Bf-109 Stabilizer

[hootman]

Read other posts with some interesting discussions on this but didn't want to necro those to ask this question and see how others are doing it.

 

So I set different profiles for each aircraft. I have one "Base" profile to use since many commands are generic to everything, but it can be a bit frustrating as I change my Hotas settings around on occasion, and they don't carry over to all aircraft. But that's another discussion.

 

I also use Voiceattack, and have different profiles there as well. In VA I also have created some custom "scripts/macros" for some functions (very handy in DCS for setting up a cockpit for night flight, setting the aircraft for NOE flight, etc.). Plus VA also work when using some Hotas combos that you can't set in IL-2 keybindings (for instance using pinky switch + a hat switch).

 

Anyways, so for the 109 I scratched the one profile I had earlier as it was way out of sync with how I have most of the other aircraft setup and copied my P-51 profile as it's the "most up to date" with most of my common settings.

 

Which brings me to the 109 stabilizer.

 

I have the P-51 set to use a thumb axis on the top of my X56 throttle for elevator trim. Seeing as how the 109 doesn't really have "trim" in THAT sense, I decided to instead use that axis for the 109 stabilizer axis. While it's not REALLY trim, it performs somewhat the same function, no? It's certainly a lot slower, and is it not a hand crank

 

I also saw that there where discussions about using that stabilizer, and lots of people didn't seem to find much use except for maybe helping recover from a dive or assisting with takeoff and landings a bit. However, using my noggin I determined that it could come in quite handy in a turn fight, and did some testing, and low and behold it SEEMS to me when you crank that stabilizer up it seems to really increase your turn rate, and of course there is some extra speed being bled off, but I see this as a potential benefit in a turn fight, both getting into position behind the enemy AND out turning the enemy to break his pursuit.

 

I'm guessing IRL the Luftwaffe pilots were not using it for that, as it's a hand wheel and I'm sure they had their left hand on the throttle during combat, unless they were really slick and coordinated. Or did they maybe crank it over and leave it there while in a furball.

 

As a virtual pilot I don't have that restriction, having it bound right there on my thumb on the throttle allows me to easily manipulate the stabilizer with hands on the throttle, and if it's going to be beneficial in a turn fight like I think, that's right where I want that axis to be. Going to do some testing in different scenarios, like cranking it up a bit during a furball and leaving it there (as the Luftwaffe may have done) and also adjusting it as needed in a furball.

 

Just wondering what others think.

 

How do you have the stabilizer set on your Hotas? In the same sort of control configuration on the Hotas as elevator trim on other aircraft?

How do you utilize the stabilizer, if at all?

 

 

[Hook_Echo]

I'm not really a 109 flyer, and I used to really not like them at all, until I started using the stab for more than keeping it level. It's a complete game changer. I have it set to an axis on my throttle. I have four levers, so it's one of them. The adjustment can't keep up with my axis, but I know where to position my lever and the wheel will catch up. I'm used to flying planes like the Spit and 190 that have good elevator authority, and I always felt like I was fighting the 109 to make it turn. Trimming it tail heavy makes it feel so much better when maneuvering. I'm still not a 109 guy, but at least I can fly it now.

[357th_KW]

Yes, the adjustable stabilizer is there for trimming purposes.  And I do exactly the same thing - assign similar functions from different planes to the same bindings so my controls are consistent across every aircraft.

 

[[CPT]Crunch]

Exactly what I've been doing for years, the same axis on a button box, have three trim wheels set up exclusively for the three axis of trim.  Nothing like muscle memory in a knife fight, what difference does the method of trim make in your mind when your facing guns.  It makes it easier jumping from plane to plane the more controls you can piggyback.

[Panzerlang]

I do the best I can to have all the controls as they were in RL. There's no wheel on my left panel so I have two buttons to operate the trim (and two more for the flaps) in the 109s.
It's a lot more realistic for the 190s of course.

[Yogiflight]

10 hours ago, Hetzer-JG52 said:

I do the best I can to have all the controls as they were in RL.

+1

 

10 hours ago, Hetzer-JG52 said:

There's no wheel on my left panel so I have two buttons to operate the trim (and two more for the flaps) in the 109s.

 

18 hours ago, hootman said:

I'm guessing IRL the Luftwaffe pilots were not using it for that, as it's a hand wheel and I'm sure they had their left hand on the throttle during combat, unless they were really slick and coordinated. Or did they maybe crank it over and leave it there while in a furball.

 

As a virtual pilot I don't have that restriction, having it bound right there on my thumb on the throttle allows me to easily manipulate the stabilizer with hands on the throttle, and if it's going to be beneficial in a turn fight like I think, that's right where I want that axis to be.

I am using the Saitek trim wheel and it is really cool to have to turn it for whatever you want to do with it, takeoff, trimming, better turning (it is no problem during a dogfight, because you know where your throttle lever is, so you have it immediately when you need) and landing. It makes flying much more realistic than using an axis at the throttle or joystick. I understand, though, that for online flying one might need to "cheat" that way, as everyone is doing it.

[[CPT]Crunch]

Have a big old Maytag washing machine dial for elevator and two smaller former oxygen generator knobs for roll and rudder trim.  Improvisation at it's finest. 

[III/JG2Gustav05]

My 3d printed Bf109 trim wheel. 6 turns total which matches the real one on type G.

Edited March 16, 2024 by III/JG2Gustav05