[DaveOD06]

is there an easy way to set up differential braking without getting rudder pedals? my current joystick is the logitech extreme3D Pro and i have no way to use the differential brakes. can i hook up an additional usb controller with a joystick and somehow use that?

[P/O W. 'Moggy' Cattermole]

me i just tap the brakes button to slow down, then hold it down to stop finally, or slow down in an emergency (ie before i go over the edge of the run way and into a cliff!)

[DaveOD06]

i also do that, but i am wondering how to brake the left and right wheels separately in order to turn easier. sometimes the using just the rudder doesn't cut it. is it possible to even do this in IL-2? i was under the impression that you could. does anyone know?

[rascal57]

rudder in combination with brake -> voila!

[8FS_Bulau]

IL-2 differential braking happens automatically when you apply rudder at the same time you apply brakes.

[TSUNAMI*22]

I have a joystick where the rudder is incorporated into the yawing (z) axis of the stick. Rotate left for left rudder...etc.

I found that if I hold down the brake key while applying full left or right rudder simultaneously, that it rotates as if on differential brakes. I mostly use it under full power with bombers while adjusting to the runway heading from the initial spawn point.

Works well.

[P/O W. 'Moggy' Cattermole]

i also do that, but i am wondering how to brake the left and right wheels separately in order to turn easier. sometimes the using just the rudder doesn't cut it. is it possible to even do this in IL-2? i was under the impression that you could. does anyone know?

For taxiing on a multi engined aircraft, I'll set the all engines to 30% and then deselect the left ones. I can then increase or decrease power to the right set. If I want to turn right, I reduce power on the right hand engines, while turning with the rudder as well of course. If I want the plane to turn left, I apply full left rudder, and increase power past 30% to the right engines. You brake as and when needed, to aid turning and keep the speed down. To taxi in a straight line, you need only keep the right engines at the same setting as the left, i.e. about 30%, and you steer it a bit with the rudder as needed. 30% power should ensure that if you keep the brakes off long enough, the plane can taxi at about 25-30mph, which can climb higher still; you can use the brakes to keep it down to a comfortable 20-25mph.

This makes up for not being able to brake left or right wheels only.

[US_GRANT]

I have the X52 with the yaw in the stick and the brakes on the throttle slider so i can brake and turn with the rudder and can turn very tightly without problem with multi engine or single engine planes.

[caldrail]

is there an easy way to set up differential braking without getting rudder pedals? my current joystick is the logitech extreme3D Pro and i have no way to use the differential brakes. can i hook up an additional usb controller with a joystick and somehow use that?

I've seen this sort of problem before. Apart from some real technical issues about hardware, part of it is a misconception of how to control 1940's aeroplanes, the vast majority of which were taildraggers and didn't require differential brakes at all. In such aeroplanes, the brakes merely cut speed and hold the aeroplane in place. To turn you need power and rudder. This is a simulation of how old aircraft were handled on the ground. Not perfect of course, but what sim is?

Check your tailwheel is unlocked (the aeroplanes rear will be a lot looser like that) and as described above, slow right down, hold the control back back, and apply power. When the aircraft is stationary, applying power will allow the model to turn on its wheels by rudder alone.

You simply have to accept that you can't taxi a WW2 fighter in the same way as a modern Cessna. Different style altogether.

Incidentially I use the main joystick trigger as the wheel brake. The buttons on top of the stick are assigned to weapons. That's as realistic a control method as you can get at a budget price and whilst it may seem odd to you at first, it is the control layout often found in aeroplanes of that vintage.

[DaveOD06]

ahh i see. thank you. i was trying out using the brake button in conjunction with the rudder and realized that that was how it worked. thanks for all the advice