Quote:
Originally Posted by ICDP
If using quotes to backup your agenda at least make sure the plane in question is a Spitfire. The cooling system on a Wellington II was very different than that of a Spitfire Mk I, Hurricane, Defiant or any other plane with a Merlin. Finding one quote stating a Merlin could run at +10 lb boost for five hours does not mean they ALL could. Adequate cooling in the early Spitfires was a problem that was not overcome until the extra radiator was introduced on the Mk IX. Even then the issue wasn't totally cured. The problem was not so severe in the Hurricane because its radiator was directly in the prop wash. Have a read of this, this is taken from the chief pilot of the BBMF. They fly both Hurricanes and Spitfire as well as a Lancaster bomber.
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Fighters, by definition cannot run for more than about 40 - 50 minutes at 12lb boost/3000rpm because of fuel limitations, and yet if a fighter could only be flown for a few moments at 12lb/3000rpm then there would be no need to point out the increased fuel consumption at 12lb/3000rpm (see point 4 in AP1590G above at 12:27PM)
Cooling on the ground and cooling in the air are two separate issues. This is a test of a Spit V at the normal and combat ratings, and the plane was flown repeatedly to its service ceiling at 16lb boost:
http://www.spitfireperformance.com/aa878.html
and the aircraft was specifically tested for cooling suitability at 16lb boost and was found acceptable for English summer conditions and this required considerably more cooling than at 12lb.
I don't have any "agenda" other than historical accuracy. Every Hurricane and Spitfire in RAFFC could use 12lb boost, and there was no 'magic' limit after which the engine caught fire or blew up or seized up. Using 12lb boost simply increased the wear and tear on the engines and probably kept the ground crews up late at night doing engine checks but this probably caused little concern to pilots whose lives and/or aircraft were saved or who ensured kills by "pulling the plug" and going all out. It is quite telling that the Merlin III could be modded to accept 16lb boost on the Sea Hurricane I with essentially identical engines and cooling as per BofB Hurricanes.
If COD is going to be an accurate simulation then it has to allow 12lb boost at the pilot's discretion, and then factor in some kind of admin penalty for using it without justification.