JimMack

At Duxford we use 20kts as the max for a cross-wind landing for Spits, P51s etc. Obviously it can be higher for other aircraft - Skyraider etc.

Nice - if you were flying this in real mode, I think you should change your signature to "Hot Rod"!

Some more info: At TFC we had a fatal crash, with one of our most experienced pilots "Hoof Proudfoot". You must assume that you may have a mechanical failure when close to the ground, and think what you will do in the event. For those who may have a chance to fly in the backseat of a 2ndWW fighter, ensure you empty your pockets, and preferably wear a flying suit with closed pockets. We had a classic case in a 2 seat P-40 where after aerobatics, the pilot could not pull back on the stick. In extremis he pulled with both hands and the controls became free. Afterwards it was discovered that a bunch of keys had dropped out and caught in a pulley through a transverse fitting. The pilot managed to pull enough that the fitting was bent and the pulley released. Not a game!

Dammit Eugene - you try doing that at Flying Legends 2012 and you will lose your air display licence! See - http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CivilAirDisplaysAGuideforPilots.pdf At Flying Legends we have 2 CAA officials who watch everything. Woe betide anyone who breaks the rules.

Yes - air displays are always done with a low fuel load - assuming you are taking off from the airfield, and not arriving from another!

To fly the sim you really do need to have rudder pedals. As in real life, you are working the pedals like pistons! However, for those who have not discovered it, in OPTIONS/SPECIAL you have auto rudder option, and a slider for assist take off! Do not be ashamed to use these options as you start to learn how to fly the P51D. I know you guys and dolls expect to condense 6 months of real life training into 30 minutes in the sim!

Indeed - to fly the sim you really do need to have rudder pedals. As in real life, you are working the pedals like pistons! However, for those who have not discovered it, in OPTIONS/SPECIAL you have auto rudder option, and a slider for assist take off! Do not be ashamed to use these options as you start to learn how to fly the P51D. I know you guys and dolls expect to condense 6 months of real life training into 30 minutes in the sim!

You always climb in and out from leading edge. Update: Having looked at the 2nd WW training video, the pilot steps out and does leave by the trailing edge, making sure he does not step on the flaps that are down! Nevertheless, we do encourage pilots, especially if they have been passengers in the twin cockpit version to leave by the leading edge. If you are still wearing your parachute, you could overbalance when stepping down from the trailing edge and hit the flaps, which is not good news!

Ouch - I hope he had at least 150 IAS, preferably 200 IAS when he did that roll just after take off. This would not be considered a safe manoeuvre under current air display advice.

This is the laptop I use for testing - see below in signature. I also use a Dell Precision M4500 for both office work and testing.

Velma is currently in maintenance. Once we start taxiing trials I'll make a video, wheels locked, unlocked, S turns etc.

I am in the fortunate position of being based at Duxford with TFC. Are there any pictures you want of Velma? http://www.fighter-collection.com/mg/tf-51.php She is currently in maintenance with cowlings etc off. When ready to fly, I can get pictures of the livery for the 2012 air display season.

I think you are missing the point and some of the posts. Some people asked if they had to be Afro-Americans to join. Someone thought that the question was rude. It was clarified that anyone can join, which seems sensible..

These are models being developed by the famous TOMCATZ

Very early work

No problem, and no apology necessary.

It was I who decided that we should have the Red Tails with Afro-American pilots. I do not think the question was rude. I think it shows respect to the Afro-American community.

This is no guarantee that it will happen.

I think you will find that a third party modder will be releasing AI Bf109 and FW190 at some stage in the future. The models that I have seen look very nice.

That canyon run is one of my favourite "plays" with the A10C. The test is to follow the exact course of the river as closely as possible. You have to work the throttle a lot to make sure that you are at the correct speed to make the turn! Note the river splits into two. It gets quite interesting as you fly up to the source in the snow mountains.

As a reminder, hard copies of the tactical map are available. http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=50869 BUT NOTE This covers the former terrain of Black Shark, and does NOT include the new areas to the East - Georgia etc. Nevertheless, it may be of help in mission planning, and navigation without modern avionic instruments. It can be purchased here:- http://www.fighter-collection.com/shop.html Go to TFC Flight Sim Division

The size of the moon also seems to change. Yesterday was the largest size in real life.

Until you have reached 150 mph it is better to just do a shallow angle climb.

A tip from real life. In the UK, we often have documentaries with former Battle of Britain pilots. One of them gives his advice on how he survived - "I never flew straight and level for more than 30 seconds. I never did accurate turns, except when lining up on a target. If under attack, I would always fly with some right or left rudder input so I was always skidding or sliding, making it difficult for the enemy to judge where I was going". In November 1940, the Italian airforce participated in the battle over Britain in CR.42s. They had excellent pilots, many ex-aerobatic pilots. It is reputed that they were easy to shoot down as they flew so accurately, that their predictability made them easy to shoot down.

Maybe use TacView to get exact parameters?