Question on advantages of Drop Tanks for Fighters

[treespider]

Per the manual p161 - Drop Tanks may be fitted at Clean Ranges to extend loiter time, but the cost of doing so remains.

Later on p161 - Any aircraft operating with Drop Tanks is assumed to be expending supply at twice (x2) the rate that it would if flying Clean ranges. (not sure if CV fighters with DT flying Escort expend x2 sorties though)

[Icedawg]

ORIGINAL: treespider

Per the manual p161 - Drop Tanks may be fitted at Clean Ranges to extend loiter time, but the cost of doing so remains.

Later on p161 - Any aircraft operating with Drop Tanks is assumed to be expending supply at twice (x2) the rate that it would if flying Clean ranges. (not sure if CV fighters with DT flying Escort expend x2 sorties though)

This might explain why I seem to be getting better performance from CAP now that I've been having them use drop tanks.

By the way, what is "clean range"?

[AW1Steve]

ORIGINAL: Icedawg

ORIGINAL: treespider

Per the manual p161 - Drop Tanks may be fitted at Clean Ranges to extend loiter time, but the cost of doing so remains.

Later on p161 - Any aircraft operating with Drop Tanks is assumed to be expending supply at twice (x2) the rate that it would if flying Clean ranges. (not sure if CV fighters with DT flying Escort expend x2 sorties though)

This might explain why I seem to be getting better performance from CAP now that I've been having them use drop tanks.

By the way, what is "clean range"?

"Clean range", is the range that the airplane has when it is in a totally "clean" configuration. (No wing or drop tanks,bombs , rockets or anything else cluttering up the wing. That is no excess drag except what the airplane it'self produces).

[goran007]

ORIGINAL: Icedawg

ORIGINAL: treespider

Per the manual p161 - Drop Tanks may be fitted at Clean Ranges to extend loiter time, but the cost of doing so remains.

Later on p161 - Any aircraft operating with Drop Tanks is assumed to be expending supply at twice (x2) the rate that it would if flying Clean ranges. (not sure if CV fighters with DT flying Escort expend x2 sorties though)

This might explain why I seem to be getting better performance from CAP now that I've been having them use drop tanks.

By the way, what is "clean range"?

I remember from some time back there was a discussion about drop tanks. I also believe few stated that there was some negative impact on maneuverability of the plane if you had planes equip it. It made no sense to me because pilots would drop them at first sign of enemy aircraft, but i always try to engage without them.

If i remember correctly positive thing is LR CAP. It will have more planes engaging enemy aircraft because of formula that takes in effect range to target LRCAP and range of aircraft, so if you had equipped tanks range of aircraft is greater and there will be less of diminishing effect or more planes will be over target.

need info of someone who tested it...

[LoBaron]

ORIGINAL: goran007
If i remember correctly positive thing is LR CAP. It will have more planes engaging enemy aircraft because of formula that takes in effect range to target LRCAP and range of aircraft, so if you had equipped tanks range of aircraft is greater and there will be less of diminishing effect or more planes will be over target.

need info of someone who tested it...

Range in general affects # of planes available on LRCAP over target, independent of whether its through the use of drop tanks or simply because the airframe has greater range.
The other corresponding modifier is the distance between base of origin and LRCAP target.

PS: drop tanks do not change any performance values - as has been previousely pointed out - but longer air time generates more fatigue, which needs to be taken into account.
It uses double supply per mission, but it does not use up more CV sorties.