Need help learning the Bf109

[Maulkin]

I have had this module for a while now but have not had any serious stick time so I thought I would give it a go this weekend.

 

Wow....this is a handful!

 

First question: I set the radiator to automatic but it never seems to open the radiator even when the engine is overheating. I am forced to pop it out of automatic is set it to "open" to aviod the engine seizing. Can someone give me some advice on how to operate the radiator?

 

Trying the dogfight quick mission and had a hell of a time. The aircraft always wants to snaproll to the left no matter how much rudder/aileron I give it. Trying to follow the P-51 into the climb is always ending in a snaproll.

 

What I could really use is some one-on-one time with someone who has mastered the plane. I love the Bf109 but I will be damed if I know how to fly it. ;)

[Bounder]

Hi Maulkin, welcome to the fun! I'd recommend teaming up with players from one of the ww2 orientated DCS groups and using voice over comms to learn the 109, like ourselves at 9jg27.com (link to our webpage with forum and teamspeak details http://www.9jg27.com).

 

Regarding your specific question about the radiator, there was an issue reported with the manual controls for the 109s radiator a while ago but I thought that had been fixed? Either way, you shouldn't need to change the radiator setting from automatic (straight up position) to anything else. Unless there is still a bug when using manual radiator control it might be something else is going wrong, e.g. getting too slow for too long and directly overheating or indirectly via some form of engine damage (like going full throttle without mw50 engaged). You shouldn't need to touch the radiator controls in the 109.

 

On the other point, I know the 109 wants to roll left on very low speeds (e.g. like during take-off) but once airborne and during combat ideally you shouldn't be flying so slow or close to stalling. The 109 has a pretty gentle stall before it will fully stall out and once you get used to her behaviour you'll know where the edge is and when to back off a little, especially when flying with a full tank of gas! Best of luck.

Edited August 2, 2015 by Bounder

[Maulkin]

Thanks Bounder I'll check you folks out. I'm in the EST timezone so hopefully that won't be a problem. :)

 

In regards to the radiator I tried all kinds of altitude, speed, and initial heat conditions but it seemed to me no matter what it would always fully close the radiator. I will retest later today to confirm it can be reproduced. One thing to note is that the mission was an air-start and the airplane does not start configured for flying so that might contribute.

 

Regarding roll I thought I was keeping it to 250+ km/h but if I brought the nose up at all the slats would jump out and the aircraft would become very unstable.

 

This is likely growing pains as I learn the aircraft but it would be much more fun to fly with human pilots. ;)

[Nerd1000]

Thanks Bounder I'll check you folks out. I'm in the EST timezone so hopefully that won't be a problem. :)

 

In regards to the radiator I tried all kinds of altitude, speed, and initial heat conditions but it seemed to me no matter what it would always fully close the radiator. I will retest later today to confirm it can be reproduced. One thing to note is that the mission was an air-start and the airplane does not start configured for flying so that might contribute.

 

Regarding roll I thought I was keeping it to 250+ km/h but if I brought the nose up at all the slats would jump out and the aircraft would become very unstable.

 

This is likely growing pains as I learn the aircraft but it would be much more fun to fly with human pilots. ;)

 

 

You've gotta go faster! 350km/h is more reasonable for a Kurfurst in combat, and even then that's slow. Speed is life.*

 

This will also help with your overheating woes (by increasing airflow through the radiators) and the nasty rolling. Remember that the 109 is a very small plane and features an engine that develops up to 2000hp. The Spitfire Mk XIV was well known for being a handful at low speeds due to its ~2000hp Griffon. The 109 has equal power with MW50 boost but is even smaller, and in particular has a puny little rudder that gives you limited authority at low speed.

 

Speaking of that, I'd like to emphasize the importance of keeping the 'ball' in the turn and slip indicator centered. The plane should fly a lot better if you can do that. Unfortunately for some reason the Germans seemed to feel that a rudder trimmer was not a desirable feature on a fighter (neither the Fw190 or the Bf109 have one), so you'll have to apply left or right rudder at all times except when flying exactly at the cruising speed of (IIRC) 450 km/h.

 

* There is a theory you might have heard of called the 'energy maneuverability' theory of air combat. Essentially Speed+Altitude = Energy, and whomever enters the fight with the most energy will probably win.

[Sporg]

You've gotta go faster! 350km/h is more reasonable for a Kurfurst in combat, and even then that's slow. Speed is life.*

 

This will also help with your overheating woes (by increasing airflow through the radiators) and the nasty rolling. Remember that the 109 is a very small plane and features an engine that develops up to 2000hp. The Spitfire Mk XIV was well known for being a handful at low speeds due to its ~2000hp Griffon. The 109 has equal power with MW50 boost but is even smaller, and in particular has a puny little rudder that gives you limited authority at low speed.

 

Speaking of that, I'd like to emphasize the importance of keeping the 'ball' in the turn and slip indicator centered. The plane should fly a lot better if you can do that. Unfortunately for some reason the Germans seemed to feel that a rudder trimmer was not a desirable feature on a fighter (neither the Fw190 or the Bf109 have one), so you'll have to apply left or right rudder at all times except when flying exactly at the cruising speed of (IIRC) 450 km/h.

 

* There is a theory you might have heard of called the 'energy maneuverability' theory of air combat. Essentially Speed+Altitude = Energy, and whomever enters the fight with the most energy will probably win.

 

+1 to this.

 

I personally consider 280-300 km/h as the lower threshold for normal maneuvering, below that one needs to be gentle at the controls.

 

Remember that most maneuvering tends to cost airspeed, so when you reach the threshold you need to try to get the speed up before maneuvering hard again.

 

In general, the slats and aircraft shake are good indicators how hard a turn you can pull:

Pull hard and the slats come out. Pull harder and the aircraft starts to shake. Pull harder again and you drop a wing.

 

The shake and wing drop comes faster if you have not centered the ball.

[Solty]

I recommend takeoff power 1.2 at a and right rudder kicks and additional 2 down trim and the tail wheel locked. The 109 take off is quite easy. The plane fly's itself. Keep the maneuvering speed above 300 and she'll be OK.

[fastfreddie]

You've gotta go faster! 350km/h is more reasonable for a Kurfurst in combat, and even then that's slow. Speed is life.*

 

This will also help with your overheating woes (by increasing airflow through the radiators) and the nasty rolling. Remember that the 109 is a very small plane and features an engine that develops up to 2000hp. The Spitfire Mk XIV was well known for being a handful at low speeds due to its ~2000hp Griffon. The 109 has equal power with MW50 boost but is even smaller, and in particular has a puny little rudder that gives you limited authority at low speed.

 

Speaking of that, I'd like to emphasize the importance of keeping the 'ball' in the turn and slip indicator centered. The plane should fly a lot better if you can do that. Unfortunately for some reason the Germans seemed to feel that a rudder trimmer was not a desirable feature on a fighter (neither the Fw190 or the Bf109 have one), so you'll have to apply left or right rudder at all times except when flying exactly at the cruising speed of (IIRC) 450 km/h.

 

* There is a theory you might have heard of called the 'energy maneuverability' theory of air combat. Essentially Speed+Altitude = Energy, and whomever enters the fight with the most energy will probably win.

 

Good tips. I'd say that 350 kph is the minimal speed for all German aircraft and 450-550 kph is a good range for the K4. For the Dora the faster you fly the better you fight and I like to attack in speed ranges in excess of 650 kph. TBH you should be able to easily handle the practice ai offline once you master some basics.