I would've thought that a small engined microlite with a small diameter prop would have far higher rpms than a huge 27 litre v12 with a twelve foot prop (or whatever) personally, so the disc would be far less visible in a microlite than in say a (insert aircraft of your choice).

No it is not readily visible on any propeller aircraft.

In films you have the strobe effect which slows down the propeller and makes it visible. However, if you are in the cockpit or physically present, the propeller is not readily visible.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIRss...eature=related

Yes, I know. I have some time in a 172 and have been in the front seat of a Tiger Moth, so I'm aware of what people are saying. Not all of my experience is from videos, old chum. ;)

However, I've never sat in a Hurricane or Bf109, to compare.

Bigger, louder, much cooler, but still no readily visible propeller disc.

Yes. What I find particularly off-putting in the game, is at very low rpms, such as on final at say 80mph and in fine pitch, the prop blades are very visible, and with the sun behind causing a reflection off the blades, it's no wonder they introduced the game with an epilepsy filter.

Thing is, I've read some of those pilot's memoirs things which say that the prop blades were very visible in these conditions. At high rpm in the game, I don't notice a disc, but landing I do. This would seem to agree with pilot's anecdotes, but I've no experience of landing a big loud cool aircraft so don't know for sure. :)

BTW,

There is not much difference in the tip speeds for the propellers. The larger propeller requires gearing to reduce tip losses.

They are all traveling at a similar speed around the disc.

The blades are visible with the sun behind them. It is more of a shimmering effect though than seeing each blade individually.

I have never not been able to see the prop disc (during daylight) if looking for it. Sometimes it's more visible than others, obviously. The thing is, as a pilot, one's attention is, just maybe, elsewhere and consequently it goes unnoticed.


... unless the sun is on the other side at low rpm ... lol.

I agree. That is the key though, you have to look for it. It is not readily visible and is overdone in most of these games for drama effect.