Saxman

ClMax and Aldop (Critical AOA) are both constants determined by the airfoil, and should not change with airspeed. However, when looking at the SFM table on several aircraft both values are being reduced as speed increases. Is this because of some compromise DCS has to make in the flight modeling, and if it's a property unique to DCS, does anyone know what formula is being used to modify them? Also, is there a particular altitude being used as the "Test Altitude" to acquire the data?

I'm working on recalculating the flight model for Dol's Zero to tame down it's UFO behavior. I've just about got it dialed in, but we've run into a problem with the latest round of calculations on the table: The AI explodes VIOLENTLY when it's taxiing (as in, takes everything around it with it). I suspect it has something to do with the revised CyA values, which are quite high at extremely low speeds. Is there an upper limit on CyA before it breaks? Also, when I run the B4 numbers through my calculator (I have a spreadsheet that will calculate Cx0, CyA, B, and B4) I get some questionable results. Until Critical Mach B4 is at 0. However, as soon as it passes Mcr the values become negative. It was mentioned on a discussion of the Corsair AI that negative values on the EFM table can cause some of the UFO behavior, so I'm hesitant to use the calculated values.

The IJNAF is a Naval Asset, so: I've been working with Mav on Hawkeye's discord with fixing the flight modeling for Dol's Zero so it actually behaves like a piston-engine fighter, not a thrust-vectoring rocket ship for which the laws of physics don't apply. We've just about got it dialed in, (getting some bizarre behavior when the AI taxis, though, still working on that) and Mav is getting the damage model working properly.

What makes the Corsair so dangerous is its flexibility. What it can't out-turn it can usually out run and slash to death in the BnZ. And what it can't outrun it can handily outmaneuver. There's very few opponents the Corsair doesn't have SOME tool it can use to beat it.

Cx0 according to my sheet is .0245 at .1 Mach, falling to .0206 at Mach .29. Then bounces back to .0230 at Mach .3 when compressibility sets in. B is .0657 until Critical Mach at .50, where CDwave comes into effect, reaching .0677 at Mach 1.1. So far this is yielding some pretty good results; you still don't want to try to turn with a Zero, but if you can keep your speed up and get above him you can control the fight. I'm still fine-tuning these results. My Skin Friction Coefficient throws an error if I try running calculations at altitudes about 8000ft.

*Laughs in Late War Mix.* API-API-API-API-APIT

The bigger issue is when you activate the mirrors they don't match the FOV of their "disabled" state, and instead are at a MUCH larger FOV. Is there a way to correct this? They shouldn't replace looking around, but if objects in mirror were bigger they'd at least be more valuable for quick checks of your blind spots. But right now everything is so tiny in them because the FOV is so big they're practically useless. It'd also be nice if you could save the angle on the mirrors and not have to reset them EVERY flight...

Keep in mind the Corsair was noted for having very light controls. I flew the Corsair almost exclusively in Aces High, and it was SO fun to screw with the Spit drivers. They think they've got you...and then you lower another notch of flaps. And then another. And then another.... People thought the Corsair was broken when it's really just the thing has VERY effective flaps. I'm tempted to actually try it in DCS sometime just to see what happens if I go full flaps in a stall fight.

This is the key. That energy doesn't do you much good if you're scattering it all over the aircraft, and not getting it properly concentrated.

I know, like I said, the problem I'm having is the results. I've got a sheet that handles a lot of these calculations and I keep coming up with B4 = 0 across the entire speed range, until about Mach .8 at which point it becomes exponentially more negative.

I'm trying to figure out how to properly calculate that B4 value, because when I try using the formula (B4 = (-Cx0 - B * CL^2 + CD) / CL^4) I seem to get really weird results.

They can set the display name to whatever. So they could set the actual convergence range to 182.88m, but for the display name show 200 yards.

Ah, that could have been it. I was flying with reduced fuel and fight have gotten below that.

Do I have my numbers mixed up? I could have sworn the 50mil ring was 400 yards, but it's been a long time since I've done anything with this. And while I agree with bringing in the ranges (at least one account has Marine Corsairs with guns centered at 100 yards) the measurements should be done in yards, not meters, since that's what was actually used.

Has anyone else experienced the Corsair's engine just...shutting off mid-flight? I've seen it happen a few times. Most recently was last night: All temps were in the Green. Cowl flaps, oil cooler, and intercooler doors were open. Plenty of gas left in the tank. Fuel mixture on Auto-Lean. I was in a shallow climb under Normal power so it couldn't have been from overspeeding the prop. And the engine just died. What's more, there was no entry for the engine failure in the combat logs (which happens when the engine fails due to damage).

Maybe it's just me, but I would expect a certain amount of logical initiative from the AI without having to micromanage the hell out of them.

Can anything be done about the fact your wingman just sits on his ass while you're getting shot to pieces because for whatever reason AI bandits only target you?

I bought this one. Though it looks like they may be out of stock.

It's even better if you can assign it an axis. I've got a trim box with rudder, aileron, and elevator trim wheels and it changed my life.

Welcome to flying a piston-engine Warbird. You're going to be using your rudder a lot, especially with the Corsair. It's a big engine with a lot of torque. And it's got a big rudder to compensate. So watch the slip indicator (it's right on the gunsight so you can watch both it and your sights at the same time) make sure you're using coordinated turns during maneuvers.

Update: We're close to having the Zero dialed in. I've got it to the point that the Corsair can now extend away from the Zero as it should, and AI Corsairs can actually shoot them down. We've fixed quite a few issues so far: Engine displacement was too high. Corrected the gearbox ratio. Propeller diameter was too small. Manifold pressures were too high (it was pulling 67in MAP at WEP!). Removed ADI (a system that to my knowledge was only ever installed on the A6M6, and never actually saw combat). Sea Level speed was too high (there's some debate over whether this actually affects AI performance or not, but this was the real key for me when I tested it). Roll rate has been corrected to tested values (max roll rate is 56deg/s at 150mph tas and falling from there). We're still looking at the other aerodynamic data. If anyone has info for the A6M5a or could help with calculations it would be a big help.

My problem is that the pilot's left arm blocks your view of the trim tab indicators so you can't actually see how much trim you're using. Less of an issue when you're in the air and can judge it by the plane's behavior, but a serious problem when you're preparing to take off.

I think it's absolutely a major factor. There's a YouTube channel I watch regularly, and EVERY time he flies a Mustang or P-47 I see the same sequence of events: Pulls up well inside convergence range, often even closer than 100 yards. Makes a snapshot. A couple rounds plink off the target's wing on either side of the fuselage. Complains about .50cal being "underpowered." His response when someone else suggested he's firing out of convergence was an indignant, "I used my rudder to walk the rounds across the target," which doesn't address the issue, and if anything only makes it worse by scattering his hits even further.

So is this something for a future development? A leftover from early planning? It's odd to see them defined at all since the 1D never had the wing tanks.