The Sky’s the Limit- PBEM GC 41 jubjub (Axis) vs. M60A3TTS (Soviet)

[M60A3TTS]

One of the things in the manual makes reference to aircraft information contained in the editor. A typical depiction of the information available, from the old editor version that I prefer, looks like this for MiG-3.



You will note in the bottom left hand portion of the screen shows information related to the MiG-3. As with all aircraft information includes the fastest speed of the aircraft, the altitude where that fastest speed is achieved, as well as the speed of the aircraft at zero altitude.

Since the difference between speed at ideal altitude and zero altitude is a straight line, we can create a formula that will calculate the speed of the aircraft at any altitude in between and compare it to other aircraft.

Like so:



Here we can see that at 6,000 feet, a Bf109G-2 achieves a superior speed of 354 mph in comparison to the Yak-1 at 321mph, the LaGG-3 at 316mph, and the MiG-3 at 313mph.

Although speed is not the decisive factor in air-to-air combat, it at least gives us one aspect of the game to look at aside from experience that is so often in favor of Luftwaffe pilots.

Now if we take this a step further and do a speed comparison for the more common fighter aircraft in 1943-44, we can help decide what aircraft we may want to prioritize for air-to-air operations, again with the understanding this is only one facet of the overall calculations that go into deciding who wins and who loses.

Here are some speed comparisons for Bf-109


And some others against Fw-190


We can see that in a lot of cases the German aircraft remain superior, but there are some exceptions with aircraft such as La-5FN, P39 and Yak-3 aircraft, particularly at 10,000 feet and below. Interestingly, Yak-1B did not fare as well as one might expect. Still these are the numbers and may give folks a better idea of what Soviet fighter aircraft stand out in the speed competition.

[Wiedrock]

Good comparisons, I also assumed it's be using the Altitude a plane flies at. The issue with that is which Altitude is being used if the Combat Report shows an Axis plane Group at 20k and a Soviet one at 23k.

Although speed is not the decisive factor in air-to-air combat, it at least gives us one aspect of the game to look at aside from experience that is so often in favor of Luftwaffe pilots.

IIRC, I read somewhere (not sure if Dev statement in the Forum or in the Manual), that speed is the most important plane stat.

Have your found/ever looked at "climb rate" being used for anything?

[M60A3TTS]

I have seen Rate of Climb mentioned as a factor that affects air-to-air combat, though to what extent your guess is as good as mine.

Here is some sample data related to Rate of Climb. And yes, you're reading it right, the I-16 Rata has a faster RoC than an Fw190A-5.