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Introduction
Engine Performance
Firepower
Maneuverability
Flying the Bf109K-4
Fighting the Bf109K-4
Summary
Engine/Range Info
Fuel Tankage: 26 gallons
1/4
53 gallons 1/2
79 gallons 3/4
106 gallons full
185 gallons DT
Engine Settings:
WEP: 2800rpm/1.80mp
296 gall/hr
Military: 2600rpm/1.45mp
236 gall/hr
Normal:
2400rpm/1.15mp 196
gall/hr
Max Cruise: 2100rpm/1.00mp 166 gall/hr
Calculated Durations (Internal Fuel
Only, 2x burn):
Military: 27 mins
Normal: 32 mins
Max Cruise: 38 mins
-Soda
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Introduction:
The whole Bf109 lineup underwent a big revision a few releases
back with a rework of many of the existing models as well as the
addition of a few new. The
K4 appeared at that time along with the G14. This wasn’t all that
surprising given that the previous G10 was generally considered a
hybrid of the two so it was about time to split them into proper
models. The K4 is not an
easy aircraft to master but in experienced hands it is very capable,
amongst the most dangerous aircraft in the game, but too much for most
intermediate pilots to handle properly. Respect the K4, it is a deadly killer
and can make quick victims.
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Engine Performance:
The Bf109K-4 is an absolute monster of engine performanceat low through high altitudes. Sea-level speed is very good,
339mph, 368mph with WEP. Speed climbs quickly through 5K (368/398),
then a little more gradually through 10K (383/412), 15K (398/428), 20K
(413/446) and 25K (431/445). Performance degrades above 26K, note the
drop in top speed between 20 and 25K with WEP, albeit slowly. That
makes the K4 a 400mph fighter at only just over 5K (at light weight and
clean). The K-4 is likely
in the top couple of rides for speed at altitudes up to 20K or so. Climb rate is equally
impressive, around 4,500ft/min at sea-level, improving a bit to
4,700ft/min at 5K, but then slowly decreasing such that at 17K you
still have 4,000ft/min with WEP.
That’s excellent and again in the top handful of AH
performers. Acceleration matches the climb, it’s unbelievable and
a huge asset. If you aren’t excessive about WEP use you should
always have plenty, but be careful about leaving it on for extended
periods none the less.
Fuel duration is not very good with only 106 gallons internally,
which tends to last only about 27min at military power, enough for a reasonable
climb, transit and fight, but with WEP use that total will drop to more
like 21 minutes. A
centerline drop tank option adds another 79 gallons and is quite
commonly carried (adding ~20 mins more flight
time). There is a drag
penalty though, even after the drop tank is discarded, but it tends to
be minor.
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Firepower:
The 109K4 carries a devastating 30mm Mk 108 cannons (65 rounds)
mounted to fire through the propeller spinner. A pair of cowl mounted 13mm Mk 131
guns (300rpg) add a decent secondary hitting power. I’m not a fan of 30mm
cannons for use against fighters, it tends to fire too slowly, the
ballistics are marginal, and the damage it inflicts is overkill. With practice (lots) a person
can get used to it but it’s typically too much of a handicap for
new players. It is also
something hard to adjust to if you’ve been flying something with
good ballistics, like .50cals or hispanos,
and thus switching in/out of a 30mm is always a challenge. I’ve set the 30mm
convergence short, around D250, because outside of this it’s
almost impossible to hit a maneuvering target. I know some people set it to max
range to put some extra loft into the trajectory. Most players
underestimate the drop on the rounds so the extra loft might help but
still limits the effective range to something around D250 for most
players. The 13mm you can
set to whatever you desire, they fire almost parallel anyway so if you
set them longer it will give some reach (D400+). Total firing time for the 30mm
is only 7 seconds, but the reality is you should only fire 1-2 rounds
at a time and then re-aim.
The 13mm give ~22 seconds, enough that you can fire them around
a bit to scare people and make them turn, giving you a larger target to
aim at. The only external option is the 300L drop tank,
there are no bombs, rockets or gun-pods.
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Maneuverability:
The 109 series evolved from weights in the 5,500lb class through
the K-4 which can tip the scales over 8,100lbs. The wing-loading increase
wasn’t kind to the 109K-4 and I generally don’t feel it
handles that well. It
isn’t a strong aircraft in terms of maneuverability, especially
at high weights and high/low speeds. Turn-radius is not good, nor is
turn-rate, but the engine does have enough power to drag the K-4
around. Part of the issue
is that the K-4 is a very hands-on aircraft, with a lot of throttle and
rudder work required vs. many other aircraft that are more
point-and-shoot. The K-4 is
very speed sensitive, best in the 225-325mph zone where your
instantaneous turn is maximized.
The K-4’s engine strength is much of the problem. The K-4 cruises so quickly,
climbs so effortlessly, and accelerates like a banshee, thus it can go
from optimal speeds to extreme speeds in the blink of an eye.
At low speeds it feels like the engine drags you around as much
as the wings creating lift.
The leading edge slats and some flaps can really help. It gets a
little tricky when slow because it requires a lot of manual input and
gentle hand to keep yourself from flipping over on the engine’s
massive torque (which actually overpowers the autopilot to the point
that the aircraft won’t fly straight under trim). The leading-edge slats can feel
a little destabilizing as they deploy/retract, causing a little
“wiggle” in yaw.
Use of more than 1-2 notches of flap should be reserved for
stall fights or when you are very nose-high in a zoom-type climb. Flap create huge drag but the K-4 has enough power
to overcome it better than most. Roll-rate is also speed sensitive in
the same range, being average and not a strength to play to. Really be careful over ~425mph
IAS, above that the controls start to become quite heavy in all axis
and in an extreme dive it can be necessary to use trim to control the
aircraft. I also tend to
feel that as the K-4 uses ammunition up it tends to become a little
better, not a surprise given the ammo alone weighs 200lbs. Also be sure to rid yourself of
your drop tank, a common error that adds weight and drag, complicating
the situation.
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Flying the Bf-109K-4
The 109K-4 really performs best with an experienced pilot,
it’s not an aircraft that newer players typically find much
success with. The primary
advantages are in the world-class acceleration, climb and firepower
which is the match, or better, of almost anything else in the
game. Its main weakness
would be that it performs well under a very narrow range of speeds, too
fast and you compress, too slow and you wallow around. It also tends to
require a lot of manual input, gentle yet firm, to get the most of
maneuvering. It’s
also a real challenge to hit anything with the 30mm unless you have the
skill to get in close (D200 is perfect).
Offensively, the 109K-4 is usually employed as a BnZ style fighter, and this is probably the easiest
way to use it. This allows
the K-4 to avoid Co-E, or worse, fights where the style of fight might
be dictated to it (vs. it doing to dictating). The tremendously powerful engine
can allow some foray into the TnB fight but
the turn-radius is not good and you can get into trouble with a cool
opponent. Few aircraft can
match the vertical performance of the K-4, it
claws effortlessly skyward in a range of performance few aircraft can
match. Often this is where
the K-4 will dominate an opponent, hanging on through some horizontal
maneuvers until it can jump to its strength in the vertical. The vertical fight can have its
own dangers though, the K-4 putting on speed quickly and getting into
trouble with excessive speed. Be careful not to dive too far, or at
full engine power, if you want to avoid speed problems. Keep the
pressure on with diving attacks, zooming back up after each pass to set
up the next. The best shots
tend to be when an enemy performs a break-turn to avoid you, providing
a full-plane view to shoot at with your 30mm cannon at ranges inside
D250. It takes practice and good anticipation to master. If you keep
your speed in the range between 225-325mph you can pretty much match most
aircraft’s turning rate though your radius will tend to be a bit
larger. I also like diving
a little low behind a target and coming up from below where you get a
shot at the belly of the enemy from a relative blind spot. Another option is to enter the
fight low, with massive speed, and zoom up through your opponents for
your first attack, setting up your reversal back down for your second
attack. This is an uncommon
ability and will take some practice to master but tends to catch people
off-guard.
When attacked in a K-4, you tend to have a number of options,
it’ll depend on the overall situation and how patient you can
be. The simplest concept is
a straight escape, create some speed, avoid the initial attack, and
then head away from the enemy into some friendly, or neutral,
airspace. This
doesn’t mean the maneuver is entirely defensive,
it can simply be to break up a crowd and get 1-2 enemy to follow so you
can deal with them in a smaller group. To make a good break turn,
remember your speed sensitivity, 225-325mph being best, any more and
you break will be slow, and slower and you
will also be an easy target.
There should be multiple opportunities in a more drawn out fight
to reverse from defensive to offensive, especially if the enemy is not
overly aggressive and allows you the opportunity to build up energy. Any
lulls in enemy attacks can be quick acceleration/climb opportunities,
building your energy up to match/exceed the enemy eventually. Try not to get pinned into
extended turn-defensives, they bleed energy and it might be better to
accelerate away initially and cause the enemy to have to chase. The best option is to start to
take the fight uphill, using the massive climb rate to overpower your
enemies. In the climb you can beat a lot of aircraft easily, the P-51
coming to mind, but you need to be careful to judge the timing
appropriately and not while the enemy still has an energy surplus on
you. Spiral climbs work
best, baiting the enemy into lead-turns that when combined with
climbing, can run the enemy to zero-airspeed in very short order. Once at low speed at the top of
your climb, flip back down on the enemy and run them down. Lengthy defensive dives, or
Split-S type maneuvers, are not advisable because of the speed related
problems you can introduce if you get going too fast. I’d also look for
“sloppy” enemy maneuvers, or highly predictable
zoom-climbs, where the K-4 can lag roll, tuck in behind the enemy and
hang with them on the prop. Taking a shot at a stalling enemy who often
tries to out-zoom the K-4 only to find themselves hanging their
helpless is a favorite trick (think about a touch of flap at the top of
your zoon to help stabilize yourself for your shot).
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Fighting the Bf-109K-4
In capable hands, the 109K-4 can be a whole lot of trouble. It’s right near the head of
the class in terms of climb, acceleration and firepower. If it has positional advantage
and/or time to work with, it can be a real handful
If attacking a K-4, try and keep the pressure on and see if you
can’t get the K-4 into a lengthy turning defense. It helps if you come in with
some energy advantage in speed or altitude. The more you can dictate
the fight the better as the key is to not let the K-4 time to react or
collect energy. Take
whatever snap shots you get as the 109’s are not very tough and
commonly take radiator and fuel hits that will dramatically limit the
K-4’s options. Typically you’ll only get a couple of
attempts to attack a K-4 before it starts to even the fight in terms of
energy, which means it will then start to try and win angles or look
for it’s own shot opportunity. Don’t overshoot the K-4,
even if it appears to be too slow to be of danger, it can quickly
accelerate and might get a snapshot as you pass by. Never turn your back even if the
K-4 starts to run away unless you think you have enough separation to
make your escape good. K-4’s
have a nasty habit of returning shortly after they’ve left but
this time they have the energy advantage. Most K-4’s are not going
to be that well piloted though and will not use the full capabilities
of the K-4 so aren’t too tough to beat. In most cases other aircraft have
an advantage they can exploit or a capability they can match (or
almost). If you press your
strength, typically in turn-rate/radius, you can often make the K-4 a
fairly easy kill. One last
warning, don’t get sloppy around a K-4 because the can one hit
kill you if given half a chance.
If jumped by a K-4 be very aware of the firepower and make your
defensive maneuvers erratic and unpredictable. Many very good pilots
fly the K-4 and won’t miss simple defensive maneuvers. Try and
keep speeds in your favor, either getting above the K-4 comfort zone,
i.e. taking the fight to 400+mph, or slow things down under 225mph. Most of the time K-4’s
will sit and BnZ you from above and not engage in a turning fight. You
can also typically use roll-rate to keep the K-4 out of phase and thus
exploit a lagging lift vector angle (i.e. where it can’t keep up
to your roll). A fun tactic
is to pre-judge the K-4s diving attack, putting in a little dive
yourself, suckering the K-4 past it’s optimal speed and then
using that to gain an advantage (such as in a lag-roll to get behind
them). The K-4 also
isn’t great on rolling maneuvers be it scissors or reversals. The
K-4 huge acceleration can quickly cause it to overshoot an enemy and
give opportunities to sprinkle hits on the K-4 as it passes. Trying to
cause an overshoot in a close situation is dangerous because a K-4 will
typically throw a couple of 30mm your way in the process. In general it
shouldn’t be too tough to defeat K-4 attacks as long as you
remain alert and time your defenses correctly. The K-4 has a lot of staying
power as long as it doesn’t fire away all its cannon ammunition
so it’s best to ensure you implement an overall strategy for the
fight, not just a point-in-time defense. This might be to escape towards
friends or maybe to sucker the K-4 in close if you feel the have the
means to do so and put the K-4 on the defensive. Be careful of what appears to a
reversal where you are almost matched E, it might be a rope-a-dope
where the K-4 is simply setting you up to stall out so it can dive back
down and nail you.
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Summary
The Bf109K-4 is a deadly opponent if well flown but often is
used as a simple BnZ’r or runs away at
the first sign of trouble.
It’s not well suited to newer players but experts can
excel given they invest time to master the 30mm cannon and touchy
handling. It’s one of
the few aircraft that can attack from below effectively, often rushing
in at low altitude and then zooming up to attack, climbing right by the
enemy and up to a safe perch.
Used appropriately, it can be devastating but it can equally
have its weaknesses exposed and be pushed into the defensive.
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