The New DH5

[Bullethead 12]

I haven't had a chance to fly the patch-revised DH5 until now. All I can say is, WOW!!! Forget everything I've said bad about this plane in its original incarnation. The thing is now fairly competitive at low altitude. Gone is the inability to climb, gone are the horrific gust responses, gone is the tendency to spin in any sort of ACM-related turn.

 

Don't get me wrong. The DH5 is no shining star in terms of ACM by the standards of its day. Think of it as marginally better than the DH2, and without the "spinning incenerator" stuff. It's slow, rather sluggish, and subject to all the torque effects of a rotary fighter, to a rather extreme degree. Plus, except for forwards and upwards, your visibility is dangerously inadequate. However, it's now significantly better than a Fee, which it wasn't before.

 

I haven't tried pushing its limits of climb and ceiling yet, but its initial climb is quite respectable, it can out-turn the Albatros D.V at low level, which it couldn't do before. Plus, it retains the ability for you to survive horrific crashes. I just shot down 3 Albatri with it in a campaign mission, without taking a single hit in return. Now granted, I can now fly with less than 100% fuel, which doubtless plays a part in the improved performance. However, I don't think the weight difference alone accounts for the improvements.

 

So, belated kudos to OBD!

 

I hope other folks will now give this plane a try. If you want something more challenging than other mid-1917 Entente fighters but don't want to fly a 2-seater, this is a good plane to try.

[Olham 164]

From it's introduction on, I thought this would be a craft for you.

A "marine's craft" for the dirty ground attack jobs, rugged and stabile to chew a couple

of bullets and spit them out again...

 

I just shot down 3 Albatri with it in a campaign mission...

 

...but did you have to test it on my beloved Albatros??? (Whimper!)

[RAF_Louvert 101]

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I will have to give it a go again, BH. I was a fan of the beast before the patch, despite it's shortcomings. Sounds like I'm really going to enjoy it now. Think I'll go take it out for a few ground strafings and drome attacks. TKS for the heads-up.

 

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[RAF_Louvert 101]

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Bullethead, I just spent about an hour taking the new and improved DH5 out, and I agree with your assessments. I went up against a couple of Alb DIII's and while it is a dog to fight in, it takes abuse and then some. Where I really love the lug is attacking ground targets. Had great fun tearing up a couple of Hun dromes and a railyard, and the fixed iron sights are excellent for that work. But, and this is a very big but, it appears I am unkillable in it. I tried a head-on collision with an Alb, and walked away from the wreckage. I hooked a tree and went over on my head...and walked away. I took it 5,000' and flew it straight into the ground at full throttle...and walked away. Now, I like a durable plane as much as the next man, but this might be a tad over the top. Other than that issue, I am going to really enjoy this kite as a ground attack weapon.

 

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[+Polovski 460]

Thanks glad you like it BH :)

[RAF_Louvert 101]

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But apparently you don't care that I do, Pol? Ain't that a kick in the head.

 

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[+Polovski 460]

LOL, skim reading sorry Lou.

[RAF_Louvert 101]

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hee, hee...not the first time I've been overlooked and it won't be the last.

 

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[Bullethead 12]

From it's introduction on, I thought this would be a craft for you.

 

Well, it's not my favorite, but I do enjoy it once in a while.

 

...but did you have to test it on my beloved Albatros??? (Whimper!)

 

Not a lot of choice in August 1917 .

 

 

Where I really love the lug is attacking ground targets.

 

I'm rarely able to do that. I usually get bounced on ingress and have to dump my bombs to fight.

 

Aiming the MG in TIR is a bit tricky. It seems like the point of aim is just below the center of the top edge of the windshield, but I've found that difficult to do in a swirling fight. Fortunately, it carries 1000 rounds(!) for its single gun, so you've got plenty to spare on misses.

 

But, and this is a very big but, it appears I am unkillable in it.

 

Given your tests, I think you're right. I haven't tested it to the extremes you have, but I've survived some very gnarly crashes without a scratch. I put that down to the plane's durability, but your examples show there's something not right.

[Ironhat 0]

Just started a Brit flying this AC.

Overall i like it, except for the standard brown paint that looks like , well you know. Hit a German airfield with bombs and took out 2 fighters with bombs.

Second mission was attacking german trenchs. Hit them with bombs on the first run and hurt them bad. Then made the classic mistake of going for a second pass to straff the trenchs. The mg guys shredded me good and the bird went in. Knew that was a mistake, lol.