Spitfire I/II starting procedure

[addman]

Nice long list there, too bad it's not needed in the game. My Spitfire startup procedure:

1. Fuel cock
2. 5% throttle
3. Press I
4. Set radiator to full
5. Wait for right temp
6. Slam throttle

[pupo162]

Originally Posted by addman

Nice long list there, too bad it's not needed in the game. My Spitfire startup procedure:

1. Fuel cock
2. 5% throttle
3. Press I
4. Set radiator to full
5. Wait for right temp
6. Slam throttle

well. the truth is, probably simpler lists would work IRL too. and despite what some people think, breaking a limit does not mean instant engine blow up. Most time you are given very conservative engine setings, to stretch the engine life to a maximum, ence such big lists.

going O/T. would be awesome if il2 was able to record engine status after each flight and save it for the next mission (this is for offline campaigns and such). so that you respect limits, or you may end up flying huricanes for a week while the spit is in the repair shoop.

i once was told that spitfires had a rip chord system ont throtle, and if you slamed the throttle past the limit the chord would break, and upon landing, the plane would go for a full engine revision.

[jf1981]

At the moment, you can run at over boost 2650 rpm for as long as you wish, yet there is a very interesting website (spitfireperformance.com) where I have read reports of pilots using this over boost, the engine poured smoke, vibration and noise, and its powerful thrust increase could be felt at the cost of maintenance and lifetime.

[FS~Phat]

Just want to say carb can ice at high alt. I had a carb failure at high alt a few days ago!

[jf1981]

Addman,

Just one interesting point, I have noticed that in every checkilst, the items and their order matters for safety thought you may not notice at once.
You will benefit from adjusting the elevator trim (not only at take off but all flight phases) as the controls feature a non linear joystick curve, thus smooth and more accurate controls around the center position.
So if possible I would recommend to set an available spare axis for elevator trim so as to keep the plane in a natural equilibrum for the main flight phases.
It helps in a dogfight too, the possibility to set elevator tab to something close from your actuall speed and attitude so the aircraft is more stable and more accurate to control.

Spitfire is sensitive to the right distance for firing a taget as your guns cross at a predefined distance. You can both adjust this distance in the gun menu before flying and set your gunsight distance and ennemy aircraft wingspan.
This is explained more in details in other places.

In aircraft world, procedures are designed to affect many other areas, they are not just meant for a single purpose.

[jf1981]

Hey

Since I'm not sure wether I'll be able to make it for Hurri and 109 soon

Basics are the same, however for Hurri, you have control over the flaps position, neutral for neutral, up for rise, down for lower, and an indicator for actual position.
You may use up to position 28 for take off, fully down for landing.

For 109 on the ground remember to open also the oil cooler. This is a yellow handle on cockpit side. Also set the pitch to fully fine.
Don't over rev your propeller. Some 109 have automatic pitch control, not all. If they do, it's needed to manually adjust to fine before take off.

Thanks for your posts, I'd like to prepare a small check list and important things to have with you for flying.

[SEE]

Pretty sure carb icing is modelled (for Spits at least). When flying through a cloud sometimes, and my canopy freezes over, the Merlin starts to splutter and lose power! As the canopy defrosts the Merlin starts to run smoothly again! Haven't noticed it for a while now - because I fly around, under or over the damned things!

[EAF331 Starfire]

Regarding a damaged engine

On several occation I have found my self in a battle damaged british aircraft over Calais and every time I tried to help it by lowering the strain on it, it seems to have shorted its life. Every time I just keept my fingers from the throttle and pitch I have been able to return to the mainland (England )
Coincidence!? Don't know!
But I have recommended other EAF pilots from touching THR and Pitch if there where ever any doubt of killing the engine.

[jf1981]

Spitfire and Hurricane checklists.

[Sokol1]

Originally Posted by addman

Nice long list there, too bad it's not needed in the game. My Spitfire startup procedure:

1. Fuel cock
2. 5% throttle
3. Press I
4. Set radiator to full
5. Wait for right temp
6. Slam throttle

With the final patch, you can sort this to:

1. Fuel cock
2. Press I
3. Wait for right temp
4. Set radiator to full
6. Slam throttle

No need move throttle.

Sokol1