Hey BiffF15,
The Martlet vs Seafire part of my post was not referring to the diagram I posted.
I have been assuming that the "steep turn" referred to in the previous posts was started from similar velocity as in the rest of the maneuver comparisons (ie first one aircraft starting in trail then again with the other in trail). The lead aircraft begins a climbing turn (approximately a helix) and the trailer tries to follow and get in position for a shot.
Apparently the Martlet was better than the Seafire at this maneuver.
The only way I can figure this could work is if the Martlet trades excess Ps to increase turn rate and/or decrease turn radius depending on the aircraft velocity, while climbing (or should it be phrased the other way around?).
ThomasP,
The size of an aircrafts turn circle and his rate will vary / breathe in and out depending on where his nose is pointed, where the throttle is, and how hard the stick actuator is pulling.
If an aircraft is 10 degrees nose up, in a 60 degree bank and the pilot pulls hard on the stick, yes his turn circle will shrink (temporarily) and his rate will increase (temporarily). Once the pilot scrubs off enough airspeed (and he will as he is cashing in airspeed to obtain his greater rate and or his smaller radius of turn). Eventually his radius will open and his rate will drop as he doesn't have unlimited energy.
If an identical plane / pilot did the same maneuver as the above guy and he was level his radius would stay smaller and rate higher for a longer. Same set up with the nose 10 below the horizon at the start will hold his smaller radius / increased rate the longest, hence the reason even with new super thrusty jets the fights go downhill.
There is a saying called "go up blow up", and while not always applicable is when you are defensive and a guy is trying to gun you.
Going down allows Gods G to be brought to bear to help you sustain your max performance of your a/c.
Another way to look at it is imagine a long bolt, standing vertically complete with threads. Your a/c is inside the bolt and its nose will follow the threads as you go down in a tight spiral. However, as you go down the a/c will perform better due to the denser air and the threads will get closer together. Starting high the threads are further apart, descending into thicker air allows them to be much closer together. That's not to say you will jump into a defensive spiral and stay there, as your opponent will or can do other maneuvers to force you to react or change what it is you are doing.
Cheers,
Biff