P51

[dedalos]

So far I've been a Spit and LA dweeb.  I am trying to figure out how to be an alt monkey and fly the 51.  Any sudgestions on how to use the plane best?  For example how do you fight a spit, what is the best convergence to use, how to keep it fast etc.

Thanks in advance.

[WldThing]

Alrighty...

I tend to fly the P-51 differently then others,  i will Turn fight P-38's , P47's any Navy Plane,  any LW.. etc  Without the fear of death,  if you know how to use the flaps right.

The only planes that i will actually use my head against are indeed Spits, zekes, Nikis..  These require draining their E and ultimatly killin em.  Best method is for a double immelman on the merge against these planes,  if your same alt.  If you have more alt on em,  BnZ'em.  Keeping your speed up means,  dont pull any sudden moves,  try to be gentle on the stick.

I will fly the P-51 at around 10k,  enough Alt to run off if i get in a crappy situation,  and enough alt to manuvar the plane if i approach any cons that want to fight.

IMO best way to fly a P-51 if you get in a bad situation,  lets say if your fighting a Spit and he's close to getting on your 6.  Stall fighting,  kick in the flaps, 2-3 notches,  if you go full flaps you will stall the plane out and crash.

My convergence is set to 250-300-350 from the - Inside to Outside- Guns.

Anymore questions.. Just ask.

[Drano]

Originally posted by dedalos
So far I've been a Spit and LA dweeb.  I am trying to figure out how to be an alt monkey and fly the 51.  Any sudgestions on how to use the plane best?  For example how do you fight a spit, what is the best convergence to use, how to keep it fast etc.

Thanks in advance.

Take advantage of the P-51's superior speed when engaging Spitfires. You should always be able to dictate the fight so long as you start with a speed or alt advantage. By that I mean you can either attack or extend as you choose. Trick is to not panic and start turning if you don't get the guy initially. He's gonna be able to outturn you--which is the Spit's strength--so don't go there! Start turning a Pony with a Spit and unless the Spit driver's a total newb you're prolly gonna end up dead within the next few turns.

I fly the P-51 a lot and always try to keep any Spit in the area at arm's length. If you find yourself under a Spit try and extend in the direction of friendlies. Pay no attention to those that call you a runner as its just silliness to "stay and fight" with a Spit that's over you. Its generally going to be a losing proposition. The proper strategy is to use your plane's speed to gain--or re-gain if you've lost it--an advantage of height or distance before engaging.


As to keeping the Pony fast be mindful of your altitude. Dive in on the attack--never climb to the attack. If the shot's there take it--if its not don't force it. This is especially true if your target breaks downward. Never follow. Instead loop back up and keep going in the verticle until your speed drops to around 200 or less. Then make another attack.

Gotta run. Lunchtime's over.

       Drano

[Rude]

I've logged a boatload in the Pony....WT has it right.

Often, when a pony turns with another plane, they don't really expect it...this can work to your advantage as well.

E management baby...that's what it's all about...unfortunetly, it takes a long time to become seriously proficient in this plane.

Now you can fly it like Beetle and never take a risk or just sneek up on folks, but, the real fun in this plane is in the weeds with the furballers:)

Have fun and listen to WT, Shane, Manx, Nomak and Fester....all can make a pony sing....I've lost my touch:)

BTW....go to the DA with these guys....nothin beats walkin in the right shoes...you'll learn alot there versus the cheap talk.

[dedalos]

Originally posted by WldThing
Alrighty...

I tend to fly the P-51 differently then others,  i will Turn fight P-38's , P47's any Navy Plane,  any LW.. etc  Without the fear of death,  if you know how to use the flaps right.

The only planes that i will actually use my head against are indeed Spits, zekes, Nikis..  These require draining their E and ultimatly killin em.  Best method is for a double immelman on the merge against these planes,  if your same alt.  If you have more alt on em,  BnZ'em.  Keeping your speed up means,  dont pull any sudden moves,  try to be gentle on the stick.

I will fly the P-51 at around 10k,  enough Alt to run off if i get in a crappy situation,  and enough alt to manuvar the plane if i approach any cons that want to fight.

IMO best way to fly a P-51 if you get in a bad situation,  lets say if your fighting a Spit and he's close to getting on your 6.  Stall fighting,  kick in the flaps, 2-3 notches,  if you go full flaps you will stall the plane out and crash.

My convergence is set to 250-300-350 from the - Inside to Outside- Guns.

Anymore questions.. Just ask.

Thanks,  I never seem to have enough e to do a double immelman.  In any case, isn't a spit/Nik better at that?

Thanks again

[WldThing]

Originally posted by dedalos
Thanks,  I never seem to have enough e to do a double immelman.  In any case, isn't a spit/Nik better at that?

Thanks again

Spit and Niki can roll on top faster than you,  therefore giving them a quick shot,  most of the MA pilots are crappy aimers so i dont worry too often.  Back to the point,  if your going for immelman, your Loop will be LONGER then the spits since he is pulling his stick harder therefore he is loosing more Energy in doing so.  But remember he WILL get a shot at your belly,  and that is usually the only shot he will get.  If he does go up to try to do a barrel roll with you,  and by miracle when you turn down on him and his nose is pointing up at you dont be scared to go HO,  at this point the spit will have one hard time to make a shot at you since he is probebly concentrating on keeping the plane in control.  All too often i see pilots that try to do an immelman but just have no idea how to pull one off and their timing of doing the second part of the immelman is way off.

Knowing when to pull is the key,  you always try to get under the others plane nose and pull gently,  you wont be in a blackout so you can keep your eye on the con at all times..  Learning the immelman takes time like any other move.

[Steve]

The double immel is a nifty move against those planes.  Mostly they won't expect it and as soon as they see you nose up, they will often pull hard in a loop.  Also, if you are at a good cruising speed your double immel will travel more vertical distance and put you on top of the fight.  This move is not for the timid though, screw it up and you've got a pony w/ no E and a bad guy shooting at you.
I don't go over 10k AGL either, very often.  FWIW my convergence is 350-375-400  outside in.

A good thing to remember whether you are offensive or defensive is the pony's manuever envelope.  If you get bounced by a planes that compress... 109, 38, spit, niki, etc, you can use your high speed turning to slip away and reengage as you see fit.

You'll really enjoy pulling that 109 down on your 6, teasing him w/ your tail, then breaking as little as 30 degrees and watch him fly helplessly by.

Against La7's it rather easy to chop, drop flaps and pick up their tail as they go by.

Stay far enough ahead of your plane that  you don't get corralled by a faster speed plane w/ turnfiter friends...heap big trouble if these guys know what they are doing.

[DYGCaps]

I fly the pony a bit different I suppose.  I don't turn in it unless my opponent is obviously not a good turner (ie: D9, 109s, F4U, ect.)  Mostly I tend to rope in it, I'll come into a fight higher than most if not all opponents, zoom down, take a shot if i get one, and zoom back up, watching closely to see if anyone follows me.  If they follow upward, wait till you think they are going to stall, kick in a notch of flaps and come down for an easy kill.  This works well as you can keep your E for a long time, stay above the fight, and completely dictate how the fight develops.  Hope this helped...

[dedalos]

Thank every one.  Looking forward to reaping my wings off trying to dive on a low con

[Steve]

Ded, when ya come back to rooks we'll lawndart ponies together.

 

[dedalos]

Originally posted by Steve
Ded, when ya come back to rooks we'll lawndart ponies together.

 

That wont take long.  I moved to rooks cause their numbers were low (during my time online).  It looks as if their numbers are ok now so I'll try Bish for a while.  Besides, I'd rather fight agains the best.

(if you see a 51 acting like a spit, don't shoot.  Its probably me trying to get killed)

[gollum]

Steve,

Any chance I can try to lawndart a few ponies with ya? I love the P51 (it is a beautiful ride), but have not figured it out yet.

Oh, and thanks for the ride in the dueling arena last week, fun to watch!.

[Steve]

Sure thing gollum, I'm really good at ramming planes from behind and dying too!

BTW I won the next one, clean.

[gofaster]

If you're gonna turnfight a stang, you might as well fly the P-51B.  It rolls a bit better and you need to turn fight with it because with four .50 cals you're gonna need to hang with your target a bit longer.

Just make sure you don't go over 450ias or so or you'll be fighting compression.

[gollum]

I knew I should have hung around for the next one...:


I have seen you stats, you do alot more than ram 'em.