Spit/109 sea level speed comparisons in 1.08 beta patch

[Robo.]

Originally Posted by Glider

Are you aware of anything apart from a theory that agrees with this?

I did not mean I agreed with Crumpps bizarre theory regarding superior sustained turn rate of a 109. I was trying to explain to him the whole time that high speed turn rate of a 109 (or 190) was only usable in unsustained turns in actual dogfight - e.g. you would do 1/4 of turn or less and extend vertically. You would certainly not keep that turn sustained.

I was also saying the same thing to Kurfurst (IvanK and JtD both said it much better using proper terminology) - 400kph sustained turn is practically impossible to use because the 109 will bleed its speed rather fast - certainly faster than the Spitfire. Spitfire would be able to get the guns on the 109 if the 109 pilot maintained the sustained turn anyway.

Originally Posted by Glider

No you cannot, if a higher speed is such an advantage in a turn then turning when bounced would be an almost suicidal tactic. Yet it was that ability to turn that saved so many pilots. It was the one advantage that Spit V pilots had over the Fw190 and was emphasised at every plot briefing.

I respectfully disagree - higher speed is a great advantage 'especially' when bouncing a slower target. All depends on the situation but in the example you name, the Fw 190 would really be able to outturn a Spitfire at very high speeds for long enough to get guns on him. That is obviously not sustained turn and therefore irrelevant.

Originally Posted by Glider

That would sum up the best tactic for Luftwaffe Pilots fight in the vertical and only do minor, brief turns to get a better shot. Try to turn it into a turning fight and the 109 loses.

Agreed completely, I guess we ment the same thing. There was also some confusion with what is and what is not sustained turn.