Author Topic: Head-on vs. Deflection (Read 644 times)

Halo · « **on:** January 18, 2004, 12:38:52 PM »

Technical question: when does a head-on exchange become a deflection shot?

My guess would be if both opponents fire directly at each other, it's a head-on (like a jousting match).

And if only one opponent fires as the other tries to evade, by however slight an angle, it's a deflection shot.

Correct? Corrections?

DipStick · « **Reply #1 on:** January 18, 2004, 05:01:08 PM »

I try not to be in a position to get HO'd (which is how you described it) but I usually come in from an angle with a lead turn and if I wind up close enough I'll take a snap shot on their front quarter. That's is what I've always considered a "deflection" shot on the merge.

RTR · « **Reply #2 on:** January 18, 2004, 06:37:55 PM »

Anytime you are anywhere in an arc of 180 degrees from the nose of your opponent and you take a shot, you will be accused of being a HO dweeb.

Your altitude in relation to your opponent is not a factor.

This is in accordance with the rules set forth in the Queensbury Rules and Regulations for Aerial Pugilism.

There are no provisions for deflection shots in these most prestigious set of rules. Therefore they are not to be inferred.

I find that most pilots actually do follow these rules quite commendably. I cite as precedence for this statement, the fact that, never has there been heard on Channel 1..."Nice deflection shot dweeb!" ...

We thank you for your enquiry Sir, and hope this answers your question fully.

Cheers, and good hunting

RTR

SlapShot · « **Reply #3 on:** January 18, 2004, 09:01:21 PM »

HO is your guns can kill him and his guns can kill you.

Anytime you can get a shot at the target and they can't get a shot on you ... or visa-versa ... it's a deflection shot.

TBolt A-10 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 19, 2004, 01:21:23 AM »

If you have to kick the rudder in order to whip the nose into a line of fire upon the target as it passes, it's a deflection shot. Right?

It better be, or I HO'ed that jet.

TBolt

empty · « **Reply #5 on:** January 19, 2004, 08:59:31 PM »

It's only a HO to the guy that just lost the fight. To the winner it was a darn good shot.

I haven't shot anyone in the face yet that I didn't see the nose and/or wings lit up. Is it just me or does that usually mean he's shooting also?

lasersailor184 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 19, 2004, 10:17:12 PM »

As long as it's not a collision, i'm happy.

Flit · « **Reply #7 on:** January 21, 2004, 09:36:47 PM »

Anytime ya gotta "lead'em", it's a deflection shot.The more "lead", or "angle", the greater the deflection. At least thats the way I think about it.

Tilt · « **Reply #8 on:** January 23, 2004, 08:51:21 AM »

There are only two times its not a deflection shot .........................dead 6 and dead 12.

Three if you hold the trigger down and ram him

artik · « **Reply #9 on:** January 23, 2004, 11:36:51 AM »

About dweebing and HOs.

[list=1]

If we are in merge directions closing to 180 degrees between us but I can see that I have a sight on him and he can not because of the angle. It is no problem to make a shoot even someone will call it HO - it is not because I can hit and he can not - just a usage of right gunnery conditions - it is not dweebing but controlled shoot for advantage position.
We are in vertical manuver I allready start diving and he is still climbing. I can figure out his very low speed - close to stall. At such speed he almost can not control the plane - and then he can not aim. In such situation shooting in HO position is very reasonable and safe. Only usage of bad gunnery position of your opponent - when he can not aim.
You have just rolled - you are slow, someone fast tryes to kill you when you fly plane like P-51D or 109 and he is Spit for Hurri. Without speed and altiltude you just have no chances to escape - you are allready dead man. So if you have a chance in HO even 50/50 it is better then die right after roll - so if you use HO it is smart tactics and not dweebing
You are in the middle of fight 1 vs 3 you are flying Spitfire your opponents are Zerro, 109, P51D fast planes or good turnfighters you can not disengage - your engine is hot and they are faster. You can not outurn all of them. Almost no chances to survive if they are normal pilots and not dweebs. So if you use HO you can only increase your chances to survive and it is not dweebing.
You are flying Mossie or 110 high Yak engaging you - you can not outturn him, you can not outrun him, you can not outclimb him, you can not outdive him but... you have strong plane and 4x20mm vs 1 weak plane with 1x20mm so - it is very reasonable to use HOs.

So does HOs are pure dweeb tactics
I think not allways.

empty · « **Reply #10 on:** February 03, 2004, 08:52:26 PM »

HO being a low-survival shot, it is best avoided. If its the only shot I think I'm going to get I take it.

I'd never HO in a duel, but in the MA or CT anything goes.

Red Tail 444 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 05, 2004, 02:39:57 PM »

To hell with it.

I won't go for the HO, but if someone's lining me up and I am in an inferior E situation, I'm throwing as much lead downrange as possible.

Urchin · « **Reply #12 on:** February 05, 2004, 07:32:08 PM »

Oh, I'll go for the head-on occasionally. Usually when I'm already fighting 2 or 3 guys and #X jumps in by flying straight at me. Sure, I'm going to die.... but so is that idiot.