Bf-109/FW-190 : Radiator, MW50 ETC... (Coming from DCS)

[Adler]

Hey all.
I'm coming from DCS and I was trying out the game today. I used to play it ten years ago and decided to come back a bit. I'm curious about different engine management options.
I was trying to set up the radiators, MW50 boost to turn on/off, nothing happened. Binding the trim didn't work, maybe should have done propeller pitch? 
Pretty much nothing but basic controls worked. Is there something that I am missing? (I am aware that 109/190 is pretty advance and most of the stuff is automatic, just trying to figure out the game.)

The only setting I noticed that you can do is in P-47, you can use the cowl flaps and the other engine flaps on the sides. Engage boost. 

Could you please give me some advice? What controls can be actually used on the 109? I remember most of the complex controls were for HE-111, JU-88etc.
What controls/binds do you use when flying the Bf-109 or FW-190/TA-152. 


Thank you all in advance! 

Edited May 20 by Adler
Misspelling

[Gutholz]

It depends on the models, not every 109/190 has boost/MW50 and they differ in details (for example sometimes you can only engage boost at 100% throttle etc)

For the german fighters trim is via "vertical stabilizer." The 109 has no roll-trim.

Propeller pitch is automatic, if you want to adjust by hand you have to switch it to manual. Some people like to do that during taxi.

190 is aircooled, so no radiators but you can open/close "engine outlet cowl flaps"

[Skycat1969]

Without knowing which 109 or 190, or what module, I'll simply direct you to the Air Combat Tutorial Library video series: The Air Combat Tutorial Library - YouTube

For detailed 'print' guides that are specific to the "Battle of Stalingrad" module's aircraft, check out Chuck's Guides here: Chuck's Guides

[FeuerFliegen]

MW50 is automatic whenever you push the throttle to 100% in a 109 where it's equipped, such as G-6 Late, G-14, and K-4

Radiators is also automatic in any Bf109F/G/K.  Both water and oil radiators are manual on the Bf109E

Instead of "trim", the Bf109 uses an "adjustable stabilizer" to achieve the same effect.

 

Which Fw190 are you referring to?  The Fw190D will have different controls from the Fw190A

 

[Adler]

11 hours ago, Skycat1969 said:

Without knowing which 109 or 190, or what module, I'll simply direct you to the Air Combat Tutorial Library video series: The Air Combat Tutorial Library - YouTube

For detailed 'print' guides that are specific to the "Battle of Stalingrad" module's aircraft, check out Chuck's Guides here: Chuck's Guides

Thank you for the help! I will defiantly go trough Chucks Guide, wasn't aware there was one for IL-2. 

11 hours ago, FeuerFliegen said:

MW50 is automatic whenever you push the throttle to 100% in a 109 where it's equipped, such as G-6 Late, G-14, and K-4

Radiators is also automatic in any Bf109F/G/K.  Both water and oil radiators are manual on the Bf109E

Instead of "trim", the Bf109 uses an "adjustable stabilizer" to achieve the same effect.

 

Which Fw190 are you referring to?  The Fw190D will have different controls from the Fw190A

 

So I enjoy Dora but A8 as well. What are the different controls I should be looking out for when flying those planes? 
Thank you for the help!

[FeuerFliegen]

3 hours ago, Adler said:

So I enjoy Dora but A8 as well. What are the different controls I should be looking out for when flying those planes? 
Thank you for the help!

Both the Dora and A8 need to have the boost button engaged to achieve max power.

The A8's boost only works at the lower altitudes for each supercharger gear; under 1km (typically more like under 800m) for first gear, and between approximately 2750m and 4200m for 2nd gear.  These altitudes will vary based on the air temperature; the colder it is, the higher you can typially go and still achieve max boost.  You must have full throttle and automatic prop pitch (which will be on by default anyway).

One odd thing about the boost on the A8 is that the full 10 minute timer is only reliable if you are putting out full or near full manfold pressure.  If your altitude is too high (probably nearing 1km) and your engine can only produce something like 1.45ata, then you will not get the full 10 minutes; it could be closer to 5.  In my testing I have found that will be anything above 1.5ata in first gear (1.58 is the max), you will still get the full 10 minutes of boost without engine damage.  In 2nd gear, 1.65ata is the max, and I have not yet tested how low that can go and still get 10 minutes of boost, but I'd suspect it would be anything above 1.55ata.  Hope that makes sense.

 

For the Fw190D, it's more simple.  100% throttle is max combat power (30 minutes max), and you engage the boost button to go into emergency power (10 minutes max)

[FeuerFliegen]

 

 

Also, regarding the late model Bf109s with MW50- never allow the throttle to be above max combat settings unless it is 100% throtte (never have your throttle at 85-90-95% throttle).  This is because the MW50 only starts flowing at 100% throttle (technically it's about 98%), so if you have your engine pushing into emegency power territory but not enough to utilize MW50, your engine will become damaged and seize up within a very short period of time; possibly less than a minute.

[Adler]

1 hour ago, FeuerFliegen said:

Both the Dora and A8 need to have the boost button engaged to achieve max power.

The A8's boost only works at the lower altitudes for each supercharger gear; under 1km (typically more like under 800m) for first gear, and between approximately 2750m and 4200m for 2nd gear.  These altitudes will vary based on the air temperature; the colder it is, the higher you can typially go and still achieve max boost.  You must have full throttle and automatic prop pitch (which will be on by default anyway).

One odd thing about the boost on the A8 is that the full 10 minute timer is only reliable if you are putting out full or near full manfold pressure.  If your altitude is too high (probably nearing 1km) and your engine can only produce something like 1.45ata, then you will not get the full 10 minutes; it could be closer to 5.  In my testing I have found that will be anything above 1.5ata in first gear (1.58 is the max), you will still get the full 10 minutes of boost without engine damage.  In 2nd gear, 1.65ata is the max, and I have not yet tested how low that can go and still get 10 minutes of boost, but I'd suspect it would be anything above 1.55ata.  Hope that makes sense.

 

For the Fw190D, it's more simple.  100% throttle is max combat power (30 minutes max), and you engage the boost button to go into emergency power (10 minutes max)

That's some really good information! I have seen those gears but didn't understand what they were for. Really interesting, will have to test it out in game to get the feel for them. Thank you for this. 

1 hour ago, FeuerFliegen said:

 

 

Also, regarding the late model Bf109s with MW50- never allow the throttle to be above max combat settings unless it is 100% throtte (never have your throttle at 85-90-95% throttle).  This is because the MW50 only starts flowing at 100% throttle (technically it's about 98%), so if you have your engine pushing into emegency power territory but not enough to utilize MW50, your engine will become damaged and seize up within a very short period of time; possibly less than a minute.

Oh wow! This is extremely useful information. Thank you a lot for this. I am sure you just saved me a lot of headache when my engine starts giving up on me. 

[Dora]

You might also want to bind "Engines Outlet Cowl Shutters Control" for the A8 and "Water Radiators Shutters Control Axis" for the D9 to your HOTAS.

Doing so will enable you to close off cooling shutters and increase your top speed with a good amount

[GrumpyGnome]

Try looking at this site: IL-2 Great Battles Controls - Google Sheets

Not all the Aircraft are here, but most.

*Not claiming any credit for this.

[FeuerFliegen]

On 5/20/2026 at 12:18 PM, Adler said:

That's some really good information! I have seen those gears but didn't understand what they were for. Really interesting, will have to test it out in game to get the feel for them. Thank you for this. 

Oh wow! This is extremely useful information. Thank you a lot for this. I am sure you just saved me a lot of headache when my engine starts giving up on me. 

 

about superchargers- since there's nothing free in life, a supercharger requires power to run.    For example, an engine could have 700hp with no supercharger.  It could produce 1000hp with a supercharger.  But that supercharger might take 100hp to power it, so your engine will only output 900hp to the propeller.

 

a more powerful supercharger will allow you to still produce power at higher altitudes where the air is much thinner.  But that powerful supercharger will require even more power to run.  this is basically what the 2nd gear is; it produces more boost while taking more power to run.  Sometimes 2nd gear takes a massive amount more power to run than 1st gear; for example with a Hawker Tempest, which has an incredibly powerful engine, 2nd gear on the supercharger takes an ADDITIONAL 350hp to run versus 1st gear, which already requires a good bit of power to run.