Bouncing Clouds - Flying the Messerschmitt Bf-109

[Dowly]

This was a good read.

http://www.vintagewings.ca/VintageNe...tt-Bf-109.aspx

“Achtung Spitfire”, I heard in a ridiculous German accent. I smiled. The voice was my own. My head swivelled within the tight confines of the Bf-109 cockpit, looking for the attacker. There it was, above and behind, waiting to pounce upon me from out of the sun! This particular “Spitfire” (pronounced Schpitfire)looked like an unassuming summer cumulus cloud, but I turned to meet the attack nonetheless. An intense and terrifying dogfight ensued, as the Bf-109 twisted and turned to pursue the advantage. The enemy was cunning, but within minutes a particular southern Ontario cumulus cloud had been reduced to wispy shreds, and I had gained a much better understanding of the renowned Messerschmitt Bf-109.

[Herr-Berbunch]

Indeed a good read.

. . . it at least gave reassurance that even aggressive braking would be unlikely to result in a nose-over.

I disagree with both the likelyhood and the reassurance.

“Fine”, I thought, “let’s see what this aeroplane can do”. I climbed steeply and turned to bring the guns to bear upon the target.

What? No Spin?

[Dowly]

Originally Posted by Herr-Berbunch

I disagree with both the likelyhood and the reassurance.

Indeed.

[Herr-Berbunch]

[Oberon]

A good read indeed, thank you Dowly.

The article does point out the weaknesses of the 109 as seen from the perspective of a traditionally RAF or US pilot, in particular the high work load for the pilot in terms of maintaining prop pitch and the work involved in flap control. Compared to the Spitfire where you have a constant speed prop which alternates between fine and coarse and the flaps just go up and down and are hydraulically powered. Of course, this gives you more fine control over the 109 than it does the Spitfire, but when you're having to keep one eye on the sky for the enemy it's one more distraction than you need.
Then there's the cockpit which is tight to the point of making it difficult to bail out in an emergency, many 109 pilots preferred to roll upside down before jumping IIRC, which had the added advantage of hopefully getting you clear of the tail, something which Hans-Joachim Marseille alas did not.
And then there's THAT undercarriage...which I think we've all had an experience with. Made of glass and angled all wrong, useful for maintenence but bad for landing. Although she's not as light on her feet as the Spitfire which often needed two fitters to sit on the tail whilst taxi-ing to prevent her from lifting.
But with all those problems, she was still able to fight the Spitfire on equal footing, and outperform her in many situations, particularly in terms of engine energy. It gives you some inkling of the skill of the pilots and the machine when put together.

Reminds me of the old quote:


EDIT: ROFLMAO, yes, well posted Dowly.

[Herr-Berbunch]

Originally Posted by Oberon

Reminds me of the old quote:

I fly blue, but haven't been trained...

[Oberon]

Originally Posted by Herr-Berbunch

I fly blue, but haven't been trained...

Could have fooled me!



The 109 is rather stall happy though in game, compared to the Spit I've noticed. Then again, I've flown the Spit more so I guess I just haven't gotten used to the 109s little quirks.

[Dowly]

I think the 109 is quite stable in CloD.

[Herr-Berbunch]

Not in my hands!

[HunterICX]

Originally Posted by Dowly

I think the 109 is quite stable in CloD.

You're talking to someone who has the ability to stall Zeppelins

I also think the 109 is quit stable, especially when you're zooming towards your target and track it.

HunterICX

[Herr-Berbunch]

Originally Posted by HunterICX

You're talking to someone who has the ability to stall Zeppelins

Hey! It was the R101, and I swear I didn't touch anything!

[Dowly]

Originally Posted by HunterICX

You're talking to someone who has the ability to stall Zeppelins

HunterICX

I am speechless.

[Oberon]

Originally Posted by HunterICX

You're talking to someone who has the ability to stall Zeppelins
HunterICX

I deny everything!

[TarJak]

LOL. The 109 is very good unless you get yourself into a flat spin. Then unless you have a great deal of sky between you and the ground you are likely to end up like I usually do.