Released November 2021
---== UPDATE FL2083: MITCHELLS AND A TEMPEST ==---
FL2083 Update files link for MAC users: https://ient.sharefile.com/d-s2423f8ab9 ... b9b12921cc
* The FL2083_files.zip files should be copied into the Warbirds App/Contents/Resources folder for MAC users. (PC users just copy them into your main Warbirds directory if normal updater not working)
* The sounds files need to be copied into the sounds directory.
* The ui-rawplanedata files need to be copied into ui\rawplanedata. (the "rawplanedata" folder is found inside the "ui" folder)
--= North American B-25 Mitchell Series full rehaul =--
All the B-25 Mitchell bombers have been meticulously remodeled to have a closer to real world performance. See below for more details.
P.S. The B-25D and B-25H versions should historically not have a bombardier position, as the bombardier canopy was exchanged for a solid nose full of machineguns. It might be possible for me to fix it pre-release if the correct files are found.
--= Hawker Tempest Mk V new flightmodel =--
We are happy to announce the famous Hawker Tempest V has been fully modeled and will be included in Warbirds. It will currently use the Hawker Typhoon 3d model which looks quite similar, hopefully it can get it's on 3d model in the future. The Tempest V will be available at two rear LAF fields per side on each Legacy Arena map, just like the Spitfire XIVe. It enters play in RPS5. See below for more details.
--= Junkers Ju 87B-2 new flightmodel =--
We are happy to announce the early war Ju 87B-2 has been fully modeled and will be included in Warbirds. See below for more details.
--= Bf 110 series =--
Roll rate significantly decreased to around 60% of current roll rate for both the Bf 110C-4 and Bf 110G-2. Nose heaviness also increased on the Bf 110G-2. Effects from leading edge slats reduced by ca 20%. This increases the stall speed by 2-3 mph and worsens the turn performance slightly. This decreases the overall agility of the Bf 110C-4 and Bf 110G-2.
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--= Mosquito series =--
Roll rate slightly decreased.
--= Hawker Typhoons =--
Elevators now heavier and less effective with increasing speed, from data found in British flight trials.
--= Ju 87D and Ju 87G =--
* The Ju 87D-3 has been upgraded to the Ju 87D-5. As such it is modeled to have a larger wingspan and wing area, but more importantly is equipped with 2x 20 mm cannons in the wings with 500 rpg.
* The Ju87G-1 has been upgraded to the Ju-87G-2, which also uses the larger wing design.
--= Do 17Z =--
Now uses the Ju 88 cockpit instead of the He 111 one.
---== THE NORTH AMERICAN B-25 MITCHELL SERIES FULL REHAUL ==---
The B-25 Mitchell was a true workhorse for the Allied airforces during WW2, and nearly 10 000 were built, serving in every theater. The B-25 was nicknamed "Mitchell" in honor of Major General William Mitchell, who was a pioneer of American military aviation. The B-25 was a twin engine bomber equipped with 1700 hp strong Wright R-2600-13 radial engines. The Jumo 111J engines of the German Ju 88 could only produce 1465 hp as a comparison. The Mitchell was quite forgiving and easy to fly, giving pilots a good sense of confidence from the get go. It had a quite decent climb rate and could reach a top speed of 270-281 mph at 14600 ft, depending on version. The defensive armament consisted of .50 cal machineguns. Earlier versions lacked a tail turret, which made it vulnerable to low 6 o'clock attacks. This was remedied with later versions of the Mitchell.
--= B-25C =--
The -C version can carry a payload of 3000 lb of bombs. For defense it has a top turret and a nose turret with .50 cal machineguns.
--= B-25D =--
The -D has the same loadouts as the -C, but is fitted with 8x forward firing .50 cal MG's in the nose for strafing with heavy firepower.
--= B-25H =--
The B-25H was fitted with the same .50 cal loadout in the nose, but also boasted a 75 mm heavy cannon. This made it a very deadly strafing platform able to destroy structures, boats, and tanks alike. In addition to this it could carry 8x 5 inch HVAR rockets under the wings. The defensive firepower was improved as well with a tail turret and two waist gunners.
--= B-25J =--
While the -H version was a great strafing plane, the -J version was an upgraded bomber version. It also fielded the added tail turret and waist gunners like the -H. The B-25J did not have the same forward firepower as the -H version, but still retained 4x .50 cal forward firing MG's for strafing. In addition to the internal bomb load, the -J could carry 8x 250 lb bombs under the wings, for a total of 5000 lb of bombs. This gave it a heavy payload for a twin engine bomber, coupled with good defensive firepower.
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---== THE HAWKER TEMPEST MK V NEW FLIGHTMODEL ==---
The British Hawker Tempest V was evolved from the Hawker Typhoon and was seen as an improvement from the previous fighter. Deliveries to units started in April 1944. The Tempest used the same engine as the Typhoon, the Napier Sabre II, which was capable of 2220 hp and was one of the worlds strongest inline engines ever built. The Tempest also had a completely new wing design. The new wings were significantly thinner than the wings of the Typhoon, and were designed using the Mustang's laminar flow wings as a guidance. With laminar flow wings, the Tempest could reach speeds 12-14 mph faster than the Typhoon, at a sacrifice of it's slow speed turning performance. The Tempest's high speed made it popular for hunting down V-1 rockets, and with 108 gal droptanks it could keep patrol for 4.5 hours. The Tempest was an exceptionally fast fighter at low altitudes, adept at boom n zoom tactics. It was also used well as a ground attack platform, able to carry 2x 1000 lb bombs.
---== THE JU 87B-2 NEW FLIGHTMODEL ==---
An iconic German dive bomber that was used by the Luftwaffe at every front where the Luftwaffe fought. Powered by an 1184 hp Jumo 111D engine, the Stuka was a bit underpowered for it's weight. If unsupported and caught by enemy fighters, the Stuka was in bad trouble. It was however a very stable and accurate dive bombing platform, perfect for the job if unmolested. It also had plenty of ammunition for strafing targets once the bombs were dropped. The most decorated pilot in history, Hans-Ulrich Rudel, was a renown Stuka pilot who used his Ju 87's to devastating effect against tanks, ships, and structures alike. He even managed to chase off enemy fighters trying to attack his formation of Stuka dive bombers. The B-2 version was able to carry a single 1000 kg bomb, a 500 kg bomb, or a 250 kg bomb with 4x 50 kg bombs under the wings, which was a high loadout for an early war dive bomber.
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/Robert