Prop pitch settings....where are they??

[Oldschool61]

Originally Posted by MajorBoris

Print that checklist and put it in a binder if you can...good stuff

That list doesnt really tell you much. 12 start and one point says landing.
Im looking for real game setting for take off roll,climb, dogfighting etc.
Now I set to 12 to start then adjust to 11 or less to get rolling and then just play around with it till I feel comfortable . Doesnt anyone have actual settings they use all the time for takeoff and combat??

[Varrattu]

Basically, the iL2COD-DB601A follows a "running-line" of U/min and ATA:

1 min. erhöhte Kurzleistung.........1,45 ata - 2600 U/min -- start / emergency
5 min. Kurzleistung....................1,35 ata - 2400 U/min -- climb and combat
höchstzulässige Dauerleistung.....1,30 ata - 2200 U/min -- max. continuous
wirtschaftlichste Dauerleistung....1,10 ata - 2200 U/min -- economic cruise

Of course it is possible to use intermediate settings. The power remains fairly steady during the climb but above the critical altitude (4,5 km for the DB601A-1) further increases in altitude will cause the manifold pressure to decrease because the supercharger has reached its performance limit.

Try lowering the pitch so RPM are around 2100-2300 and manifold pressure around 1.3 ata. You'll constantly have to adjust the pitch in order to maintain RPM while velocity increases. It feels a bit like accelerating in a car using a high gear. In fact its nothing else.

Long story short, you will need to fiddle with the pitch control all day long. Don't expect to set it around 2200 as an all-around happy medium, leave it there and attain top performance.

~S~ Varrattu

[mxmadman]

Question: I can't get my prop pitch axis to work for the 109 - even though it works fine in the Spitfires. Anyone know what I could be doing wrong? Its just prop pitch axis assigned to appropriate axis and its not functioning in the 109's.

[bladeracer]

Originally Posted by mxmadman

Question: I can't get my prop pitch axis to work for the 109 - even though it works fine in the Spitfires. Anyone know what I could be doing wrong? Its just prop pitch axis assigned to appropriate axis and its not functioning in the 109's.

You need to switch it to manual pitch control - check your key assignments.

[mxmadman]

Originally Posted by bladeracer

You need to switch it to manual pitch control - check your key assignments.

So that would mean it is 'automatic' by default? Is it any good or am I better off doing it manually?

[CaptainDoggles]

Originally Posted by mxmadman

So that would mean it is 'automatic' by default? Is it any good or am I better off doing it manually?

Depends which 109. In the E-4, it's automatic by default. It helps keep your attention off the engine and on your situational awareness but ultimately is not as good as a true CSP.

At the very least, in a sustained climb situation you're better off using manual. In combat I would suggest auto, but there are lots of 109 guys who use manual all the time.

[mxmadman]

Thanks - your help is much appreciated.

[Raggz]

Originally Posted by mxmadman

So that would mean it is 'automatic' by default? Is it any good or am I better off doing it manually?

BF109 E-4/B models has automatic prop-pitch. If you look at the panel you can see the prop-pitch handle has been removed for these two models. The earlier models has manual pitch.
I like like the auto-pitch as it will maintain speed at all times letting me focus on other tasks in combat. If you really know how to handle the pitch in all situations you might be better off with manual though i have not really tested this or seen any tests comparing auto vs manual.

[robtek]

Raggz, the manual proppitch switch isn't gone in the E4/E4B, it is just moved to the throttle and a bit smaller, to be used with the thumb.