Mixture control in Spitfire

[hugso]

Since the new patch via Steam and the Spitfire now being ready for takeoff with the engine running and warmed up, my mixture control slider does not operate in game. I have tried resetting it in Controls, and it seems to be recognised, but no movement in game. Is it me, or is this correct? Also, does anyone else find that switches, such as for gear up/down, sometimes need operating several times before being recognised?

[Robo.]

Since the new patch via Steam and the Spitfire now being ready for takeoff with the engine running and warmed up, my mixture control slider does not operate in game. I have tried resetting it in Controls, and it seems to be recognised, but no movement in game.

Mixture lever should stay fully backwards (towards you) in AUTO RICH position. The throttle and mixture are interconnected in a way that if you put mixture to Auto lean (away from you) and throttle back too much, mixture will be moved automatically back to you to avoid engine damage. Hope that makes sense.

Is it me, or is this correct? Also, does anyone else find that switches, such as for gear up/down, sometimes need operating several times before being recognised?

It is possible that you have Anthropomorphic Controls ON in your difficulty settings. With your joystick spiking ever so slightly the movement would not register....

[ATAG_Snapper]

The mixture lever in the Spits and Hurricanes is now finally correct, thanks to the determined and knowledgeable efforts of their aircraft advisor, IvanK.

The mixture lever is mechanically linked to the throttle. When the throttle is fully back, the mixture lever is forced to remain fully back in its "Auto-Rich" position. For virtually all flying situations this is where it should remain -- takeoff, climbing, diving, combat, even general level cruising. When the throttle is moved forward, the mixture lever is then mechanically able to be pushed forward into its other position: "Auto-Lean". There are no intermediate mixture settings in the Spits or Hurries, it's just one or the other.

When to use Auto-Lean? Generally on extended patrols or CAP duty over shipping in the channel. Here boost absolutely MUST be reduced down to less than +3 lbs (using throttle) and revs maintained in a moderate setting of 1800 - 2200 rpms (using prop pitch) in level flight only. The first hint of trouble: pull mixture back to Full Rich, increase revs to 2600, and push throttle to 100%.

I have the same prob with the undercarriage control assigned to an axis on my CH Quadrant. Sometimes it doesn't "take" the first or second time. Must be a glitch.

[hugso]

Thanks for the replies. What a lot there is to learn!

[ATAG_Snapper]

Mixture control was a real mess in this sim until IvanK got it all straightened out with the devs. Different models of the same plane had different mixture procedures!

Here's an example: "Full Rich is not Auto Rich and is in the reverse position to that of the real Spitfire. On take off you must ease the mixture control forward from its closed-throttle Full Lean (not Auto Lean) position to its incorrect fully forward Full Rich position to get revs up to 3000 rpms and have the engine running smoothly. Unless, of course, you open the throttle gate to activate Boost Control Over Ride -- in which case you must pull the lever back to Full Lean (not Auto Lean) to avoid shaking your aircraft to pieces.....which is not correct in a real Spitfire."

Mercifully, some of the Hurries and Spits wouldn't even START UP on the airfield, which saved a bit of mixture-aggravation but made it much more difficult to shoot down enemy aircraft, even the slow ones.....

Ah, memories! But it was tough explaining this to a new player. The current (and historically correct) technique is to just pull the mixture fully back into its Auto Rich position and leave it there. So much easier! :D

[hugso]

No wonder I had trouble getting the bugger to start before the patch!

A bit like some cars I had in the dim and distant past....

Thanks again for your help. I think the sim is amazing, but I wish we could get getParameters up and running for my motion platform. Maybe one day...

[hugso]

Also thanks for the tip about Anthropomorphic Control. Just turned it off and switches seem to work fine. I guess rudder and stick counts as two, so it would not let the switch operate too.