SoWC:BoB Multisquad Campaign Starting

[ATAG_Snapper]

I've flown the Ia-100 octane and IIa online (ATAG Server) for a couple of patrol sorties at 18,000 feet between Dover and Dungeness (the "English point"). Got in a couple of dogfights with 109's at various altitudes and situations. However, my observations would be purely anecdotal with no data, charts, or graphs to support them. Also, a couple of random engagements are hardly enough to form any opinion or conclusion, and certainly subject to change as I fly 'em more. But, here's my initial thoughts:

1) Ia -- at first blush, disappointed. Going "through the gate" seemed to produce more noise and vibration, but little increase in performance. Using the overboost at 3000 rpms produced, after an estimated 30 seconds, a lot of oil on the windscreen when I tried, unsuccessfully, to outclimb a zooming 109 (he had energy advantage on the zoom). The Ia at 2650 rpms and 6.5 lbs boost felt "heavy" and slow to climb to patrol height (50% fuel load). To anyone, though, I'd be the first to say Your Mileage May Vary. It's never a good idea to do what I did, though: go straight into an online combat environment without first "wringing out" a modded plane to get a solid idea of what it can/cannot do. I didn't win any victories over the 109's I engaged, but felt lucky to escape with a few holes and streaming glycol.

2) IIa -- felt like a different plane altogether. At 6.5 lbs/2650 rpms/50% fuel was able to climb ~3000 fpm at 180 mph IAS to 18,000 feet. Felt "nimble & spirited" at all engine settings. At sea level at full boost (no ammo) was able to keep ahead for full Channel crossing of 109E4, neither gaining nor giving ground. This was observed by two fellow Spits flying high above that bounced and ultimately splashed my target-fixated pursuer (which is how I know it was an E4!) The needle was bouncing, but quick glances showed ~280 IAS at sea level at full overboost (12 lbs now?). I engaged in 4 individual dogfights with 109's at relatively high altitudes (est 15 - 18K feet). In each case we spotted the other at roughly the same time. I felt from co-energy/co-alt encounters the 109 had the edge in climb, but not so much that I felt frustrated as in countless times with the earlier patch. Not the same advantage as the 1.59590 "retail patch" where the uber-IIa can charge up the hill to overtake a climbing 109. Playing the angles there's enough power to keep in the fight: dodging the tracer streams and getting a few shots in myself. I never achieved what I felt were out 'n out victories. In each case the 109's dove away streaming white smoke, and I never followed them down. Much later I was credited with 1.00 kills, but I never saw the aircraft actually crash. I suspect they each made it back and I got the so-called "kill" when they despawned, or they simply ditched in order to respawn immediately. Dunno.

So, my first thoughts are that the IIa (in my incompetent hands) is roughly the equal of the 109; the Ia is badly lacking in oomph. But I hasten to add I need more time in the Ia to fully assess it, properly.

[ATAG_Colander]

Great read Snapper. I've been waiting for some info from the "red" side.
So, all and all, is the IIa up to expectations or there's still something missing?

I can tell that the 109 is about the same as before with two exceptions:
1.- The rudder is not as "touchy" as with the previous beta
2.- It now goes from a turn to a flat spin without any warning in between, however, it's either easier to recover (i.e 1000m against 4000m before) or I learned how to do it

ATAG_Colander

[5./JG27.Farber]

Eh>?

The 109 Rudder is better and the 109 always talks to you before the stall which you can now get out of with out 2000m's of falling.

Were not using the Spit IIa in our campaign since we changed to the 100 octane variants. There seem to be no complants yet so they must be ok (except starting them).

[ATAG_Snapper]

My initial impression is that BOTH the 109 and the IIa are too slow at sea level, but by roughly the same amount. Personally, I wouldn't want the IIa any faster unless the 109's speed was adjusted upward to its historical value as well. Besides wanting the IIa and 109 to be historically accurate performance-wise for the sake of accuracy, it means from a gameplay aspect both fighters can reach altitude a little quicker, closing speeds on enemy bombers are faster, and headons with opposing fighters that much scarier.

The Ia is too slow, IMHO at this early point, in that it shouldn't be that much slower than the IIa. If the IIa and the Ia are not superior to the 109's, they should at least be a very serious threat. I did shoot down a vulching 109 at Hawkinge while flying a IIa. He certainly knew I was there because he dodged my poorly-aimed tracers as I overshot him. He could've escaped at that point while I was reversing to re-engage (as any smart experten 109 pilot would), but this 109 opted instead to make another strafing run. This gave me the time I needed to come around and line him up -- something that we couldn't do with our nerfed RAF fighters pre-patch. I don't believe the current patched Ia has the performance to effectively counter a boom & zooming 109 strafing its home airfield, but I certainly found the patched IIa does.

I had one sortie today in the 100-octane Rotol, thanks to your air start at Eastchurch. It feels like it has similar performance at sea level to the earlier Rotol (retail 1.15950 version) -- except in the current version you go to 12 lbs overboost to get up to ~270 mph (with noise, vibration, and possible blown engine at 3000 rpms) where before you got the same speed at 6.25 lbs boost, 2500/2600 rpms - no vibration and you could maintain that speed for a whole gas tank. I helped shoot down a Stuka that was attacking Ramsgate; the Hurricane seems to hold steadier than a Spit while firing -- but that might only be my imagination. I then proceeded on to Dover and managed to ram Bliss' dawdling 109 from behind. Actually, he backed up into me -- a new maneuvre for the 109 with this latest patch, I believe. I'd be interested to hear JTDawg's take on the 100-octane Rotol.

Again, take everything above with a grain of salt based on initial trials of aircraft in an online combat environment. I haven't yet taken any of these RAF a/c into a rear area to give 'em a serious going over, with careful checks of instrument readings.

[ATAG_Colander]

Originally Posted by 5./JG27.Farber

Eh>?

The 109 Rudder is better and the 109 always talks to you before the stall which you can now get out of with out 2000m's of falling.

That's basically what I said with the exception of the warning. I feel the vanilla version warned a lot more and the beta version is more susceptible to flat spin just by pulling the stick "a bit more".

Maybe just I need to get used to the new hints the plane gives as I don't tend to fly in that side of the envelope.

ATAG_Colander.

[5./JG27.Farber]

The 109 has always had a very vocal airframe just like real life. Then again Ive been flying it along time. Just listen though she will talk to you, you only have to listen.

[klem]

RAF COs please see my mission 3 post under Offcers Mess.

Thank you.

[JTDawg]

Originally Posted by ATAG_Snapper

I'd be interested to hear JTDawg's take on the 100-octane Rotol.

Well i agree with Snapper ,the Rotol is a pig , With no climb, an not much of a turner anymore Where you use to be able to get on a 109 in 3 to 4 turns , 109s can stick with you , an even turn in side of you, so completely opposite of what it should be,. Before i felt going into a fight even with E4 I had aleast a 50-50 chance , It is not the bird of prey anymore !! IT is the prey . run to hard for a min or to ,an bam the death shake . I cant even say it's a good gun platform anymore since ,i quit flying it except for campainge , Being a true rotol lover it just kills me to see this happen to her shame! shame! shame! But if they ever fix her i'll be back in a heart beat

[JTDawg]

Originally Posted by klem

RAF COs please see my mission 3 post under Offcers Mess.

Thank you.

Roger m8

[klem]

RAF COs please see:

http://sowc.forumotion.co.uk/t61-rad...sibilities#432