When I first started around five months go the planes were relatively cheap, then overnight the prices for the planes and the upgrades went through the roof. At $387.5k, with 3 upgrades at $187.5K the SE5a and the Albatross DV each cost $950K. That's alot f coin, and at the run rate of earning I figure I will be a MORAF before I own all of the planes.

I skipped the monowing Fokker and saved for the DIII, the Eindecker was too easy to shoot down in a dogfight no matter what you flew, but is fairly dangerous in a head to head game given the low signature, and low speed means easier to out on target. I also skipped the Nieuport, so big and slow turning it was also easy to knock down. So for most of the five months I flew the SPAD and the DIII, while I bought and slowly upgraded the DV and the SE5a. I got 10K kills mostly in those aircraft.

This week I finished the upgrades and will fly the SE5A and the DV exclusively until I get comfortable with them. The top planes are so fast comparatively that I have to adjust when flying them, both to keep them on target in head on and not to overshoot slower aircraft or tanks. I keep putting both into the ground as they dive faster than they pull up, but I'm getting used to them.

The biggest difference is that now when I see a "top" pilot coming at me in a top plane, bomb rack empty, in a corkscrew approach, I grin. Whereas before this was a death 90% of the time, now we are on even footing and I'm winning most of those engagements. Those guys will also usually leave once they realize they won't get the big KDRs as long as I am around, because I target them first, every time, every game.

Now I'm banking for the aircraft I skipped, and will fill out the stable. As suggested in the improvements thread, it would be neat to be able to change in game, or select a game where all pilots had comparable aircraft.

Yeah Longrifle I just finally got the top tier Albatros D.V. & all I got to say is WOW! No wonder I had such a hard time shooting them down with my Spad! It's wicked fast.. I really really really like it! But... I still LOVE my Spad!

What's the speed look like on those 4 star planes? I've found on a leveled flight in a strait line I can reach around the following speeds. With bomb/without bomb.
2 Stars = 120/150
3 Stars = 130/165

On_Wings_oF wrote: What's the speed look like on those 4 star planes? I've found on a leveled flight in a strait line I can reach around the following speeds. With bomb/without bomb.
2 Stars = 120/150
3 Stars = 130/165

unfortunately Wings I can't tell you that because with arrow keys it's impossible for me to fly level at full throttle bombless.. only with a bomb can I.. without a bomb I have constant lift at full throttle so unable to tell u level flying speed of the 4 star planes except for with bomb. Sorry!

I made a mistake last night... I accidentally selected the Fokker Eindecker in the plane selection thinking that the plane selection would put me at the Red Baron tri-wing... Feels like I'm flying a mono-wing German version of the Niueport 11/Bebe... All that hard-earned 75,000 down the drain...

Oh well, at least I got some aircraft variety on the German side of the fence...

it's not all bad Rob, I fly that plane a bit, it's slow, but it's hard to hit head to head and it turns well. I used it last night managed 42 kills for only 12 deaths (better than my usual 2.4:1).

hammer_tool wrote: it's not all bad Rob, I fly that plane a bit, it's slow, but it's hard to hit head to head and it turns well. I used it last night managed 42 kills for only 12 deaths (better than my usual 2.4:1).

Thanks for the input hammer, much appreciated While I don't really have a problem with the Eindecker, I've been saving up for at least a D.III... so yeah, back to square one for me in the saving game...

On_Wings_oF wrote: What's the speed look like on those 4 star planes? I've found on a leveled flight in a strait line I can reach around the following speeds. With bomb/without bomb.
2 Stars = 120/150
3 Stars = 130/165

I clocked the fully upgraded 5 SE5A at 165 unencumbered and 130 carrying, flying level. The fully upgraded level 5 DV also clocked at 165 unloaded and 130 loaded. The fully upgraded level 4 DVIII clocked at 160 with empty racks and 125 loaded. I don't own the Italian Stallion yet, but would guess it matches.

so in a table by level of aircraft:

Level 4 = 125/160
Level 5= 130/165

The level four aircraft is three stars of performance, fully upgraded. The level five is four stars, fully upgraded, so to add to your table

4 stars = 130/165

My level three, three star SPAD run 160/125, which matches the three star performance level of the level four Albatross DIII. I don't own the monowing Fokker, so someone else will have to verify. I think you are five miles fast in your three star chart. I expect it to be as follows:

2 Stars = 120/150
3 Stars = 125/160
4 Stars = 130/165

Thanks for the info & clarification Longrifle!

Will anyone with the Fokker E.III (Eindecker) mono-winged plane please give us it's speed stats both bombless & carrying.. as it is only 2 stars in speed it should fly the same speed as a Neiuport XI or the two free planes but it seems to be a little faster than any of those fighters..
Thanks!

With bomb- 115
Without bomb-155

Its "ok" in my opinion, but if I had the choice again, I would save up for the Albatross D.III. Thats just my two cents...

Echo Saber wrote: With bomb- 115
Without bomb-155

Its "ok" in my opinion, but if I had the choice again, I would save up for the Albatross D.III. Thats just my two cents...

So it IS faster than the other 2-star speed planes minus its bomb.. less weight I presume is one reason with just a single wing and no support struts.. & slower with its bomb because of only a single wing providing lift.. nice work by Joaquin & the rest of the developers..

Thanks Echo Saber!

Yeah no problem, I can't take any credit for it...Shiloh Biggs, Guardian, and Wig put info together about planes on our website...... quote="ZebraUp" post=161713]

Echo Saber wrote: With bomb- 115
Without bomb-155

Its "ok" in my opinion, but if I had the choice again, I would save up for the Albatross D.III. Thats just my two cents...

So it IS faster than the other 2-star speed planes minus its bomb.. less weight I presume is one reason with just a single wing and no support struts.. & slower with its bomb because of only a single wing providing lift.. nice work by Joaquin & the rest of the developers..

Thanks Echo Saber![/quote]

Updated info including a speed chart with all planes listed as well as edited due to myself having more knowledge now that I have earned a couple of more planes.. I hope this article/post helps newer players who have questions or concerns.. after all, that's why I wrote it.. as well as perhaps getting them a little more involved in the Dogfight forum/community.

So here is my input

Se5a with only one speed upgrade 3.5/3/3.5 stars; Bomb 125, no Bomb 162

White Horse Nieport XVII full up 334 stars; Bomb 125, no Bomb 162

Albatros DV full up 434 stars; Bomb 135, no Bomb 167

Red Baron with 323 Stars ; Bomb 125, no Bomb 162

Sounds good, Zeb. Ithink u about wrapped with a bow, bro

I own the SE5a. JUST got it 4-3-4. Man, is it TOUGH! I was flying it with FIVE bullet holes in canopy.....NICE

SLAYERinc wrote: I own the SE5a. JUST got it 4-3-4. Man, is it TOUGH! I was flying it with FIVE bullet holes in canopy.....NICE

Yeah? Good! 'cause that is the next plane I am saving for on the allied side.. don't get me wrong... I LOVE my Spad! But a faster plane is always nice to have in your hangar.

Great thread!!!
This will certainly help the newer folks when selecting their first "purchases."

Spectre-Blackstar wrote: Great thread!!!
This will certainly help the newer folks when selecting their first "purchases."

Thanks Spectre! That is the whole reason I wrote it.. because I didn't have access to any information like this when I first started out I bought the flying Red Brick.. I just wanted to help other newer pilots out when it came time for their next plane purchase so they could be as informed as possible and avoid the same mistakes I did.

Here ya go Zebra...some cool stuff here....

www.buscinfo.com/WWI_German_Acft.html

Echo Saber wrote: Here ya go Zebra...some cool stuff here....

www.buscinfo.com/WWI_German_Acft.html

Yeah, for sure!

By the way, this article got 'stickied'

Please be sure to point it out to any newer players asking in chat about plane choices as that's the reason I wrote it.. plus hopefully it will get some of them involved in the forum as well!

The first plane I bought was my spad and boy was that a good choice it's brilliant and the 2-guns really help when twisting and turning and you only a split second to make a shot. I then bought the D.III on the German side and really enjoyed that. The speed is great and it's good for head to head and close combat. However I would probably have either saved up to get the D.V or gone for a cheaper plane.

I now own the Se5a and I must say that since having that I haven't used the spad once! Shocking I know but that is how good I find it
I also have recently bought the German monoplane and I have been using that over my D.III because it is hard to hit and perfect for head to head, my kills have been going up with that plane. Sometimes it doesn't serve me well when I get too close but then I just get to go in my parachute which I love just about as much as any plane

Duke_124 wrote: The first plane I bought was my spad and boy was that a good choice it's brilliant and the 2-guns really help when twisting and turning and you only a split second to make a shot. I then bought the D.III on the German side and really enjoyed that. The speed is great and it's good for head to head and close combat. However I would probably have either saved up to get the D.V or gone for a cheaper plane.

I now own the Se5a and I must say that since having that I haven't used the spad once! Shocking I know but that is how good I find it
I also have recently bought the German monoplane and I have been using that over my D.III because it is hard to hit and perfect for head to head, my kills have been going up with that plane. Sometimes it doesn't serve me well when I get too close but then I just get to go in my parachute which I love just about as much as any plane

Well I know what you mean about not using a certain plane anymore once you get one a tier or 2 up from it.. BUT... IF I could choose on an airport runway the specific plane to choose for a particular mission? I would choose my Spad for dogfight missions!
I don't have the SE5a yet, but I do have the top tier Albatros D.V. now that I got 2 weeks ago and it is just TOO FAST for dogfight missions.. over-flies the slower planes and actually put you in their cross-hairs! Plus add to the fact that a Spad will out turn a throttled-back top tier plane and there ya go.. my choice is the Spad for dogfight missions! Especially in a furball with 5 or more planes all sharing the same airspace.. yet since I don't have the SE5a yet I fly my Spad still everytime I spawn in as allied.

Yes I see what you mean, it would be brilliant if you could choose your plane once you know what the mission is and every time you respawn you have the option to change plane. There are lots of variables that can affect which plane I want to fly and due to the fact we have to stick to the one plane per mission that's why I pick the Se5a.

I did actually use my Spad yesterday and it was nice how easily I got back into flying it! Might have to alternate between the two now

Just Added! A 51 minute video of an in-depth overview of the major planes of WWI.. filled with actual war footage including aerial combat scenes!

A little more input on the Eindecker...

I must say that after I said that I made a mistake after accidentally getting it, I'm happy to make that mistake and that I'm eating my words.

Sure, its not top tier but aside from the aformentioned low profile, it turns well, and while not as good the Spad, it is good enough to hold its own against the top tiers with a little bit of tactical thinking. It also has a good enough roll rate which is important for defensive scissors-like maneuvers. Its slow speed (while faster than the other two star planes), which is for the most part a disadvantage against the higher tiers, also lend itself as an advantage when timed properly to entice overshoots during the said defensive maneuvers.

Its not the best but it kinda grew on me. So yes, kindly please pass the condiminets as I take another bite at my initial assessment of the Eindecker.

Robert33 wrote: A little more input on the Eindecker...

I must say that after I said that I made a mistake after accidentally getting it, I'm happy to make that mistake and that I'm eating my words.

Sure, its not top tier but aside from the aformentioned low profile, it turns well, and while not as good the Spad, it is good enough to hold its own against the top tiers with a little bit of tactical thinking. It also has a good enough roll rate which is important for defensive scissors-like maneuvers. Its slow speed (while faster than the other two star planes), which is for the most part a disadvantage against the higher tiers, also lend itself as an advantage when timed properly to entice overshoots during the said defensive maneuvers.

Its not the best but it kinda grew on me. So yes, kindly please pass the condiminets as I take another bite at my initial assessment of the Eindecker.

Thanks Robert for that assessment & review of the Eindecker! Btw, nice banner!

ZebraUp wrote:

Robert33 wrote: A little more input on the Eindecker...

I must say that after I said that I made a mistake after accidentally getting it, I'm happy to make that mistake and that I'm eating my words.

Sure, its not top tier but aside from the aformentioned low profile, it turns well, and while not as good the Spad, it is good enough to hold its own against the top tiers with a little bit of tactical thinking. It also has a good enough roll rate which is important for defensive scissors-like maneuvers. Its slow speed (while faster than the other two star planes), which is for the most part a disadvantage against the higher tiers, also lend itself as an advantage when timed properly to entice overshoots during the said defensive maneuvers.

Its not the best but it kinda grew on me. So yes, kindly please pass the condiminets as I take another bite at my initial assessment of the Eindecker.

Thanks Robert for that assessment & review of the Eindecker! Btw, nice banner!

Thanks Zebra! Good games the other night where we made Von Len ask if its a day for the Zebras and mono-wings lol

Edit: Credit to Lonestar for my banner.

i have a question about buying a plane should i choose tier 2 or wait to buy a spad