help flying the corsair

[TheGrunch]

My knowledge is restricted to aircraft with constant speed propellers, but as far as I know it's the other way around. Engine RPMs take far longer to respond than manifold pressure - try flying the Spitfire IX, set to manual pitch (Shift+0). Set prop pitch to 0%, then to 100%, and watch how long it takes for engine RPM to change. Then change the throttle setting, and watch the boost gauge. It should move almost instantaneously. When you say it takes longer for the engine to 'spool up', you're right, because the engine revolutions do take longer to change, but given for that the majority of the aircraft in the game, prop pitch controls the governed RPM, not the actual propellor pitch, this means that it takes longer for 'Prop Pitch' to change the engine's functioning than 'Throttle'. So for landing, better to have Prop Pitch set to 100% and vary the throttle since you'll already be operating at max revs if you need to go around.

[dflion]

Thanks Shrike_UK, its all about experimenting with each IL2 aircraft, they are all different in weight and power values. You will find a 'happy medium' in the prop pitch percentages for each aircraft.

Just a note about your reply 'TheGrunch' - you are right about prop pitch governing RPM. For the Tempest, I use a 'finer pitch' of 50% and this gives me a slower initial take-off speed yet a higher RPM which gives me more control of the aircraft. The same situation applys for landing. Fine pitch was used by most WWII aircraft for take-off and landing - higher RPM - more control. You can use a courser pitch of 100% or 90% for take-off and landing, though theroretically you have less RPM and less control.

For Ctrl E on the subject of Superchargers for the F4U - quote straight from IL2 1946 aircraft pilot notes " Switch supercharger speeds at 2,600m (8,500ft) and 8,200m(26,900ft)". I have also attached real pilot notes from the Spitfire IX explaining supercharger operation. I would also recommend Googling Wikipedia under 'aircraft superchargers' for a very comprehensive explanation on how superchargers and 'turbo' supercharges work on WWII aircraft.

[TheGrunch]

Originally Posted by dflion

Just a note about your reply 'TheGrunch' - you are right about prop pitch governing RPM. For the Tempest, I use a 'finer pitch' of 50% and this gives me a slower initial take-off speed yet a higher RPM which gives me more control of the aircraft. The same situation applys for landing. Fine pitch was used by most WWII aircraft for take-off and landing - higher RPM - more control. You can use a courser pitch of 100% or 90% for take-off and landing, though theroretically you have less RPM and less control.

100% Prop Pitch in the game = Max RPM, so I don't see what you mean. The reasons I can see for dabbling with prop pitch in an aircraft with a CSU are to gain more speed in a dive, prevent the prop overspeeding in an abrupt powerdive or for fuel economy and oil/radiator coolant temperature reasons, although for some reason I HAVE always felt more comfortable flying the with prop pitch on manual. You CAN get an extra jot of speed by reducing pitch slightly when you're fast and level, but other than that, 100% in combat most of the time, and definitely for takeoff, landing and maximum climb rate.

[dflion]

Originally Posted by TheGrunch

100% Prop Pitch in the game = Max RPM, so I don't see what you mean. The reasons I can see for dabbling with prop pitch in an aircraft with a CSU are to gain more speed in a dive, prevent the prop overspeeding in an abrupt powerdive or for fuel economy and oil/radiator coolant temperature reasons, although for some reason I HAVE always felt more comfortable flying the with prop pitch on manual. You CAN get an extra jot of speed by reducing pitch slightly when you're fast and level, but other than that, 100% in combat most of the time, and definitely for takeoff, landing and maximum climb rate.

I have just had a test fly of the Tempest and explored the prop pitch situation in the game. The diagram that I originally posted was taken from an English 'Aeroplane Mag' - I know that the finer the prop pitch is, (see diagram) the higher the RPM. And if you set a courser pitch the lower the RPM (real WWII aircraft situation).
What I have noticed, in the take-off situation, Oleg and Co. may have reversed this situation in IL2 (he may have resolved the situation in BOB) - if you set the pitch to 100%(course) in the game the higher the RPM.
Once the aircraft gets to altitude in IL2, the courser the propellor pitch (100%), the aircraft travels at higher speed - good for combat. It appears that Oleg may have compromised the situation for the sake of gameplay?
I have a friend that flys a real Kittyhawk and Spitfire at Temora NSW Australia - I will try and contact him to further discuss this situation.
Anyway we have a real discussion point in this thread. Suggest you 'test fly' the Tempest and see what you think?

DFLion

[TheGrunch]

Originally Posted by dflion

I have a friend that flys a real Kittyhawk and Spitfire at Temora NSW Australia - I will try and contact him to further discuss this situation.
Anyway we have a real discussion point in this thread. Suggest you 'test fly' the Tempest and see what you think?

DFLion

I don't think it's really an issue, all you need to remember is that Prop Pitch actually just means RPM. It's like the propeller control lever in an early Spitfire IX. It should be called Governed RPM or just RPM.

[dflion]

Originally Posted by TheGrunch

I don't think it's really an issue, all you need to remember is that Prop Pitch actually just means RPM. It's like the propeller control lever in an early Spitfire IX. It should be called Governed RPM or just RPM.

Do you think Oleg has compromised the prop pitch situation in IL2? I remember him saying in one of the latest BOB threads that you can watch the propellor pitch turn when setting the pitch on the Stuka.
I have just spoken to an 87 year old WWII vet who flew Liberators, Ventura's and Hudsons. They always used 'fine pitch' for take-off and landing (more RPM) and 'course pitch' (paddle effect) for cruising to save fuel. I don't think Oleg has modelled this faithfully in IL2 and this causing all the confusion? (this has probably been discussed many times before)

DFLion

[TheGrunch]

Originally Posted by dflion

I have just spoken to an 87 year old WWII vet who flew Liberators, Ventura's and Hudsons. They always used 'fine pitch' for take-off and landing (more RPM) and 'course pitch' (paddle effect) for cruising to save fuel. I don't think Oleg has modelled this faithfully in IL2 and this causing all the confusion? (this has probably been discussed many times before)

DFLion

I don't think he has modelled it incorrectly, I don't understand the confusion. Prop Pitch is just RPM. 0% Prop Pitch is coarse pitch/minimum RPM, 100% Prop Pitch is full fine/max RPM. What's the problem? I have mentioned this several times already, you control the RPM governor, not the pitch directly.
If you're trying to conserve fuel you just turn down the Prop Pitch to about 75% or something. For economical flying, for example, the Spit IX manual recommends flying in the lower MS supercharger gear at the highest obtainable boost for that altitude, up to a maximum of +7 lbs/sq. in., and reducing the speed to 170 mph using the RPM governor down to a minimum of 1800 RPM.