AC load out

[outlaw]

something i would like to have all those that would participate in is a discussion on typical fuel/ammo load out they use for their respective birds they fly. not only what ya take but the reasoning behind it.

me as most know am a avid 47n/51d pilot.


in the 51d
     i run the full ammo load out just because 6 50's are better then 4 and the weight change between the 2 are not enough performance difference to make up for the loss of firepower.
    i run 75% fuel in the MA as to not have to bother running much fuel out of the aux tank but to still give max flight time in combat rdy flight. the pony will have around 38 or so minutes flight time with this loadout which to me is close to max i can sit in a seat without getting up. now i usually will climb to haze layer <15 to 16.5k depending on map> on climb out thus takes about 9 to 10 minutes to reach with another 3 to 4 minutes to get her up to fighting speed leaving one with about 25 to 26 min flight time once there. now the pony has a problem with balance once it's tanks reach the 1/8 mark it doesn't keep the fuel load very even in the wings once it hits this lvl. approximately 7 to 8 minutes flight left. thus making it unstable for combat and basically leaving the last for the trip home. thus leaving one combat rdy for about 17 to 18 min. the good thing also about this load out is that it only takes till about 3k to get out of aux tank and into the wing tanks leaving the vulnerability of being unstable to a minimum at the start of the flight.

in the 47n
   i run the 8 gun 264 rnd load out. the difference between this and the hvy ammo load out is over whelming worth it. you still have over 2k worth of 50 cal ammo. which even with just a 6% hit ratio is enough for a 6 kill sortie.
  fuel i run 50% internal with center line drop tank for time when i climb to 15 or higher. which will burn the DT tank out about the time you get to alt leaving you burning internal fuel which 50% fuel in the N is about the same as taking 75% in the other jugs or pony. the jug does not have the same balancing problem once the tanks get lo as the pony thus once to alt and speed you are combat rdy up till the time you run out of fuel or touch down. when i only intend to climb to 10 12k i leave the DT at home.still leaving one with 25 to 28 min flight time.when i load out bombs i have been known to take 75% fuel but only if i desire to spend the extra time approximately 9 to 10 min flight time "prepping" the bird. as the jug like most other birds in unstable with fuel in the aux tank. the N unlike the other jugs has wing tanks which carrie a good amount of fuel and will defiantly make the bird truly hvy for combat roles. and should be burned off prior to engagement. which in a 75% load out is approximately 1/4 tank each side.

looking forward to hearing others loadout info

 
Outlaw

[forHIM]

Yak9u -- Fuel load out varies as to distance to flight.  I try to time my flight to have 50% fuel when I start engaging.  This usually allows me 5-10 minutes of engagement before I  have to think about returning.  For bases 1 sector away, this usually means 75% with best cruise once I reach 11k.  Lately I've been more optimistic and have been taking 100% fuel to linger in the combat area longer, but I switch to E-fighting while I am still over 50% fuel.  Once I hit 50% I go aggressive.  I find the yak somewhat sluggish with more than 50% fuel.

LA5 -- usually 75% fuel.  If a longer flight 100%.

Both of these planes have ultra short legs compared to the pony or hog so fuel management is key in them.  The short ammo belts also make the likelihood of staying over a fight for 15 minutes unlikely.

[Nifty]

Whatever the orders tell me to roll with. 

I haven't played in an arena other than the SEA for a long time. When I do roll in the MA, I usually take full fuel unless it's base defense, then it's 50% (or even 25% in a zeke if I don't think I'm gonna live long anyways.)

[daddog]

This is a good idea.
Let me sit down and take some notes. I will then post them here. I will cover the P-38's. and the B-26.

[skernsk]

Hurricane IIC - base defense 25%, anything else I got with 100% because it does not fly for long

F6F - 50% plus a DT.  this usually covers it and when engaged I pickle the DT and fight it out.  I will often throw rockets on and pickle them off too, but for some who care about score this will pork your numbers.  I use the rockets for killing GV's or PT's.

F4u-1 - 50% fuel.  It has good mileage and is a decent turner with flaps down

These are three that I used to fly alot of, I don't really have info on others.

[daddog]

<punt> for myself.
Just have not had the time the past couple of weeks.