What is the best performing Red fighter & why?

[*Buzzsaw*]

Salute

The question as to what is the best Red plane is a question of altitude.

Below 9000 ft, the point at which the engine cutout bug appears for the Spit IA 100 octane, it is the best Red plane. It climbs the best, turns the best, and is the fastest.

Over 9000 ft, the Spit IIA is the best option for the Reds. It does not on the surface have issues with the engine cutout bug, however, it is very prone to overheating at 15,000 ft +, and recently I have discovered that running max. boost at altitudes over approx. 16,000 can cause engine failure in a very short time, even if heat was correct when boost was applied. Since the boost levels at that altitude are below what was rated as within 30 minute allowance, the plane is obviously not modelled correctly.

The Hurricanes are a step below the Spitfires, although strange as it seems, and totally in defiance of the historical reality, the Hurricane I 100 octane is better than the Spit IA 100 octane at 15,000 ft... but not good enough to fight the 109's up there on even terms.

Overall the Hurricanes are best used below 10,000 ft, not an acccurate representation of their real performance, historically they were capable up their Full throttle height, approx. 17,000 ft.

The Spit IA 87 octane is also better than the Spit IA 100 octane over 9000 ft, (also ahistorical) and in fact is the next best plane to the Spit IIA at those altitudes.

The Spit I is also better than the Spit 1A 100 octane at altitude, although I think it is not quite as good as the IA.

And of course, it all depends on the pilot, 109's are shot down by Hurricanes, although the numbers of players flying the Hurricanes is again in decline.

What's the best plane to shoot down bombers with? The Hurricane. It's gun placement makes it more effective. I usually get 2-4 bombers with a Hurricane compared to 1-3 with a Spitfire, depending on the type. Of course compared to the 110, the Hurricane is pathetic, I got 7 Blenheims once with a 110, and would have had more if a Hurricane hadn't appeared in the defence of the last one.

[MadTommy]

Thanks for taking the time to reply *Buzzsaw*, very helpful analysis, and paints an interesting and confusing picture.

Basically there is no one fighter of choice... i certainly love the Hurri as a gun platform for bomber hunting. I have not flown any of the 100oct fighters.. will have to get them airborne. I prefer the visibility from the Spit's bubble glass canopy.

Thanks again for an interesting write up.

[5./JG27.Farber]

Thats the thing with the red side through out WWII, so many different fighters. Its actually what makes the blue side challenging. (although here when I refer to the blue side) The Luftwaffe only have two "mainstream" "fighters" - the 109 and 190 but many more opponants, althought you (on the blue side) get to keep the same aircraft (through its many veriations). Although on the red side you get allot more variation...

[*Buzzsaw*]

Originally Posted by 5./JG27.Farber

Thats the thing with the red side through out WWII, so many different fighters. Its actually what makes the blue side challenging. (although here when I refer to the blue side) The Luftwaffe only have two "mainstream" "fighters" - the 109 and 190 but many more opponants, althought you (on the blue side) get to keep the same aircraft (through its many veriations). Although on the red side you get allot more variation...

In this case a disadvantage, with having to use different models for different altitudes, since the historical performance is not there.

[5./JG27.Farber]

Originally Posted by *Buzzsaw*

In this case a disadvantage, with having to use different models for different altitudes, since the historical performance is not there.

Tell that to the spits on my tail and the sneaky Hurricanes!

[trademe900]

High altitudes are really irrelevant at this stage given the very poor modelling of higher altitudes and stuttering problems with red planes.

At 10,000 and under where all the fighting takes place the modelling is generally satisfactory and here the spit 2a is the best. Sure the 100 octane outspeeds it a little but max speed is really irrelevant unless in a long chase across the channel where energy state is the same. The 100 octane has bad overheating problems.

Next I'd say Hurricane 100oct which is what I fly most of the time. It does not have the chronic overheating problems and really turns well at certain speeds, but what's important is that it is an extremely stable gun platform and you can get shots in at longer range with confidence than flying a spit or 109. Especially good for bombers as you can unload the guns into the enemy plane with accuracy and then break away earlier. However any good 109 pilot who finds hurricane on their tail will immediately bleed off the hurricanes energy with a few quick rolls and then put the aircraft into a steep climb and speed away with relative ease. It's amazing how many 109 pilots don't do this though... oh damn, now i've spoiled the secret!