Dual throttles

[Yossarian]

Hi, I've just mapped some extra buttons on my Saitek cyborg evo to select individual engines, and another button to select all engines.

Could you please tell me any advantages to this, and how/when/in what planes and situations etc this would be most useful.

<S>

Yossarian

[Ghosth]

Anytime your in a multiengine plane its nice to be able to select individual engines.

Could be as simple as starting them up in sequence to add to immersion. Or as complicated as feathering out a shot up engine.

As far as individual throttles on say p38, well I've played with this a bit. There is no real turn advantage, you gain a slight amount of yaw to one side but lose power, and as a result lift.

[Yossarian]

Ok, thanks.

What do you mean by 'feathering' props/engines, and how does it help/when should I do it?

Also, would I be able to use individual throttles to my advantage in a plane such as the Mosquito?

<S>

Yossarian

[Spikes]

I have problems with my dual throttles on my AV8R and 4 engined planes...it seems when I 'put #2 full up and #1 full back' it only affects the left wing inboard engine.

[snowey]

only time i use multiple throtles is when i have a radiator leakin a p 38

[BaldEagl]

Feathering in-game amounts to lowering the RPM to allow the dead prop to free-wheel, thereby reducing drag.

[LEDPIG]

     I use seperate engine controls extensively in the P-38. I use it most often in a roping situation. I'll usually vertical climb in circles getting steeper and steeper, untill the top i'm straight 90 degrees vertical. I usually pull my throttle all the way back select the button for right or left engine and gun that throttle halfway or a little bit more. This causes the 38 to swing almost completely around on it's vertical axis, and go from pointing straight up to straight dow in half a second. Sometimes the guy below me is looking at my tail and then looking at my guns in a second. I take the shot.

Now it's a hard shot because i am at zero airspeed alot of times and have no control. But my nose is pointed down and i gain control rapidly. When you climb make sure you are straight 90 degrees vertical as not being that way can make you flip around lopsided and pancake. Also perform this maneaver as close to say 80 - 50 mph at the top of your vertical as possible. I also do this hammerhead straight after takeoff for giggles.  Another thing judge your enemies energy state so he doesn't climb up after you while your doing this.

If i knew how to post a film i would.

Ledpig
S!

[Hazard69]

Feathering in-game amounts to lowering the RPM to allow the dead prop to free-wheel, thereby reducing drag.

Actually feathering is done to prevent the prop from windmilling as this consumes energy and adds to drag. By reducing the prop rpm you are opposing the tendency of the prop to windmill and thus reduce the drag by reducing surface area exposed to the wind.

[Yossarian]

Ok thanks for all the tips.  I'm especially looking forward to trying out that tip in the P-38.

Does anyone have any advice on how/whether to use dual throttles with the Mosquito?

<S>

Yossarian

[Krusty]

I have a throttle quadrant. I use dual throttles on all twins, and 4 on the heavy bombers.

You cannot use 2 throttles to control 4 engines. Throt1 will controll eng1, but throt2 will control eng2 (both on the same wing!), but all the unassigned engines (eng3 and eng4) will also be assigned to throt2, I believe (one of the others, I can't recall which).

What you have to do is set up a flight mode. Whenever you fly a 4-engine bomber use that mode. Map ONLY throttle1 in this mode, and whatever you want to the other control (say, RPM, trim, whatever). Then when flying 4-eng bombers you just use the 1 throttle. Then go back to mode1 when you fly twin-eng or single-eng bombers/fighters.

Make sure to map a button or key to "mode1" and "mode4" so you can get back and forth between the modes when you want.


As for mossies: Not much benefit from using 2 throttles, other than the "this is sweet" factor. You don't want to throttle one back in a turn or you increase risk of a spin into the inner wing. Better to use rudder during turns than throttle.

[Ack-Ack]

Ok thanks for all the tips.  I'm especially looking forward to trying out that tip in the P-38.

Does anyone have any advice on how/whether to use dual throttles with the Mosquito?

<S>

Yossarian

Keep in mind, at least with the P-38, the dual throttle is more of an "immersion factor" type of thing and don't exect any tangible results using one.  It is not going to make you fly the P-38 any better or do things in the P-38 that a single throttle controller can't do.


ack-ack

[goober69]

someone had told me that if you go into a flat spin in the 38 throttleing one engine (the one away from the spin) back or shutting it off can help you recover, ive yet to figure it out myself if i flat spin it im usualy dead.

[LEDPIG]

Keep in mind, at least with the P-38, the dual throttle is more of an "immersion factor" type of thing and don't exect any tangible results using one.  It is not going to make you fly the P-38 any better or do things in the P-38 that a single throttle controller can't do.


ack-ack

I knew it AKAK is Moses .......

This should be cast in stone and brought down from the mountain to be shown to all AH pilots. This applies not just to the 38, but that ellusive "magic maneaver" that everyone seems to be looking for.

If you try that little seperate throttle trick at the top of a climb and the guy has enough energy to hang there with you.......Hear this ....."You will die"

[Hazard69]

Just the other day I was running home with 1 Eng radiator hit and a fast P47 in tow. I thought lets finish him before my engine overheats. Turned got 1 shot opportunity , scored few hits but not enough . Went up, and I would have come down just right on his 6, when at the top of my loop, the engine dies . My P38 went into a flat spin , which I recovered from when I throttled the other engine back, but then slammed the deck .

Point to note: different power settings during maneuvers tend to do more harm than good.

[morfiend]

 Yos,
  the mossie is a fav of mine,even tho I have mapped dual throtle control I rarely use this.As Ghosth said"very little to be gained" and your more than likely to get yourself into a flat spin.

 A little rudder,note be careful with rudder use in mossie,will help start your roll into a turn.If you get into a spin,cut both throtles and get your nose pointed down,you may even have to shut down both engs.

 Practice spins and recoveries,once you have it down,you may find you can use it to your advantage.