Spit IIa: Good Throttle/Prop Settings for best performance (suggestions wanted)

[icetbag]

Hi all,

Have been getting to grips with the Spit IIa on the ATAG Beta Patch server.

I've been experimenting with different Throttle/Prop Pitch settings to see how they effect:

• Max IAS in level flight at varying altitudes
• Best combat settings at varying altitudes
• Best settings for climbing as quick as possible (outside combat)
• Engine Oil/Water Temps

I am in no means an expert, far from it, this if my first sim with CEM and I am loving the challenge, though I'm still trying to learn how to best fly the plane.

Could any of you more experience Spit IIa pilots suggest a couple of settings to try for the above?

I know there will be numerous other factors to take into account such as: fuel load and Radiator settings, but any rough combinations are greatly appreciated.

So far, Ive normally left the radiator around 50% open which keeps the water temps down nicely, but the oil temps are running around 90 degrees. I can usually get the oil temps lower but only with throttle around 20% and with a prop around 60%.

I also seem to get Governor failure when adjusting the prop pitch to quickly, Im assuming its the Governor - the plane shakes violently and there is a noticeable "that doesnt sound good" noise

Any help appreciated.

[ATAG_Snapper]

Hi icetbag,

This is a post you may find of interest since it details some settings to use for max performance in a Spitfire IIa. It's by no means the final word, though!!!

Others here will likely have better suggestions and even videos for you to try. This is just to get you started, nothing more.

http://forum.1cpublishing.eu/showpos...48&postcount=4

[icetbag]

Cheers Snapper, I'll give those settings a whirl when I'm on next.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

[ATAG_Dutch]

Hello IceTbag, oh fellow Northwesterner!

Oil temp is normal at 90-95 degrees, max coolant 120, but it's best to keep at around 90 for oil, 100 for coolant. Lowering the boost (throttle setting) will lower your coolant temperature, lowering your RPM to 2650 will keep your oil temp nicely under control. If you set boost to +5 (the white mark in the red zone on the boost gauge) and RPM at 2650, with 50% radiator you should have no probs at all. This is in the Hurri Rotol, Spit Ia and IIa.

In the Spit I and Hurri DH, with 2-speed props, I tend to keep it in fine pitch with fully open rad up to about 6000ft, or when rpm reaches 3000, then throttle back to zero boost and coarsen pitch. Boost will rise to about +3, I then throttle back up to +5 boost and reduce radiator to half. In fact I normally don't go over +5 boost unless in combat.

No doubt others do it differently, but this works for me.

This is all using cockpit instruments. I've no idea what the digital stuff would say.

For the max performance stuff, it largely depends on altitude, as the relationship between pitch and boost alters the higher you go.

[ATAG_Snapper]

Icetbag -- DON'T LISTEN TO DUTCH!!!!!!

Oh sure, he MAY know how to fly RAF fighters....but he's a Blenheim pilot at heart. He will pull you over to the Dark Side before you can say "Hey, there's TWO engines here!?!?! "

Just a friendly warning, is all......

[bw_wolverine]

Originally Posted by ATAG_Dutch

Hello IceTbag, oh fellow Northwesterner!

Oil temp is normal at 90-95 degrees, max coolant 120, but it's best to keep at around 90 for oil, 100 for coolant. Lowering the boost (throttle setting) will lower your coolant temperature, lowering your RPM to 2650 will keep your oil temp nicely under control. If you set boost to +5 (the white mark in the red zone on the boost gauge) and RPM at 2650, with 50% radiator you should have no probs at all. This is in the Hurri Rotol, Spit Ia and IIa.

In the Spit I and Hurri DH, with 2-speed props, I tend to keep it in fine pitch with fully open rad up to about 6000ft, or when rpm reaches 3000, then throttle back to zero boost and coarsen pitch. Boost will rise to about +3, I then throttle back up to +5 boost and reduce radiator to half. In fact I normally don't go over +5 boost unless in combat.

No doubt others do it differently, but this works for me.

This is all using cockpit instruments. I've no idea what the digital stuff would say.

For the max performance stuff, it largely depends on altitude, as the relationship between pitch and boost alters the higher you go.

Sound advice.

Some notes about the two stage Spit I and Hurri DH:

If you are in combat and you at turning and losing speed, or diving down and then trying to cilmb back up, keep an eye on your RPM. Never enter a high degree dive on fine pitch and avoid attempting to make a high degree climb in coarse. The first situation will overspeed your engine as the wind forces your prop to turn faster and faster past the 3,000rpm mark, and the second situation will effectively act as an engine brake and you'll either stall out or lose so much speed that you'll be a sitting duck.

Never put your prop pitch from coarse to fine without reducing your throttle to avoid putting strain on the engine as your RPM jumps about 500 to 750 RPM in one shot. IE: if you're in coarse pitch, and you're reading 2,600 rpm and you put it into fine pitch without reducing your throttle, you will blow your engine in about three seconds flat.

[icetbag]

@Dutch:
Thanks for the engine cooling info, good to know that the oil temps I've been seeing are normal. I'd never have guessed your also from the NW...with you being an ATAG member with the name Dutch lol.

@Snapper:
Thanks for the warning ...though I can barely handle 1 engine at the moment let alone 2!

@Wolverine
Thanks for the info regarding throttle management when changing pitch. I think changing from coarse to fine pitch too quickly without managing the throttle properly has led to my engine failure in the past.

I've made some notes from all the replies so far that I can keep to hand next time I'm online.

Thanks again

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

[ATAG_Snapper]

I'd be remiss if I didn't specifically invite you to fly with us over at the ATAG Server (Axis vs Allies). Make sure you've got Teamspeak 3 so you can intro yourself. We're a friendly bunch (Dutch, Wolve, I, and many others fly together on a regular basis). Teamspeak really adds to the experience (as you may already know).

[ATAG_Dutch]

Originally Posted by ATAG_Snapper

Icetbag -- DON'T LISTEN TO DUTCH!!!!!!

Oh sure, he MAY know how to fly RAF fighters....but he's a Blenheim pilot at heart. He will pull you over to the Dark Side before you can say "Hey, there's TWO engines here!?!?! "

Just a friendly warning, is all......

Yeah, join the club, no-one ever listens to me - must be my lancashire accent!

Originally Posted by ATAG_Snapper

I'd be remiss if I didn't specifically invite you to fly with us over at the ATAG Server (Axis vs Allies). Make sure you've got Teamspeak 3 so you can intro yourself. We're a friendly bunch (Dutch, Wolve, I, and many others fly together on a regular basis). Teamspeak really adds to the experience (as you may already know).

Big +1. Come and say hello, Tbag!

[ATAG_knuckles]

Originally Posted by ATAG_Snapper

Icetbag -- DON'T LISTEN TO DUTCH!!!!!!

Oh sure, he MAY know how to fly RAF fighters....but he's a Blenheim pilot at heart. He will pull you over to the Dark Side before you can say "Hey, there's TWO engines here!?!?! "

Just a friendly warning, is all......

I think we are a little confused as to the "Dark Side" theres no "Dark" in Red

Blue on the other hand: and as For Blenheims, Icebag ! if you wanna way a REAL Bomber the red side will certainly teach you