Ground handling in CloD

[phoenix1963]

Originally Posted by reflected

1) the acceleration of planes on grass is ridiculous

I agree, the friction on the ground is too high - and yet the 'planes are turned by wind too easily - and if you look at wartime footage hurris only have to throttle-up and run for a few yards before the tail lifts (probably into the wind though), unlike in CloD.
Of course the devs have to balance the friction and the (along the 'plane axis and perpendicular) drag in a way that also makes the 'plane air handing seem right, so if they've got one wrong the other has to compensate for sensible ground handling. Draw your own conclusions.

Originally Posted by reflected

3) turning - the rudder and differential brakes have no authority. How come?

You don't specify allied or axis. If I remember rightly the allied fighter brakes operate on a single lever (though the distribution to the wheels is modified by the rudder bar, but I've never been convinced CloD models this correctly), while the 109 has toe brakes - I think.

S!

56RAF_phoenix

[reflected]

Yesterday I did some circuits in a 109 and I was astonished to see how different it was on the ground. There's (almost) nothing wrong with how the 109 handles on the ground. Proper acceleration, even on grass, effective rudders, and I had to be very careful with the brake. How come Spitfires and Hurricanes are so different - even using differential braking? (The brake pressure gauge is what I meant in my previous post, that is, I'm sure my controls are set up correctly - of course there's no gauge for ground handling, don't take me for an idiot)

I agree about the wind too.

As for distance vs tail up:
I've read a Spitfire pilot's account that they slowly gave +5 boost until the tail came up, and only then did they move the throttle further forward. Try giving only +5 boost in CloD and you're up for a cross country ride (on the grass that is )

Originally Posted by reflected

Yesterday I did some circuits in a 109 and I was astonished to see how different it was on the ground. There's (almost) nothing wrong with how the 109 handles on the ground. Proper acceleration, even on grass, effective rudders, and I had to be very careful with the brake. How come Spitfires and Hurricanes are so different - even using differential braking? (The brake pressure gauge is what I meant in my previous post, that is, I'm sure my controls are set up correctly - of course there's no gauge for ground handling, don't take me for an idiot)

I agree about the wind too.

As for distance vs tail up:
I've read a Spitfire pilot's account that they slowly gave +5 boost until the tail came up, and only then did they move the throttle further forward. Try giving only +5 boost in CloD and you're up for a cross country ride (on the grass that is )

Did the plane threaten to groundloop at any time? After touchdown will the plane roll out relatively straight without any rudder input? Taildraggers, especially those that are heavy on the tail wheel (main gear well forward of the CG, like the 109), will wind up with busted gear, or on their back, or both without any rudder correction.