How can I tune my joystick to get the most realistic WWII warbird feel?

[FTC_Topper]

For context I have the VKB Gladiator NXT EVO, and I am currently using it as it comes right out of the box with the #20 medium springs and the dampeners completely loosened. However, I have read that tightening the dampeners gives the stick more realistic friction. I have also heard of using heavier springs and/or dampeners on the Y axis to simulate the extra effort required to pull the stick back than to just work the ailerons. Or maybe switching to lighter springs would give me better control and reduce the twitchiness of when the stick centers. I know some people prefer to not be able to feel where the center of their stick is at all.

How do you guys like to tune your joysticks, VKB or not?

Edited July 13 by FTC_Topper

[Aapje]

There is no realistic feel with springs. Forces depend on the airflow across the flight surfaces. That is why FFB joysticks exist that can vary the forces.

Planes are also not the same, so the forces also differ per plane.

So with a spring-based joystick I would primarily just focus on what feels good.

[GiftGruen]

Full Agree.

I gained some level of immersion with a 200mm extension of my VKB GF MK4 - but afaik extensions dont work with the Gladiator. For 'realistic' Warbird feeling, FFB is needed. 

However, a Gladiator is a good stick. Just do it how you like it.

[FTC_Topper]

So in that case, could you recommend settings I could try that would give me the best control out of the stick? For instance, do you prefer not really being able to feel where center is vs a stick that takes some effort to move? @Aapje @GiftGruen

[Antony99]

buy ffb )

[Aapje]

19 hours ago, FTC_Topper said:

So in that case, could you recommend settings I could try that would give me the best control out of the stick? For instance, do you prefer not really being able to feel where center is vs a stick that takes some effort to move? @Aapje @GiftGruen

When I still used my Gladiator, I was happy with the default spring and dampers. 

[GiftGruen]

Same here

[Gutholz]

On 7/13/2026 at 1:49 AM, FTC_Topper said:

reduce the twitchiness of when the stick centers. 

By "twichtiness" do you mean when moving the stick full to one direction and letting go, it swings back to center, swings over the center and kind of oscillates/vibrates before it stops? That seems related to your loose damper settings. For example these bouncy door stoppers are not dampend at all:

 

I would think setting stronger dampeners would reduce the effect and loosening would make the stick more "bouncy." I left everything as default.

[FTC_Topper]

21 hours ago, Gutholz said:

By "twichtiness" do you mean when moving the stick full to one direction and letting go, it swings back to center, swings over the center and kind of oscillates/vibrates before it stops? That seems related to your loose damper settings. For example these bouncy door stoppers are not dampend at all:

 

I would think setting stronger dampeners would reduce the effect and loosening would make the stick more "bouncy." I left everything as default.

Something like that, but also perhaps the strong centering. As if a little extra force was required to break free of that default center position, if you try to smoothly move the stick through the center it kinda wants to catch on the center, something like that.