View Single Post
  #9  
Old 01-22-2008, 10:04 PM
*Buzzsaw* *Buzzsaw* is offline
Approved Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Vancouver Canada
Posts: 467
Default

Salute

The Tempest we have in the game is the earliest production model of the aircraft, one which only operated in early 1944, during April and June, and which was replaced by more powerful models. It represents about 10% of the Tempests which flew. It is a far cry from the Tempests which flew in 1945.

To use a comparison, imagine if there was only one 190A in the game, and that was the 190A4.

Second, the handling of the Tempest is questionable. The combat reports I have read, from both Allied and German pilots, suggest it could easily outturn the 190D at its normal operating speeds. (see "JG26, TOP GUNS OF THE LUFTWAFFE" the last part of the book, for several quotes from German pilots who encountered the Tempest) The Tempest had a wingloading of 37 lbs per Sq/ft, compared with 48 lbs per Sq/ft for the 190D, even if you take into account the fact that the Tempest had a laminar flow aerofoil, the 23% better wingloading has to be a factor. Official RAF AIR FIGHTING DEVELOPMENT UNIT tests of the initial prototype Tempest versus the 109G2, showed it outturned the G2, and the prototype had less horsepower than the version we have.
Reply With Quote