Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Aircraft and Vehicles => Topic started by: Onyx13 on March 20, 2014, 10:29:57 AM

Title: Question for Spitfire guy's
Post by: Onyx13 on March 20, 2014, 10:29:57 AM
What is the best speed for the tightest turns in the Spit 8 and 16 under 10k. Also same question for a scissors. :headscratch:
Title: Re: Question for Spitfire guy's
Post by: FLS on March 20, 2014, 11:21:13 AM
Your tightest turn, smallest radius, and best turn rate, is at about 230mph for the Spit16 and 220mph for the Spit8. But that is only true when you are at the edge of blackout. Your best sustained turn is around 155mph in the Spit8 and 165mph in the Spit 16 assuming you pull enough to hear the stall horn which will put you about 3g on the accelerometer. This is with 75% fuel.

Since you're flying loops in a rolling scissors your speed is constantly changing but it's essentially a sustained turn. What you want to remember about loops is that you take it easier on the bottom and can be more aggressive when inverted on the top. On the bottom of a loop gravity is hurting you but on the top it's helping to pull you down.
Title: Re: Question for Spitfire guy's
Post by: SmokinLoon on March 21, 2014, 09:37:13 AM
**points up**  Good info.

However, always keep in mind that there are more things that just a hard number to take in to consideration.  The "forgiveness" of an aircraft plays a big part in the player's ability to sustain a turn, hold the edge of a stall, or control a roll.  The Spit 9 is far more forgiving than the Spit 8, but the Spit 8 has a slight edge in acceleration, low level speed, and WEP performance.  The Spit 16 acts like a fish out of water, it does it all but it is easy to "flop and roll" too far.

As usual, practice makes perfect and you can't be taught experience.   :aok
Title: Re: Question for Spitfire guy's
Post by: Karnak on March 21, 2014, 11:31:57 AM
The Spit VIII's advantage over the Mk IX in speed and acceleration/climb at low altitude is a bit more than slight:
(http://www.hitechcreations.com/components/com_ahplaneperf/genchart.php?p1=2&p2=85&pw=1&gtype=0&gui=localhost&itemsel=GameData)(http://www.hitechcreations.com/components/com_ahplaneperf/genchart.php?p1=2&p2=85&pw=1&gtype=2&gui=localhost&itemsel=GameData)
Title: Re: Question for Spitfire guy's
Post by: SmokinLoon on March 21, 2014, 09:44:02 PM
Slight is the word and I'm sticking to it.

Compare the P40, P47, or other such tugboat compared to the Spitfire 8 and THEN I may increase the severity of the word in which I use to describe the difference in climb/speed.  Otherwise, the term sticks when comparing the Spit 9 and 8. 

Thanks for providing the charts though, they are lovely to look at.  Too bad they only show the hard numbers, eh?
Title: Re: Question for Spitfire guy's
Post by: FLS on March 21, 2014, 09:58:19 PM
1000 fpm is a big slight. Most people consider a 30% increase significant.
Title: Re: Question for Spitfire guy's
Post by: Widewing on March 21, 2014, 10:59:44 PM
Slight is the word and I'm sticking to it.

Compare the P40, P47, or other such tugboat compared to the Spitfire 8 and THEN I may increase the severity of the word in which I use to describe the difference in climb/speed.  Otherwise, the term sticks when comparing the Spit 9 and 8. 

Thanks for providing the charts though, they are lovely to look at.  Too bad they only show the hard numbers, eh?

Sorry, but the Spit VIII completely owns the Spit IX below 15k, because the Mk.VIII owns the vertical.
Title: Re: Question for Spitfire guy's
Post by: BnZs on March 21, 2014, 11:10:42 PM
A SpitIX at 25% fuel is actually heavier than a SpitXVI at 25% fuel, and it is self-evident which has more horsepower at low alts.

A SpitVIII at 25% is a bit heavier than a SpitIX at the same fraction, but as the VIII's fuel capacity is larger it can fly 1/3rd longer on MIL. Thus this difference is mostly extra gallons of gas. And the VIII has the same horsepower advantage as the XVI.
Title: Re: Question for Spitfire guy's
Post by: SmokinLoon on March 22, 2014, 01:21:59 PM
1000 fpm is a big slight. Most people consider a 30% increase significant.

The difference in WEP is more like 900 fpm from 1-7k, then the Spit 8 climb rate tapers off quickly to 4200 fpm at 13k where the Spit 9 is hanging at 3700 fpm.  Ultimately, over the long haul these two planes are more alike than not, the WEP is more of a crutch than a platform to measure.  Again, the two different planes have stats within peein' distance of each other IMO.  When compared to the tugboats is when the terms "major, huge, significant", etc, would be used.  I'm not disputing the advantages of the the 8's WEP, I'm just disputing the "ownage" tag some have applied.

I like the Spit 8 mostly for the extra range it provides.  I don't ever use WEP unless I need it in a tight engagement. 
Title: Re: Question for Spitfire guy's
Post by: FLS on March 22, 2014, 03:13:49 PM
I rounded up since there was only a slight difference.  :D
Title: Re: Question for Spitfire guy's
Post by: projoe on March 22, 2014, 03:47:42 PM
Yall don't let pepprr know bout the 8/16. She's a beast in the 9, hate to see what she could do in one of those.
Title: Re: Question for Spitfire guy's
Post by: Karnak on March 22, 2014, 03:48:04 PM
The difference in WEP is more like 900 fpm from 1-7k, then the Spit 8 climb rate tapers off quickly to 4200 fpm at 13k where the Spit 9 is hanging at 3700 fpm.  Ultimately, over the long haul these two planes are more alike than not, the WEP is more of a crutch than a platform to measure.  Again, the two different planes have stats within peein' distance of each other IMO.  When compared to the tugboats is when the terms "major, huge, significant", etc, would be used.  I'm not disputing the advantages of the the 8's WEP, I'm just disputing the "ownage" tag some have applied.

I like the Spit 8 mostly for the extra range it provides.  I don't ever use WEP unless I need it in a tight engagement. 
The Spit IX's initial climb rate is closer to a P-47's than it is to a Spitfire Mk VIII's....
Title: Re: Question for Spitfire guy's
Post by: SmokinLoon on March 22, 2014, 04:03:41 PM
I rounded up since there was only a slight difference.  :D

nyuk nyuk.   :lol

Title: Re: Question for Spitfire guy's
Post by: SmokinLoon on March 22, 2014, 04:04:32 PM
The Spit IX's initial climb rate is closer to a P-47's than it is to a Spitfire Mk VIII's....

Did you know that auctioneers make bad grocer clerks? 
Title: Re: Question for Spitfire guy's
Post by: BaldEagl on March 22, 2014, 10:20:04 PM
Sorry, but the Spit VIII completely owns the Spit IX below 15k, because the Mk.VIII owns the vertical.

Maybe but it's roll rate sucks, it doesn't turn as well and the IX is much more docile handling all around.
Title: Re: Question for Spitfire guy's
Post by: Widewing on March 23, 2014, 01:56:46 AM
Maybe but it's roll rate sucks, it doesn't turn as well and the IX is much more docile handling all around.

In turning circles, there's little difference between the VIII, XVI and IX, except that the VIII has the smallest turning circle of the three and the best turn rate. Roll rate is nearly identical to the IX. Spit VIII is the best combination of handling and performance, IMHO.
Title: Re: Question for Spitfire guy's
Post by: nrshida on March 23, 2014, 02:51:14 AM
I wonder then why so many seem to stick to the Spixteen, misconception or cultural aspect perhaps.

Title: Re: Question for Spitfire guy's
Post by: -ammo- on March 23, 2014, 03:13:30 AM
I wonder then why so many seem to stick to the Spixteen, misconception or cultural aspect perhaps.



Maybe they see 16 is twice as much as 8 and guess it applies to the AC? This only applies to Knights and Rooks -  Bish can't do math. :bolt: :banana:
Title: Re: Question for Spitfire guy's
Post by: BnZs on March 23, 2014, 12:39:07 PM
Maybe they see 16 is twice as much as 8 and guess it applies to the AC? This only applies to Knights and Rooks -  Bish can't do math. :bolt: :banana:

Or maybe they understand (correctly) that for general air combat a massive advantage in roll rate is more important than a much smaller turning advantage. Clipping those wings for high speed roll gets rid of the only handling frustration to be found with Spits in-game.
Title: Re: Question for Spitfire guy's
Post by: Widewing on March 23, 2014, 01:36:39 PM
Or maybe they understand (correctly) that for general air combat a massive advantage in roll rate is more important than a much smaller turning advantage. Clipping those wings for high speed roll gets rid of the only handling frustration to be found with Spits in-game.

All true, until the fight gets slow. That's where the full span of the Mk.VIII makes a big difference. Also, there are various ways to counter a superior rate of roll. Maneuvering on a different plane than the faster roller can often offset the advantage. Against the Spit16, you don't attempt to follow. You go out of plane and cut the corner. Having fought many duels against the better Spitfire drivers, I find that the Mk.VIII is superior below 200 mph. At high angles of attack, the Spit16 is more prone to snap-rolls. Of course, unlike dueling, the MA environment varies greatly.
Title: Re: Question for Spitfire guy's
Post by: BnZs on March 24, 2014, 07:37:56 PM
All true, until the fight gets slow. That's where the full span of the Mk.VIII makes a big difference. Also, there are various ways to counter a superior rate of roll. Maneuvering on a different plane than the faster roller can often offset the advantage. Against the Spit16, you don't attempt to follow. You go out of plane and cut the corner. Having fought many duels against the better Spitfire drivers, I find that the Mk.VIII is superior below 200 mph. At high angles of attack, the Spit16 is more prone to snap-rolls. Of course, unlike dueling, the MA environment varies greatly.

Indeed I was speaking of the MA environment, not dueling. A Spixteen can always be a real PITA to follow, even in better turning but worse rolling planes like the Fm2. Then there are the offensive advantages of an extremely fast roll rate to consider.
Title: Re: Question for Spitfire guy's
Post by: Hoplite on March 24, 2014, 07:54:10 PM
Yall don't let pepprr know bout the 8/16. She's a beast in the 9, hate to see what she could do in one of those.

They don't come in pink....but she's flown the 16 a time or two if memory serves.
Title: Re: Question for Spitfire guy's
Post by: Scca on March 25, 2014, 09:41:37 AM
I wonder then why so many seem to stick to the Spixteen, misconception or cultural aspect perhaps.
Guns... 
Title: Re: Question for Spitfire guy's
Post by: BnZs on March 25, 2014, 02:33:33 PM
Guns... 

I'm still going to go with roll. The main show is the Hispanos, which are the same for the IX, VIII and XVI. It's an insane tool offensively and defensively. The Fw-190 is the only plane with similar roll at most speeds, but a flopping 190 bleeds E like crazy and has one of the poorest rate and radius of turn in the game, while a Spixteen retains energy well and has a good radius combined with a good rate.
Title: Re: Question for Spitfire guy's
Post by: Hoplite on March 25, 2014, 04:22:42 PM
Agree completely with BnZ... roll rate.
Title: Re: Question for Spitfire guy's
Post by: BaldEagl on March 25, 2014, 07:43:33 PM
I'm still going to go with roll. The main show is the Hispanos, which are the same for the IX, VIII and XVI. It's an insane tool offensively and defensively. The Fw-190 is the only plane with similar roll at most speeds, but a flopping 190 bleeds E like crazy and has one of the poorest rate and radius of turn in the game, while a Spixteen retains energy well and has a good radius combined with a good rate.


I always flew the XVI for the guns.  The .50's and Hispanos share almost the same ballistic qualities and being one who likes long convergence settings (650 yards) they were better matched than the .303's.  I've gotten used to the .303's now flying the IX with my convergence pulled in to 400 and they aren't bad.

The roll rate in the XVI is great but comes at the cost of a nasty low speed departure that's not shared by the full span Spits.
Title: Re: Question for Spitfire guy's
Post by: Angus on March 27, 2014, 03:18:56 AM
Spit VIII has one thing not mentioned, - more gas!
So as a comparison a fully loaded VIII is like a IX with a DT, or even more.