[horseback]

Okay, time for the results of the 10K flyoff between the F4F-4, the F6F-3, the Spitfire Mk Vb (CW), and the Bf 109G-2. As before, Crimea map at noon, 10,000 ft, 270kph IAS, trimmed for level flight over the sea heading west before pushing throttle and prop pitch forward and hitting WEP if available (in this group, only the Spitfire has WEP). In the case of the 109G-2, I left the radiators in auto; I believe that they were used that way. I list the indicated speed and the time for each aircraft to reach it.

From 270 to 350 kph: F4F-4, 36 seconds; F6F-3, 23 seconds; Bf 109G-2, 15 seconds; Spitfire Mk Vb, 13 seconds

To 370kph: F4F-4, 52 seconds; F6F-3, 30 seconds; Bf 109G-2, 19 seconds; Spitfire Mk Vb, 17 seconds.

To 380kph: F4F-4, 1 minute 3 seconds; F6F-3, 34 seconds; Bf 109G-2, 22 seconds; Spitfire Mk Vb, 19 seconds.

To 390kph: F4F-4, 1 minute 18 seconds; F6F-3, 40 seconds; Bf 109G-2, 24 seconds; Spitfire Mk Vb, 21 seconds.

To 400kph: F4F-4, 2 minutes 1 second; F6F-3, 47 seconds; Bf 109G-2, 27 seconds; Spitfire Mk Vb, 23 seconds.

To 410kph: F4F-4, 2 minutes 31 seconds (Top Speed); F6F-3, 54 seconds; Bf 109G-2, 30 seconds; Spitfire Mk Vb, 26 seconds.

To 420kph: F6F-3, 1 minute 2 seconds; Bf 109G-2, 34 seconds; Spitfire Mk Vb, 29 seconds.

To 430kph: F6F-3, 1 minute 16 seconds; Bf 109G-2, 39 seconds; Spitfire Mk Vb, 33 seconds.

To 440kph: F6F-3, 1 minute 28 seconds; Bf 109G-2, 44 seconds; Spitfire Mk Vb, 36 seconds.

To 450kph: F6F-3, 1 minute 44 seconds (Top Speed); Bf 109G-2, 52 seconds; Spitfire Mk Vb, 41 seconds.

To 460kph: Bf 109G-2,1 minute 4 seconds; Spitfire Mk Vb, 48 seconds.

To 470kph:Bf 109G-2, 1 minute 14 seconds; Spitfire Mk Vb, 1 minute 1 second.

To 480kph: Bf 109G-2, 1 minute 20 seconds; Spitfire Mk Vb, 1 minute 19 seconds. This is where both aircraft topped out.

Time to overheat: F4F-4, 1:44, F6F-3, 1:48, Spitfire Mk Vb, 1:55, and the Bf 109G-2, 4:04.

Notes:

Bf 109 and Spitfire were extremely sensitive to shallow climbs and dives; variations of as little as 40m became critical at higher speeds, adding or subtracting between 2 and 6 six seconds to a 10kph interval. Being a 'good stick' improves your performance greatly, and this was made easier by the turn and bank indicators on both aircraft being exceptionally accurate and quick to respond. I'm a bit skeptical about the Spit V; it seems much faster than the so-called 'fighter' version of the FW 190, which is not what my history books tell me...

Note that both these light-weight hod rods exhibited a 'twist' when the throttle & prop pitch was shoved to the stops, just like the Airacobra earlier.

The F6F-3 is extremely trim sensitive; trim sometimes seemed to have an extra delay, which could have the effects of three or four trim button pushes showing up at once, rather than in succession. It took me FIVE sessions with the Hellcat before I could make three consecutive runs that were reasonably straight and level. Trimming this aircraft at any speed is in no way intuitive; it can choose to nose down slightly at some speeds and nose up at others. The problem is compounded by the depiction of the climb and turn & bank indicators as slow and sometimes just plain wrong, compared to the vector ball in Wonder Woman view. This is a contradiction of the aircraft's reputation; the Hellcat is regarded as one of the easiest fighters of any era to master, and the Hellcat's trim section of America's Hundred Thousand says that it's handling characteristics were notably benign and it was easily trimmed. In addition, the Hellcat was not quite in the Corsair's class for acceleration, but it should be a lot closer than it is here, and a good bit faster at this altitude as well. This thing in the game is a slug. It's hard not to take this personally.

By contrast, the Wildcat was supposed to be an aircraft that required its pilot to pay attention all the time, and the in-game F4F-4 is tractable and comparably easy to trim. It was indeed considered to be slow for a fighter, but like the Zero and the P-40, I'm having a tough time believing that it was quite this slow.

Yaks, Lags, 'standard' FW 190s and La-5s next time.

cheers

horseback