Yeah duma, you did take it too hard. And reading your AAR over there, it's clear you had a different perspective. My conclusion was from the assumption that you'd seen me engage him, and watched him evade. You "caught him sleeping", so it almost sounds like they weren't the same plane

. (I also had a newbie wingie in a "Brand W" SL earlier this eve. He did follow me and shoot over the shoulder at my target, instead of noticing the seasoned veteran closing in behind us. I rolled around behind and got the other one too, but not before losing the rookie).
My point was as Kieren put it -- there are a lot of green pilots on both sides. I flew stupid, and paid the price.
You're right about over-the-shoulder shootin' -- it's always that way. Anyway, I didn't want to suggest you "stole" my kill -- I shouldn't have turned with that spit (but his slow, climbing turn was soo tempting. muahahaha)
Other points:
Yeah, turning off in-flight radar might help. A GCI would be helpful though.
Yes, I know the point of a circus is to lure the LW up to knock 'em down. But duma has already posted some fine photos of 3 spits with him on the deck. duma was shot down before the G2s made their first pass at the buffs. I'm sorry, but if you're gonna escort bombers, you escort bombers, and get the kills as they come. You don't go running merrily after the first enemies you see, leaving the heavies to be slaughtered.
Sometimes the alt cap is necessary (although 15k seems a little ridiculous), but remember: no matter how high you may go in your spitfire, there will be a 109 above you.
Finally, allowing chutes to replane is not historical, it's a concession to gameplay, and it should be evaluated as such (does it help/hinder?).
Anyway, I did enjoy myself, and I look forward to participating in the future; my post was optimistic more than anything else: it's still a very young community, and we're green (or maybe it's just that it's been too long since I've been able to get in a 109 in a "Brand W" scenario).
Besides, look at duma's AAR over in the special events section. This things are gonna be very cool.