“Tempest is pretty poor up high”, guys you do know that the Tempest(without
bombs)is faster than D9 at above 17’000ft up to 28’000ft+. Just don’t do a
shallow climb with it.
The 51(without bombs, which you could ditch if engaged) is as fast(3000rpm
61inches for 15 min) as the K4 around 26’000ft(I tested it both around 460kph)
faster that the Tempest and 38, dives better than the 38. It handles better if
you keep it fast, got better G handling, great range, and can disengage when it
wants too if you have kept it fast. Don’t get slow or climb against the D9 or
K4.
No brainier for me the 51 is the aircraft you need to learn, if you want to do
high alt ground attack runs.
The biggest trick with the 51 like the early 190’s is fighting as a team, don’t
dogfight, bring your team mate into the fight. When I say don’t dogfight I mean
don’t pull hard on the stick, retain energy, setup the target for your wingman
rather than strain to get the kill, etc.
Colin
On 30 Apr 2021, at 16:22, 56RAF_phoenix <phoenix@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I think the "drop bombs and fight" is simply a myth, with perhaps the
exception of the P-38 at 25k+ feet. Because only a very foolish attacker
would turn with us and lose energy.
Plus, as Roke says, the Tempest is pretty poor already up high. But the P-38
becomes a liability low down unless the enemy is stupid again.
We've often got caught on the way off target in previously bombed-up P-38s,
less often in Tempests.
We had a very memorable engagement in bombed-up P-38s a few months ago when I
suggested going right over the top of the front line on a snowy map. I think
we were massively in contrail and the axis fighters all had to grab to get to
us, but couldn't resist. The moment one of us lost concentration on maximum
climb, they were onto us (I think we lost Stickz first). Then his lead turned
a bit, lost height, and they were onto him. I had chandelled and my wingman
(Bo?) almost lost it, I jettisoned bombs, kept straight and just about
avoided a flank attacker who then dropped out.
We made it home eventually, but not to target. I was a failure of a mission,
but very instructive.
It seems to me that if you're intent on a fighter-bombing mission, if you
want to get there safely you're better off in a P-38, if you want to get back
safely you're better off in a Tempest.
So we'd better have tactics to mitigate the risky end.
I have some strategy thoughts that I won't share with the Blaggards!
56RAF_phoenix
