Author Topic: What makes a "good" plane....? (Read 1264 times)

humble · « **on:** December 23, 2004, 01:35:22 PM »

Been mulling over this question for awhile...

To clarify I'm talking "good" in the AH sense not "real" life where range and speed are all important. I also recognize that "good" has variable meaning based on how you fly.

Speaking for myself I'm amazed how much I enjoy the Ki-61...a plane I never flew till I joined AK's and flew it in TOD 3 months back or so...Truely a sweet little bird that can fight anything in the plane set (least till the rubberband winds down:)). Also love the F6F,F4U-1,FM-2,109G-2,205,P47-40.

The reason I ask is the invariable threads on "performance" and why this or that plane should be perked changed etc...personally I could care less what the other guy is in....as the old saying goes..."planes dont kill people, pilots do"...

That being said certain planes "fit" certain styles...going back to me and the Ki (61) I think it "fits me" since it isnt really any good (like me:)) at any one thing so it lets me fly however I need to. Since I never fly "flat" (till the ground gets in the way at least) it's an energizer bunny with relatively docile handling that is comfortable to yank around the sky...although I often find myself grumbing at the bird to move along as it wobbles thru its paces:)...

Just curious how others feel about there favorite bird....

streetstang · « **Reply #1 on:** December 23, 2004, 01:42:18 PM »

IMHO the P38 is one of the best if not the best plane in the game.

It can out turn what it can't out run, and can out run what it can't out turn.

It is, IMO, one of the sweetest handling planes at extreem low speeds. And with the use of trim, is one of the sweetest rides at high speeds. The more it shakes and rattles the more fun. But nothing beats the stall fighting in it.

JB88 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 23, 2004, 01:43:37 PM »

tried everything.

the 190 just fit.

Kweassa · « **Reply #3 on:** December 23, 2004, 01:45:11 PM »

A good plane is a plane that takes less effort to survive in.

And the old sayings are wrong. Look at my sig.

humble · « **Reply #4 on:** December 23, 2004, 01:53:29 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Kweassa
A good plane is a plane that takes less effort to survive in.

And the old sayings are wrong. Look at my sig.

Couldn't disagree with you more....but to each there own.

killnu · « **Reply #5 on:** December 23, 2004, 02:03:45 PM »

ive always loved the 38, for various reasons, morph hit most...but...i find myself in 47-D40 alot lately, with a smidge of spit5 in there. just loving both of those planes, a blast to fly.

Sikboy · « **Reply #6 on:** December 23, 2004, 02:06:36 PM »

I was destined to like the Yak.

On a personal note, I was a Russian Linguist in the Navy, and consequently, learned more about the Soviet Military, and VVS than I otherwise would have.

But more than that, the Yak-9U has decent Speed at Sea Level, as well as "good enough" maneuverability, across the speed band.

I think it matches up fairly well against most La-7s out there (though an experienced La-7 pilot will eat my lunch more often than not).

Plus, the weak guns on the 9U really help keep the population down. The converse of this, is the Yak-9T, which is simply a joy to fly. 1 Ping kills, ESPECIALLY when there's a second delay between the hit and the explosion, are one of my favorite things to see in game. I think the P-38 is the only Fighter I've seen survive an NS-37 hit. If you like the Ki-61, the Yak-9T has some similar traits. It's a bobsled (holds E well downhill, but climbs for ****), it handles well with a little speed, and it doesn't get away from you.

-Sik

Schaden · « **Reply #7 on:** December 23, 2004, 02:24:56 PM »

Fast, big guns, good range.....

Shane · « **Reply #8 on:** December 23, 2004, 02:27:17 PM »

there are 2 kinds of good planes...

1) the one i'm in
2) the one I just shot down

humble · « **Reply #9 on:** December 23, 2004, 03:24:14 PM »

Yak is one of my original loves along with the la-5....leaving the ammo load aside is probably one of the best planes in the game...again a plane that does everything well but isnt the best at anything....certainly a better overall performer than the Ki...the Ki has the benifit of being a wolf in sheeps clothing....yak gets some respect:)

FiLtH · « **Reply #10 on:** December 23, 2004, 03:29:50 PM »

To me its roll rate, good handling low speed, durability, lethality, and a high gunsight for better lead.

Vudak · « **Reply #11 on:** December 23, 2004, 03:42:22 PM »

It all depends on what sort of sortie you going out on really...

If I'm going fighter, 109-Moo-G2, F6F, and the um... Spit V are great, although the 109 can really get away from you at low speeds if you don't manage your rudder well.

If I'm going in against very bad odds but would like to live through it, I'll take a D-9. More often then not I end up saying "screw it" and just fly all dumb and die anyway. But it's a blast while it lasts.

If I'm really ticked off about being gangbanged and ho'd repeatedly on top of it, I'll take out a typhoon or tempest and cherry pick away. Nothing beats those four hizookas for longer-range deathblows.

If I'm going for "field suppression" I find that the FW190F-8 may be the most underrated plane in the game. You can fly right through an ack storm, taking pings that would incapacitate most other fighters, pop off the acks with a short burst of 20's, bomb a few GV's and/or the VH, and have more than enough ammo to suppress away.

And then, of course, there's always the good ol' Spit I or C.202 for when you just feel like making someone look stupid

Zaphod · « **Reply #12 on:** December 23, 2004, 03:43:24 PM »

51B

relatively fast, turns better than most expect, makes me pay attention to my aim lol.

Zaphod

Vad · « **Reply #13 on:** December 23, 2004, 04:00:34 PM »

La-7.

Sometimes I can kill somebody. So far it is enough to be completely satisfied.

Howitzer · « **Reply #14 on:** December 23, 2004, 04:00:51 PM »

I am getting away from the spit if I can, my hit % with the 2 hispanos is the suck. I think the f4f is an awesome ride with the 6 50's. I don't fly anything with 4 50's and nothing to compliment them... Just takes forever to get kills. I think my order is as follows =)

p47-D11 (always makes me smile when I see 3400 rounds when I take off)
F6F5 (good turner, not bad at slashing attacks)
190-A5 (the scissor machine)
F4F (like an RC plane with guns... just fun to fly)
Blue Zeke (A6M5b or whatever)
La5-FN (although I find gunnery tough)

Really its just what you are going for. Personally I'm not big on the 109s, and the 38 doesn't really float my boat either. I have to have variety in my plane selection though.