DCS WW2 fighter comparison

[Narushima]

A couple of graphs I made showing tops speeds and climb rate at altitude for the upcoming DCS prop fighters.

 

The fighters are running at performance levels that I assume is what will be modelled in DCS. I might be wrong, so don't take it as gospel. The only thing certain is the P-51, and even that might change if ED decides to model it with 150 octane fuel. All of the fighters represented here could be upgraded in a similar fashion.

 

I made these graphs through researching historical graphs (with some alterations to compensate for compressibility error or drag increase due to external bomb racks). They're not 100% accurate, and they never will be, because no 2 aircraft were ever the same.

 

 

Edited June 14, 2014 by Narushima

[NineLine]

Nice work... where is the 262 :P

[Narushima]

Nice work... where is the 262 :P

 

Not enough room on the chart :D

 

It'll suffice to say that it's faster than any other plane on the chart at any altitude.

[NineLine]

Not enough room on the chart :D

 

It'll suffice to say that it's faster than any other plane on the chart at any altitude.

 

No worries, just teasing ya... looks good :)

[otto]

Shouldn't the 109 k4 outclimb the spit mk 9 and the fw 109 d9?

 

I always known that k4 outclimbs spit 9 and spit mk14 outclimbs 109 k4. Might be wrong .

[Narushima]

Shouldn't the 109 k4 outclimb the spit mk 9 and the fw 109 d9?

 

I always known that k4 outclimbs spit 9 and spit mk14 outclimbs 109 k4. Might be wrong .

 

Depends on what version of Spit 9 and K-4 you're comparing.

 

Could also be that the K-4 is using the thin blade propeller on the climbing chart that I've found, but I haven't found any other chart with of a 1.8 ata MW-50 K-4.

[otto]

I think the results in your chart are for high speed propeller. Western Front 109s used propellers optimized for speed.

Eastern Front 109s received propellers optimized for climb/acceleration .

Forgot about this :) .

[GGTharos]

What's the climb and acceleration schedule?

[Narushima]

What's the climb and acceleration schedule?

 

What do you mean?

 

Acceleration between these planes would be pretty easy to figure out. Just look at the climb graph. The climb graph is basically a graph of acceleration in the vertical plane.

 

That's for low speeds, for higher speeds (400-500 km/h and up), where drag becomes more of a factor, you'd cross reference it with the speed graph.

[Buznee]

what temperature are you assuming and is that y axis pressure altitude or density altitude?

[gavagai]

what temperature are you assuming and is that y axis pressure altitude or density altitude?

 

You can't be sure that any of that is the same for these data plots.

[USARStarkey]

Nice Graphs.

Edited June 14, 2014 by USARStarkey

[airdoc]

thanks for posting this.

 

The Spit seems seriously underpowered compared to the rest.

Do we know what boost level will the Mk IX have? +18 or +25?

Does the +25 make any meaningful difference?

[gavagai]

thanks for posting this.

 

The Spit seems seriously underpowered compared to the rest.

Do we know what boost level will the Mk IX have? +18 or +25?

Does the +25 make any meaningful difference?

 

Did you look at the climb-rate graph?

[NineLine]

I want to say ED is doing the +25 for the Spitfire.

[genbrien]

yay for a new debate about x plane is better than y plane.....

[Narushima]

I just assumed that they're doing the +18lb one because they already have this engine modelled with the P-51. All they have to do is tweak the supercharger a bit and change the cooling arrangement.

 

Yeah, +25 would make it more competitive, but it will still be the weakest plane of them all, simply because by 1944 spit 9 was obsolete. It was not suited for the high speed combat that has evolved ever since planes like the FW 190 and F6F demonstrated the superiority of BnZ combat.

 

Now if we had the Spit XIV then things would be different, but alas, this is what RRG decided to model.

[airdoc]

Well, it seems as if we 'll have both the Mk.IX done by ED and MkXIV (done by VEAO). :)

[airdoc]

Did you look at the climb-rate graph?

 

Yes, you 're right that it has an excellent climb rate, but i don't think that this can compensate very well for the 60-70 km/h difference in max speed.

 

This speed difference means that if the spit ends on a 109 or 190's six, all the enemy has to do is start a dive until max speed and then level off flying straight. The spit will never be able to catch them. At a 60 km/h velocity difference, the enemy gains about 1 km of distance per minute.

 

Agreed, the Mk. IX will still be a good adversary for the german planes under certain circumstances, but it will probably need an energy advantage or an element of surprise.

 

by the way, thanks for the boost info SithSpawn.

Edited June 14, 2014 by airdoc

[OutOnTheOP]

I really hope the option for the 75" boost Mustang becomes available at some point.

 

...I can only DREAM about having a -51H. 100 inches of boost!

[Narushima]

Ok, so I've modified the graphs in the OP and changed the spit to +25lb according to this report:

http://www.spitfireperformance.com/jl165rr.html

 

Also made a chart for the D-9 with ETC rack and 2.02 ata boost.

 

[gavagai]

Well, if we're going to use this as an excuse to wish for upgrades, then I want a P-47M!:pilotfly:

[Barrett_g]

Yes, you 're right that it has an excellent climb rate, but i don't think that this can compensate very well for the 60-70 km/h difference in max speed.

 

This speed difference means that if the spit ends on a 109 or 190's six, all the enemy has to do is start a dive until max speed and then level off flying straight. The spit will never be able to catch them. At a 60 km/h velocity difference, the enemy gains about 1 km of distance per minute.

 

Agreed, the Mk. IX will still be a good adversary for the german planes under certain circumstances, but it will probably need an energy advantage or an element of surprise.

 

by the way, thanks for the boost info SithSpawn.

 

 

That's exactly what the Germans did... They dove for speed to escape and then re-engaged.

 

P-47's entered the theater. It was soon realized the P-47 worked well as a high altitude boom and zoom fighter. They would dive on the Germans.... And what did the Germans do? They dove to escape....like they did against the Spits... Unfortunately for them.... No one out dives a heavy brick like a P-47!

 

So the Germans had to change up their tactics!

[Barrett_g]

Well, if we're going to use this as an excuse to wish for upgrades, then I want a P-47M!:pilotfly:

 

Add me to the P-47M list.... As well as an "N" and a Razorback too! DCS can make quite a lot of money off of me with very little work on their part! Just a few changes here and there!

[GGTharos]

What do you mean?

 

Acceleration between these planes would be pretty easy to figure out. Just look at the climb graph. The climb graph is basically a graph of acceleration in the vertical plane.

 

Really? It doesn't tell me squat about how fast I can go from one mach number to another in level flight. I don't even know what speed the 'best climb' is at.

 

That's for low speeds, for higher speeds (400-500 km/h and up), where drag becomes more of a factor, you'd cross reference it with the speed graph.

 

What am I cross referencing? What's the maximum speed criterion? In modern jets it's definitely not 0g acceleration for example.

 

What's the climbing technique?

 

Without all these details, the charts are about as useful as maximum speed comparisons between an F-16 and a MiG-29 from wikipedia.