Comparative turn times for all BoS fighters. (Luftwhiners & Tovarishes equally welcome)

[6./ZG26_Klaus_Mann]

I tested continuous turn times for all BoS fighters. Radiators were fully open, fuel at 60% altitude SL

Entry turns were made until there were no further altitude or speed changes. I then performed 3 complete turns, divided the time. If necessary I repeat the tests until I get reliable numbers.

 

PURELY FOR COMPARATIVE PURPOSES

 

I have experienced almost no difference in turn times by direction, however VVS aircraft are harder to turn right and get optimum performance.

 

 

Lagg-3 (23mm adds about 0.5 seconds): (around 270-300kph)

Winter: 19.3

Autumn: 21.6 

Summer: 22.5 

 

Yak-1: (around 250-270kph)

Winter: 17.5

Autumn: 20

Summer: 21 (overheat)

 

La-5: (around 330-360kph)

Winter: 21.6

Autumn: 24

Summer: 25.5

 

Bf109 F-4 (1.3/1.42) (Quit Emergency power testing due to short availability only.) (around 270-300kph)

Winter: 17.5/16

Autumn: 20

Summer: 22.5 (Apparently due to automatic radiators the aircraft was very hard to maintain in any turn, speed was difficult to hold as well. It was very unsteady)

 

 

Bf109 G-2 (around 280-320kph)

Winter: 18

Autumn: 20.5

Summer: 23.5 (same as F-4)

 

Additional info to Bf109 Summer tests: The Aircraft behaved very well for up to 5 turns, after which the radiators opened, slowing down the turn, resulting in the times recorded. Mostly I needed 5 turns before I could start the test, thus making these results unreliable at best. In a combat situation it may behave far better.

 

Fw190 A-3 1.3ata /1.4ata (around 320-360kph)

Winter: 20 / 19

Autumn: 22 / 21

Summer: 23 / 22

 

Well, Share your thoughts. I was always of the opinion that the Bf109s handled just as well as Yaks, this is part proof of it.

[Finkeren]

Good job

 

None of these numbers are too far off from what I'd expect, and they fit rather nicely with my own experience in the game.

 

One thing that's always puzzled me, and which is confirmed by this test, is just how much better the LaGG-3 turns compared to the La-5, which is by far the worst turner. Should it really be so?

[6./ZG26_Klaus_Mann]

Good job

 

None of these numbers are too far off from what I'd expect, and they fit rather nicely with my own experience in the game.

 

One thing that's always puzzled me, and which is confirmed by this test, is just how much better the LaGG-3 turns compared to the La-5, which is by far the worst turner. Should it really be so?

I wouldn't put it that way. The La-5 is not a turnfighter by any defintion, but it is definetly more stable in tight scissors due to the slats. I wouldn't refrain from staying on a 109s six until IAS goes below 400kph, above which you are absolutely even.

[Maxyman]

La-5: (around 330-360kph)

Winter: 21.6

Autumn: 24

Summer: 25.5

Just about right for early LaGG-5/La-5. Fuel at 100% is preferable if you want to compare with the historical test results.

Edited November 9, 2015 by Maxyman

[6./ZG26_5tuka]

One thing that's always puzzled me, and which is confirmed by this test, is just how much better the LaGG-3 turns compared to the La-5, which is by far the worst turner. Should it really be so?

The early La-5 was just a Lagg-3 stripped with a heavier radial engine on the nose. It was reported to handle even worse than the Lagg-3, which didn't change until the nessecary refinements that came with the F and FN models later on.

 

As turntests usually contain a noticeably margin of error (can't be prevented) I would see this as a guidline more than a nailed performance relation between those fighter. A difference in 2 sec for turntime does mean nothing if you are closer to your corner speed than the opposing guy.

[Sunde]

Any idea how the Macchi and E7 turns? 

[Cybermat47]

Not sure about the others, but the LaGG-3 and Bf-109 F-4 sound right. The Freidrich flys circles around the LaGG.

[PeterZvan]

Yak with flaps is ca. 2 sec quicker than your findings (without flaps I got about the same results) - its a massive increase wheras the other planes post slower or around equal turn times with their flaps deployed.

Dont get into a sustained turn fight with a well flown Yak - according to your posted times one could afford to do that in a F4.

[Alkyan]

Very interesting, thanks !

 

Time with flaps down for both the yack and the F4 would be awesome

[Matt]

Did you test the La-5 with boost?

[III/JG2Gustav05]

Very intersting Klaus, Thank you, could you do the climb test also?

[6./ZG26_Klaus_Mann]

Very intersting Klaus, Thank you, could you do the climb test also?

Later.

[indiaciki]

Did you try the E-7?

[6./ZG26_Klaus_Mann]

Did you try the E-7?

I'll wait for BoM and MiG-3 and do a comprehensive comparison then.

Bf109E-7 is just too slow, but seems to turn as well as the F-4, better in a downwards spiral.

[indiaciki]

I'll wait for BoM and MiG-3 and do a comprehensive comparison then.

Bf109E-7 is just too slow, but seems to turn as well as the F-4, better in a downwards spiral.

 

She tends stall more often - sooner  than the F-4. Less lateral stability at low speeds. I really love the E-7. I ground looped twice on TO. Don't know if it is the AC, the dirt RWYs or the improved ground physics. She is really fun. 

Edited November 9, 2015 by indiaciki

[Gump]

I wouldn't put it that way. The La-5 is not a turnfighter by any defintion, but it is definetly more stable in tight scissors due to the slats. I wouldn't refrain from staying on a 109s six until IAS goes below 400kph, above which you are absolutely even.

 

.... yeah, and getting below 400kph happens very soon... i know how to lose dogfights in any of the allied fighters, but the la5 is fun to see how long i can last - kind of like a survival challenge. too bad we dont have the fn version - that might make for some actual variety of choice (competitively) instead of just yaks, if just plane capabilities are counted. ahh, but i know its just a pipe dream. 

[Trinkof]

Thanks for the tests Klaus Mann! A quick question : what position of stabilizer did you used for German plane? (especially the 190, which turn much better with stabilizer up rather than pulling the stick)

[6./ZG26_Klaus_Mann]

Thanks for the tests Klaus Mann! A quick question : what position of stabilizer did you used for German plane? (especially the 190, which turn much better with stabilizer up rather than pulling the stick)

Always 100% up, very slight pull on the stick.

[Trinkof]

Always 100% up, very slight pull on the stick.

Thanks, this explain the little difference between the 190 and the other planes.