What is the best performing Red fighter & why?

[MadTommy]

Originally Posted by 5./JG27.Farber

This is quite a funny thing from a blue perspective, as we have seen red switch again and again and go all around the houses. First it was the Hurri Rotol, then the spit IIa then the two stage prop stuff... Right now I'd say it was mostly the spit Ia but sometimes and equal dose of the hurri 100 oct.

Maybe you should have made this a poll. - However its funny you ask which is the best performing and not which is the most popular... Two totally different questions.

This is kind of why i asked the question... I have literally no idea, with all the changes over the various patches and my lack of understanding on how to get the best out of each plane it is hard for me to test correctly. I'm very curious to know what others think / know.

I must admit I've very pleasantly surprised the only answer so far has been a Hurricane!

Anyway would love to hear your opinions.

(I tend to use the Spit 2a as it has the biggest number in its name.. so must be best! )

[5./JG27.Farber]

Originally Posted by MadTommy

(I tend to use the Spit 2a as it has the biggest number in its name.. so must be best! )

Yes I still see this sometimes and thought they were flying it for the same reason. The fear factor of the Spit IIa is gone but the confidence factor for some guys flying it remains... Whereas the SpitIa IS to be feared and is rightly so. However the lesser feared hurricane in the right place is usually fatal.

[*Buzzsaw*]

Salute

The question as to what is the best Red plane is a question of altitude.

Below 9000 ft, the point at which the engine cutout bug appears for the Spit IA 100 octane, it is the best Red plane. It climbs the best, turns the best, and is the fastest.

Over 9000 ft, the Spit IIA is the best option for the Reds. It does not on the surface have issues with the engine cutout bug, however, it is very prone to overheating at 15,000 ft +, and recently I have discovered that running max. boost at altitudes over approx. 16,000 can cause engine failure in a very short time, even if heat was correct when boost was applied. Since the boost levels at that altitude are below what was rated as within 30 minute allowance, the plane is obviously not modelled correctly.

The Hurricanes are a step below the Spitfires, although strange as it seems, and totally in defiance of the historical reality, the Hurricane I 100 octane is better than the Spit IA 100 octane at 15,000 ft... but not good enough to fight the 109's up there on even terms.

Overall the Hurricanes are best used below 10,000 ft, not an acccurate representation of their real performance, historically they were capable up their Full throttle height, approx. 17,000 ft.

The Spit IA 87 octane is also better than the Spit IA 100 octane over 9000 ft, (also ahistorical) and in fact is the next best plane to the Spit IIA at those altitudes.

The Spit I is also better than the Spit 1A 100 octane at altitude, although I think it is not quite as good as the IA.

And of course, it all depends on the pilot, 109's are shot down by Hurricanes, although the numbers of players flying the Hurricanes is again in decline.

What's the best plane to shoot down bombers with? The Hurricane. It's gun placement makes it more effective. I usually get 2-4 bombers with a Hurricane compared to 1-3 with a Spitfire, depending on the type. Of course compared to the 110, the Hurricane is pathetic, I got 7 Blenheims once with a 110, and would have had more if a Hurricane hadn't appeared in the defence of the last one.

[MadTommy]

Thanks for taking the time to reply *Buzzsaw*, very helpful analysis, and paints an interesting and confusing picture.

Basically there is no one fighter of choice... i certainly love the Hurri as a gun platform for bomber hunting. I have not flown any of the 100oct fighters.. will have to get them airborne. I prefer the visibility from the Spit's bubble glass canopy.

Thanks again for an interesting write up.

[5./JG27.Farber]

Thats the thing with the red side through out WWII, so many different fighters. Its actually what makes the blue side challenging. (although here when I refer to the blue side) The Luftwaffe only have two "mainstream" "fighters" - the 109 and 190 but many more opponants, althought you (on the blue side) get to keep the same aircraft (through its many veriations). Although on the red side you get allot more variation...

[*Buzzsaw*]

Originally Posted by 5./JG27.Farber

Thats the thing with the red side through out WWII, so many different fighters. Its actually what makes the blue side challenging. (although here when I refer to the blue side) The Luftwaffe only have two "mainstream" "fighters" - the 109 and 190 but many more opponants, althought you (on the blue side) get to keep the same aircraft (through its many veriations). Although on the red side you get allot more variation...

In this case a disadvantage, with having to use different models for different altitudes, since the historical performance is not there.

[5./JG27.Farber]

Originally Posted by *Buzzsaw*

In this case a disadvantage, with having to use different models for different altitudes, since the historical performance is not there.

Tell that to the spits on my tail and the sneaky Hurricanes!

[*Buzzsaw*]

Originally Posted by 5./JG27.Farber

The fear factor of the Spit IIa is gone...

Yes we have all noticed the Blue side's explosive complaints have dropped off when they realized not much has really changed.

Maybe the 109's can't play like cats play with mice with the Spits and Hurris right down on the deck anymore, but they can still do it over 10,000 where the bombers come in.

[5./JG27.Farber]

Originally Posted by *Buzzsaw*

Yes we have all noticed the Blue side's explosive complaints have dropped off when they realized not much has really changed.

Maybe the 109's can't play like cats play with mice with the Spits and Hurris right down on the deck anymore, but they can still do it over 10,000 where the bombers come in.

Boo hoo... good thats where we all should be anyway.

[*Buzzsaw*]

Originally Posted by 5./JG27.Farber

Boo hoo... good thats where we all should be anyway.

]

In a Luftwaffles fantasy world maybe... it seems that's where a lot of the Blue community live, no interest in accuracy or realism, they just want their 'uber' plane.

The fact is, there was very little difference between the Spitfire's and 109E at higher alts. The 109E had a slightly better climb and better ceiling, the Spit IIA was actually faster.

Right now we have a fantasy world where the 109's can pull their zooms into the stratosphere over 10,000, or speed away, while the Spitfires and Hurricanes crawl around underneath.

But I guess it was too much to expect accuracy out of these developers.