FC 2 planes

[=LD=Brazo]

Can anyone tell a noob like me if the planes from FC2 are likely to excite an entente minded guy? 
 

It perhaps appears we have already have the best entente planes but I’m not familiar with them through say rise of flight so can’t really say? 
 

Thanking you. 

[Cybermat47]

Well, the Handley-Page O/400 is the largest WWI bomber in the game so far, and even when it had to compete with the Ilya Muromets in Rise of Flight it carried the largest single bomb. I imagine that the FC2 version will be able to be equipped with a 57mm cannon like the RoF version as well.

 

The Breguet is pretty interesting too, it has a primitive flap system, being the only plane in FC and RoF to have a design feature that’s standard on WWII aircraft.

 

The Nieuport 28 is a nice looking fighter that I’m not very familiar with, but I recall it being the mount of quite a few of the top US aces.

 

The Sopwith Triplane was the mount of the two top Australian aces of all time. IIRC it had a great climb rate and was manoeuvrable, so much so that it was an ace-maker despite only having half the firepower of the opposing Albatroses. You should have the option of adding a second gun to it as well. 
 

The SPAD VII was more of a boom’n’zoom fighter than its contemporaries, and the most iconic French fighter of the war. It was used by the top French and Italian aces of the war, with the name Vieux Charles and the image of a black prancing stallion* being the French and Italian equivalents of Germany’s all-red fighter.

 

The DH.4 is... honestly a plane I know next to nothing about. As far as I know, it’s a solid bomber and reconnaissance aircraft.

 

*Yes, the Ferrari logo was originally the personal emblem/coat of arms of an Italian WWI fighter ace.

Edited May 10, 2021 by Cybermat47

[=LD=Brazo]

11 minutes ago, Cybermat47 said:

Well, the Handley-Page O/400 is the largest WWI bomber in the game so far, and even when it had to compete with the Ilya Muromets in Rise of Flight it carried the largest single bomb. I imagine that the FC2 version will be able to be equipped with a 57mm cannon like the RoF version as well.

 

The Breguet is pretty interesting too, it has a primitive flap system, being the only plane in FC and RoF to have a design feature that’s standard on WWII aircraft.

 

The Nieuport 28 is a nice looking fighter that I’m not very familiar with, but I recall it being the mount of quite a few of the top US aces.

 

The Sopwith Triplane was the mount of the two top Australian aces of all time. IIRC it had a great climb rate and was manoeuvrable, so much so that it was an ace-maker despite only having half the firepower of the opposing Albatroses. You should have the option of adding a second gun to it as well. 
 

The SPAD VII was more of a boom’n’zoom fighter than its contemporaries, and the most iconic French fighter of the war. It was used by the top French and Italian aces of the war, with the name Vieux Charles and the image of a black prancing stallion* being the French and Italian equivalents of Germany’s all-red fighter.

 

The DH.4 is... honestly a plane I know next to nothing about. As far as I know, it’s a solid bomber and reconnaissance aircraft.

 

*Yes, the Ferrari logo was originally the personal emblem/coat of arms of an Italian WWI fighter ace.

Thank you. The N28 is already out and has proved to be well not useless but much better steeds are available. 

 

The Sopwith triplanes sounds interesting but we already have the Spad xiii which I’m guessing as the successor is superior?

[1PL-Husar-1Esk]

1 hour ago, Brazo said:

Can anyone tell a noob like me if the planes from FC2 are likely to excite an entente minded guy? 
 

It perhaps appears we have already have the best entente planes but I’m not familiar with them through say rise of flight so can’t really say? 
 

Thanking you. 

For sure!

[unreasonable]

Just now, Brazo said:

Thank you. The N28 is already out and has proved to be well not useless but much better steeds are available. 

 

The Sopwith triplanes sounds interesting but we already have the Spad xiii which I’m guessing as the successor is superior?

 

The Triplane is interesting and fun to fly but it was obsolete by mid 1917 - too slow, only one gun.  It would be a good opponent for the earlier Albatros DII but would not do well against any of the German crates in the FC set in MP, if the pilots were of similar standard.

 

Very much something for people not looking for the "best" plane, but something with a distinct, likeable character. So not like a SPAD at all. 

[SeaW0lf]

The Sopwith Triplane can do just fine against the Albatros D.III, perhaps even the DVa (especially the FC DVa). She's supposed to come with the same engine as the Camel, so that's gonna be interesting. The original Sopwith Triplane (pre-2014 update) is dearly missed by almost everyone in this game.

Edited May 10, 2021 by SeaW0lf

[RNAS10_Oliver]

5 hours ago, Cybermat47 said:

The Breguet is pretty interesting too, it has a primitive flap system, being the only plane in FC and RoF to have a design feature that’s standard on WWII aircraft.

I gather you did not have the 1½ Strutter in Rise of Flight then? As that had them also.

 

EDIT: Might have been air brakes and raised above the wing rather than lowered beneath? Or something similar at least. Been quite some time since Rise of Flight was uninstalled.

Edited May 10, 2021 by Oliver88

[=LD=Brazo]

1 hour ago, unreasonable said:

 

The Triplane is interesting and fun to fly but it was obsolete by mid 1917 - too slow, only one gun.  It would be a good opponent for the earlier Albatros DII but would not do well against any of the German crates in the FC set in MP, if the pilots were of similar standard.

 

Very much something for people not looking for the "best" plane, but something with a distinct, likeable character. So not like a SPAD at all. 

The MP thing is a good way of looking at it, so nothing to make me dismount my camel and try something else on Flugpark unless I want to get shot down even quicker than I do now?

[No.23_Triggers]

Can't say for certain until we've flown them of course, but as far as the scouts go: 

- N28 is a bit of a lemon, but it's quite fun to fly around. Best used as an 'ambush predator'. 

- SPAD VII was tons of fun in RoF - it'll likely face slightly tougher opposition in FC until the RoF plane-set is fully implemented but she's still a very capable little ship (and looks great too!). 

- Sopwith Triplane is going to be really interesting. Very keen to see how that one turns out. 

Overall, really excited to see how the two upcoming Entente scouts turn out

[J2_Bidu]

4 hours ago, Brazo said:

It perhaps appears we have already have the best entente planes [...]

 

But maybe you'll lose them in an earlier period map. And then one of the others will be the best... ?

Or Sizzlorr increases the recon height to 4k-6k, and then you'd wish you were in a DH4...

Just now, US93_Larner said:

- SPAD VII was tons of fun in RoF - it'll likely face slightly tougher opposition in FC until the RoF plane-set is fully implemented but she's still a very capable little ship (and looks great too!). 

 

I always preferred the VII over the XIII. And you could add a Lewis gun. Anything to which you can add a Lewis gun is great, except - maybe - a girl.

[RNAS10_Oliver]

11 minutes ago, Brazo said:

The MP thing is a good way of looking at it, so nothing to make me dismount my camel and try something else on Flugpark unless I want to get shot down even quicker than I do now?

You would have better visibility than in the Camel though. And as someone else mentioned good climb.

[No.23_Triggers]

10 minutes ago, J2_Bidu said:

I always preferred the VII over the XIII. And you could add a Lewis gun. Anything to which you can add a Lewis gun is great, except - maybe - a girl.

Yeah, I always preferred the VII - I wasn't so big on the Lewis gun though, tbh...didn't do much for the elegant SPAD look for me 
Not to mention that the overwing lewis was just an experiment by the RFC and I'd bet that no VII never seriously took that configuration into battle

Edited May 10, 2021 by US93_Larner

[=LD=Brazo]

8 minutes ago, J2_Bidu said:

 

But maybe you'll lose them in an earlier period map. And then one of the others will be the best... ?

Or Sizzlorr increases the recon height to 4k-6k, and then you'd wish you were in a DH4...

 

Yes I hadn’t looked at it from a comparative historical perspective, I think I just focused on the Central guys getting the DVIII and Central getting some ‘fun’ and ‘quirky’ planes.

 

[RNAS10_Oliver]

I imagine that the DH4 should be an great bomber for Entente. From what I remember of her in Rise of Flight;

 

The gunner sits further back than in the Bristol Fighter so when he gets up he’s not going to be blocking as much of your view to the rear and obscuring the attacker that’s chasing you. Going to have an proper bombsight (along with the Handley Page and maybe the Bregeut) than the Bristol Fighter in FC has so level bombing on the Entente side should become more of a thing. Able to line up better on the bomb run. Able to carry out the bomb run from more heights and speeds.

 

The Handley Page is going to be awesome to see but I doubt it’s going to be an better bomber for the Entente than the DH4. The Handley (and Gotha) are going to attract scouts like mad and be more vulnerable. The DH4 should have an better climb rate and speed than the Handley Page (slight faster speed than Bristol Fighter at 2000 meters also according to the Rise of Flight store). Less time spent climbing to height and better able to defend itself (and maybe even go on the attack) and run away.

 

Good bomb load and also assuming the same modifications exist then you can also increase the armament adding a second Vickers in the nose and/or two Lewis on the centre section. So that’s up to four forward firing machine guns available, and each being reloadable I gather. The upwards view is one downside to the DH4. As the pilot sits right under the wing. It’s even worse than the Camel. That is unless the developers take up this suggestion for the DH4, realise slim chance though: 

 

Edited May 10, 2021 by Oliver88

[J2_Trupobaw]

Spad 7 is my favourite "fast" Entente plane; based on RoF experience I expect her to handle better than Spad 13, retain energy better than Spad or SE, have better visibility than Spad and still outrun anything German without BMW engine. I expect her to kill my interest in other two, especially if her DM follows N.28.

 

Tripehound is the Entente Albatros - easy, pleasant, maneuvrable. She will be great match for older German planes (and anything German except Dr.I stupid enough to turn with her). She lacks the firepower, but it never stopped her in RoF. I expect her to cure my Strutter nostalgia. 

 

Breguet is a heavy fighter with option to take enormous bomb load. Or heavy bomber that becomes very capable fighter once unloaded, your choice.

 

DH.4 is fast! bomber with enormous bomb load. She lacks upside view and sustained turn to make her stay on one target in dogfight, but speed and option to take six  mgs (four forward facing) make her very capable gunship. 

 

N.28 was always an oddity and stayed so in FC. She's out of the way now.

 

 

 

Edited May 11, 2021 by J2_Trupobaw

[=LD=Brazo]

Thanks all for the comments. Sounds like some good fighter bombers on the way but perhaps not a decent late war fighter.

[J2_Trupobaw]

4 hours ago, Brazo said:

Thanks all for the comments. Sounds like some good fighter bombers on the way but perhaps not a decent late war fighter.

Spad 7 was serving right until end of the War, longer than many German planes we have in FC1; it was optimal airframe for the engine it had. Among Entente scouts, it should be second only to (maybe) Spad 13 and (maybe, maybe) Camel.

 

16 hours ago, J2_Bidu said:

Anything to which you can add a Lewis gun is great, except - maybe - a girl.

But not except Darling!

 

 

[JGr2/J5_Klugermann]

19 hours ago, J2_Bidu said:

 

 

 

I always preferred the VII over the XIII. And you could add a Lewis gun. Anything to which you can add a Lewis gun is great, except - maybe - a girl.

 

 May have to disagree with you there....

 

[J2_Bidu]

1 hour ago, J5_Klugermann said:

 

 May have to disagree with you there....

 

I knew the 'maybe' would save my ass.

[=IRFC=Gardimus]

[CAFulcrum]

Well the N28 has a questionable FM that hasn't been addressed, the SPAD VII is a bit of a boat and only has a single gun, and the triplane had an FM change that sort of ruined it, so assuming those issues are imported from ROF there's not much to look for in terms of scouts.  The DH4 and Bregeut are both fast, tough reconnaissance planes that fly straight well and the HP is a bomber, so it depends on how much you like engaging in artillery spotting and bombing.

[J2_Trupobaw]

28 minutes ago, CAFulcrum said:

the SPAD VII is a bit of a boat and only has a single gun, and the triplane had an FM change that sort of ruined it, 

Spad 13 was even more boat than Spad 7 in RoF, and it magically improved in FC. Same as Dolphin. 
Spad 7 absolutely has two guns (and is one of few planes that don't lose performance when taking the Lewis). Breguet is another.
Triplane FM change was inherited from RoF Camel FM change. Even if they don't decouple Triplane code from Camel when porting to FC, FC Camel uses old engine. They would have to intentionally duplicate unintentional changes they made in 2014 to bring current RoF Triplane; that's not happening.

[No.23_Triggers]

10 hours ago, J2_Trupobaw said:

Spad 13 was even more boat than Spad 7 in RoF, and it magically improved in FC. Same as Dolphin. 
Spad 7 absolutely has two guns (and is one of few planes that don't lose performance when taking the Lewis). 

Visibility-wise? I think it's because you can 'sit up' further in your seat than RoF in the XIII, so you can 'flatten out' the big obstructive top wing better.  Turning also became a little more stable (as not very useful as that is with a SPAD). S.E. felt like it had the opposite happen, weirdly, as well as an apparent decline in energy retention. Weirdest 'magical' change for me was D.VII / VII F dive acceleration increase. Lack of flying wires, perhaps? 

IMHO Spad VII's overwing lewis was one of those silly mods where there was one or two documented cases, but it was far from being common (see related: reflector sights, Beckers (especially overwing for alb D2 lol) twin overwing Bristol guns). I think a 1x 11mm / 1x 7mm configuration would be a welcome mod for XIII as well. Especially if you could fire them independently. 

Never had the chance to fly the "original" RoF triplane, but I heard it was a beast so I'm hoping it's reintroduced to FC 

[BMA_Hellbender]

1 hour ago, US93_Larner said:

Never had the chance to fly the "original" RoF triplane, but I heard it was a beast so I'm hoping it's reintroduced to FC 

Haha, no.

 

Pre-1.034 the Triplane was a decent all-rounder for 1917. It was IRFC's mainstay scout for that era, in the same way we used the Dolphin for 1918. The Triplane is slightly slower than the Camel (~185km/h), climbs slightly worse, doesn't outturn the Albatros D.III/D.Va in a flat turn (it's very close) and only has one gun (muzzle-boosted, though). On the plus side: her stall is far more gentle than the Camel's and Dolphin's and an extra Vickers can be added at the cost of speed, which doesn't matter much anyway. Typically it was chanceless against the Fokker Dr.I, either before or after the nerfs, though nowadays it has a bit more of a speed advantage, so it might be able to get away with something in a team environment.

 

Sadly, if the Camel/Dolphin's DM is anything to go by the Triplane will lose control cables when you sneeze at it. And if it retains the nerfed 1.034 FM it will just be a complete lemon. Worse even than the N28. In any case I don't understand what the Triplane is even doing as part of FC2: it was withdrawn from service by the end of 1917. I suppose it's a "what-if" plane, just like the Pfalz D.XII.

 

 

HOWEVER, if they revert the FM then it has one massive advantage over both the Camel and Dolphin in FC's bizarro nuDM world: an adjustable stabilizer!

 

At least one control surface that can't ever be shot away, because reasons.

 

 

P.S. If you're thinking of beast, you're probably referring to the pre-nerf Pup. What a monster that was. Could run down any Albatros and also outturn the Fokker Dr.I. Rest in power you mad bastard. It's the only non-data based blanket nerf that I could agree with.

Edited May 12, 2021 by =IRFC=Hbender

[J2_Trupobaw]

1 hour ago, US93_Larner said:

Visibility-wise? I think it's because you can 'sit up' further in your seat than RoF in the XIII, so you can 'flatten out' the big obstructive top wing better.  Turning also became a little more stable (as not very useful as that is with a SPAD). S.E. felt like it had the opposite happen, weirdly, as well as an apparent decline in energy retention. Weirdest 'magical' change for me was D.VII / VII F dive acceleration increase. Lack of flying wires, perhaps? 
 

No, handling-wise. Spad 7 had less inertia / stability than 13 and was easier to throw around (until you hit that spin...) .

[No.23_Triggers]

2 hours ago, J2_Trupobaw said:

No, handling-wise. Spad 7 had less inertia / stability than 13 and was easier to throw around (until you hit that spin...) .

I keep hearing that but honestly I never noticed much of a difference between the VII and XIII in that regard. 

[Guest deleted@83466]

3 hours ago, US93_Larner said:

I keep hearing that but honestly I never noticed much of a difference between the VII and XIII in that regard. 

You’re an energy fighter, right, meaning you spend most of your time in a high speed attack from above.  In doing so, and avoiding turn fights, you’re avoiding a lot of the mushiness in the controls.  I think you’re more likely to see an exhibition of what Trupobaw is talking about at the apex of a zoom climb, or if you were close to stall in a turnfight.  Another time I think you can really feel the mass difference is when you’ve dived out, started your pullout too late, and you might even have the nose above the horizon, but the ground just keeps coming, and then kersplat.

Edited May 12, 2021 by SeaSerpent

[No.23_Triggers]

35 minutes ago, SeaSerpent said:

You’re an energy fighter, right, meaning you spend most of your time in a high speed attack from above.  In doing so, and avoiding turn fights, you’re avoiding a lot of the mushiness in the controls.  I think you’re more likely to see an exhibition of what Trupobaw is talking about at the apex of a zoom climb, or if you were close to stall in a turnfight.  Another time I think you can really feel the mass difference is when you’ve dived out, started your pullout too late, and you might even have the nose above the horizon, but the ground just keeps coming, and then kersplat.

I did a little bit of turn messing around on NFF from time to time, but for the most part I was very much a strict BnZ'er in RoF so that's probably it. It'll be fun to re-compare them in FC2 with that in mind though, I definitely noticed a change between the RoF and FC S.XIII's handling

[US103_Baer]

I'd agree with a subtle inertia feel difference between the VII and XIII. It kind of 'felt right'.

The VII 180 was brilliant in the context of 1917 Wargrounds maps, but whenever 200hp XIIIs became available, you'd always take them.

 

I'm expecting a similar situation in FC, although with Central gaining late 18 scouts and Entente getting 1917/early 18 models, it will take a brave map maker, or FC3, to see the Spad VII come into its own.

[J2_Trupobaw]

 

18 hours ago, US93_Larner said:

I keep hearing that but honestly I never noticed much of a difference between the VII and XIII in that regard. 

My reasoning - I fly on FFB stick and always make point of keeping stick forces ( -> load on control surfaces, especially elevator) low at all times. I identify staying in this low feedback envelope as energy efficiency, and having to push against stick forces as working against plane inertia. This "energy efficient envelope" is larger in RoF Spad 7 than in RoF Spad 13. It's also larger in FC Spad 13 than in RoF Spad 13.

Edited May 13, 2021 by J2_Trupobaw

[Dragon1-1]

I'll probably wait for a big sale on FC2, or try my luck on a giveaway. However, that's not to say I'm not looking forward to it. I can't wait to try to set some engines on fire on those big bombers.  Nieuport 28 is already proving its worth as a target when I feel like a quick WWI dogfight against AI, but don't want too much of a challenge. It's easy to pretend you're the Red Baron when you're flying against those.  

[76SQN-FatherTed]

On 5/11/2021 at 8:20 AM, Brazo said:

Thanks all for the comments. Sounds like some good fighter bombers on the way but perhaps not a decent late war fighter.

Looks like you spoke too soon chap!

[=LD=Brazo]

39 minutes ago, CfC=76SQN-FatherTed said:

Looks like you spoke too soon chap!

No need to snipe ?

 

Very excited!

Edited May 26, 2021 by Brazo

[=IRFC=Gascan]

I guess now we can send new Central pilots out on a snipe hunt. If a SPAD kills your pilot in a single pass, can you still call him a Sniper or is that now limited to Sopwith pilots?

[NO.20_Krispy_Duck]

The Snipe and the D.IV look like really interesting, late war additions. Both are interesting developments of late rotary-powered aircraft and I think they're worthy additions to the game, though their time period of activity is fairly limited.

 

The N.28 - I'm not a big fan. It's sort of fun to fly, but the Spad XIII in FC is the better option overall.

 

The Spad VII with 180hp engine should be a real workhorse for the allies. The plane served with many airforces and some pilots clung to it even after the XIII appeared because it had lighter and crisper handling. This is offset by the limited ammunition and single Vickers gun. But some of the aces who thrived in the Spad were crack shots who made very efficient use of the limited ammunition. In ROF it was an excellent choice for the pilot who likes slash attacks, but who still wants light-ish handling and speed for defensive flying. I actually preferred the VII with 180 in ROF over the XIII.

 

Now for that damage model... one can only hope.

Edited May 26, 2021 by NO.20_Krispy_Duck

[Angry_Kitten]

On 5/26/2021 at 1:56 PM, NO.20_Krispy_Duck said:

The Snipe and the D.IV look like really interesting, late war additions. Both are interesting developments of late rotary-powered aircraft and I think they're worthy additions to the game, though their time period of activity is fairly limited.

 

The N.28 - I'm not a big fan. It's sort of fun to fly, but the Spad XIII in FC is the better option overall.

 

The Spad VII with 180hp engine should be a real workhorse for the allies. The plane served with many airforces and some pilots clung to it even after the XIII appeared because it had lighter and crisper handling. This is offset by the limited ammunition and single Vickers gun. But some of the aces who thrived in the Spad were crack shots who made very efficient use of the limited ammunition. In ROF it was an excellent choice for the pilot who likes slash attacks, but who still wants light-ish handling and speed for defensive flying. I actually preferred the VII with 180 in ROF over the XIII.

 

Now for that damage model... one can only hope.

Thats the thing that counts, aiming.. 

 

I always liked the planes with lots of visibility, and as a result the only thing i like to fly in FC is the Dr1. Everything else is really really resisticted and just doesnt work.

 

as long as its a belt fed gun, single gun is no issue at all.  But the lewis always seems to go empty when your in the middle of that "perfect burst" 

[Voyager]

I wouldn't expect there to be many more late war fighters on Volume's II & III. We've largely got the best of 1918, and the remaining packs are about expanding the war to the earlier years. 

 

The thing about the Nieuport 28, is it and the DH.4 complete the US Expeditionary Force roster. It's got a big historical significance, even though it wasn't a great fighter. 

 

I do hope we also get the Eagle VIII and Liberty DH.4's as options, though. RoF only seems to have had the Eagle VII, with a lot less power available. 

[Trooper117]

You might want a Salmson 2-A2 as well

 

 

Edited July 5, 2021 by Trooper117