Throwing some light on rates of turn
 

Hi all,

Had an interesting encounter on ATAG over the weekend.

I was in a Spit IIa

Was running about 200-230mph when I got bounced by a 109 at about 2,000ft. We both got low and slow fairly quickly. 109 was on my tail following me in a turn. Due to the already low speed, I dropped flaps and pulled round in a max rate.

For the first time in this game, I saw the 109 stay with me all the way around in the turn, for at least two full revolutions. He matched me for speed and turn rate. Both when I had flaps down, and when I had them up.

I think I stalled and got clobbered soon after. But I don't have the server info window on, so I could not see who it was. (I suspect Mr.X - he was online at the time)

Bravo to whoever that was.

I will never ever listen to anyone who complains about the Spit2a being "too maneuverable" anymore. Whoever was flying that 109 demonstrates that the 109 can stay with the Spit2a in a max-rate turn.

Turning with a Spitifire at 2,000ft while having a good K/D ratio is not possible.

I really don't think he was Mr.X, nor your enemy was a good pilot.

NOT possible?

Are you saying that he was a bad pilot for being able to turn with me?
I know it might be a bad tactical mistake (trying to turn with a spit) but that assumes the 109 cannot match the turn. This 109 did match the turn. And, of course, he had enough power to get away afterwards....

Running cicles at sea level is going to kill the pilot soon or later, of course depending on the territory over which he's flying.

Now if the 109 was over his own territory, then ok, he can try to turn with the Spit (but then I ask why the Spit was in that awful position), otherwise it's a suicidal tactic.

IIRC Mr.X has a great K/D ratio, that mean he is not going to do those mistakes. :-)

OK, I see what you're saying. Has anyone actually ever shot MRX down? ;)

I'd still like to know how this person got the 109 to turn like that though... first time I've ever seen one keep up in the turn.

The only way you can make any sort of assessment on ac characteristics is to fly both with similar skill. I do fly both but am a better 109 pilot than spit/hurry. After the patch its harder to get a kill, red and blue. If you can get hits on a 109 in a extended dog fight that end low the spit will get the kill when the 109 stalls and hits the deck.
It's so dangerous to turn in the 109 now with it's new stall habits. Once in a stall it takes a hell of a lot of hight to recover (like five times more than before). After flying blue with limited success switched to red when they were out numbered. I felt sorry for the 109 pilots as all you have to do when he gets you in range is turn and he just can't. If he slows to match your turn he is as good as dead. Either he'll stall to the ground or you'll out turn him in just 1 turn and be on his 6.
As I said this is what I have found and there is always exceptions.

This is exactly my thoughts since the patch... Until this encounter on the weekend. I was looking over my shoulder thinking, there is no way he should be able to stay with me. Yet he did... that's why I'm not convinced any more by arguments about the 109 being such a bad turner.

Dumb question I know but are you positive it was a 109? If it was you were unlucky because the vast majority of 109 pilots just couldn't turn with you now after the patch. Maybe if he had flaps extended but he would not then be able to keep up (at the moment with patch)

pstyle I urge you to go on line and fly a 109 and you will honestly see for your self.:grin:

.