I started enjoying IL-2 1946 coming from a short experience in MS CFS3. In MS game the Tempest is probably "Uber": it turns like a Spitfire, shoots like a Me262, accelerates and runs like a greyhound and do that overheating quite moderately!
Coming to IL-2 I had at first the feeling Tempest here was slow, sluggish, and even not particularly strong against enemy shots.
However, after a few months I start "feeling" the plane and it becomes ever and ever difficult to me to use another fighter, giving up to its guns and its speed.
And now I think that, some complaints apart, Tempest modelling in IL-2 is much more realistic (and much less arcade-like) than CFS3 Tempest FM.
Tempest V really WAS one of the fastest WWII fighters and is fast indeed even in game, although not as much as we could hope.
You can reach more than 600 kph (TAS) level speed at low heights (even at sea level, it seems! look at this
http://www.battle-fields.com/commsce...ad.php?t=13998).
It IS fast, it just accelerates slowly in level flight (more than five tons loaded weight, you know ...).
The fact is that in game we have just a +9lbs/3700rpm model whereas the most common kind in action was the slightly better +11lbs/3700rpm (there were also +11lbs/3850rpm and even some rare +13lbs/3850rpm late-war Tempests such at least one of the planes flown by Pierre Clostermann).
So, there has been a lot of complaints about that, coming from Tempest fans, but unfortunately I don't think we'll have a +11lb in IL-2 4.09 final patch (hence we'll never have it, being 4.09 the last stated patch for IL-2).
I just hope we'll have it some years from now in BoB.
Of course a +13lbs/3850rpm would be a dream! (and not a totally improper request, IMHO, when considering the other rare birds included in IL-2 1946)
All in all, even the +9lbs Tempest we have in IL-2 is an enjoyable and powerful virtual fighter.
It has some weak points (above all, rear visibility when you fly with cockpit on and, yes, I still have some doubt about its Damage Model) but if you ALWAYS keep speed high (above 400 kph TAS, no less) and usually fly between 2000 and 5000 mt you'll find it has good handling and if you need to accelerate further and quickly you have just to dive (better if reducing prop pitch to about 70%-80% during the dive, thats reduces drag and rpm, so helping engine cooling too).
It's a typical BnZ machine and you can't fly it like a Zero or even a Spitfire, but in case of need it can turn fairly well against not too much nimble enemies (like FW190D), especially using flaps in Combat mode. Of course, speed drops when turning a lot (and using flaps) and a slow Tempest is a dead Tempest if there are enemies around!
In short, I fully agree with TooCool advices.
My main advices if you want to use the Tempest in IL-2:
- learn BnZ tactics (you can find many documents on the net)
- learn complex engine management (overheating control, use of cowl, use of supercharger, ...) and the use of prop pitch control
- and, above all, always remember to keep your speed high and enough altitude to be able to dive! One could say:
"A fast Tempest is a deadly Tempest, a slow Tempest is a dead Tempest"!
But please keep in mind I'm quite a newbie, I'm still learning a lot at every new virtual flight! Or not-learning: the biggest mistake I still often do is to lose speed and altitude when flying the Tempest ...
I'm pretty sure you can find here and in other Forums a lot of good virtual Tempest pilots being able to give you more remarkable advices.
Here just some links to interesting threads I found in some Forums. Google-search with "IL-2 Tempest" and the like and you'll find many more.
http://www.acompletewasteofspace.com...viewforum&f=19
http://forums.ubi.com/groupee/forums...3/m/2801031114
http://forums.ubi.com/eve/forums/a/t...2021058625/p/1
http://forums.ubi.com/eve/forums/a/t...6131088673/p/1
Here an in-depth examination of IL-2 Tempest performances:
http://airwarfare.com/phpBB2/viewtop...hlight=tempest
And here some real world Tempest performance data:
http://www.wwiiaircraftperformance.o.../temptest.html