A6M3

[Karnak]

I have a question about this - if the rollrate is improved, why would they say maneuverability is decreased?   Isn't roll performance a component of the aircraft's manueverability?    That is, turning, climbing, diving, acceleration, rolling - its all part of manueverability isn't it?

I think the Japanese focused too much on the turn radius and turn rate aspect of "maneuverability".

[STEELE]

If the different in roll rate between a normal and beautiful Spitfire (IX) and that smurfy and over-modeled clipped wingy thing called a Spitfire (XVI) is any indication of things to come for the new zeke model, then the new A6m3 is going to be a beast to defeat in a 1v1 dogfight.  The new A6m5 that has a "graphics update" is great, to me even though there is no record of the flight model being updated it does seem to handle better (smoother) and not catch on fire as much.

   

I agree! it does seem to fly better, also take more damage in certain situations.  I'm sure if the sp16 with its much higher wingloading is modeled the way it is (turns almost as well as a spit8), the A6M3 will be to the A6M5 in a similar fashion.

[Karnak]

I agree! it does seem to fly better, also take more damage in certain situations.  I'm sure if the sp16 with its much higher wingloading is modeled the way it is (turns almost as well as a spit8), the A6M3 will be to the A6M5 in a similar fashion.

What "much heavier wing loading"?  The Spitfire Mk XVI has slightly higher wing loading.  Keep in mind that the Spitfire Mk VIII is a heavier aircraft than the Spitfire Mk XVI due to the retractable tail wheel, extra fuel and, slightly, the full span wings.

[STEELE]

What "much heavier wing loading"?  The Spitfire Mk XVI has slightly higher wing loading.  Keep in mind that the Spitfire Mk VIII is a heavier aircraft than the Spitfire Mk XVI due to the retractable tail wheel, extra fuel and, slightly, the full span wings.

OK, use a Spit XVI with full wingspan for an example instead.. If you remove a few feet off of each wing, I suspect the wingloading goes up substantially.
Also the Spit VIII cant be much heavier than the 16, because it outturns it (radius) fairly easily.