I'm sure the correct term for the Harrier and F-35B is VSTOL sometimes written V/STOL, as the Harrier was the first aeroplane to have this ability and thus named, I think it should stick really, Vertical/Short Take Off and Landing. (I say VSTOL totally aware the Convair XFY was the first ever VTOL only aeroplane). Writng STOVL to me, indicates that only a short take and vertical landings are possible where in fact the Harrier will lift off vertically.
Both aircraft can lift off vertically with no forward movement whatsoever and maintain a Hovver. I've seen the Harrier do it at airshows (and F-35B test videos), it will fly backward and sideways to a degree obviously for aligning to a landing pad, I'm sure the F-35B will do the same.
The vertical manouvre uses the most fuel so often the Short take-off method will be used, which I assume will also get the aircraft into the air and to horizontal flight quicker. On a Harrier this will involve rotating the nozzles to less than 90deg to the ground depending on the length of the runway available.
For this post however, I don't use any hover mode, just hold pitch up, throttle up, get vertical then afterburner, then with careful throttle control you can hold the hovver while the aircraft is vertical. Not too close to the deck though, seems although nothing is visibly touching the aircraft still takes damage.
Normally in game tho with the F-35 pointing off the side of the carrier a bit of pitch up and full throttle + afterburner is what I use to get airbourne.
You could always try a "Thunderbird 3" type landing and keep the nose up to land using engine to slow down, but I reckon that's gonna be hard.
Last edited by JonskyGBR (2006-02-04 07:07:48)
