Wish flying

[TweetyBird]

I wonder how many newbie deaths occur because of fighting a fight we wish was there, instead of the fight that is actualy there?
This is a stupid blunder but it taught me a lot for a stupid flight. There was a low a la7 that I, in a spit,  chased for about a sector. I came down from about 20k and got as close as 900 - but then he pulled away. Well he get to an area full of gv's for his side. I see them and pull up, and I warn on the purple channel (at least 4 times) that he's baiting the gv's. I see at least 3 countrymen die over the flaks and the whole time my mind starts to turn against me. I start visualizing this non existent safe zone between the two groups of gv. "Yea, if he flies into the middle I should be able to dive down and get a quick shot." Yea right. He was low, slow and no threat. He was nothing but bait. I should've just went on to something else. But I faught the fight I wished was there instead of the fight that was there and died for it. I can see objectivity is going to be a stumbling block for me

[JB73]

Originally posted by TweetyBird
...There was a low a la7 that I, in a spit,  chased for about a sector....

well first tip:
spit will not catch an la7. an la7 can chase down a tempest on the deck. i've done it.

Originally posted by TweetyBird
I came down from about 20k and got as close as 900 - but then he pulled away.

giving up 20,000 feet in alt is never a good. not ever.

if you are that high look for a similar alt fighter, or why bother climbing that high? to "dive in on cons"?

if you are that high 6/10 times they will se you comming way before you get there. if they do it doesnt take much to avoid a screaming fast plane. just juke left or right then up an bit.. the fast plane will overshoot because of decrased manuverability. with luck you will get a 6 shot as he is leaving.

if you dive and try to slow down as you are engaging you might as well have been at that lower alt anyway,


oh well my lame 2¢

[TweetyBird]

normally I fly 10-12k in a spit. I was hanging out with some squad mates who were in a b17 and after they dropped, I headed north and came across a low dot on the water. The area had very few enemy (targets), so I guess thats why I gave up the alt to go for the lone target. After I saw what it was, I guess I couldv'e re-alted but it was heading for a sector with pretty even bars, so I figured furball. In the end, alt wasn't a factor - stupidity was But I see your point and don't normaly fly that way (20k in a spit in hopes of rocketing down on fast planes). There was sometihng I read (maybe here) that gave some tips for newbie pilots. It advised to get some alt, but not excessive alt and even stated the 10-12k zone. I pretty much stick to that as it seems right on for most fights.

[humble]

The only thing you did wrong was chase the la-7...secret is making him chase you...scream on down to him and as soon as you see the range start to open back up then break off about 45 degree's...the goal is to get him to come back to you...lot of em will...now you have 2 options...break back into him...going for the "under" if he goes for the shot he'll be nose low and you go vertical...if he blows thru zoom and see what he does...if he goes high I'll follow an la-7...just dont get to slow if you cant catch him...or turn AWAY from him and give him your 6 then suck him into an overshoot (my normal choice). Once you get the la-7 turning at all you should be fine...not more than 10% of the lala's are well flown 1 vs 1.

[Hap]

Originally posted by TweetyBird
I wonder how many newbie deaths occur because of fighting a

tweety, when i was a new pilot, many of them.  now, if the distance marker is getting larger and i'm not close enough for a shot, i rtb.  

if you fly the spit mostly, its easy to make a list of the planes you can and cannot catch on the deck.