dealing with disadvantaged merge

[Simaril]

I dont have this on film, but I have a question about a situation i recently encountered. I'll do the best I can to describe it, adn I appreciate any input (I'll handle requests for clarification as best I can.)



I was in a HurriIIC doing base defense, at about 1k, and we were outnumbered by 30-50% at any given time. My speed was average (for a maneuvering Hurri!!). Assuming my heading to be north, the problem came up with the only aggressively threatening con being a C-Hog coming in from about 60 degrees true, but with 4k of alt and considerable speed. He swooped into a dive that carved a shallow lateral "C" down to the deck, and began pulling up into what would be straight head on. I did not perceive it to be a HO attempt however -- looked like clean ACM.

I anticipated his greater speed and limiting G's would make him almost certainly overshoot and pass  under me , and so I reacted at about 800 by pulling up into a sharp half loop. I intended to come through the top, roll, and do a modified split S so I'd have a nose down snapshot at worse and a brief tracking 6 shot at best. So, I was thinking of a first half maneuver silhouette like a C with a second half looking like a backwards S, having a half roll in the middle of the S.

However, either my timing or my assessments were off, because Busa chopped off my empennage with a quick burst as I made it about 2/3 way through the half loop.

, BTW


My first reaction was that I maybe I shoudlnt think of pulling upand losing maneuver speed, due the risk of hanging like a pinata in a hot zone. But now I'm wondering if maybe I jsut went a little too early, either because he was slower than I thought or because I just timed it wrong.

NOt having the film limits things, of course, but I'm interested in what reaction maneuvers came to mind when more skilled players visualize the situation.

Thanks

Simaril

[Dead Man Flying]

Sounds like your timing was wrong.  If I'm envisioning what you're describing properly, from his point of view you probably pulled up right in front of him.  A simple chop throttle and maybe a quick drop of those F4U airbrakes, and he could easily have pulled a shot on you.

-- Todd/Leviathn

[Messiah]

Its all about timing and angles.  Get him to an angle where he can't hit you. Use negative G's more (as i rarely EVER see a pilot using negative g's in combat which I find interesting)to go under his nose etc.  You also have to judge his E state when he dives on you, if he's fast - perform the manouver sooner; if he's slow - let him come in a little bit more.  
   
In the situation your describing I probably would have put him at an off angle to my right or left side and into a shallow dive to converge the E states(doesn't matter)and forced him to pull a dang hard shot that will force him to blackout and loose E.  Now thats just one basic example there are many more ways to avoide a con diving on you.  Find me in the MA sometime and I will help you on these if you wish,



--Messiah

[Messiah]

Heres an example of what I mean by using a negative G to evade an attack.  Watch   it from the enemies viewpoint to really see how effective it can be.

Negative G Evasives

[DamnedRen]

Speeds brakes on the hog "feel's like" full flaps just got dumped out and I mean right now. If he chops the throttle and steps on a lil rudder for alignment your gonna be toast.

There was a reason that all the old aces said, "when you see your enemy, always turn into him". It changes the angles he has coming in on you. Why wait until he's 800 out to react? You could have reversed and placed your plane offset, low which gives you angles if he stays in the fight.  Alternatively, if he blows on through just go level and begin a climb. This is the first step in taking away his alt advantage.

Hope this helps.

[Messiah]

Why wait until he's 800 out to react?

Because of his speed and I wanted to make him commit to the attack since he had enemies on his six.  I could have done the usual over the top reversal on him but he would of extended.  As you see in the film he does commit for a while but I didn't chop throttle long enough to force an overshoot for a guns solution.