Igor4U Posted May 22 Posted May 22 Just in Case others would like to Compare Results and see if these Speeds are relatively the Same as you'd experience. I did a Top-Speed Check for all these DCS World Fighters. I flew all Aircraft in Clean Configurations – No External Stores except the Empty Weapon Pylons Methodology - Full AB until the Speed Stabilized I mostly used the Corridor between Nellis AFB and Creech AFB (Indian Springs) for the Speed Runs. Flew Level Flight about 500 ft above the Ground for the Tests. High Fidelity Modules: F-14B 750 KIAS F-16C 777 KIAS F/A-18C 690 KIAS F-4E 725 KIAS F-5E 645 KIAS MiG-21 727 KIAS – At this Top Speed the Engine Flames Out MiG-19 617 KIAS Flaming Cliff Modules: F-15C 760 KIAs MiG-29 809 KIAS Su-27 770 KIAS Su-33 778 KIAS Here’s a DCSW Drag Race Video – Combines the Performance attributes of Acceleration and Top Speed Fast Fighter Jet Drag Race: F-4E Phantom vs The World! | DCS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgTgwHfiL8s&ab_channel=GrimReapers
cfrag Posted May 24 Posted May 24 Thank you - that is some interesting data. What is your point, though? IMHO relative speed is what matters in most encounters, doesn't it? And mostly not at ground level. On 5/22/2025 at 11:18 PM, Igor4U said: Flew Level Flight about 500 ft above the Ground for the Tests. Uh. That's roughly from 2400 to 3900 MSL (a 1500 ft difference), and "uphill" or "downhill" depending on the direction and part of the leg. What weather and wind factors? Pressure alt and temp? Humidity? Also, I'm a bit confused wrt what these numbers tell us. Most fighters aren't designed for top speed at or close to ground level, they shine high up, where the air (and drag) is rare. IIRC, the eagle gets to top speed (some Mach 2.3) above 20k, and the Mig-29 allegedly is even faster than that. So why are you looking for "top speed" outside their respective performance envelopes? Are these numbers relevant? On 5/22/2025 at 11:18 PM, Igor4U said: I mostly used the Corridor "Mostly"? So when did you not, what route did you use instead, and and for which planes? 1
Igor4U Posted May 30 Author Posted May 30 On 5/24/2025 at 7:34 AM, cfrag said: Thank you - that is some interesting data. What is your point, though? IMHO relative speed is what matters in most encounters, doesn't it? And mostly not at ground level. Uh. That's roughly from 2400 to 3900 MSL (a 1500 ft difference), and "uphill" or "downhill" depending on the direction and part of the leg. What weather and wind factors? Pressure alt and temp? Humidity? Also, I'm a bit confused wrt what these numbers tell us. Most fighters aren't designed for top speed at or close to ground level, they shine high up, where the air (and drag) is rare. IIRC, the eagle gets to top speed (some Mach 2.3) above 20k, and the Mig-29 allegedly is even faster than that. So why are you looking for "top speed" outside their respective performance envelopes? Are these numbers relevant? "Mostly"? So when did you not, what route did you use instead, and and for which planes? Point was just Informational - for Bragging Rights for who is the Fastest on the Deck ! Was inspired by Grim Reaper's Drag Race Video, did you watch it - what did you Think ? Took all Airspeed Readings in Level Flight (VVI = 0) as best I I could hold the aircraft stable. As for other factors - wasn't that scientific. I'd guess they are Relevant if you're down Low being Chased by an Enemy Aircraft intent on running you down and Gunning your Brains out. For the MiG-19, I used a similar AGL/MSL but in the Caucasus Map. Yes - Aircraft are Optimized for Performance in Different Regimes of Flight - depending on where most of your Tactical Mission will take Place. Pre Desert Storm, High-Speed, High-Threat Low-Altitude Tactics dominated Tactical Thinking for Strike Aircraft. But for Desert Strom, Because the AAA posed a Grave Threat, the Air Component Commander (Gen Horner) took the Fight up to Medium Altitude hoping to employ from above the worst of it. And if you are familiar with 'Constant Peg', one of the most impressive results was when they were cooking along in the MiG-23 in Full AB, the Pilot looked down and saw 820 KIAS and still accelerating. And as you Know - at any Altitude, the Faster KIAS (actually KCAS) equates to the Faster KTAS/KGS. Yes - Speed is Life ! Give it a Try and see if your Results match mine - BOL from BVR !
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