Could Someone Help Me With 109 Ground Maneuvering?

[SeattleRex]

Let me preface this by saying that I come from the world of DCS where I have about 2,000 hours in the BF-109.  It's the only aircraft I fly these days.  Running that thing around the various Normandy airport taxiways is so second nature to me, I would probably be considered an 109 ground-handing expert on that sim, and probably in the top 1%.  I could do a lap at Le Mans in the thing without a problem.

 

On IL-2, nothing could be further from the truth.  I cannot even get the aircraft from its parking space to the runway threshold without a lot of mess.  There is not even a casual, passing similarity with 109 ground handling in DCS, and frankly, being younger than 98 years old, I've never flown a real 109 and thus have no clue which title simulates it correctly.  In my opinion, IL-2s flight model for the 109 (and ww2 planes in general) feels more accurate, while their engine management is far less so (MW50 on a catastrophic egg timer without regard to engine temps). So it could go either way.

 

As fellow Fritz pilots are no-doubt aware, the 109 is steered exclusively with the toe brakes at slow speed.  In IL-2, the toe brakes appear to do nothing aside from slowing you down after landing.  In fact, when I release the tail wheel, stand on the right rudder WHILE locking the right toe brakes, once I start applying power slowly, it still ground loops left.  I'm well familiar with the aircraft's torque, but how it ground loops left at 5mph with the right wheel locked, I have no idea, but that is exactly what it does.  Basically, to turn right, I have to ground-loop it left 270 degrees, then lock the tail wheel there.  I've tested to make sure the pedals do indeed work properly (and the animation shows the pedal being depressed).  I gain some control once the plane gets fast enough to catch rudder authority, but below that, it's basically uncontrollable for me ... which feels weird given that I'm very skilled in the other title.  Again, I'm not sure which sim is right, but they are so different that one has got to be flat out wrong.

 

Does anyone have any advice that might make this a little more sane?

 

Thanks!

Edited August 24 by SeattleRex

[Gingerwelsh]

8 hours ago, SeattleRex said:

 

 

Let me preface this by saying that I have never flown or taxied a 109 in DCS or IL2, but one thing stands out between the two Sims.

One has overly powerful brakes and the other has very low braking power. E,g you can't nose over a Spifire in IL2 and they were fomous for it.

 

So I gave it a try. Practice on a runway first and I soon see what you describe.

But after a short while I was able to taxi to the fuel tank.

I found it needed a lot of right rudder and constant prop wind over it. I had to keep well ahead of the plane in order to stop it swinging left.

Speed less than 10 mph. A burst of power could stop the swing. The Spifire is very similar, but I find it easier with the control column lever brakes.

Eventually I could do a long narrow taxiway, but it was an unpleasant experience. Maybe on straight sections, lock the tailwheel.

Good luck.

.. 

[SeattleRex]

I see, so you had to use the rudder, and not the toe brakes ...  I guess it's simply not modeled correctly.    Dang, I'm really going to learn bad habits though when going between the sims.  In IL-2, the toe brakes simply don't work, which is a head-scratcher.  Anyway, thanks for giving it a go.  Much appreciated.

 

Edited August 30 by SeattleRex

[Gingerwelsh]

On 8/30/2025 at 10:53 PM, SeattleRex said:

I see, so you had to use the rudder, and not the toe brakes ...  I guess it's simply not modeled correctly.    Dang, I'm really going to learn bad habits though when going between the sims.  In IL-2, the toe brakes simply don't work, which is a head-scratcher.  Anyway, thanks for giving it a go.  Much appreciated.

 

I had another go today. 

 

Leave the tail lock on and there was a vast improvement. No nasty terminal swings and and a fast taxi was easy.

Use the lock off only for slow tight turns.

T/O and landing, (flapless), was straightforward.

I hope you're enjoying IL2.

DCS is the best aircraft study quality Sim, but this is a greater wartime experience, I find.

 

GL.. 

Edited September 1 by Gingerwelsh