how to handle the spitIX??

[IceFire]

Originally Posted by David198502

hey guys thx!
i really appreciate your help. today someone told me online to use wep all the time. i thought that would lead to overheating, so i havent done it before, but it doesnt. and now its much more easier to follow the oponents.
i already recognized that supercharger and radiator are controled automatically. but what are the magnetos for?what is the difference if i use the first, the second or both together????

In the context of the game the magnetos don't mean much. There are two on all planes for backup and a typical startup procedure in a WWII warbird is to check both magnetos to make sure they are working correctly. Since they ALWAYS work in game you don't need to check them. Ignore them. In years of playing I've only used the controls for those once... and that was for fun only

[David198502]

ah ok thx!
i thought they are possibly important for the power of the engine in different altitudes or something like that.
oh man i love that game although i still get shot down most of the time!!but each kill is a real satisfaction!

[IceFire]

On some aircraft you do need to switch the supercharger stages to get best power. The Yaks, Corsairs, Hellcats and several other types require manual supercharger stage switching. The Spitfire IX has a two stage supercharger, however, this is a fully automatic unit so no manual intervention is required... it will switch appropriately (look for a red light on the right side of the cockpit when it switches to the higher altitude stage).

[rakinroll]

Normally, a Spit pilot can eat hamburger during dogfight. It is not a plane, totally a gift. If you have a problem on turning against any german plane with that plane, you should check your joy settings.

[IceFire]

Also this might be a good opportunity to point out the several variations of Spitfires that are available to you in game and which Spitfire you should pick for what occasion.

Spitfire VIII
- LF.VIIIc
- LF.VIIIc Clipped

Spitfire IX
- LF.IXc
- LF.IXc Clipped
- LF.IXe
- LF.IXe Clipped
- HF.IXe
- LF.IXc +25lbs

The Spitfire V is a totally different beast than the IX in many ways. Although they are both Spitfires the V has much better handling but is not as fast.

The Spitfire VIII I mention because it's the "same" as the IX. The IX was actually meant to be a temporary production model until the improved VIII could be brought to production. The VIII is more refined than the IX, however, the IX was used in larger numbers and gets essentially equal performance.

There is a HF.IXe model in game for the IX. This is meant to be a high altitude version. At lower altitudes it's performance is degraded compared to the rest of the IX models. Many people fly the HF online (no idea why)... do not make the mistake of picking this Spitfire unless your intended fighting altitude is 8000 meters or higher.

The highest performing version is the IXc +25lbs. This is a very late war modification where a higher quality of fuel allowed the Spitfire higher performance. Overall top speed remains the same, however, the top speed can be achieved at a greater range of altitudes.

Finally there are clipped wing versions which have a higher roll rate but the turn rate is somewhat degraded. I prefer the clipped wing versions myself as a rolling battle is more important to me than a sustained turn.

[K_Freddie]

There's just a teeny weeny missing ingredient that is never mentioned amongst the barrage of technical mumbo-jumbo that most are given.

Patrick always said it to Sponge-Bob - IMAGINATION

If you do not have this, you'll find yourself at the 'wrong end' no matter how 'good' your aircraft is.

OFFLINE practice is your que here.....

[AndyJWest]

I'd say that if you want to learn how to fly Spits, you are probably better off practising with the Mk V versions - less grunt, but better handling. Set one up in the QMB with 50% fuel and no enemy, but ensure 'spins and stalls' or whatever it is called is on, at 3000m. Fly it around - practice tight turns, loops, slow rolls, inverted flight. When you feel comfortable with this, do the silly stuff - tailslides (pull up vertical, throttle back, and keep pointing upwards - if you get it right you will slide backwards for a brief moment, then flip round into a dive - allow plenty of altitude, as you can easily get into a spin). Do pretty well anything you can think of that doesn't involve either ripping the wings off in a dive, or hitting the ground. While you do this you will get plenty of opportunity to practise spin recovery, but more to the point, you will get to recognise how far you can push a Spit before it bites.

[Ikarus]

Originally Posted by rakinroll

normally, a spit pilot can eat hamburger during dogfight. It is not a plane, totally a gift. If you have a problem on turning against any german plane with that plane, you should check your joy settings.

+1000

[BadAim]

Originally Posted by rakinroll

Normally, a Spit pilot can eat hamburger during dogfight. It is not a plane, totally a gift. If you have a problem on turning against any german plane with that plane, you should check your joy settings.

That's usually what I'm doing no matter what plane I'm flying, that and drinking heavily. It's my secret for siming mediocrity, it keeps 'em guessing, and shaking their heads in disbelief.

[Skoshi Tiger]

Originally Posted by BadAim

That's usually what I'm doing no matter what plane I'm flying, that and drinking heavily. It's my secret for siming mediocrity, it keeps 'em guessing, and shaking their heads in disbelief.

Welcome to the "Fifteen Minuters"! It's a tough job but without pilots like us those point-whores couldn't rack up 1000's of points each mission!

Cheers