Energy retention models (or something.....)

[Bluefish]

As a never-better-than-medicore pilot over in Brand W, I have become depressingly familiar with the lapses that lead to my demise. These usually involve an excess of testosterone (bluefish are by nature very aggressive but not not overly bright), bad SA, and even worse gunnery.  

In AH, however, I frequently find myself getting whacked by enemies of which I was aware but that I did not consider a  threat because of altitude and/or energy differentials.  For example, a 205 that had been break-turning on the deck to dodge my higher and faster LaGG (and was presumably therefore pretty well tapped out of E) suddenly accelerated, popped up behind me and waxed me good.

Has anyone else experienced this type of thing? I guess it would involve different modelling of energy retention.  I've become pretty familiar with dying (at least virtually) but I hate dying in ignorance.

 

[wells]

To be totally safe, you need at least 3000' of altitude difference.  That's the difference between a plane doing 300 mph on the deck and the other one doing 100 mph at 3000'.  They have the SAME energy level!  Figure on adding another 2000' for distance that guns can travel with reasonable accuracy.  Of course, that means you have to get within 2000' of any target you plan on shooting!  You better have 100-150 mph speed advantage if you want to remain 'safe' after the firing pass (if you miss).

[Kieren]

And I'll add the standard "what you see isn't necessarily what you get". Due to lag he may have done a lead turn and arrived on your tail as you passed, and you wouldn't see it that way. He only needs a 2-second burst to get you at that point.  

[mx22]

 

Originally posted by Kieren:
He only needs a 2-second burst to get you at that point.  

2-second burst? Heh I think I'll down B17 with 2sec burst of 20mm How about 1sec or less for La5.

mx22