23.03.2009, 01:57
Aside from its reputation as a ground attack aircraft the Thunderbolt was best used at altitudes above 21,000 feet. It was here that the Jug truly comes into its own. At 32,000 feet there is NO other aircraft aside from jets which can match it. Maintaining 450 MPH TAS is simple and diving to 25,000 at 700 MPH TAS and then returning to 32,000 is doable. We do this each night in the AAA server on HyperLobby.
No Spitfire, Bf-109 or even a Ta-152 can defeat a Thunderbolt up there. Only the Mustang comes close but even then the Thunderbolt is still superior. Below 21,000 feet the performance falls markedly and at the altitudes most AAA action takes place at (5,000 and lower) the old Jug is a screaming metal death trap. Heck I wouldn't even take it on a ground attack mission, there are other more well suited planes.
No Spitfire, Bf-109 or even a Ta-152 can defeat a Thunderbolt up there. Only the Mustang comes close but even then the Thunderbolt is still superior. Below 21,000 feet the performance falls markedly and at the altitudes most AAA action takes place at (5,000 and lower) the old Jug is a screaming metal death trap. Heck I wouldn't even take it on a ground attack mission, there are other more well suited planes.