Thanks for your comment Folks!
FANATIC MODDER Wrote:HunInTheSun, why you don't talk with MrJolly to put these mods (or at least some of them) in place of the various aces G6s & G10 slots?
Why not,that would be a good idea;
But it would be necessary to rename the plane of these aces,as it seems Fabian's G10 wasn't like the G10 i propose with my mods (Erla or Late war)
It would add a veritable mess in the plane list,i fear... :oops:
Metatron Wrote:Any idea why late Bf-109s went from a semi-retracting to a non-retracting tailwheel, before making a fully retractable version for the K-4 model?
Here is what i understood about this fact,from different readings:
From G4 onwards,it was necessary to mount new tires on Me109s for them being able to take-off and land on rough terrains.The tailwheel well wasn't enlarged,maybe for production reasons.
We mustn't forget that the German army planned the end of the war for 1943.
The G6 model was also intended to be the absolute last model of 109,because Messerschmitt engineers were certainly fully busy with technologically advanced planes like Me262 or Me163 Komet
Thus,the Me109s from G6 till G10 (including the G14) were more or less the same plane with many improvements added/created by factories,improvements that were sometimes not compatible each other.
Adding to that the prolonging war and the final defeat that was appearing more and more clearly days after days...
Nevertheless,the Kurfurst model was a complete new plane,developped from 1943.
This plane *was* to include every improvement that had given to the 109 most of its best qualities:
-DB605-D engine (like the AS engine,but much more sophisticated and powerful for climbing,accelerating and for top speed)
-Improved cockpit ergonomy
-Erla canopy
-Versatile and strong armament (MK108 30mm as standard nose cannon plus 2xMG131 13mm)
-Fully retractable TW and wheel well covers,giving to the Kurfurst a Friedrich smooth form.
-etc...
All of that with a slight spinner and tail section redesign.
To summary,a formidable fighter that was described like able to outfly anything and maneuverable like any other Me109-G,dixit the German Ace Franz Stigler,28 victories
just here.
Knowing all of that,we can frankly wonder about the K4 performances,maneuvrability and especially about its weight in the IL2 sim...But this is another matter.
Salute