Poor Rudder Control on Take-Off!?

[mungee]

I'm really battling to keep my Spitfire on the runway at take-off.

I build up quite a lot of power before releasing the brakes & push hard on the right rudder pedal, but my Spitfire delights in carrying on into the "rough" on the left of the runway - then it seems to "get the message" and swings way over to the right before I need to do some more corrective rudder movements. Is the ground-handling in CoD a lot different to IL-2 1946? - I seemed to have mastered fairly straight take-off's with '1946'.

Any tips? What about rudder sensitivity and dead-zone settings?

Thanks in advance.

[TwistedAdonis]

I don't know if this'll help, but when I take off in the Spit I don't build up power, I just push the throttle forward and start moving (after warming up the engine for a while).
Also, have you checked that your rudder pedals are moving in the cockpit (or the rudder itself in external view) before you roll?

[TeeJay82]

Its easier to compansate rudder without using the brakes and just apply power slowly. that way you have way less initial wind on your control surfaces and its easier to correct drag

the slower you apply throttle, the more smooth rudder control you will have

also... locking the tailwheel keeps it going straight until the tail lifts

[mungee]

Thanks TwistedAdonis - I'll visually check the rudder and rudder pedal movements.

[mungee]

Thanks TeeJay82 - I'll give that a go.

As far as locking the tailwheel is concerned, is that the command "lock tail skid"? I have tried that and linked the "T" key to that command - however when I press "T", I don't get a written confirmation on the screen (as one did with IL-2 1946) - do you find this as well?

Thanks.

[Sutts]

Shouldn't be a tail wheel lock on the Spit. If it works then it's a bug.

[superbee15]

Originally Posted by mungee

Thanks TeeJay82 - I'll give that a go.

As far as locking the tailwheel is concerned, is that the command "lock tail skid"? I have tried that and linked the "T" key to that command - however when I press "T", I don't get a written confirmation on the screen (as one did with IL-2 1946) - do you find this as well?
.

Agree mungee - can only find 'Skid' command and do not get any confirmation - so maybe rear wheel is missing in keys?

also

I cannot assisn or get radiator working on either axis or key command. I assume I am doing something incorrectly.

Cheers

[Blackdog_kt]

Many aircraft didn't really have a lockable tail wheel and this is reflected in CoD.

Rudder effectiveness is a matter of airflow, if you go too slow it won't do much. Also, the torque and propeller effects are more pronounced at high power settings and low speed.

So, if you step on the brakes, apply full power and then release them for take-off, all you are do is create a situation where you have the most amount of torque with the least amount of rudder control to correct it in an aircraft without a lockable tailwheel

Like others said, build up your power gradually. You don't need to do it slowly, just gradually, don't start your take-off roll by slamming the throttle to the stops.
This allows the aircraft to get rolling at a speed and power combination where the torque effects are less pronounced, while at the same time putting some air over the rudder to enable it to work, then you can give it more power and take off.

[mungee]

Originally Posted by Blackdog_kt

Many aircraft didn't really have a lockable tail wheel and this is reflected in CoD.

Rudder effectiveness is a matter of airflow, if you go too slow it won't do much. Also, the torque and propeller effects are more pronounced at high power settings and low speed.

So, if you step on the brakes, apply full power and then release them for take-off, all you are do is create a situation where you have the most amount of torque with the least amount of rudder control to correct it in an aircraft without a lockable tailwheel

Like others said, build up your power gradually. You don't need to do it slowly, just gradually, don't start your take-off roll by slamming the throttle to the stops.
This allows the aircraft to get rolling at a speed and power combination where the torque effects are less pronounced, while at the same time putting some air over the rudder to enable it to work, then you can give it more power and take off.

You're absolutely "spot-on" Blackdog_kt! Thanks for the advice!