Fw 190 A-5 & A-8 light reading material - need some

[RotBaron]

I'm looking for some suggestions here that will help me better understand these two planes. I searched the internet and this forum but really didn't find a good write up on these planes that would help me in our game. One pilot manual wanted $5 and I'm not even sure it's translated to english. If you have any favorites please post.

My schedule lately hasn't allowed me to meet up in the TA at times that seem best, although I will be looking this week with a holiday week here.

Thanks,
Rot

[Blooz]

Look for this and other Osprey "Aircraft of the Aces" series titles on Amazon.com

[mthrockmor]

Search these threads for the differences between the A5 and A8. The A5 is the better fighter, the A8 heavier firepower when you add the two 30mms. The A5 is faster, dives just as well, climbs better, better (though limited) stall fighting ability and overall just a better fighter. If you want some extra umph up the A5 with the 4x20mms. Well positioned and aimed you will kill any and all buffs with a quick, single pass. The A7 and beyond seemed oriented towards killing buffs.

Just my two cents.

Boo

[RotBaron]

I've been searching the threads, not really coming up with much that is oriented specifically toward helping a noob out in AH want to fight in the A5/A8

[BaldEagl]

Is something like this what you're looking for?

http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,289657.msg3680750.html#msg3680750

[RotBaron]

TYVM Sir, that's the kind of stuff I'm looking for. I've used forums like this for other things, like Bloodydecks.com in which the search function(s) appear to be similar, but maybe I'm not keywording properly. I've been putting things in parentheses to search, like:
"190 ACM" and "learn Fw190 A-5" and etc.

Is there some other way I should be finding appropriate threads?

Rot

[mthrockmor]

I've spent a few months in the A5, my thoughts...
1. The 2X20mm package is enough to kill everything just fine. The trick is the setup and aim. Adding tons of firepower will not compensate for suckage in this department.
2. Patience is a virtue. The A5 is an excellent plane but you must fight it how Kurt Tank designed it to fight. It is a slash and burn, boom and zoom plane, not a knife fighter on the deck.
3. Altitude is everything. Patience to get their counts. I frequently start fights where Kurt Tank planned it, 20k. You will get mocked by this, primarily from Spit dweebs or worse who are mad you don't get into the phone booth with them.
4. The A5 can turn with all planes above 300knts, and is plenty dangerous below that speed. I've surprised plenty of cons below 200knts with its ability to stall fight. It is not the ideal but good enough to ruin many a day.
5. The A5 has excellent acceleration, use it when on the deck. Use flaps as needed, stomp on the rudder plenty. Most pilots do not know how to stall fight, this gives you a natural advantage. Knowing how to estimate other plans speed will help you decide when is a good time to stall fight.
6. When I am being pursed I work to get about 1.5k out then do a nose high reverse going into the vertical once we pass the merge. Once I go vertical I watch to see what they do. If they flat turn I will begin to boom and zoom. If they do vertical and I have E I may play another pass or two. If they have E I will drop my nose and go for a reset. Most pilots have weak mental stamina (we all have our moments) and will get frustrated pretty quickly. Stay tough and let them make the first mistakes, then capitalize on it.
7. Reset, get some altitude and do it all over again. I always launch with 100% and a droptank. When you do it right all that weight just makes your zoom more effective. Patience and practice.

Boo

[BaldEagl]

TYVM Sir, that's the kind of stuff I'm looking for. I've used forums like this for other things, like Bloodydecks.com in which the search function(s) appear to be similar, but maybe I'm not keywording properly. I've been putting things in parentheses to search, like:
"190 ACM" and "learn Fw190 A-5" and etc.

Is there some other way I should be finding appropriate threads?

Rot

Keep it simple.  Type 190A-5 or A5 A8 then read the thread titles to see if it's close to what you're looking for.

There have been many many 190 threads over the years and there's a wealth of information to be found.

[RotBaron]

Thank you too Boo. All these things you stated I'll try to incorporate, practice and remain aware of. The idea of flying the fighter the way the creator designed it to be flown wasn't something that crossed my mind, probably a typical noob mistake, but thank you very much for illustrating that.

There have been a few people telling me that 190's aren't capable of some things I know they are (other threads,) I'm not looking for someone to say the 190 is a great turner. However, I do know that Pilots like Priller, Seifert..., for example, didn't see a squad of spits at coE and say oh my, we can't turn with them, so we better run away, as some have suggested that's the only thing the 190 can do.

Thanks,
Rot

[BBStacker]

double post

[BBStacker]

I have found the AH Wiki's to be helpful as I try to learn my airplane.

For your choices:

http://www.hitechcreations.com/wiki/index.php/Fw_190A-5

http://www.hitechcreations.com/wiki/index.php/Fw_190A-8

[mthrockmor]

I don't do the pig...I mean the A8 though I know many do and excel at it. The A5 has greater ability if you get stuck in the weeds.

I regularly stall fight in the weeds with the A5 and come away successful most of the time. The key to getting it to do things others say you can't is to stay within the speed envelope, which takes feel. As an example, if you go vertical in a stall fight with the 109k4, F4U or even the P-51, as you approach the speed of no return, you still have the final umph to drag your nose over into a hammerhead and dive. With the A5 if you lose sight of your speed and hit that point you are SOL. It tends to tail slide and becomes uncontrollable. You will literally fall for a thousand feet before you can get your nose over. The trick, get to know the 'feel' of the plane and before you hit that speed begin to nose over. You will do just fine within the speed envelope.

Also, many will say you can't use flaps in the A5. For all of the fights I've been in I have not attempted flaps to tighten my turn circle (190s lose in flat turns almost every time) what I do use flaps for is the intended purpose of creating more life and use them all the time in boom and zoom as well as stall fighting. Clearly the F4U and P-38 has much better flap control but the A5 has enough to help it out in a pinch. Be aware though, in other birds like the P-51, F4U and I believe P-38 the flaps will automatically close as you pick up speed, notch per notch. This means if you have three notches of flap as you pass X speed one notch will close, leaving your flaps down two notches. As you pick up more speed another notch will automatically close. Not so in the A5. When you hit that speed all three notches will close at once. Be aware because you will go from flap support to nothing all in one motion and you will need to drop the first notch again, which is deployable around 150knts.

The A5 is a challenge though when you land with 5+ kills it's a pretty good feeling.

Boo