How to fly fast (Spit 1a/2a)?

[paxNoctis]

Hi all-

I'm new to the whole WWII genre. I cut my teeth on civilian flight sims from a very early age and moved into Janes, LOMAC and the DCS series. I've spent most of my sim-time lately in the 'Hog from DCS, but something about the simplicity/complexity of these old prop-planes appeals to me, and I bought COD when it was on-sale through Steam and I've been learning it ever since. At the moment I'm running with CEM on and Temperature off (one impossible-learning-task at a time is my way), so I can fly without blowing my water radiator 5m into the flight, then having oil spew all over my cockpit. Even in this 'limited realism' mode, it's still been quite a journey. First I was stalling every time I turned until I figured out that my prop was getting all turbulent and lowered the pitch. Now I can make loops and even pull off some hammerhead-type maneuvers.

I fly the Spitfire 1a and IIa at this point because it was suggested to me on another forum as a good "starter plane". I'm not sure which one is 'better' (in the sense of speed/maneuverability), so I kind of alternate. I *finally* figured out that it wasn't a broken joystick but that the plan actually wants to bank left from torque after about 3 hours of playing and tweaking my Saitek settings; so that should give you an idea of how far behind I am in this genre.

So I loaded up the 'Bomber intercept' mission over the channel. I trim for level flight and, we're heading straight towards the incoming bombers. I execute what, by-my-pretty-lame-standards is a nice turn, not losing too much E or stalling. I come around behind them and... they just walk away from me. I've tried full throttle/pitch, I've tried varying each of the above and once I get behind them, I just can't catch up no matter what, even doing my best to stay straight and fast.

Now it may just be that in WWII bombers were faster than fighters, or I'm up against a newer generation bomber in some old, rickety fighter, I really don't know the plane classes that well. But really, I feel like I should be able to, you know, intercept bombers in a fighter pretty easily, especially when I'm coming in right behind and going all out. I assume that I'm simply not setting the aircraft for proper sprinting-speed, so I was wondering if you vets could help me figure out how to go fast in a straight line (pathetic question from a veteran sim pilot I know, but I just can't seem to get the hang of it myself).

I'd appreciate any other tips, but the main thing is... how do I go fast?