Prop Pitch question...

[BadAim]

Originally Posted by revi

I've never used the propeller pitch. What does it do, when do you change it, how to best programme it on Xf52? Thanks in advance.

It's something like the transmission on your car in effect, but not really. The pitch on the propeller is the angle at which the blades meet the air, the greater the angle (or pitch) the more air the prop "grabs". Most of the aircraft in IL2 that have adjustable pitch have a constant speed prop, where you set the engine speed you want and the propeller automatically turns the blades to keep the engine at that RPM, the theory is that you are applying the power directly to the air at the RPM you set rather than reving the engine higher. More like traction control than a transmission in that respect.

So when you set the "prop pitch" in game, you are setting the engine RPM. If max RPM on a given plane is 3000, then 66% will be 2000, etc.

That said, the aircraft in the game are all quite different, and like different settings for different purposes.

In general, 95-100% will be for max power, eg. takeoff, climbing, fighting. (experiment, most planes make best power at 100%, some, esp japanese planes run better at slightly less RPM, and many planes overheat less at lower RPM)

60-80% will be for cruising, diving, limping home, etc. lower rpm settings will keep the engine cooler,use less fuel and ease wear and tear on the engine. Many planes dive much better at lower rpm settings, dont forget to throttle back! you can over-rev your engine.

One big thing, always land at 100%, if you need power for an abort, you need it fast!

Oh, BTW some planes like the 109, 190 and many spitties are fully auto, controlling even the rpm automatically.

Have fun.