This update is now live and enabled in the arenas
---== UPDATE FL2075: LIBERATION DAY ==---
By: Robert, Grumpy, Bollok & Jabo
All made possible by: Bcamel (creator of the program used to model the airplanes), and Idunno (who has shared a vast amount of aerodynamical knowledge).
--= Consolidated B-24 Liberator series full rehaul =--
The B-24D and B-24J have been fully remodeled and they should now be closer to real life performance.
--= Hitpoints for the B-17 and C-47 =--
The fuselage hitpoints have been reduced by 10%. Also the hitpoints of the wings and engines of the B-17 have been reduced by 10%. This affects the B-17F, B-17G, C-47 and L2D3. The best strategy for fighters is still to aim for the engines, not the fuselage.
--= P-38F Lightning =--
Engine temperature rise tweaked for Nominal Power and WEP for an overall improvement.
--= B-17 Flying Fortresses =--
Dive speed fixes. B-17F elevator heaviness at high speeds increased, now heavy to operate from 220 mph. B-17G structural dive speed limit decreased from 320 to 305 mph due to it's heavier weight. It's elevator becomes heavy to operate at 270 mph.
--= Lancasters =--
* Further tweak to the G-limit. Estimated to ~2.65 G's at 64500 lb.
* Fuel consumption at +6 lbs (Bst1) now set to 143.5 gal/h per engine, was previously at 170 gal/h.
--= New skins =--
Two new beautiful skins for the Ki-43-Ic. One default skin and one selectable.
--= F4U-1A Corsair =--
The cockpit has been fixed. Previously the gunsight was sometimes shifting textures when looking around inside the cockpit.
--= Nose texture fixes =--
The nose and centre fuselage 3d model textures have been missing for nearly half of the flightmodels when viewed from inside the cockpit. This update brings nose texture fixes for the:
Ki-27b, P-40E, P-40F.
--= Cockpit fixes =--
* Fixed the slip indicator for the C-47 & L2D, it will now yaw in the correct direction.
* Buffalos now have a correct oil temperature gauge
* P-40's oil temperature gauge also corrected. The P-40 horizontal indicator now rolls correctly, but pitch is not working. At least better than before.
--= Vehicle info =--
The vehicle info has been updated with performance numbers and data for the B-17F, B-17G, B-24D, B-24J, Lancaster I, Lancaster III, G4M1, and G4M2.
---== THE CONSOLIDATED B-24 LIBERATOR SERIES FULL REHAUL ==---
The B-24 Liberator was one of the most used bombers by U.S.A. and saw extensive combat in the Pacific Theatre. Other countries like Great Britain ordered Liberators for their airforce as well. It was a large four engine bomber able to carry a heavy payload. With it's Pratt & Whitney engines it could outspeed the B-17 Flying Fortress, although at a higher fuel burn rate. At low alt the B-24 can nearly match the Lancaster speedwise, and is the faster of the two above 20000 ft. The B-24 was not as large and tough as the B-17 but had a higher G-tolerance and better dive speed thanks to it's shoulder positioned wing design. While the Liberator's service ceiling was inferior to the Flying Fortress, the B-24 could hold a better climb rate up to 25000 ft. The stability of the plane was quite good, with the elevators becoming a bit heavy at excessive dive speeds. The Liberator's armament was stellar for a bomber of that time with twin .50 cals in several turrets covering every angle. It is a near suicidal fighter pilot indeed who tries to slowly climb up to a B-24 from it's six o'clock. Slashing attacks from above, targeting the engines or cockpit of this buff, are recommended instead.
--= B-24D =--
The B-24D fields four Pratt & Whitney R-1830-43 engines, able to produce up to 1250 hp each at Military power and 1170 hp at Normal Rated power. This gives the Liberator 150 more horsepowers at Normal Rated power than the Flying Fortress, altough they both have near identical max power output. The B-24D has a good selection of bomb loadouts and can carry up to 8000 lb of bombs.
--= B-24J =--
Very similar to the B-24D and fielding engines with the same power output. The throttle response of it's R-1830-65 engines is however better thanks to their turbosuperchargers. The B-24J is heavier and as such climbs a bit worse, but instead it has an improved nose turret with twin .50 cal guns. The most important difference is that the B-24J can carry up to 12800 lb of bombs.
<S>
/Robert
