[whiskey111]

What is the influence on speed when radiator is open ? Is there any ?

[Russ_Ace]

whel it gose alot slower when open, but much better on auto wich few has like the 109.

[Guest]

Here is how I look at it:

Keep your radiator on full open when cruising towards a target because speed is not really important then when about to enter combat or whatever set them to Auto(Not every plane has the function) allowing Engine cooling as nessecary therefore not wasting speed and if you get shot or damaged after a kill or whatever and wanna live to fight another day, close the radiator fully closed becuase speed is important, let your engine overheat(It will live long enough, longer than you might anyway) and you will hopefully make it back to base where on Most servers strafing is illegal and so you can just make a crash landing on the runway.

[Storebror]

The Radiator position is being considered in the drag calculation of the RealFlightModel class.
The calculation even differs between left and right side drag of the A/C. For instance, the calculation line for right side drag looks like this:

Code:

Cwr.x = -d3 * (double)(Wing.new_Cx(f12) + f10 + GearCX * CT.getGear() + radiatorCX * EI.getRadiatorPos() + Sq.dragAirbrakeCx * CT.getAirBrake());

Here you can see that the left wing drag, the gear drag, the Radiator drag and the airbrake drag are accounted for.
Note that the Radiator drag calculation is based on a factor "radiatorCX" and the current Radiator position (which's value is from 0.0 (Radiator full closed) to 1.0 (Radiator full open)).
The "radiatorCX" factor is set constantly to "0.003", regardless which A/C is being used. Sad thing, but that's what it is at the moment.

Keep your radiator on full open when cruising towards a target

Spitfires are slightly sensitive to min. Oil Temperature, thus it might be a good idea not to leave the Radiator full open when cruising with a Spit at high alt and low throttle.
Not that it would damage the engine, but it will not output it's full power unless the oil temp is up again.
Other A/Cs seem not to care for min. Oil Temperature (at least according to the game sources), thus generally leaving the Radiator open while cruising will not cause major issues.

Best regards - Mike

[Jimdandy]

I have always felt that the raditor drag was not correct, mainly an old P-47 pilot before the Sabre's were released. So .003 for all ac wonder what that correspondes to in game rad position.

[Jambo]

.... Spitfires are slightly sensitive to min. Oil Temperature, thus it might be a good idea not to leave the Radiator full open when cruising with a Spit at high alt and low throttle.
Not that it would damage the engine, but it will not output it's full power unless the oil temp is up again.
Other A/Cs seem not to care for min. Oil Temperature (at least according to the game sources), thus generally leaving the Radiator open while cruising will not cause major issues.
Best regards - Mike

Just learned a wonderful lesson - after all these years! I really didn't know its matter if the oil temperature is too cool - but to high. hock:
So, thank you you whiskey111 for your question - and thank you Mike for your answer! 8)

Jambo :wink:

[Guest]

Well I never fly the allied single engine fighters. Usually only Messerschmitts.

[RadPig94]

Well I never fly the allied single engine fighters. Usually only Messerschmitts.

wow not even a spit?

[Guest]

Unfortunately I have so many mods one of them has made all my spitfires without cockpits so even if I wanted to I can't fly one.

[KG64_Cnopicilin]

Unfortunately I have so many mods one of them has made all my spitfires without cockpits so even if I wanted to I can't fly one.

What mod causes that?

[Guest]

I have no Idea, and I definately cannot be patient enough to find out.

[RadPig94]

I have no Idea, and I definately cannot be patient enough to find out.

i'd surely be pissed enough to find out for myself

[conehead]

Yes, it will produces a lot of restitance and minus your speed. During WW2 the most pilots, axis or alliied using radiator flaps on the ground fully open for taxiing and during take-off. After T/O they switched to auto.

From my point of view... dogfighting with radiator flaps fully open, is like dogfighting with droptank on!

HORRIDO!

[whiskey111]

Thanks for so many answers

[Serpiko]

Is the "fully open" drag amount the same for every plane? Example: The Macchi Mc202s and 205s have a radiator which shows a very little change in shape from closed to open, while Hellcats and Thunderbolts have multiple panels opening wide. Does the engine consider the drag difference?