Best plane for aerobatics

[Marvel]

Hello guys, as for title, wich is, in your experience, the best plane to fly aerobatics? Are there tutorials to do that?

Ciao.

 

M

[BlitzPig_EL]

I'd say the I-153 would be the best aircraft in the sim for that, no idea about tutorials.

[Elem]

Probably better to try the Flying Circus crates.

[Marvel]

Thanks for yours replies guys. So no WWII planes, exluding I-153, is a good chariot to fly aerobatics?

 

M.

[MDzmitry]

In general biplanes are the best for aerobatics thanks to how controllable and forgiving they are. For that out of WW2 birds there are I-153 and U-2.

 

Out of monoplanes I'd personally recommend the Spitfire Mk.V, Yak-9 and maybe Bf 109 Emil or Friedrich. They are all light and nimble enough while staying relatively forgiving to piloting mistakes. Spitfire a bit less so, but it's still leagues ahead of something like I-16 lol

[AndyJWest]

It rather depends what sort of aerobatics you are looking for. Nothing in Il-2 GB is going to fly like a Pitts Special, combat aircraft just aren't built for it.

[Avimimus]

It depends on the type of aerobatics one wants to do (and how challenging one wants them to be). Different aircraft allow different tricks. Different aircraft also require different skill levels.

 

Some of the WWI Flying Circus aircraft are exceptional for side-slipping.

A few WWII aircraft are good at inverted barrel rolls (while some WWI aircraft can't fly inverted).

The I-153 has an exceptionally small turn radius for its era.

A powerful long-nosed aircraft like the Mig-3 will allowed for good hammerhead manoeuvres that the I-153 can't quite pull off.

 

So, how easy do you want the aerobatics to be? Are you willing to fly a death trap if it does the aerobatics a bit better?

What types of manoeuvres do you want?

 

6 hours ago, MDzmitry said:

In general biplanes are the best for aerobatics thanks to how controllable and forgiving they are. For that out of WW2 birds there are I-153 and U-2.

 

Out of monoplanes I'd personally recommend the Spitfire Mk.V, Yak-9 and maybe Bf 109 Emil or Friedrich. They are all light and nimble enough while staying relatively forgiving to piloting mistakes. Spitfire a bit less so, but it's still leagues ahead of something like I-16 lol

 

I'd say the U-2 is difficult due to a low dive speed and ease of overload (preventing aerobatics in the vertical). The Spit Mk.V is the nicest variant for aerobatics... They Yak-9 and Bf-109E are much less ideal than the I-16 in my opinion - the I-16 is actually a very good aircraft for aerobatics.

 

But it goes back to: What type of show are you aiming for?

[Enceladus828]

10 hours ago, AndyJWest said:

It rather depends what sort of aerobatics you are looking for. Nothing in Il-2 GB is going to fly like a Pitts Special, combat aircraft just aren't built for it.

What are you going on about man, a number of WW1 fighters (except for like the Eindecker and DH.2) would be good for aerobatics especially??

 

🙄

[ST_Catchov]

The Camel is great for snap rolls, flick turns and hammerheads and such by utilising the gyroscopic forces of the rotary engine. In fact, I've done some spectacular manoeuvres without knowing what the hell I was doing. Likewise the Dr1, where I've seen some cunning stunts, sometimes controlled, sometimes not. 

[BlitzPig_EL]

The problem with the WW1 kites is their low power, which limits them in the vertical.

[ST_Catchov]

1 hour ago, BlitzPig_EL said:

The problem with the WW1 kites is their low power, which limits them in the vertical.

 

That's why I'd never choose the Se5a for aerobatics due to its strange loss of power (bleeding revs) in the vertical and turns which doesn't seem to affect other crates as drastically. But I've banged on about that for years. I need to let go. 🙂

[Marvel]

Thanks for your opinions and suggestions, guys. Yesterday I tried the Yak-1s69 and I discovered it to be a funny plane for aerobatics.

For aerobatics I intend the basic manouvers, looping, slow roll, spins, half cuban eight, wing over, etc....

Surely I will try the planes as per your suggestions; not those of ROF, unfortunately I haven't ROF...

 

M.

[I./JG52_Woutwocampe]

Try the Gotha in Flying Circus. Pure aerobatics, with or without your consent.

[Marvel]

18 hours ago, I./JG52_Woutwocampe said:

Try the Gotha in Flying Circus. Pure aerobatics, with or without your consent.

 

I imagine...😅

[jollyjack]

Schuckert DiV? Skin on haluters:

 

 

[vadupleix7]

On 8/6/2025 at 1:27 PM, I./JG52_Woutwocampe said:

Try the Gotha in Flying Circus. Pure aerobatics, with or without your consent.

Aerobatics without the need to leave the runway

[Rjel]

I'm partial to the Mc.202.

 

 

[Marvel]

Hello guys, thanks for all your suggestions. In this last period I found on youtube these interesting videos made with the Bf. 109E, and I can say they are very useful.

 

Ciao.

 

M.

[QB.Gregor-]

I wouldn't choose because of turn rate, but instead power to weight, elevator authority, roll rate and feeling predicatable when inverted or side-slipping. Here the spit is a bit to unstable/unlinear in my opinion, the 109 is almost too stable. I153 and I16 are great of course. For normal aerobatic manuevers maybe even the mustang, feels very sharp and you have to fly it right and clean.

 

Also a bit different, maybe you like it:

 

[-TBC-AeroAce]

I think the Rata is probably closest to an Extra

[Marvel]

Wow! thanks for suggestions, pals! I will try the Rata asap! 👍🔝

 

M.

[IckyATLAS]

On 9/17/2025 at 10:31 PM, QB.Gregor- said:

I wouldn't choose because of turn rate, but instead power to weight, elevator authority, roll rate and feeling predicatable when inverted or side-slipping. Here the spit is a bit to unstable/unlinear in my opinion, the 109 is almost too stable. I153 and I16 are great of course. For normal aerobatic manuevers maybe even the mustang, feels very sharp and you have to fly it right and clean.

 

Also a bit different, maybe you like it:

 

 

Fantastic. I wonder however how have you used the external cameras to take the videos. I mean a fixed camera following the plane.  I never managed to do this properly. If you could share how it is done I would appreciate.