*B7A2, B7A2 (Homare 23) introduction:
I was asked to make a guide on the B7A2, B7A2 (Homare 23) and here it is. The two versions of these planes are very similar, the Homare 23 has a better climb rate, and acceleration. However, the Homare 23 suffers from engine degradation at about 17 min into flight while the standard B7A2 has no such issues.
For the B7A2, Infi-WEP settings were so close to standard settings that it simply made sense to use those overall. There was no engine degradation observed with this aircraft.
The Homare 23 was in a very similar situation except for some added reasoning as follows. Using Infi-WEP settings for first 17 minutes gave best performance while keeping the engine healthy enough that even if it did go yellow at the end of the 17 minutes, the engine would survive until the end of the Air RB match. I have included secondary settings for after 17 minutes for unforeseen circumstances like a longer match (Sim) but in general they are not needed for Air RB, the settings are under the section “for reference only” below.
– B7A2: This plane benefits from MEC over AEC overall. Auto radiator on this plane is set approx, 10/12°C too low. This plane does not gain additional cooling from high speed, it actually gets slightly warmer at high-speed including dives. Generally, it makes more sense to use Infi-WEP settings since it gives best performance. Tested with 1:28 hour fuel. Engine hp drop around 5900m.
*800kg bombs were dropped on takeoff at 270kph, adding +9/+7WEP sec (included in chart), to initial 0-1000m climb.
Details:
AEC:504/MEC:504/0Rad:506
***Infi-WEP settings: ***
Prop100 with Rad6/3 @ 1000m = 477/505WEP Kph (Cold)
Prop100 with Rad14/7 @ 1000m = 477/504WEP Kph (Mod)
Prop100 with Rad20/10 @ 1000m = 474/502WEP Kph (Hot)
– B7A2 (Homare 23): This plane benefits from MEC over AEC overall. Auto radiator on this plane is set approx, 10/10°C too low. This plane does not gain additional cooling from high speed, it actually gets slightly warmer at high-speed including dives. Generally, it makes more sense to use Infi-WEP settings since it gives best performance and preserves engine. Engine degradation begins at around 17min. Tested with 60min fuel. Engine hp drop around 5700m.
*Engine degradation happens suddenly around 17 min, radiator limit will drop to 90/225. Engine will survive until end of match if it was kept in the white up until this point.
*800kg bombs were dropped on takeoff at 270kph, adding +6/+5WEP sec (included in chart), to initial 0-1000m climb.
Details:
AEC:505/MEC:503/0Rad:512
***Infi-WEP settings: ***
Prop100 with Rad12/12 @ 1000m = 488/508WEP Kph (Cold)
Prop100 with Rad28/18 @ 1000m = 484/503WEP Kph (Mod)
Prop100 with Rad36/20 @ 1000m = 482/502WEP Kph (Hot)
*For reference only:
Prop90 Supercharger gear shifts/Engine hp drop:
(2nd gear: 3200m/2500WEP). Engine hp drop around 5200/4300WEP.
17 min using infi-WEP settings. The engine will go in the yellow after the 17 min but will survive until end of 30 min match. Secondary Infi-WEP settings are provided below as a reference of if a match goes longer than 30 min.
*For hot maps only, It is an option to use Prop90 on hot maps only after engine degradation occurs. Radiator gets overwhelmed (after degradation) at Prop100 with WEP, but Prop90 Infi-WEP is still achievable which outperforms Prop100 at 100% throttle. Prop90 vs. Prop100 climb is approx(+4.2/+4) sec per 1000m. But, Prop90 Infi-WEP vs Prop100, at 100% is approx (-2) seconds per 1000m and 17kph faster. Prop90 can be used to 5200m Then Prop100 should be used on hot maps only for secondary Infi-WEP after engine degradation occurs (approx 17 min). See under secondary Infi-WEP settings below.
***Secondary Infi-WEP settings(after engine degradation): ***
Prop100 with Rad20/14 @ 1000m = 486/506WEP Kph (Cold) (Infi-WEP)
Prop100 with Rad60/20 @ 1000m = 478/498WEP Kph (Mod) (Infi-WEP)
Prop90 with Rad60/20 @ 1000m = 475/495WEP Kph (Hot) (up to 5200m) (Infi-WEP)