Nations:
USA - Air RB - Performance Guide - Game Discussion / Realistic Battle - War Thunder — official forum
Germany - Air RB - Performance Guide - Game Discussion / Realistic Battle - War Thunder — official forum
USSR - Air RB - Performance Guide - Game Discussion / Realistic Battle - War Thunder — official forum
British - Air RB - Performance Guide - Game Discussion / Realistic Battle - War Thunder — official forum
Japan - Air RB - Performance Guide - Game Discussion / Realistic Battle - War Thunder — official forum
Italy - Air RB - Performance Guide - Game Discussion / Realistic Battle - War Thunder — official forum
Jets - All Nations (6.0 - 9.3) - Air RB - Performance Guide:
Jets - All Nations (6.0 - 9.3) - Air RB - Performance Guide - Game Discussion / Realistic Battle - War Thunder — official forum
Air RB Performance Guide - Specialized charts
Air RB Performance Guide - Specialized charts: - Game Discussion / Realistic Battle - War Thunder — official forum
Air RB - Map Temperature Guide:
Air RB - Map Temperature Guide - Game Discussion / Realistic Battle - War Thunder — official forum
Air RB - Thermodynamics Guide:
Air RB - Game Mechanics Guide - Game Discussion / Realistic Battle - War Thunder — official forum
Manual Engine Control (MEC) - Guide:
Manual Engine Control / MEC - Guide - Game Discussion / Realistic Battle - War Thunder — official forum
Flight stick, Hardware & Peripheral setup guides:
Flight stick, Hardware & Peripheral setup guides - Game Discussion / Realistic Battle - War Thunder — official forum
Air RB Performance Guide - Main Page & User guide:
Air RB Performance Guide - Main Page & User guide - Game Discussion / Realistic Battle - War Thunder — official forum
Contents:
- Introduction
- User guide
- Chart Legend
- Testing Methodology
There has never been a comprehensive introductory guide to Air RB. To make matters worse stat cards are misleading, thermodynamics are a mess and a clear lack of understanding, regarding game mechanics, of what is actually happening at a foundational level in Air RB. This guide is meant facilitate a better understanding of Air RB for both new and experienced pilots a like. This is a performance guide based on in game mechanics. Not a proper flight test database/datasheet, nor is it intended to be, as it’s not the proper format.
With that said, I highly recommend reading the performance guide details section before using the chart values for each nation and the modules on thermodynamics and Manual Engine Control they are foundational and linked at the end of this paragraph. Hopefully this guide and its modules help you become a better pilot and have more fun playing the game.
Air RB - Thermodynamics Guide - Game Discussion / Realistic Battle - War Thunder — official forum
Manual Engine Control (MEC) - Guide - Game Discussion / Realistic Battle - War Thunder — official forum
Step 1:
Find plane under its nation, read description and chart values.
Step 2:
At start of round look up Map by name here on Air RB Map Temperature Guide and Take note of the color, blue, green or orange. Match the color to the Air RB performance guide chart and enter MEC radiator and or/other color-coded values. Link below to Air RB Map Temperature Guide:
Air RB - Map Temperature Guide - Game Discussion / Realistic Battle - War Thunder — official forum
AEC: Auto Engine Control
MEC: Manual Engine Control
0Rad: MEC setting to Fully closed radiator (fastest plane can go with 0 radiator Drag)
Max Speed Alert: When red warning alert appears on speedometer.
Elevator Control Lock Speed: Where elevator/controls start to lock up.
Min Ideal Turn Speed: Minimum Speed in a flat turn without contrails (no flaps)
Min Stall Speed: The slowest a plane can travel without stalling (no flaps)
Max Temp Oil/Eng: Max temperature oil/ engine can get before turning yellow, orange & red
Climb Speed: The airspeed that the climb tests were done at.
Max Kph: Shows 100% throttle max speed in level flight at given altitude
Time w/WEP: Shows climb to 1000M with WEP followed by top speed in level flight with AEC
Hp drop: The altitude where a steep drop off in horsepower begins
Notes: Notes are any extra info that applies with the following abbreviations:
(H): Aircraft runs hot
(FS): Aircraft has fuel starvation
(DC): Aircraft has Drogue Chute
(AB): Aircraft has airbrake
(WEP): Duration of WEP
Eng Mix: Engine mixture setting %. “-” in chart, means to leave mixture at default setting. If there is a different value, it will be clearly stated as a percentage. (This affects very few aircraft)
Prop Pitch: Prop pitch setting %. Prop pitch will be shown in short hand “Prop100” = (prop pitch 100%) Prop Pitch can also have a color-coded prop pitch setting according to map temperature. Use Color coded Air RB Map Temperature guide to ensure proper settings
Radiator Settings Oil/ ENG: Radiator settings will be shown in short hand “Rad100/50” = (Radiator100%oil/50%water). Radiator settings are shown Cold/Moderate/HOT climate. they are color coded accordingly blue/green/Red. Use Color coded Air RB Map Temperature guide to ensure proper settings.
Super Charger 100/WEP: Elevation to shift super gears 100%/WEP while traveling at indicated airspeed. Almost all chart gear shifts are set at 280kph in the chart. Gear shifts dont need to be precise more than within 100M, shifting up too soon is generally worse than shifting up late.
Prop pitch adjusments: Prop Pitch adjustments are included under Super charger Column. Example: prop pitch adjustments to 100% at 6000M will look like “P100@6000” under super charger column.
MEC/0Rad WEP Top Speed: Shows top speed Using WEP @ 1000M for MEC and 0Rad (0/0 Radiator) This is used to show how much drag effect the radiator has comparatively.
***** Do not use test flight maps or even edited test flight maps they do not have correct air temperature modeled and seem to always introduce an unforeseen variable comprimising the test. *****
Berlin is the test map for all performance testing with the following map options selected: realistic battles, day, weather clear and limited fuel and ammo. The following maps are only used to establish radiator settings: Korsun (cold temp rad setting) ,Ruhr (moderate temp rad setting) Sicily (hot temp rad setting)). Custom mission maps are used since air temperature is correctly modeled.
Berlin is used for all performance testing because it is the most common moderate temperature that maps have, it’s close to sea level at start of takeoff, is big enough to get altitude and speed settings if set to Minimum BR 1.0/Maximum BR of 7.0. and has an easy path where nothing will shoot at the aircraft. Korsun was chosen because it was one of the warmer Cold maps, Ruhr was chosen because it was one of the warmer Moderate maps and Sicily is the chosen hot map because it is one of the warmest Hot maps, so if the settings work on these maps, they would work on all maps with minimum adjustment.
*Metric and IAS (indicated air speed) are used for all tests.
*All tests are done using flight stick (HOTAS setup) with auto trim on, with realistic settings. Tactical map is open on separate device to see aircraft settings in detail.
*All planes tested have all performance upgrades applied to aircraft including armored glass.
*Fuel is set to 30min or as close as possible with limited fuel and ammo.
*Throttle is preset to 100% or WEP, timer starts when plane appears on runway on screen. When testing MEC settings, MEC is switched on when 70-80kph speed is reached and adjustments made to Prop, Rad and Mix.
*The test is split into 2 separate main parts, first part AEC and second part MEC. Switching between the two can alter results for AEC. One main reason is Mixture does not reset between AEC and MEC selection even after ejecting and entering a new plane.
Climb Test/Speed Test:(This test result applies to AEC only):
Climb test:
Climb test is done in two separate parts, 100% throttle climb test and WEP climb test. Starting with a new plane, test plane is allowed to speed up and take off from runway with minimal stick input. Once wheels come up landing gear is retracted, plane is kept at about 10 degrees until 250kph is reached then stick is gently pulled back until 280kph climb speed is achieved. Some planes with a rate of acceleration require variation of this like Bf 109s which require the stick to be pulled back sooner after takeoff to not overshoot the target speed of 280kph.
Climb will continue while logging time to altitude every 1000m up to 7000m. Once 7000m is reached, speed tests can begin descending from 7000m and testing speeds at every 1000m, ideally, without lowering throttle or any WEP use since they cause temperature spikes affecting the radiator setting. (This test result applies to AEC only)
Speed Test:
Allow test plane radiator to get to stable temperature and while in level flight Watch temperature and radiator. If radiator starts to open with temperature watch for decrease in speed. Once temperature and radiator stop adjusting. Record airspeed
100% Throttle speed test is done at every 1000m, WEP speed test is done for 1000, 3000 and 6000m. (This test result applies to AEC only)
Engine hp drop: (AEC only but MEC Applicable if using same prop pitch:
Engine hp drop definition:
This is to test at what altitude the engine drops off in performance. This will be the altitude when climbing at given speed, in most cases 280kph, does the engine lose significant power in the form of horsepower.
Testing Engine hp drop Altitude Method:
With a new plane, climb until there is a significant recorded horsepower drop in engine power. To this climb at the given climb rate (280kph in most cases) recording the horse power at every 500m. The number might be static and drop off suddenly, the number might slowly descend at a given rate then all of a sudden drop double or triple the previous rate, or it might do a combination including a super charger/compressor gear shift. The important part is to climb beyond the last supercharger/compressor gear stage altitude if there is one, and look for the drop in horsepower. (This test result usually applies to both AEC and MEC if they use the same Prop pitch)
Max Speed Alert/Elevator Control Lock Speed Test: (AEC & MEC Applicable):
Max speed alert test:
For max speed alert test, it is generally best to start at 6000-7000m at a minimum so you can see if there is a Mach number that is a limiter on speed. Once at desired altitude, begin a dive until the speedometer turns red. Once speed is found record speed as follows: Example: if you get a number of 554kph round down to 550kph. Record this speed. (This test result applies to both AEC and MEC)
Control lock speed test:
This test can and should be combined at the end of the Max speed alert test since you are already going as fast as possible. The control lock speed changes with altitude where it can decrease with increased attitude. To test the max speed where there is still effective elevator control we want to test this ideally at or under 1000m so we know the max speed we can go while still being able to maneuver. While slightly nose down (5-10 degrees) with 100% throttle or WEP pull back on the elevator as much as possible reducing speed until there is an acceptable amount of elevator control. Record this speed. It should be noted that this speed gets progressively lower as you go higher in altitude. (This test result applies to both AEC and MEC)
Min Turn Speed/Min Stall Speed Test: (AEC & MEC Applicable):
Min Turn Speed test:
Starting with a new plane, take off and get to 500-1000m. To begin Min turn Speed Test, begin a flat turn not gaining or losing altitude NO FLAPS, and slowly tighten turn until reaching a sustainable speed with NO contrails coming from wingtips. Round up the second digit. Example if you get a number of 274kph round up to 280kph. This number corresponds to where a plane handles well without nosing over or suddenly losing control. (This is very useful if flying with a flightstick) (This test result applies to both AEC and MEC)
Min Stall Speed Test:
Immediately after the turn test, at approx 750-1000m, begin Min stall speed test by cutting throttle and putting the plane at a 10-degree climb WITHOUT FLAPS. Let the plane slow down adding some throttle to slow deceleration as needed (25% throttle is a good starting point). When the nose of aircraft drops, or noses over, log the speed and round up the second digit. Example: if stall speed is 164kph adjust to 170 as stall speed. This speed is used for landing with battle damage or without flaps. it’s also very useful for carrier landings.(This test result applies to both AEC and MEC)
Radiator Temperature Test Yellow, Orange & Red: (AEC & MEC Applicable):
On Sicily Map, start with a new plane, switch to MEC adjust Prop pitch to Auto/100%, fully close radiator, and heat the engine up as quickly as possible, using WEP will help with heat buildup. note where engine starts to turn yellow, orange and red for oil and water/engine, these are your yellow, orange and red temperature thresholds. (This test result applies to both AEC and MEC)
Super Charger gear shift Altitudes: (This test result applies to MEC only):
Starting with a new plane, Set prop pitch to desired setting, and set radiators to 100%. Climb at 280kph. (It is an option to use flaps and landing gear to slow climb rate can make this easier) Starting with 100%throttle, engage next super charger gear every 100m when engine horsepower looks like it will increase. Once increase in horse power is increased on switch of gears, log altitude, that is your gear switch altitude. Repeat test using WEP they are generally at different altitudes with WEP being at a lower altitude to switch. it should be noted that this will change with prop pitch selection as in if Prop goes lower so does supercharger gear in altitude. Air speed also affects super charger gear shifts. Generally, when going over 300kph, add 100m, 400kph, add another 100m and over 500kph add another 100m, 600kph add another 100m. It doesn’t need to be a super precise shift and usually shifting up too soon is worse than shifting up too late. (This test result applies to MEC only)
Radiator Settings (Cold, Mod & Hot): (This test result applies to MEC only):
Radiator Settings: For each Cold, Mod and Hot map, take off and get to airspeed as close to 270-280kph as possible, sometimes it makes more sense to shoot for higher airspeed like 300-350kph for planes that fly at higher airspeeds. That is where we want cooling to be effective at keeping the engine in the white. This is your tentative radiator setting traveling at the desired airspeed for each Map temp (Cold, Mod & Hot). (This test result applies to MEC only)
Starting with a new plane, with Radiator settings established and super charger gear altitudes known, set Radiator and climb to hp drop altitude for the aircraft, at 100% throttle switching super charger gears as needed, while climbing watching for heat spikes in temperature, usually where super charger gears are switched. If temperature spikes into yellow, stop climb at that altitude. go into a flat turn at desire airspeed, using flaps, and landing gear for extra drag as needed, and adjust radiator up as needed, that will be the new adjusted temperature for the map. Continue climb at desire airspeed, looking for any more heat spikes. You should now have a final radiator setting. (This test result applies to MEC only)
MEC Climb Test/MEC Speed Test:(This test result applies to MEC only):
MEC Climb test:
Climb test is done in two separate parts, 100% throttle climb test and WEP climb test. Starting with a new plane, test plane is allowed to speed up and take off from runway without stick input. Once wheels come up landing gear is retracted, plane is kept at about 10 degrees until 250kph is reached then stick is gently pulled back until 280kph climb speed is achieved. Some planes with a rate of acceleration require variation of this like Bf 109s which require the stick to be pulled back sooner after takeoff to not overshoot the target speed of 280kph.
Climb will continue while logging time to altitude every 1000m up to 7000m. Once 7000m is reached, speed tests can begin descending from 7000m and testing speeds at every 1000m (This test result applies to MEC only)
MEC Speed Test:
Allow test plane to accelerate until speed stabilizes in level flight. Record airspeed. (This test result applies to MEC only)
100% Throttle speed test is done at every 1000m, WEP speed test is done for 1000, 3000 and 6000m. (This test result applies to MEC only)
To get 0Rad or fully closed radiator top speed, fully close radiator and record highest top level flight speed using WEP (or highest throttle settings if plane is not equipped with WEP. This test shows what the max speed is and just how much the radiator affects top speed. (This test result applies to MEC only)