Huge RoF sale

[Staggerwing]

I imagine that, since many of these planes were of such light construction, the spinning of the propeller and engine could induce a bank and roll. This would have been worst in rotary engines but might also affect in-line engines.

[Silent Disapproval Robot]

Yup, that is torque from the spinning prop and it is worse with rotary engines.  Once you are flying you'll find that the effect will persist and you'll have trouble holding sustained turns if you're turning against the direction of torque.

[Staggerwing]

OTOH, Anthony Fokker once convinced the German Air Service that his planes' tendency to quickly bank right was a 'feature' to be exploited by a good pilot during a dogfight. Were he living now he would have fit right in at Microsoft...

[TheCommandTent]

Thanks for the info guys.  Knowing nothing of WWI flight this is all very interesting.  Now I just need to figure out how to dogfight correctly.  I know it will take some practice and patience but I just can't seem to get around behind the enemy plane.

[Silent Disapproval Robot]

Try the Albatross D.Va instead.  For the most part, the German planes are much easier to fly than the Entente planes.

The SPAD 13 has a really twitchy rudder on it so it's hard to stay on target in a sustained turn.

[Toonces]

Agreed with the recommendation to stick with the German planes at first.  They seem much easier to fly IMO.

When you get better, you will learn to use the torque of the engine and various quirks of the planes to your advantage.  I learned a lot of this flying Aces High 2, where many of the planes had very strong torque in one direction or the other.  The Bf-109K4, in particular, had an extraordinary pull to the left which you could exploit with careful throttle management.  Some of the brit planes torqued right, so if you were in the 109 and could lure a Brit into turning left with you, you could beat even a better-turning aircraft.

Some of the Allied planes in RoF have very interesting flight characteristics.  I can't remember which one, I think the SE-5, has this horrible adverse yaw that could just throw me every time. 

[Slick Wilhelm]

I learned a lot of this flying Aces High 2, where many of the planes had very strong torque in one direction or the other. 

Hey, nice to finally find another Aces High pilot! What was your callsign on AH? Mine was "Wanker". I flew AH from day one until 2004.

[steve58]

Isn't it about time for another one of their plane sales???  I may pick up a 2-seater next time...

[Father Ted]

What was your callsign on AH? Mine was "Wanker".

Seriously?

[Staggerwing]

Both English and American idioms lose some of their potency when they crisscross the Pond. After that they become internet callsigns.  :D

[GJK]

Ok, watched the video and downloading the "Free 2 Play" version.  Questions.  1) Will I be continuously flying in circles trying to get on the tail of my target only to have a split second to shoot before I over take the target or before it turns again and we endlessly repeat the "circle of death" ride?* and 2) Will I need to dig out a joystick to properly enjoy this game? 3) Is it really $7-$15 for every model airlplane that you want to add?

* I'm being cynical purposely because I really stink at combat flight simulators and yet my question bares the truth about my experiences playing combat flight simulators.

[Toonces]

1.  I don't think you'll be going around in endless circles, unless you choose to.  If you do that against me I'm going to eat your lunch.

2.  Yes, you absolutely need a joystick, and if no rudder pedals I highly recommend a twisty stick (you can get these for not much money nowadays).  A TrackIR is a huge plus for RoF and any sim for that matter.

3.  Yes, but only if you choose to pay full price.  I VERY HIGHLY recommend looking around for Rise of Flight Iron Cross Edition on the online stores; it goes on sale for $10 fairly frequently and will hook you up with 7 more planes.  That will keep you amused a long time.  Then, await another RoF sale like the one at the start of this thread and cherry pick the planes you really want for $3 apiece or so. 

I posted this elsewhere, but here's a short MP video I made a while back and while not necessarily representative, it does show that it's not all going around in circles...
http://vimeo.com/38336593

[Silent Disapproval Robot]

The Rise of Flight store is having a 50% off sale on every plane except pre-orders from July 21-28th.

[Toonces]

Stormpowered (the guys that do Jutland and Distant Guns) have Iron Cross for $14.95.  I don't know what kind of hoops you have to jump through to buy something from them...it seems they have some sort of Steam-esque interface.

[steve58]

Gamersgate currently has ROF: Iron Cross for $9.99