Hi!
Well, like Don Quijote, it seems I've been fighting against windmills thinking they were giants.
I've been flying the Nieuport 10 for the last two months, learning how to deal with the overheating problem, but after Monty's answer, and some research, I've finally convinced myself that this is an overmodelled IL2 problem, not a problem of the real plane itself. As Monty says, maybe this thread deserves a small clarification.
In his DOF campaign document, or at least the version I've downloaded, it is clearly said (p. 2) that Torque & Gyro Effects, and Flutter Effect should be switched OFF because flight models were not accurately modelled for WWI planes. However, nothing was said about Overheating. I know that it has been treated in some SAS threads, like the one dedicated to the Fokker Eindecker. But I always thought it was a matter of taste: overheating was a bit overmodelled, but it was not completely unrealistic, so it was up to you if switched ON or OFF.
I spent some hours experimenting with outside temperatures and throttle management, until I felt I knew how to fly under such conditions. I must admit I enjoy myself during these experiments! But after Monty's words, I made some further research, and to my dismay I discovered that rotary engines (such as the Nieuport ones) were developed especially to lessen engine overheating. The whole engine spins, creating an air current that cools down the cylinders temperature, even when the plane was stopped on land. Thus, rotary engines would suffer even less overheating problems than inline engines, which need an external cooling system (usually liquid). Inline engines were also more vulnerable to battle damage, because shrapnel can affect that additional cooling system, eventually leading to overheating.
On the contrary, rotary engines had some disadvantages, such as a strong torque effect, and high oil and fuel consumption (under 'rotary engine' in wikipedia, it is said that this was partly due to the fact that the engine was typically run at full throttle. I would like to read a more reliable source for this).
Sorry for the long speech. In conclusion, the severe overheating problem seen in many IL2 WWI planes, which forces you to fly at around 50% throttle, seems to be completely unrealistic and unhistorical according to what is said above. As recommended by Monty, I will turn OFF overheating model until flight models are changed. However, additional information on the subject will always be welcome.
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Topic: Roland C.II (Read 2394 times)
