Don't make performances secret this time

[Al Schlageter]

Agh, so did the early Merlins have a single stage supercharger.

[WTE_Galway]

Originally Posted by Al Schlageter

Agh, so did the early Merlins have a single stage supercharger.

Single Stage, single speed supercharger

* Merlin I
* Merlin II
* Merlin 45/46

Single Stage, two speed supercharger

* Merlin X
* Merlin XX

Two Stage, two speed supercharger

* Merlin 61/64
* Merlin 66/67/76/85
* Merlin 100 series
* Merlin 130
* Merlin 140

[PE_Tihi]

Originally Posted by Al Schlageter

Agh, so did the early Merlins have a single stage supercharger.

Later Merlins had it, Allison never got it. And the single speed Merlins were much better at altitude than Allison.

[Furio]

In my opinion, talking of performances alone is somewhat misleading and, at least, incomplete. As different as different sources are, there is a general consensus that Mig3 was inferior than Bf109 at low altitude, but superior at high. In real world, pilots accepted favourable or unfavourable conditions depending on tactical needs. Mig pilots flew low even if their planes were not well suited for it, because they need to do that. On a server, in a game, it’s different. Two simmers flying those planes, at what altitude should meet? The 109 would stay low, the Mig 3 would stay high, and simply they never meet.
Tactical situations and mission objectives are as important as performances and more.

[Furio]

A. S. Nikolay Gerasimovich, was the I-16 a great deal less capable than the Messerschmitt?

N. G. All the basic types of I-16, the type-10, -17, and –21, were less capable in their technical and tactical characteristics than the Bf-109E, but not by much. Of course, the older types, the -4 and -5, were not comparable.

The I-16 types -28 and -29 were superior to the Bf-109E. They were capable of the same speed and in maneuverability, in the vertical plane, the Ishak surpassed the E model.

A. S. This is strange. In any reference book you look at it says that the speed of the I-16 types -28 and -29 at 3,000 meters altitude is on the order of 440—460 kmh, and of the Bf-109E--570 kmh. And you say they are the same? And that the I-16 was superior in vertical maneuver? This is news.

N. G. It was the rare pilot who sought to fly at maximum speed in maneuver combat and even rarer was the pilot who achieved it.

In principle, the I-16 could easily and quickly attain a speed of 500 kmh. The E model was quicker, but not by much. In combat there was no practical difference in their speed. The dynamic of achieving top speed of the I-16 was explosive, especially with the M-63 engine. This was its second unique quality, after horizontal maneuverability. It could out-accelerate all other then-existing Soviet-produced fighters, even the new types. The Yak-1 was the closest to it in this capability, but even it fell somewhat behind.

The “Messer” could dive well and get away. The I-16, with its rather large nose, could not develop 530 kmh in a dive. But it must be said that in combat, if we had to disengage, them from us or we from them, we always managed to do so.

[_RAAF_Stupot]

Originally Posted by BadAim

This is an excellent example of the many variables, not only in real life , but in the game as well. The M3 zero (by virtue of it's "clipped" wings) is an excellent diver, fully capable of keeping up with a wildcat (if not catching up). The problem comes in with control authority and structural integrity, after 350 mph the Zero has niether. The wildcat is a brick with wings, I don't really think you can overspeed it and it fill fly out of a 400mph dive like buttah. Your friend behind you in the Zero, on the other hand (assuming he hasn't already ripped his wings off), will fly straight into the drink without so much as a twitch to indicate his frantic yanking on the stick. On the other hand, if you bring the fight down to 200mph the Zero will be doing the Mohammed Ali thing and the Wildcat will look more like a brick than ever. And it's not even as simple as that.

I might be convinced that some of the aircraft aren't perfect, but I think they compare well with each other (The known limitations of the game engine granted). I believe SOW can only improve on that. As for the "Oleg likes this or that plane better" conspiracies, I most certainly believe that to be utter and complete hogwash.

+1 to that!

[KG26_Alpha]

Originally Posted by Furio

A. S. Nikolay Gerasimovich, was the I-16 a great deal less capable than the Messerschmitt?

N. G. All the basic types of I-16, the type-10, -17, and –21, were less capable in their technical and tactical characteristics than the Bf-109E, but not by much. Of course, the older types, the -4 and -5, were not comparable.

The I-16 types -28 and -29 were superior to the Bf-109E. They were capable of the same speed and in maneuverability, in the vertical plane, the Ishak surpassed the E model.

A. S. This is strange. In any reference book you look at it says that the speed of the I-16 types -28 and -29 at 3,000 meters altitude is on the order of 440—460 kmh, and of the Bf-109E--570 kmh. And you say they are the same? And that the I-16 was superior in vertical maneuver? This is news.

N. G. It was the rare pilot who sought to fly at maximum speed in maneuver combat and even rarer was the pilot who achieved it.

In principle, the I-16 could easily and quickly attain a speed of 500 kmh. The E model was quicker, but not by much. In combat there was no practical difference in their speed. The dynamic of achieving top speed of the I-16 was explosive, especially with the M-63 engine. This was its second unique quality, after horizontal maneuverability. It could out-accelerate all other then-existing Soviet-produced fighters, even the new types. The Yak-1 was the closest to it in this capability, but even it fell somewhat behind.

The “Messer” could dive well and get away. The I-16, with its rather large nose, could not develop 530 kmh in a dive. But it must be said that in combat, if we had to disengage, them from us or we from them, we always managed to do so.

This is his opinion not fact

A. S. Nikolay Gerasimovich, how do you see the I-16 in comparison with the Bf-109F and FW-190?

N. G. I did not have occasion to fight much in the I-16, but I can relay the opinion of my comrades.

[Furio]

If it’s an opinion, KG, it’s an informed one. At least Nikolay actually flew the type. What matters to me, anyway, is an “opinion” that many pilots repeat over and over: aircraft performances are a complex matter, and the number written on a flight manual, were often just that: paper numbers.

[PE_Tihi]

Originally Posted by _RAAF_Stupot

Originally Posted by BadAim
This is an excellent example of the many variables, not only in real life , but in the game as well. The M3 zero (by virtue of it's "clipped" wings) is an excellent diver, fully capable of keeping up with a wildcat (if not catching up). The problem comes in with control authority and structural integrity, after 350 mph the Zero has niether. The wildcat is a brick with wings, I don't really think you can overspeed it and it fill fly out of a 400mph dive like buttah. Your friend behind you in the Zero, on the other hand (assuming he hasn't already ripped his wings off), will fly straight into the drink without so much as a twitch to indicate his frantic yanking on the stick. On the other hand, if you bring the fight down to 200mph the Zero will be doing the Mohammed Ali thing and the Wildcat will look more like a brick than ever. And it's not even as simple as that.

I might be convinced that some of the aircraft aren't perfect, but I think they compare well with each other (The known limitations of the game engine granted). I believe SOW can only improve on that. As for the "Oleg likes this or that plane better" conspiracies, I most certainly believe that to be utter and complete hogwash.

+1 to that!

Said it once, and i ll say it again- utter hogwash is that the planes compare well with each other. Such anomalies as I16 being better from 109F and fighting the G2 well are almost a rule in the game, and you have to search for a straightly modelled plane with a candle. Parameters 50 percent off, or more, well no limitations of otherwise excelent game engine caused these.

[PE_Tihi]

Originally Posted by Furio

A. S. Nikolay Gerasimovich, was the I-16 a great deal less capable than the Messerschmitt?

N. G. All the basic types of I-16, the type-10, -17, and –21, were less capable in their technical and tactical characteristics than the Bf-109E, but not by much. Of course, the older types, the -4 and -5, were not comparable.

The I-16 types -28 and -29 were superior to the Bf-109E. They were capable of the same speed and in maneuverability, in the vertical plane, the Ishak surpassed the E model.

A. S. This is strange. In any reference book you look at it says that the speed of the I-16 types -28 and -29 at 3,000 meters altitude is on the order of 440—460 kmh, and of the Bf-109E--570 kmh. And you say they are the same? And that the I-16 was superior in vertical maneuver? This is news.

N. G. It was the rare pilot who sought to fly at maximum speed in maneuver combat and even rarer was the pilot who achieved it.

In principle, the I-16 could easily and quickly attain a speed of 500 kmh. The E model was quicker, but not by much. In combat there was no practical difference in their speed. The dynamic of achieving top speed of the I-16 was explosive, especially with the M-63 engine. This was its second unique quality, after horizontal maneuverability. It could out-accelerate all other then-existing Soviet-produced fighters, even the new types. The Yak-1 was the closest to it in this capability, but even it fell somewhat behind.

The “Messer” could dive well and get away. The I-16, with its rather large nose, could not develop 530 kmh in a dive. But it must be said that in combat, if we had to disengage, them from us or we from them, we always managed to do so.

I have read another russian saying the top speed non importanat once you enter the dogfight.
What happens if the Germans do not enter the dogfight, but BnZ, as they really did, too ))? He wrote a whole theory about the combat top speed which could be reached in a short time, and aircraft top speed which takes too long to reach to be of any interest in a dogfight. Having in mind what I just said, couldnt keep myself from laughing ..
I read this interwiev carefully, Furio. Mr Golodnikov almost didn't fly the I16 in combat; transfered to Hurries and later to P40. I read some years ago an autobiographical book of Arsenii Vorozheikin, who started flying the Ishak in the Mongolian conflict, and finished it in 1943 - his unit was the last one to give them over. The book describes very vividly the desperate measures - defensive circles like used by 110s in BoB - to save their bare lives from the Friedrichs.... and Golodnikov says ..'The type-28 and -29 were arguably equal to the Bf-109F, perhaps a little bit behind. ' )))) .. and he heard it from his friends..
I understand your ordeal, Furio Not having read (more than) enough of all this, you don't know whom and what to beleive))