Today I propose a mechanic actually present on many planes in the game, this mechanic is that of fuel dumping. I think this mechanic would be interesting in battle in simulator mode because it can really impact the performance of some planes.
What is it?
Fuel dumping consists of opening a valve on the plane connected to the aircraft’s fuel reserve. This opening allows you to dump a more or less significant part of the fuel on board the plane while being in the air. This mechanism appeared during the Second World War to allow English and American heavy bombers to land in the event of a problem without having to wait for their weight to drop (their take-off weight being generally higher than their maximum landing weight).
What is the point?
The main interest of fuel dumping is to lighten the aircraft, the fuel can represent up to several tens of tons of the total mass of the plane.
In game :
This mechanic would be particularly practical in the game, it would improve the capabilities of certain aircraft. First of all, this mechanic would allow the various heavy bombers of the Second World War (not all) to reduce their maximum weight, the minimum fuel transportable by aircraft being limited to 30% of the maximum capacity, which is often far too much for these bombers and slow them. Then it would improve the air combat capabilities of certain aircraft, in fact, the fuel dump lightens the aircraft which makes it more maneuverable, at the cost of a loss of autonomy. Finally, as used mainly in reality, this mechanism would facilitate the landing of planes, allowing them to lighten before their arrival and thus be more stable in their approach.
Some in-game aircraft can be equipped with this mechanic
American heavy bombers (B-17, B-24, B-29)
British heavy bombers (Landcaster, Halifax)
Most top tier jets (The first jet aircraft to receive this capability is considered to be the F-4 Phantom)
The little extra
Adding this mechanic would allow for the famous flame on the rear of the F-111
Well despite it not being historical. it would be nice. At least in terms of Cinematics. Since you do tend to see this kind of thing being done likely with the cooling/water at aircraft reenactments where it seems like its leaking fuel or water in the scene. So it would be nice from every aspect.
I think it should be added only for aircrafts that don’t have it irl. Also for a graphical reason, only aircrafts with a modelled fuel dumping nozzle would have the “source” from where the fuel itself comes from
Yes it would be quite useful for Harriers, however I imagine that WW2 bomber pilots would also be happy to fly their planes with a quantity of fuel corresponding to the duration of their flight and not several hours
Yes, though it depends on what limits Gaijin imposes for such a mechanic. I could see them only allowing you to drop down to your minimum fuel or something and not infinitely drop down
I am curious whether helicopters can achieve this. Z10 is struggling with exceeding its minimum fuel level for over an hour, and most helicopters cannot use up the half hour fuel given to them by GAIJIN
