Normandy Map - Spit IX Range

What would be really cool would be if the allied ALGs presence on the map was dependent on the date set in mission...

We can but dream.

Regards flying from England v. flying from France; simple answer: logistics.

83 Group and (most of) 84 Group of 2nd TAF were about all that could be handled, the restriction being the capacity of the airfields in France. There was simply not enough room or logistics to enable the others to be based there also.

Once airfields to the East had been liberated in August/September we see those units based in Normandy move forwards, chasing the frontline, and this then allows the Polish and Free French Wings to be based in France also.

Some units of 2nd TAF stayed in England throughout, with the ADGB units never leaving the UK. Ramrods to the Western regions of Germany, resupply escort & Big Ben operations over Holland were almost exclusively flown by Britain based Spitfire units until the wars end.

What would be really cool would be if the allied ALGs presence on the map was dependent on the date set in mission...

We can but dream.

I like the idea... but it can be improved.

What if the mission make could set the ALG's presence on the map based on various triggers.

Then, it might be possible to simuate a "faster than" , or "slower than" historical invasion campaign - and progress could be based on how the players achieve various objectives.

Ooh... now that's a nice meaty little concept Phil. Like that a LOT.

I like the idea... but it can be improved.

What if the mission make could set the ALG's presence on the map based on various triggers.

Then, it might be possible to simuate a "faster than" , or "slower than" historical invasion campaign - and progress could be based on how the players achieve various objectives.

Wonder if it would be possible for the Germans to shell some ALGs for a few weeks after D-Day, just to make life even more interesting..? :smilewink: :pilotfly:

Any definitive news on Spitfire fuel consumption and/or drop tanks.?

I intend to do some Range-testing in the next couple of days to try and get a definitive answer with respect to how far we can fly these birds in their current state.

I was expecting at some point to hear something officail from ED about the current fuel consumption rate/ range, but I've not been able to find such information anywhere. As it stands, without drop tanks (and with the current consumption rates??) sorties accross the channel and back are not possible.

Hi Phil,

Dunno if you've tried the pilots notes recommendations? I posted these elsewhere:

 

The pilot's manual states that for more economical cruise you should never be above +7lb of boost; automatic mixture control means that at this and below you are automatically in weak mixture setting.

 

However even at 2650rpm/+7lb boost (max continuous) you will burn fuel at @80gal/hour. With the Spits 85gal tank that would give a little over an hour with no combat.

 

It leaps to 105gal per hour at 2850rpm/+12lb(!) and 115gal per hour at WEP!

 

You can bring the figure down to 45gal per hour by reducing to 2000rpm/0lb boost.

 

So economy climb from England at 2650rpm/+7lb boost and 160IAS.

 

Once at height level off and cruise at 2000rpm/0lb boost @ ~210IAS.

 

Once in enemy territory consider moving up to max continuous (2650rpm/+7lb boost) again.

 

If EDs consumption rates are too high then of course these should be corrected, but in the interim these power and RPM settings might help mitigate somehwat?

Hi Phil,

Dunno if you've tried the pilots notes recommendations? I posted these elsewhere:

If EDs consumption rates are too high then of course these should be corrected, but in the interim these power and RPM settings might help mitigate somehwat?

My plan is to take off from Ford, fly to France (Pointe du Hoc) and back at 18,000ft, on economy settings and then see how much fuel (if any) is left.

If I have fuel left, I will then run the aircraft at "max continuous " settings until the fuel runs out. This will tell us how much time we have for patrol/ combat over france whilst still being able to get home.

My plan is to take off from Ford, fly to France (Pointe du Hoc) and back at 18,000ft, on economy settings and then see how much fuel (if any) is left.

If I have fuel left, I will then run the aircraft at "max continuous " settings until the fuel runs out. This will tell us how much time we have for patrol/ combat over france whilst still being able to get home.

Looking forward to seeing the results. My problem is that my AI buddies have no idea about economy settings, and they usually run out of fuel and bail out :(