The US DID NOT lead the war in prop design nor engine design. You guys need to get the notion out of your heads that just because we won the war does not mean that we produced the best equipment. Hell, look the sherman, the S class sub, and the corsair in a nutshell. All were production nightmares, all were "revolutionary" at their precept, but proved utterly ordinary, if not dangerous in their performance. Think of it this way, if we had lost the war, all would be listed undert a show titled History's Blunders. Just because a product has pleasing astetics does not mean that they are a superior performer.
Take our (US) inline production. We, came up with the allison design, which should have been scrapped in favor of the british produced and designed Rolls royce merlin, which was far superior in all aspects to the allison. The germans also produced some of the BEst Radials as well as the Japanese. HEll the Germans pioneered the first true independent liquid cooling for Radials, and got FANTASTIC results in their 190A and F series.
The Hog does not turn fight for hell, and had many engine probs at alt, mainly leaking mags that caused them to arc at altitude. Fixed near the end of the war.
The sherman was a roman candle that burned avgas for its Pratt Engine and to incinerate itself and crew when hit by enemy fire. Yep, an aircraft engine in a tank.
The S class subs, what else to say than a work in progress.
The -4 Hog, saw LIMITED deployment during WW2. Thats why there are so few that ever made it into the civilian market. Most were scrapped off the production line.
The only thing I have found to be curious in AH is the strength characteristics of the 38, F4u's, and F6.
The F4u is built like a brick sh*t house. And should take enormous amounts of airframe damage. The ailerons are made of wood and phenolic. That means that it will not distort when struck by a shell. So chances are it will not be torn from the airframe when damaged. Also, the structure within the aircraft is unique as well. It incorporates alll metal construction with an early understanding of how to use a "honeycomb like" strength. Quite strong and able to take damage like no tomorrow.
The 38, it's limiting characteristics are the engines and compressability, but it's airframe is extremely strong. This aircraft is of all metal construction throughout. AH has yet to get the dive brakes and maneuver flaps effectively modeled on the 38, but hey, they did an excellent job otherwise. Of note: the 38 dive brakes, are not dive brakes in the true sense, they are a pair of spoilers located on the mid outboard under wing surface. When deployed, they create lift which in turn immediately forces the nose up on the aircraft. The flaps on the 38 also generate a massive amount of lift, allowing the aircraft to turn at much slower speeds than intended. All in all, an impressive aircraft, but inadequately powered with the allison.
The Hellcat is another member of the Grumman "IronWorks" line. That name in itself gives you an idea of how strong it is. And regardless of what half of you are going to argue, shot down more enemy aircraft than any other US plane. It's only fault seemed to remain in speed, and that was compensated for as the design progressed. Very impressive, extremely strong aircraft! But as is the case, aestetically not pleasing and hence relegated to the backwaters of history and gaming as a general rule. One thing I find to be interesting is that the Hellcat, which carries flaps dedicated to maneuver, curiously does not gain the benefit needed from them. Other than that, impressisve aircraft.
Anyways enough of this, off to work. BTW, this is not a line of b.s., I have a very thorough understanding of most warbirds as I rebuild them for a living.
