Developer Diary, Part 170 - Discussion

[LukeFF]

BlackSix

 

The choice of the Bf 1909 G-2 over the G-4 is curious as both II. and III./JG 52 received many factory-fresh G-4 in March 1943 that the G-2 became an "also ran" minority in their inventory. I. Gruppe and the croatian Staffel received them far later, that is true, but then I./JG 52 was less of a player at Kuban than the other two Gruppen.

 

He's talking about planes other than the standard BoK planeset that will be featured in the Kuban phase of the campaign.

[csThor]

Ah, okay. Well ... doh!

[Brano]

13./JG52(slow) has several records of I-153 and I-16 reported as kills. But it was generally before BoK timeline. Inbetween jan-april 1943 flying from Slavyanskaya,Kerch or Anapa airfields. Last report of I-16 shot down was by zvk. Frantisek Cyprich 27.4.1943. There is one more record for I-16 shot by rtk.Jan Reznak 3.5.1943,but german sources say it was Il-2. Those could be considered as allready from BoK (start date 17.4.1943)

[Habu]

Yep that's one of my source, with article on Jan Reznak.

[MrNoice]

dear devs,

 

will we get an option to  replace the m4 37mm with a russian  20mm ShWAK ?   Ive read that they changed it to the ShWAK often  and also removed the wing guns 

[ShamrockOneFive]

Hey Shammy...from Romanenko

 

"All aircraft were delivered to the 25th ZAP on Soviet territory (Adzhi-Kabul, Azerbaydzhan [near Baku]). This regiment was formed on 30 October 1941 for training in the LaGG-3, and with the opening of the southern route was re-profiled for foreign fighters. The training in the Kittyhawk began here on 19 November 1942 when the first three P-40Es arrived in the regiment (nos. 1533, 1547, and 1548 [23]). Almost immediately (23 November 1942) they were assigned to the 45th IAP for training. Because of a lack of sufficient numbers of aircraft of a single type, the regiment was trained in two types: Airacobras and Kittyhawks. The instructors and students were in training almost simultaneously, but in a wholly serious manner. 32 pilots completed 671 hours of training, including 1,682 landings, 155 training aerial engagements, 112 passes at ground and 98 at air targets, and 134 routine cross-country and 113 instrument flights.

 

The regiment returned to combat duty on 16 February 1943, flying from the Krasnodar airfield (Kuban area). It was equipped with 10 P-39D-2, 11 P-39K-1, and 9 P-40E-1 (serials from 41-36941 to -36944, from 41-36947 to -36950, and no. 1773). This regiment distinguished itself in the famed "Battle over the Kuban" ("Blue Line" in German parlance), destroying 118 German aircraft in two months with relatively modest losses (7 Airacobras shot down in combat and 8 damaged; 1 P-40E shot down and one damaged in an accident)[24]. The low loss rate for the Kittyhawk can be explained by their quite limited employment. Combat experience showed that they were already incapable of contesting with the Bf-109G (especially with the ace pilots of JG 3, JG 51, JG 52, and JG 54). All the summaries regarding the P-40E have a pessimistic tone (insufficient speed and maneuverability, high weight, weak engine), and the conclusions are the same: the aircraft was suitable only for PVO aviation"

 

Great info! Thanks!

[Lusekofte]

Even though the P-39 was a bit of a dog,the Russians used it effectively as a low level attack aircraft.Inspite of it probably being cannon fodder for the German fighters,I am looking forward to giving it (

 

And the VVS used the P-39 as a full-blown fighter - not as an attack aircraft. At least not to any greater extent than other fighter types.

 

The real problem for the P 39 in European theatre was its high altitude performance, In Eastern front the battles was in far lower altitudes rendering the P 39 very useful. I am sort of in-between , I read mostly US literature about the P 39 and how the pilots felt about it. The car door concept and better available fighters coloured their negative view on it, while the Russian pilots really fell in love with it. I think the pilots self-esteem  depended on the aircraft they flew and one of those factors made it a winner in the east. Like the Buffalo in Finland

 

One can ask how this plane will be modelled or how it will interact in this game, will it be coloured by its success in Russia or will it fail due to the non historical way public servers are  today 

Edited September 10, 2017 by 216th_LuseKofte

[BlackSix]

Hey Shammy...from Romanenko

 

"All aircraft were delivered to the 25th ZAP on Soviet territory (Adzhi-Kabul, Azerbaydzhan [near Baku]). This regiment was formed on 30 October 1941 for training in the LaGG-3, and with the opening of the southern route was re-profiled for foreign fighters. The training in the Kittyhawk began here on 19 November 1942 when the first three P-40Es arrived in the regiment (nos. 1533, 1547, and 1548 [23]). Almost immediately (23 November 1942) they were assigned to the 45th IAP for training. Because of a lack of sufficient numbers of aircraft of a single type, the regiment was trained in two types: Airacobras and Kittyhawks. The instructors and students were in training almost simultaneously, but in a wholly serious manner. 32 pilots completed 671 hours of training, including 1,682 landings, 155 training aerial engagements, 112 passes at ground and 98 at air targets, and 134 routine cross-country and 113 instrument flights.

 

The regiment returned to combat duty on 16 February 1943, flying from the Krasnodar airfield (Kuban area). It was equipped with 10 P-39D-2, 11 P-39K-1, and 9 P-40E-1 (serials from 41-36941 to -36944, from 41-36947 to -36950, and no. 1773). This regiment distinguished itself in the famed "Battle over the Kuban" ("Blue Line" in German parlance), destroying 118 German aircraft in two months with relatively modest losses (7 Airacobras shot down in combat and 8 damaged; 1 P-40E shot down and one damaged in an accident)[24]. The low loss rate for the Kittyhawk can be explained by their quite limited employment. Combat experience showed that they were already incapable of contesting with the Bf-109G (especially with the ace pilots of JG 3, JG 51, JG 52, and JG 54). All the summaries regarding the P-40E have a pessimistic tone (insufficient speed and maneuverability, high weight, weak engine), and the conclusions are the same: the aircraft was suitable only for PVO aviation"

 

Also, on April 28 four remaining P-40E-1 were transferred from the 45th IAP to the 16th GIAP:

P-40E-1 №136943

P-40E-1 №136948

P-40E-1 №136949

P-40E-1 №136950

 

On that day 45th IAP was withdrawn from the front and sent to the area of Tikhoretsk, where 45th IAP stayed until the end of May 1943

[Blitzen]

I really am looking forward to this plane and one of the reasons is the eye candy of the unique cockpit car door. With Rift VR we can already stand up & walk out on the wing of all the current aircraft,but you do so by literally walking through the side of the aircraft, but with the P-39 we'll be able realistically open the door & exit & take a realistic look around- fun! I also wonder what the animation will look like in bailing out...something I think I'll be doing a lot of....

Edited September 10, 2017 by Blitzen

[SC_Manu653]

 

 

Also, on April 28 four remaining P-40E-1 were transferred from the 45th IAP to the 16th GIAP

Just ready for the counter-offensive the next morning... I hope the 16th GIAP got the time to train on them.

[BlackSix]

I hope the 16th GIAP got the time to train on them.

16th GIAP had no time to train on them but 9 pilots were transferred at the same day from the 45th IAP and four of them flew on these P-40s. The first flights have been made on April 29.

[Freycinet]

The love of Soviet pilots for their P-39s had a lot to do with the generally much better build quality of American planes, well-functioning radios, comfortable cockpit, dependable electronics, etc. These factors are much more relevant in real life than in a simulation.

[216th_Lucas_From_Hell]

Tabachenko's book says the regiment trained on P-40Es before the P-39 arrived to 25 ZAP though. It's interesting that the origin of those four machines is also disputed - some sources say two came from 45 IAP, one from 84 IAP and one from 25 ZAP.

[Roast]

13./JG52(slow) has several records of I-153 and I-16 reported as kills. But it was generally before BoK timeline. Inbetween jan-april 1943 flying from Slavyanskaya,Kerch or Anapa airfields. Last report of I-16 shot down was by zvk. Frantisek Cyprich 27.4.1943. There is one more record for I-16 shot by rtk.Jan Reznak 3.5.1943,but german sources say it was Il-2. Those could be considered as allready from BoK (start date 17.4.1943)

 

After reading your and Habu's remarks, I am more than ever convinced that the i-153 should at some (near) date should enter BoK

[BubiHUN]

Still waiting to get the optional ammo belts AP/HE for the german 20mm

[56RAF_Roblex]

The love of Soviet pilots for their P-39s had a lot to do with the generally much better build quality of American planes, well-functioning radios, comfortable cockpit, dependable electronics, etc. These factors are much more relevant in real life than in a simulation.

 

Having the engine to the rear helped as well when diving on targets as it was less likely to get disabled by AA.  Plus the air intake was on top and well away from the debris on those rough Russian fields.   Seems the A-10 learned a few lessons  from the IL-2 :-)

[JtD]

Actually putting the engine behind the pilot increased the vulnerability of the pilot. I'm sure the pilots preferred a dead engine over a dead themselves. The rearward intake meant that it sucked up all the dirt the propeller in the front would raise from the ground. Somewhat better than a chin intake like on the Spitfire, but a lot worse than a nose intake like on the P-40.

[Cybermat47]

Can't wait for the Cobra, Pokryshkin is a legend!

[J4SCrisZeri]

Thank you for your hard work and effort. Getting better and better.

Thank you for your hard work and effort. Getting better and better.