The wing vortices are speed activated - as in real life. To see them, press "i" on the ground (nothing will happen) then take off. You'll see the effects as speed passes about 130mph or so. You can turn the effects off with the "i" key.
How to use the WEP system
Engage military power (full throttle) then press the round button on the right hand side of the panel. You'll see the boost gauge jump and the WEP timer light illuminate. Also the power output will jump, hugely.
But beware! If you run WEP much past the "Time up" light, you'll blow up your supercharger and may even sieze the engine.
How to change the gauge quality in the virtual cockpit
I have included three panel .cfgs within this package to allow users to select their preferred VC quality.
The default setting is "soft", which makes the gauges look fuzzy but gives good frame rates.
If you fly all the time using the VC like I do, select either "panelmedium" config or the "panelsharp".
To change the gauge clarity, open the panel directory. Rename the existing panel.cfg "panelsoft". Then rename panelmedium as simply "panel". "Panelmedium" gives good clarity and reasonable framerates. "Panelsharp" is very clear, but hits the framerates. Use sharp only if your system can handle it.
Note. Close FS before selecting a new panel .cfg.
Tips for flying the Spitfire
The 1% airfile provided by Jerry Beckwith is a very credible attempt to create true to life handling, so far as a sim can. That means torque - and lots of it.
Real late model Spitfires (post Mk IX) were hugely powerful and known to be difficult to fly, especially on takeoff and landing. Further, the Griffon engine rotates counter clockwise; the opposite direction to the Merlin. So the torque pull on this aircraft is to the right, requiring left rudder to compensate. Why would anyone deliberately design an engine that works backwards? Well, it's British :-).
Takeoff:
In VC mode, click your seat up 3x to improve the forward view (sort of). Taxi slowly to avoid a groundloop. Start slightly left of centreline.
Set Flaps one notch. Press "i" if you want the effects in flight.
Apply only 50% power - _no_ more. Use left rudder and left brake if needed to maintain a track along the centreline. If you still cant track straight, back off the throttle. At about 100mph, the tail will rise. At 110mph, pull back gently. Once airborne, retract gear & flaps & ease power on for climb out. Adjust mixture as necessary during climb.
Level Flight:
An economical cruising speed... (LOL:-) Like you care!)...is about 300mph near sea level, just off boost.
Wind the pitch control back 3-4 notches to bring rpm down and set mixture. Elevator trim is speed dependent. So if you change your speed, re-trim.
With that much torque you'll find the need to fly hands on to maintain straight & level flight. Trimmed properly, only minor adjustment is required, but you cant let the stick go & wander off like in the Cessna. There's no autopilot. At Full WEP, hold on!
Landing:
Enter circuit @1200' AGL check pitch & mixture are full in. (ctrl shift F4, ctrl F4)
@ 125mph, lower gear, then as speed drops, select full flaps.
Maintain 115mph min, 120 max in turns. Forward visibility is an issue, so approach in an arc from downwind to final, all the time watching the runway. (Activecamera's great for this)
Use rudder to check your alignment (a light crosswind is helpful).
On final, maintain exactly 100mph on descent.
This is where you reverse what you usually do.
Use pitch to control speed (too fast pull back/too slow, nose down) and throttle to control descent rate (Dropping short, more power/too high, less power). This takes practice!
You should aim for a point about 20' behind the runway edge and aim to reach that point at 100mph, about 25' agl.
Now (throttles should be closed) pull back to LEVEL FLIGHT about a foot off the runway. Maintain level flight by continuing to pull back (you're now flaring the aircraft) and use rudder to correct any crosswind deviation. CRITICAL: KEEP THE WINGS LEVEL.
The aircraft will settle onto the ground at about 65mph (it stalls at 63), all three points simultaneously. Use brakes gently although she shouldnt groundloop. Avoid big swings on the ground as the track is narrow & the Spitfire is easy to tip over.
