Jasta 5 Forums

[J5_Bäumer]

Following is an excerpt from a recent flight report from Schneider. His comments/observations are valuable enough to repost here for everyones benefit. Feel free to comment based upon your own experience with the new flight model.

[J5_Schneider]

Following up on Baumer's post -- I have been trying to systematically test the various planes in the new flight model. Thought I would share some of the info to date with you.

Specific planes comments --
* The DVII is the best plane by far. Best climber (better than DR1), fastest (DVa and DXII are close).
* DR1 is best TnB, but a DVII would be a close match. Dr1 with rudder can turn very, very quickly but watch out for flat spin. Top speed is probably too fast (compared to reality) at 178 kmh. But at least now DR1 can pick battles or run away.
* DVa is a surprisingly good plane (good BnZ plane if you are careful to pull out gently from dive) and the DIII is close to it in performance except top speed (185 vs. 170) and possible lower wing problems.
* Nup11 is early era killing machine with great turns
* Spad VII good all around
* Spad XIII is very fast and great climber -- true BnZ plane that can dive and pull out well
* Pup seems to be equivalent to SPAD VII -- good but not great. Pup fragile in dives. Can even lose a wing in quick bob and weave.
* Tripe can turn as well as DR1, A real sleeper.
* Camel is very good, but very prone to spins that can be hard to get out of.
* SE5a and Snipe both BnZ very well, Snipe a better climber. Pull out of dives gently or lose a wing (or 2 wings).

General Points to note on the testing --
* All planes tested on Verdun Island server from drome at D3 or D4 using REDUX 1.6.
* Top speed clocked while on auto pilot (level).
* Climb speeds were all around 120, thought the DR1 can climb well at 110 or so.
* Dives were started at 1000m. Pulled out at 220 kmh on most planes unless I lost something on the way down -- then I was usually a lawn dart. If you lose something, it seems to often be lower wing (part or all) or rear stabilizer on right side.
* Stall speeds measured at 1000m. Most planes stall to the left (engine torque?)

General flight model comments --
* If you go into a flat spin -- go to neutral controls (let go of joystick), then hard rudder with slight bank opposite the spin will often get you out. If you are much below 750 m you will crash except in DR1 -- hard rudder gets you out quickly in DR1 after neutral joystick. Flat spins to the left are especially dangerous.
* Hard rudder is also good if you feel yourself going into spin on extended turn -- especially true in left turns (engine torque?). Opposite rudder with slight opposite bank AFTER rudder will level you out. You are actually going into a flat spin and must act accordingly.
* Dives should be at about 30 to 45 degrees -- not vertical -- or you risk plane damage. Keep speed at about 180 (throttle back), and pull out gently. If you yank the stick, you will break something. Use full throttle just AFTER you hit bottom of dive to climb back up.
_________________
Salute!
Kurt Schneider
Unteroffizier
Recruiting Offizier