Decided to try my luck with the N17 tonight, on line. Take off and head for Hunland.
I get jumped by two Albatross D2's. After a fun fight that wound up down in the weeds, two Albatross D2 wrecks were smoldering in no-mans land, and I'm still up in one peice.
WHAT!? This can't be right. I could barely fly the damn thing. And on top of that, it was with 100% fuel. The server had the fuel slider locked.
Still can't believe it, but I'm very happy about this. This pretty little airplane has been one of my favorites since I was a kid. So I was VERY disappointed that I was never able to use it ROF. Thanks to the team for admtting that there might be something wrong there, and looking into it.
They were my first on line kills in the Nieuport 17, and I'm hoping they will not be the last.

Yeah I like it very much now whereas it was rubbish before. I dont know how accurate it is youve just got to trust 777 to be getting it right but I have my doubts considering its better than the SE5 for dogfighting.

Depends on the type of dogfight, please specify, pretty please?

What I can say is that in terms of turn and burn the SE5a`s weight is greater than that of the N17, and the SE5a has a much thinner wing airfoil (I.e deliberatily sacrificing turning power for speed)
The N17 w/fuselage mounted Vickers (I.e, not the lighter Lewis w/fostermount British version) and its 110hp has around 0.20 hp per KG whereas the SE5 series has 0.23 to 0.27 (At best) hp per kg PLUS bigger size and wings that generates less lift than those of the N17.


Simply put, little weight+thicker airfoil= Better turning

Theres is no better tuning or modifications in existense other than shedding weight, I look at it the almost same way in motorsports, for example track days, amateur tuned lightweight tin cans beating sponsored cars with big HP figures every day, especially in tight corners.

I'd imagine Albert Ball and Billy Bishop would agree with you.

With the SE5a you have the option to run away or withdraw and control the fight as you wish. With the NP you have to fight as you can't run once engaged, the NP is a great tool for a knife fight though, like the Camel in 1918.

Spot on assessment gentlemen. You have to adjust your paradigm if migrating between N17 and SE5a, just like Ball and Bishop had to do....

Keep in mind that all that's mumbo jumbo if the other guy never sees you coming; you can shoot down anything with anything. Unfortunately, stealth and surprise are some of the weakest areas of RoF.