Spit/109 sea level speed comparisons in 1.08 beta patch

[ATAG_Snapper]

Originally Posted by SlipBall

Just make them the same then pilot skill will be the wild card

We did that briefly in ATAG's Server #2 a couple of weeks ago. The Engine Temperature Management was temporarily switched off so we could evaluate the effects of radiator drag without overheating the engines. (Radiators are closed by default and cannot be opened). The 109 E4 and the Spitfire MK 1a 100 octane had the exact same speed at sea level at full WEP (109) and 11 lbs boost (Spitfire). Both aircraft would travel literally wingtip to wingtip for miles above the waves going full out - neither aircraft gaining an inch on the other. On cue (using Teamspeak) both aircraft were then pulled hard up into a vertical climb, engines remaining at full throttle WEP/11 lbs boost. Both aircraft climbed to the same height wingtip to wingtip, stalling out at precisely the same instant.

We did this online so we could easily do plane vs plane comparos, but you can test this easily offline with your favourite aircraft simply by unchecking Engine Temperature Management in your Realism Options. The flight models tested to be the same offline and online.

This was a very brief test on Server 2, it was soon put back to Full Switch. But for a brief time it was exhilarating to fly a Spit in equal terms with a 109. Makes for some very long -- and exciting -- dogfights between equal pilots. Once Engine Temperature Management is turned back on, the Spits are saddled with huge, no......make that HUGE.....radiator drag penalties in terms of square area, drag coefficients, and no apparent modelling of the Meredith Effect.