Upon returning in July after last playing AH in late 2005, I've really been amazed at the increase in low speed handling stability with flaps deployed for planes such as the 109, F4U, P47 and perhaps most remarkably the La 7. From what I've gathered this occurred with the 2.07 patch. FWIW the aircraft are easier to fly and are more forgiving. The 190's still seem stuck in Aces High I while similar heavy planes stall at lower speeds and have more useful flaps.
My knowledge of aviation is limited to history and aircraft, and I really know nothing of physics. But I did fly AH for a long time and think I developed a good sense for how the aircraft handle at their limits in the game.
It is amazing to me to see La7s and F4Us, and K4s flying around with full flaps deployed, at angles approaching huge air brakes, in zoom climbs with very little effect on deceleration. I've also seen the introduction of some pretty wonky maneuvers where the plane can be kicked around almost 200 degrees laterally, essentially leaving the flight envelope, and then returning to normal flight without any ill effects. The 109s do this without the greatest risk of entering a spin (almost impossible), but it's also doable in the Ki84, La7 and late P47s. Tactically this move has very limited use but it can be used to force an overshoot and reestablish positional parity. I would love to hear from more knowledgeable folks if these moves have any basis in reality, because it certainly isn't ACM.
