20.03.2011, 10:48
First off, we were a little surprised not to find a cockpit for the Polikarpov R5 biplane, especially because the Letov now has one.
This aircraft, if flyable, would fill several gaps on many fronts, and would be a good stand in for several Japanese Army and Navy biplanes that were used early in the war, especially in China. And with the addition of floats, as the R5 had that version as well, it would really expand on the IJN's early recce birds.
I realize that all work is done totally by people on their own time, and understand that the R5 is probably a very low interest aircraft for most modelers. Just an observation and a hope for the future.
Now, on to the two Japanese aircraft.
Both seem to need very long take off rolls. I would not expect this for the Ki-44 as it was a relatively powerful aircraft designed for the interceptor role. It's initial acceleration, even on concrete runways is quite low. It almost feels as if glued to the tarmac. Once in the air though it is a very good aircraft.
The Shinden is a very odd duck. The real prototypes were fitted with the Mitsubishi HA-43 2130 HP engine. Yet our in game bird needs all of one of the standard concrete runways to take off, and it feels decidedly slow at all times. One of my fellow BlitzPigs likened it to taking off in an early jet. The aircraft is 2000 lbs. lighter than the similarly powered early P-47s we have in game, yet their takeoff roll is far far shorter. I realize that very little real flight test data exists for the Shinden, but this lethargic low level and takeoff performance seems a bit sketchy to me.
Anyway, just some observations on initial testing.
Thanks.
This aircraft, if flyable, would fill several gaps on many fronts, and would be a good stand in for several Japanese Army and Navy biplanes that were used early in the war, especially in China. And with the addition of floats, as the R5 had that version as well, it would really expand on the IJN's early recce birds.
I realize that all work is done totally by people on their own time, and understand that the R5 is probably a very low interest aircraft for most modelers. Just an observation and a hope for the future.
Now, on to the two Japanese aircraft.
Both seem to need very long take off rolls. I would not expect this for the Ki-44 as it was a relatively powerful aircraft designed for the interceptor role. It's initial acceleration, even on concrete runways is quite low. It almost feels as if glued to the tarmac. Once in the air though it is a very good aircraft.
The Shinden is a very odd duck. The real prototypes were fitted with the Mitsubishi HA-43 2130 HP engine. Yet our in game bird needs all of one of the standard concrete runways to take off, and it feels decidedly slow at all times. One of my fellow BlitzPigs likened it to taking off in an early jet. The aircraft is 2000 lbs. lighter than the similarly powered early P-47s we have in game, yet their takeoff roll is far far shorter. I realize that very little real flight test data exists for the Shinden, but this lethargic low level and takeoff performance seems a bit sketchy to me.
Anyway, just some observations on initial testing.
Thanks.