Navigation in Hurricane and Spitfire

[Sutts]

Originally Posted by Blackdog_kt

I end up using just the compass and course setter most of the time.

I just measure the angle on the map with the protractor, for example 125 degrees, then set the course setter to heading+10 so in this case 135 degrees.

By comparing landmarks i get into the general direction right after takeoff, then i just lean to the side with freetrack (can also be done with the mouse, hold the middle button down and drag the mouse left/right to lean) and look at the compass from zoomed out view. This way i can both keep the plane flying straight and look at the compass.

Since i have the on-screen systems messages enabled, i know what kind of heading i selected on the course setter. Then i just look to see if the 3 lines (the two "guides" and the actual T-shaped compass line) are parallel. Doesn't matter which angle you view it from, as long as the lines are parallel, you are flying the course chosen by the course setter.

I find it's much easier and faster than trying to hold the plane steady long enough to calibrate the gyro. I use this method on both Hurris and Blenheims. The Blen has a clear, unobstructed view of a secondary compass in the bombardier station, but i now find it easier to set a course with the course setter and follow it, than read the gyro.

Good info here guys thanks.

I love trying to navigate using landmarks and general headings. A real sense of achievment when you get back to the right airfield.

What I find difficult are the following issues. Would appreciate any comments / tips you might have:

1. The map doesn't seem to distinguish between roads and railways which is a bit of problem...they're all brown lines. Some of the best position fixing references are based on the relationship between roads and railways.

2. On my PC at least, rivers seem to expand massively when viewed from a distance making everything look like an estuary. Difficult to make out a proper coast line when every small river looks like a major outlet.

3. Real airfields have large code letters visible from the air. When you're lost that would be a great way to get reorientated. I guess we'll have to wait for the SDK before we can do anything about that one.

Cheers

[jimbop]

Originally Posted by Sutts

1. The map doesn't seem to distinguish between roads and railways which is a bit of problem...they're all brown lines. Some of the best position fixing references are based on the relationship between roads and railways.

Yes, annoying.

Originally Posted by Sutts

2. On my PC at least, rivers seem to expand massively when viewed from a distance making everything look like an estuary. Difficult to make out a proper coast line when every small river looks like a major outlet.

Same here, also annoying!

Originally Posted by Sutts

3. Real airfields have large code letters visible from the air. When you're lost that would be a great way to get reorientated. I guess we'll have to wait for the SDK before we can do anything about that one.

Historical? Not sure if this applied to military airfields during WW2.

[klem]

I find large woods or groups of woods are one of the best landmarks for identifying where I am if I get lost. It can be difficult over mid SE England where there are many smaller woods but then again, at altitude, a visual check on the direction of coastline features (a bit of mental triangulation) will give a good rough indication of where you are. From there you can zoom in on the map and start checking the wood shapes. Also, towns stand out reasonably well when you are close to them, that can also be fitted into the picture. Rivers are a bit odd. At distance they are almost useless but closer to and especially tracking at nought feet they can be very useful along with towns.

It will be interesting when someone starts running servers with Rhubarb weather, low cloud base, impenetrable rain. Going to need the compass then and low level features like the rivers, towns.... and prayer.

[Sutts]

Originally Posted by klem

I find large woods or groups of woods are one of the best landmarks for identifying where I am if I get lost. It can be difficult over mid SE England where there are many smaller woods but then again, at altitude, a visual check on the direction of coastline features (a bit of mental triangulation) will give a good rough indication of where you are. From there you can zoom in on the map and start checking the wood shapes. Also, towns stand out reasonably well when you are close to them, that can also be fitted into the picture. Rivers are a bit odd. At distance they are almost useless but closer to and especially tracking at nought feet they can be very useful along with towns.

It will be interesting when someone starts running servers with Rhubarb weather, low cloud base, impenetrable rain. Going to need the compass then and low level features like the rivers, towns.... and prayer.

Thanks guys, glad I'm not the only one having problems. I'm sure a lot of things will be fixed in subsequent patches making navigation a little easier. It's definitely an acquired skill - spotting patterns in woods, towns, roads etc.

In terms of the airfield identification letters, I'm quite sure all wartime bases in the UK had a signals square which was visible from the air. Here's an example of the one at Martlesham Heath - you can see the big MH letters just outside the border of the big concrete square. I've seen a number of signals squares on derelict wartime bases in my time.

Now....wouldn't that be handy when you're lost on a cross country flight? I know we'll get all these goodies eventually when the SDK becomes available.

[ATAG_knuckles]

Trust me gang: The first couple of month I got Sooo lost. Not so much now. Still the other day in a blenheim, circling several time to attempt to loose a 109 (which I did) however I go so mixed up I flew back into France: couldnt find a dang thing that looked familiar.

Dynamic weather please !!! that would be a hoot : you would have to use Compass/DG plus I really wouldn't mind a few clouds to hind in !!


Knuckles

[jf1981]

Originally Posted by ATAG_knuckles

Dynamic weather please !!! that would be a hoot : you would have to use Compass/DG plus I really wouldn't mind a few clouds to hind in !!

Specially with a/c that can deal with it ! Not sure how Blenheim will, it got at least carb heator.