Screamadelica

As per the manual, I always take off on main tanks and switch over to drop tank at 2000 feet. Like you say it avoids the hypothetical risk of a malfunctioning tank at critical moments.

Actually the engine doesn't cut out if you use the external tank on the ground. Not sure if that's how it should be, but it works. I always start with the main tank open and once started you can switch over to make sure it is working properly, that is it shouldn't cut out. And you can save on a little main tank fuel using the drop tank whilst warming up the engine.

No sign of a windsock at Biggin Hill. Would be nice to have one added to the new improved airfield. Not sure if any other airfields are missing them as well.

Hoping that Biggin Hill at least gets a windsock at last. Not too much to wish for.

Came across this clip on youtube. Interesting band. Excellent menu screen music option. Enjoy!

I have a vague recollection from the dim, dark past that DCS are planning a Battle Of Britain era plane set for release at some point. Hopefully in this lifetime. Fingers crossed. A Hurricane would be just simply awesome.

Fuel pump should be turned on at all times during flight as per the pilots notes. It's been correct from the start, no changes. Pump should also be turned off whilst taxiing and engine warm up, unless you use it to pressurise the fuel lines instead of the wobble pump on start up.

I remember the manual stating it was a procedure used prior to shutting down the engine, as you said. Just made me wonder if depressing it prior to start up might make it more effective. Guess not. DCS really needs a warmed up engine option.

Should you depress the oil dilution button before engine start up or after? Or is either way correct to cause the oil pressure to drop?

And that explains why perfectly! Thanks grafspee.

I've noticed when coming out of a stall turn with the throttle cut back that as the aircraft is diving out of the turn after a short time the engine RPMs suddenly go into overdrive, exceeding 3000 RPM before returning to normal operation. You have to be careful not to apply throttle until after it settles back to normal after it has had it's dummy spit. Curious as to why it does this, is it correct for the engine to behave like that in those circumstances? Only ever happens after performing a vertical stall turn. Cheers, Scream.

It would be nice to have the correct control panel. Always feels a bit weird pressing the "invisible bomb release button". Matter of priorities I guess.

Thanks Reflected. Just hope the mechanics don't get cranky about not sticking to 1200 RPM on warmup. I'll give it a try next mission. Oil dilution definitely needed for those winter start ups if pushing the RPMs. Awesome campaign, wish we had more like this one. Cheers, Scream

Following the correct engine warm up procedure makes it impossible to meet the taxi and take off times. Result is that the squadron don't circle the airfield to form up before setting course and you have to chase them across the channel before being able to join up. Not an issue if you are in the first few aircraft taking off, but if you are at the back of the queue I sometimes don't catch up until over France. Should the engine warmup be ignored in order to meet the correct timings, resulting in bad things according to the ground crew, or would it be possible to alter the timings to allow for correct engine warm up procedures? Great campaign Reflected, loving it! Nine sorties flown so far, no replays and five kills. Just hoping I can make it to the end in one piece. Cheers, Scream.

All sorted. Initially I'd just copied the stock Channel map cold start mission and moved the Player aircraft from Detling to Biggin Hill and saved as a new mission. Instead I deleted the original Player aircraft and created a new one based at Biggin Hill, selected drop tanks and saved in mission editor. Aircraft now starts the mission with drop tank loaded. Still a bit odd it didn't work the first time around.