FW 190 engine damage

[Leaf]

[Warning: subjective evaluation inbound!]

 

I want to hear your opinions on this, because the 190's radial engine seems to be damaged very, very easily by enemy fire. It's even more easily damaged than the 109's engine, it seems. A few MG rounds and it's pouring black smoke.
It's fairly common knowledge (I would think) that one of the main advantages of having a radial engine is it's ability to absorb battle damage. There was a story I read a while back of a 190 returning to base with a cylinder head shot off -- a far cry from what we see in-game.

 

I doubt there are any reports on the ability of the BMW 801 to absorb damage, but common sense would dictate that it can absorb more than an in-line engine. It's a fairly subjective matter, but I was genuinly surprised at how fragile the radial engine of the 190 seems to be (and how many 20mm's Yak 1's can absorb, but that's another matter). 
The 190 was known for being more rugged than the 109, yet I have a hard time to find that characeristic in-game.

 

What's your experience with engine damage in the 190? Have I just had a streak of bad luck?

 

 

Those 4 20mm's though -- wow!

Edited November 19, 2014 by 19te.Leaf

[Y-29.Silky]

I always like to call it the, "FlammableWood-190".

 

In my experience ...

 

1-2 passes on any German aircraft and he's on fire.
3-5 passes on any Russian aircraft and he'll keep going.

 

I'm also concerned with the He-111.... It catches fire in a short burst.

[unreasonable]

Random thoughts: a radial equipped plane cannot be disabled by a single bullet through the radiator, so it would be tougher in that respect, but otherwise I am not sure why the engine should be more damage resistant.

 

I think pilots also felt safer behind a radial as it in effect gives a bigger shield against enemy fire from the forward quarter, so even if the engine was damaged the pilot was less likely to be wounded. 

 

Actually, for a given HP of engine, a radial is actually a bigger target than an inline from the forward quarter, so it would get hit more often.

 

I am still fairly early in the learning curve on the Fw190, but so far flying intercepts I have only had engine damage once: and that was because I had not read Chuck's engine limits guide carefully!

 

Awesome aeroplane though, once you learn to stop turning.