Anyone know the proper way to taxi it? I may just not have my bindings right, but my first time out I had to adopt the "brake to a stop, and then spin around in place until I'm facing the direction I want, and then go again, repeating as necessary to get to the runway" method.
Am I right in assuming the Russian planes don't have differential braking? The Pe-2 doesn't have contra-rotating propellers (it seems to like going around clockwise)? I'm meant to steer it on the ground using the rudders and differential throttle on the engines? After a lot of experimenting, I've come the conclusion that I'm misunderstanding some key fact.
There is a wheel brake command that is designed for Russian aircraft. You'll know it's working when you see the lever on the Pe-2's control column move forward and back (along with a pneumatic hissing sound when the brakes are released).
As for taxiing in the Pe-2 (and all other Russian aircraft), I have found that the key is to start your turn first with your rudder and then add in a light amount of brake pressure whenever necessary. If you try to hold down the brakes (while increasing power) and
then move your rudder, you will inevitably start spinning around in circles, since all that power from your engine has nowhere to go except...in circles.
It does take some practice, yes, since it does work a bit differently than German pedal-actuated brakes.