Best Way to Compare Planes?

[HamFlower]

I'm trying to find a better way to compare aircraft, especially between different models of the same aircraft (I.E. Bf-109 G-2, G-4, etc.). I've found that in the career HQ you can see the specifications of the different aircraft and models at different airfields, but it seems like an overwhelming amount of info and I'm almost not sure what to look for in the specifications.

 

I play much on the casual side of IL-2, so could anyone maybe offer some advice about some simple specs to look for that may key me in to what to expect from an aircraft? In addition would specs clue you in on to the role of aircraft as well? I realize some are self explanatory as in the case of the stuka, but in Kuban's career I flew the Bf-110 and was doing bomber intercept, and when I switched to the FW-190 I seem to be doing solely ground attack. Are the roles of aircraft something you learn just with experience?

 

Thanks!

[Gustav_Hagel]

Here is the tool with ContZero's data: 

 

Complementing my answer: Really depends what you want to achieve with certain aircraft, such as bombing, quick JaBo runs, interceting enemy planes, pure fighter and so on... Every aircraft has its own characteristics, such as max speed, acceleration, turn rate, turn climb, armor, bomb loadout, fuel capacity, type of engine and so on. Everything plays a role, for instance I feel safer doing a quick bombing run in a dangerous place with lots of aaa and enemy fighters in a 110 rather than 190, especially when 110s have additional armor plates, twin engine and etc... But for bomber intercept, I do like both 109s and 190s, in this case 190s are superb since their firepower consists from 2x to 4x 20mms cannons and are still really fast have good armor and can sustain way more battle damage than the nimble 109. Just a reminder that 110s were also used as bomber interceptors, they are by definition a heavy fighter (Zerstörer) and had in early war much more success against bombers than 109s, in the end, what pretty much dictates a plane's role is how they fit better in the aerial airfare against their opponents, if there are better alternatives or planes that do certain role better than them.

Edited August 5, 2020 by SCG_Gustav_Hagel

[Bearcat]

There was a utility in the original IL2 called IL2 compare I think it was.. I am not on my main PC so all my links are not available.. but it was on M4T... It would be great if that could be ported to this IL2.

[JimTM]

There are some aircraft comparison resources listed in the bottom half of "Aircraft Guides" in the IL-2 Resources post.

 

In addition, Requiem recently posted a video called Energy Maneuverability #1 - Spitfire MkIX vs Bf 109 K-4.

Edited August 6, 2020 by JimTM

[cardboard_killer]

Get a mirror and look into it. Do you see Dead Meat, or Murdering bastard? Done and done.