants are there these days? I was referring to the birdcage, my personal fav
-
Originally posted by Red Tail 444
How many variants are there these days? I was referring to the birdcage, my personal fav
1, 1a, 1c, 1d, -4
Bronk
-
Originally posted by Saxman
Depends on who you ask.
Although I have to say it's all about the 1A, now. Just as fast, better visibility, actually a BETTER turner, and accelerates/climbs like the 1D (which while average overall, leaves the birdcage in the dust).
True Saxman, but most do not fly it to its greatest potential, and my personal favorite is still the F4U-1, 2 reasons being Fuel Loadout options and ENY rating of 25.
-
Hey! Don't let the secret of the F4U-1 "Perkfarmer" out of the bag! Shhhhhh...
-
Honestly I think the fuel load on the 1A gives more flexibility. The wing tanks are great for getting to altitude and target while leaving plenty in the main to fight with, especially under 75% fuel load (Burning both wings down to 1/8 gets me to my cruise alt of 15k, with a little extra on cruise settings to reach a base a full sector out from home base). That 1/8 per wing is also plenty of go-home gas on cruise (will get you 30-odd miles if you can cruise it all the way home). Whereas the -1, at 50% you're entirely on the main tank, and 75% only gives you 25% in each wing, which isn't much to climb out on.
I do agree on the ENY value, tho. It's higher than the FM-2!
-
These days I'm almost only flying the 1a exclusively, unless I need to drag a lot of ord to the field, then the 1D is my mount.
Actually, the fuel arrangement is one of the things I like best about the 1a. In a 1c or 1d, you only have one fuel tank. Take a bullet in your one fuel tank, you're basically a dead duck. (I know, climb like heck on WEP, pick up some speed, and hope to glide 'er back in, but you can't count on that climbout in a furball.)
The 1 and 1a have three fuel tanks: 1 main and two wing tanks. A bullet in any one of them leaves you with plenty to fight some more, and then cruise home. At least, if you don't burn off the wing tanks immediately.
Nothing's worse than having an otherwise perfect plane with a bullet hole in your fuel tank. Unless you have two others...
-Llama
-
F4U1 is cheaper to take than FM2
-
It ain't cool unless it has cannons.
-
Originally posted by Ball
It ain't cool unless it has cannons.
Dito
-
Originally posted by Ball
It ain't cool unless it has cannons.
BAH........
:p
-
Originally posted by Saxman
Depends on who you ask.
Although I have to say it's all about the 1A, now. Just as fast, better visibility, actually a BETTER turner, and accelerates/climbs like the 1D (which while average overall, leaves the birdcage in the dust).
Er, I hope you're talking about forward visibility, because the birdcage doesn't have a massive plate of armor blocking the rear window. I mean, in the -1, you can actually see behind you!
The -1A is a better performer, sure, but that plate is really annoying.
-
Move your head. :p
The only place I can't see is the 6-low position, which is corrected by just a little bit of rocking (and is nothing unusual, anyway). Besides, the bubble-top Hogs have less framework, so while the -1 may have a bigger viewable area, it has more obstructions.
-
I tell ya, F4U-1A is really one of the best kept secrets in the game. Its great at all alts. It climbs fast. It can turn. It can do a lot that something such as a P-38, Yak, and sometimes a spitty can never due. I personaly fly the Corsair ALL the time. (Its why im so good w/ it)YO :aok
-
I largely agree with your assessment, but with one major modification:
Don't expect to beat a Ki-84, La-7, or any Spit but the Mk.I and MAYBE the Mk.V in a normal straight climb. The F4U-1A's max standard rate of climb starting at top speed with WEP engaged is about 3500fpm at sea-level and gradually decreases from there. Granted, the average rate of climb (comes in close to around 3000fpm, I think, averaged over the full range from the deck to 20,000) isn't too bad.
However, where the 1A excels is the the ZOOM climb. There's few, if any, planes that will catch the 1A, 1D and especially the -4 in the zoom. I know I've caught a few fleeing P-51s, La-7s and pursuing Spixteens by surprise when they see me shoot up like a rocket on them and left 'em hanging on their props.
-
Originally posted by Saxman
However, where the 1A excels is the the ZOOM climb. There's few, if any, planes that will catch the 1A, 1D and especially the -4 in the zoom. I know I've caught a few fleeing P-51s, La-7s and pursuing Spixteens by surprise when they see me shoot up like a rocket on them and left 'em hanging on their props.
Yep, Saxman, last night, I was flying in LWB south between A18/A19 and encountered a high F4U-1A ( high as in a few K alt over me, not an Alt Monkey).....anyhows I was in the F4U-1.he was working me over pretty well, eating up my E with his zoom climbs each pass, when I felt I was about to get in hot water , I would break off and extend..trying to set him up in a drag/overshoot situation.......He kept at it for awhile and I finally I guess he got bored or over zealous, he allowed me to reverse and cut back into him, and I managed to close the gap then in a crossing shot got him.....if he would have managed to hold out another minute or two, may have been me on the receiving end, only thing is IF never comes to past .......
Mugz...~S~ you flew a very thoughtout E Fight until you just gave in, is only way I can explain how I came out alive ......
-
:rofl That might have been me in that Corsair Tequilla :rofl
-
The funny thing about the P-51s and La-7s I've run down in the zoom climb is that they were OPENING on me while flying level. :D