Challenge Campaign Mission 2 is a takeoff with no crosswind. Instructions here in the comments.

This is a major obstacle to new P-51 pilots in DCS. Propeller torque, P-factor, slipstream and many other factors affect a tailwheel, prop-driven aircraft. Since the Mustang's propeller is a 11-foot beast driven by a 1500 horsepower engine, these effects are extremely prominent and you'll need to learn to compensate for them, especially at low speeds when the propeller forces are stronger than aerodynamic forces on your control surfaces. Some tips:

1. At low speeds especially, *be gentle with the throttle.* Ham-fisted throttle use will overwhelm your control surfaces with torque effects and even flip your plane right over and kill you. Be slow and easy with your throttle!

2. The included training mission says you should use full power. This is an option, but if you're having trouble getting it right, you can easily take off at 40 inches manifold pressure. Again, ease the throttle up to this.

3. Rudder is critical for taking off. Be sure to set it to 5 or 6 degrees right rudder trim, and be ready with those pedals to keep your nose pointed straight down the runway.

4. The tail surfaces gain aerodynamic authority at about 100 mph IAS. At this point, you'll feel the aircraft go a bit "light" and the tail will want to raise off of the runway. You can assist this by pushing forward *gently* on the stick as your plane accelerates...just don't push too hard or you'll chop the pavement with that lovely propeller.

5. In a jet, you'd pull back on the stick to lift the nose and climb out. In the Mustang, *do not do this.* Instead, as the tail raises off the ground, add a bit more power until the Mustang *naturally rises off of the ground.* It wants to fly at about 110 mph IAS. All you have to do is *allow* the plane to lift off, rather than force it. In fact, you may find yourself adding pitch-down input with the stick to keep the nose level. This is fine!

Remember, it's *added power* that adds lift to climb by forcing more air over the wings. It's natural to think pointing the nose up will make you climb, and it does in a way, but it's power that creates a climb at such low speeds, and if you add enough, the plane will lift off.

6. Once the plane lifts off, hold the plane as close to level as you can as it climbs and accelerates. Raise the gear ASAP to facilitate this as you just fly forward. Drop the RPM down to about 2700 or less once you're comfortable that the plane is handling how you want it.

If you're new to flight or are transitioning into DCS from a more arcade-like flight game, it will pay dividends to study actual flight physics so you understand the "why" behind all of these control inputs. I highly recommend reading "Stick and Rudder" by Wolfgang Langewiesche in 1944. It was a big help when I was learning the Mustang, and it can help you, too!

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