a possible solution for overheating & low speed spitfire/hurricane in last Beta patch

[*Buzzsaw*]

Originally Posted by ATAG_Snapper

+1

An interesting exercise we ran for a short time over on our trial Server #2 was to uncheck the Engine Temperature Management, but leave CEM checked (activated) per normal. We did this to evaluate the effects of radiator drag on overall aircraft performance (vs the same aircraft on the main Server #1 with ETM "on" per usual). Quite an eye opener. (Anyone can do this on their own PC in single player, or setting up their own server, if they choose).

Septic and I were running some tests, he flying an E4 with autopitch selected, myself flying the Spit 1a 100 octane. With ETM off the two fighters were evenly matched at top all-out speed at sea level (E4 - WEP, Spit - 3000 rpms/11 lbs boost). For mile after mile we skimmed the waves, wingtip to wingtip. Neither a/c gaining nor losing. On cue (via Teamspeak), we both hauled back and vertically zoom climbed, both engines still full out. As if in an airshow, the two a/c climbed side by each, then stalled and fell back at precisely the same time.

The 109 had the advantage in the dive -- I couldn't keep up, plus I had to cut throttle to avoid exceeding 420 IAS to avoid losing control services. In a sustained turn the Spitfire outurned the E4, took me approx 2.5 turns to get on Septic's tail. The fighting was exhilarating, the two of us are about equal in skill (yeah, yeah....."You can teach MONKIES to fly better than THAT!" LOL). We didn't shoot our guns so we could prolong the session ("Takka takka takka takka" -- over TS it worked fine. )

The downside to ETM turned off is the loss of realism (once it's fixed, that is) and the challenge of maximizing performance and keeping things cool. Add to that the DM in combat is compromised if coolant systems are hit by flak or bullets but doesn't affect the aircraft if ETM is off.

We didn't measure ROC of the two aircraft with ETM switched off, but that can easily be done offline by anyone who so desires. Our focus was on the overheating and excessive radiator drag on the RAF fighters.

Flying a Spitfire with the same sea level speed as the 109 made for some challenging and FUN dogfights, though!

Salute

Interesting comparison. Sad story this cannot be replicated with using full engine management.

Historically, the Spitfire 100 octane and 109E4 should, to all intents and purposes, be almost identical in speed and climb at sea level up to approx. 15,000ft/5000 meters.

At altitudes over that where the higher boost on the Spitfire cannot be obtained, (over approx. 16,000 ft) the 109 should begin to gain an advantage in top speed and climb.

Turn should be to the Spitfire's advantage, but rollrate at dogfighting speeds, (approx. 200mph/350kph) should see the 109 be roughly twice as good in its lateral performance as can be seen in this test:



This would mean the tactic of choice for the 109 in dogfights, would be the scissors. At very high speeds, the rollrate advantage is reversed, with the Spitfire gradually gaining an advantage.

The 109 should show a better dive acceleration, this coupled with the advantage of being able to 'bunt' directly into a dive, instead of having to roll and dive, would allow them to escape most combats where the 109's have a decent amount of altitude under them.

Accurate modelling of the historical aircraft would see the historical tactics being repeated, ie. 109's coming in high where they have a performance advantage, above their bombers, with the Spitfires being scrambled and having to climb to altitude in most instances.

A lot of those who predominantly fly the German side will complain that modelling the historical Spitfire with its equal speed and climb and better turn will provide too much of an advantage to the British side. They are ignoring the fact that Spitfires were only 1/3 of the available Fighter types. 2/3's of the British single seaters were Hurricanes, which were considerably slower and showed a inferior climb to the 109 at all altitudes even when using 100 octane fuel. In addition, the Hurricane had a rollrate slower than the Spitfire, a 109 should be able to scissor extremely effectively with a Hurricane. As well, the Hurricane had a much inferior dive, with slower acceleration than the Spitfire and lower maximum dive speed. Unless a 109 pilot is foolish and ends up low and slow on the deck with an overheating engine, he should be able to exit any fight with a Hurricane at will. The Hurricane should be able to outturn 109's slightly more easily than the Spitfire, depending on the altitude of the combat, over the altitude where +12 boost can be used the Hurricanes should see gradually decreasing turn performance, something which would affect the Spitfires less, since their elliptical wings were particular effective in thinner atmospheres.

Correctly balanced Servers should see players restricted in the numbers of Spitfires which may be selected, (as well as 25% 109E1's present during the earlier phases of the battle, and negligible numbers of E4's prior to late September) thereby putting the majority of those in British aircraft in Hurricanes.