No.401 Squadron Scramble Night #2

[badfinger]

I had my first taste of multi-player, last Saturday (thanks Osprey) and last night with No. 401. I got there early, and flew around listening to the other guys. Never did see anyone, but still it was a good introduction.

I do have a couple of comments, though. On my first two take-offs, the plane wasn't acting at all as I expected, and I nosed over into the runway both times. I've never done that before. After my third take-off and I was flying around, the plane responded more normally. Is this the result of the connection speed? Second, I will need to really study the map, in order to find my way around, in the future. Flying early evening, with the sun going down, the rivers and lakes stood out very well, but I couldn't use them to find myself on the map. I guess I'm used to maps (sectionals) in RL flying that show more detail, and allow you to really narrow down where you are. Also, Ive never done any RL flying in England or France.

Just as the mission started, my cable went out for about an hour, so I missed the majority of the activities. But, I'll be back.

binky9

[Dano]

Originally Posted by binky9

On my first two take-offs, the plane wasn't acting at all as I expected, and I nosed over into the runway both times. I've never done that before.

I'm glad that it's not just me, there is a definite difference to how the Rotol Hurricane handles on a takeoff run between online and offline for me and nosing over is the exact situation I found myself in the first few times I attempted to takeoff online.

[bw_wolverine]

Glad you found the time to get in Binky9! Next time, speak up! We don't always notice when someone joins the channel and we are sometimes busy with a 109 on our tails

As for the Hurricane on take off. Here's what we do. I think Hooves may post some take-off info later that I'll bring over here.

When you're ready to take-off, make sure you're in full fine pitch (high rpm) and push the throttle steadily towards full. Let the plane roll out until you're moving at around 50-60mph and then push down gently on the stick to bring the tail up off the ground. Don't push to far or you'll nose into the ground. Aim at the horizon. Next, keep the plane like that until you reach 90 to 100mph and then gently ease the stick back until you lift off the ground.

Sometimes the airfield can give you a big 'bump' if you travel too fast on the ground and that'll put your nose into the dirt. This can happen if you burst a tire as well (which can also occur running too fast on the runway). So once you hit that 90 to 100mph mark, get up off the runway.

Bring your gear up at 120mph. Don't attempt to manoeuver left or right until you've got at least 140mph unless you absolutely have to (like to avoid a strafing 109 for example), though 160mph is even better if you've got the time.

Hope to see you back soon! The Hurricane is a great plane, but can be tricky until you learn its quirks. The Spitfire is a lot more forgiving in this game I find.

[Dano]

Originally Posted by bw_wolverine

Glad you found the time to get in Binky9! Next time, speak up! We don't always notice when someone joins the channel and we are sometimes busy with a 109 on our tails

As for the Hurricane on take off. Here's what we do. I think Hooves may post some take-off info later that I'll bring over here.

When you're ready to take-off, make sure you're in full fine pitch (high rpm) and push the throttle steadily towards full. Let the plane roll out until you're moving at around 50-60mph and then push down gently on the stick to bring the tail up off the ground. Don't push to far or you'll nose into the ground. Aim at the horizon. Next, keep the plane like that until you reach 90 to 100mph and then gently ease the stick back until you lift off the ground.

Sometimes the airfield can give you a big 'bump' if you travel too fast on the ground and that'll put your nose into the dirt. This can happen if you burst a tire as well (which can also occur running too fast on the runway). So once you hit that 90 to 100mph mark, get up off the runway.

Bring your gear up at 120mph. Don't attempt to manoeuver left or right until you've got at least 140mph unless you absolutely have to (like to avoid a strafing 109 for example), though 160mph is even better if you've got the time.

Hope to see you back soon! The Hurricane is a great plane, but can be tricky until you learn its quirks. The Spitfire is a lot more forgiving in this game I find.

You've misunderstood, I've performed hundreds if not thousands of Hurricane take offs and I suspect the same for binky, I am not a newb at it. There is something different about the way it handles online, possibly it is due to differences in airfield runways, something I need to test.

[bw_wolverine]

Originally Posted by Dano

You've misunderstood, I've performed hundreds if not thousands of Hurricane take offs and I suspect the same for binky, I am not a newb at it. There is something different about the way it handles online, possibly it is due to differences in airfield runways, something I need to test.

Hmm..

I haven't noticed the differences, though I've admittedly not spent a great deal of time in the single player portion of the game. I suspect, though, that you're correct about the airfield being the difference. Take-off procedure needs to be modified based on where you are.

Maidstone, for example, is on a slope(!). The best take-off path is to move to the higher end of the strip and take off sloping downward. It is also quite bumpy, so you need to be prepared to compensate for it.

In general, though, the 'main' airfields on ATAG are serviceable. The only ones that I find give difficulty are Maidstone for the above reasons and sometimes Hawkinge. Hawkinge's layout makes finding the true runway path difficult at times and if you line up at the wrong angle you can start running into hills and ditches before you're at take-off speed.

So, yeah, get to know the runway paths. I recommend Manston as the easiest place to take-off from on ATAG for Red. The runway is clearly marked, you can take Hurricane or Spit depending on your preference, and Ramsgate is close by in case you need to make an emergency landing.

The only other reason I can think of that the characteristics would be different is the realism settings that you use when offline. ATAG is full real so all the engine and flight realism settings are turned on full. What exactly are you experiencing that is different? The plane won't track straight while rolling in the take-off run? Does it seem to bounce more?

[badfinger]

I was using Manson last night. I was in a spit IA, with cem on.

The runway seemed bumpier than in the past on the first take off. The second wasn't as bad, but as I lifted off the wings started dropping. It wasn't pio, or lifting off too soon, the plane just wasn't responding.

Binky9

[Dano]

Ok confirmed, it's the runway, just attempted to fly out of Rochester offline and had the same thing happen, obviously Tangmere is better maintained :p