ORIGINAL: Cannonfodder
ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon
The problem with this is the P-47's rate of climb sucks. I'm constantly getting dived on because the CAP can climb faster and get the bounce on occasion. The P-47 isn't the beast I've been led to believe it is when it's not flying at 42k and getting the dive bonus against lower altitude Japanese fighters.
Without going into game mechanics, the P47 was a slow climber. If you go in low (lower then the opposition) as a slow climber you are in trouble. It is the fighter pilots job to try and fight at an advantage..
If you take away the P47s altitude and thus a large part of its speed advantage what does it have left? Ruggedness and guns - thats about it...
Hmmmm...I am pretty much finding it to be a beast and like it very much. In game terms, I think speed is the most important factor. The 47N is a brute mutha. However, my top aces are all flying the corsair so what do I know.
I real air combat climb is relative. It depends on what kind of climb it is. The light Japanese planes could usually climb fast in a sustained climb but there are many other ways to climb. Because of their horsepower and weight, most Allied planes were better in a zoom climb which is common in energy fighting, and because of their superior speed most Allied planes could best a zero in a shallow extended climb. If a P38 lightning kept his speed up and used a shallow climb there was just not anyway a zero could keep up with it. In the end the faster plane usually gets to pick the engagement which means if the altitude advantage is not there, the faster plane can just opt to extend away them climb back to a good height and either go home or re-engage on more favorable terms.
Have you looked at the climb stats on the Bearcat? That thing is a pure rocket sled to the stars...[;)]
