Posted by: Moose *Flying Pigs*

Posted on: 08:02:41 11/24/98

Message:

I posted this well down the board in one of the Spitfire threads. Since some people were referring to the post, I figured I'd move it up to the top in case Argo had to do some admin. So here it is.

I'll admit it. I get real sick of seeing Spitfires all over the place late in the RPS. Mainly, of course, because I don't fly them, and the little twerps usually ruin some perfectly good vulching. :)

Seriously...it's MHO that the Spitfires, especially the Mk V and Mk IX, are the best overall airplanes in the WB main arena because the arena plays to the planes' strengths. Their historical lack of range is not a problem in the main. Fragility isn't that big a deal when you're jumping into a mondo furball expecting to die anyway. By the time you get late into the plane set, the Spit V is for all practical purposes the best furballer out there, beaten only perhaps by the Zekes (abandoned due to one-ping explosions), the Ki-43 (no firepower), the Hurricane IIc (slow), and the vastly underrated FM-2 (what was that behind me?). And the Mk IX isn't the furballer that its older brother is, but it has excellent climb and acceleration and is one nasty piece of work when properly flown as an energy fighter. We are in an arena where dogfighting is the norm, and that just happens to be where the Spitfires are strongest.

Here's my main take on the Spits: If you are a good enough pilot to get 100% performance out of an airplane, push it to the absolute ragged edge, then you may well not choose the middle two Spitfires because there are planes that beat them in every category (and I don't think the Spits are that easy to push to the edge of the envelope anyway). But for the majority, they can't push 100% out of their planes all the time. And as far as I'm concerned, it's easier to get 80-90% performance out of a Spitfire than just about any other plane--the V and IX are relatively easy to fly and fight in.

What was that famous quote of Werner Molders'? "The most important thing for a fighter pilot is to get the first kill without too much difficulty?" That's what a Spit can do. And for more experienced pilots, they're still well-rounded and versatile airplanes that work in lots of different situations. Hey, I don't always like seeing 75% Spits among enemy planes (and yes, it's gotten that bad sometimes). But after I get over the frustration I understand why they're there--because they're the best plane for the furball Main Arena.

Moose

Flying Pigs

Posted by: lazs

Message:

Moose, I think you have given it a lot of thought and pretty much nailed it. You pretty much explained the popularity of the spit in the main.

You maybe left out the fact that they are available the whole time and that makes for less (or no) acclimation time. Also, with so many varieties that are usable they have the advantage of surprise "which version am I fighting?'.

To go a step farther... I think that we could very easily get more variety in the arena (if people do indeed want some variety). The introduction of good T&B early planes like the P51A would go a long way towards adding some variety, plus, have an early 51 for people to transition from. Additions like the stuka and (to a lesser extent) the mossie are all but useless in the main.

You mentioned the ability of the FM2. I believe that we have an untapped source of variety in the Navy planes. Simple artwork fixes would make planes like the FM2, Hellcat and Hog much more appealing to the masses and new guys and..... deadly to the experts. Plus, it's the right thing to do and it's probably inevitable anyway. Obviously the best and most correct solution would be the addition of rearview mirrors but I was told that they needed to get temp. guages modeled first.... Another simple art fix would be to give the P38 series the "wonder woman" braceing that that the 190 series enjoys for "playability" reasons. Again, it would be the fair thing to do and it would make the arena a more interesting place.

Lastly, ... Model coolant loss. A hit by even 1 riffle caliber bullet to the fragile and cimplex liquid coolant system of inline engines would put that ac out of action in very short order, probably 1/3 the time it would take for oil loss to become a problem. If you think about it, this would have a huge effect in the arena and als,.... it is correct so far as reallism goes and very simple to implement. I mean, we allready have white smoke and temp guages!

lazs

Posted by: hilt (Spectre)

Message:

You make a lot of good points. The spit is one of the best all-round airplanes in WB right now. The beauty of them (the 5 and 9) is that they can function as both furballers and e fighters. But, as usual, it depends on why you fly that determines what you do. If you just want to tnb in the fur, you're gonna die, no matter what you fly. But I love flying the spit5 during late war not for the furballs (which i try to avoid), but because it's one of the best planes to capitalize on an enemas mistake. I get great satisfaction when I'm following a bnz ac when all he has to do is put his nose down and he gets away, but no-they turn-and then I'm waiting for them. Anybody with half a brain can get away from a spit5 during late war. But somehow I still seem to rack up the kills.

If you anti-spit people can lay some evidence on the table that the the WB spit is modeled wrong, I'm open to it. I'm all for historically modeled aircraft. But if you can't, the you better develop better tactics against them. Here's one-don't turn. A good example: the other day in my spit5 i got bounced by a ki84, a few pings but no damage, I followed him for a while and he pulled away to d15 or so. Suddenly, inexplicably, he decides to pull up to try and go over top. I lazily followed him through his loop and finished him off. His mistake. If you don't make them when you fly those ac, the spits (5 and 9) will never touch you.

hilt

Posted by: =ram1=

Message:

I also think you are seeing more Spits because many of the trainers, myself included, recommend them to the newer pilot because of they are so well rounded and are good vehicles to learn about warbirds. It used to be the P38 was recommended but with the RPS it easier to recommend a Spit since they are available from day 1.

=ram1=

Posted by: ik Jagdgeschwader 77

Message:

I can see why a newbie needs a well rounded plane. But for how long are you guys going to keep recommending "spitfire?" (G) Till they make up 90% of the main? hehe.

ik