The P-51 is the most versatile plane in the game

[B@tfinkV]

Some good fights the other day between shrimp and myself in the MA.

He PonyD with 3k  alt advantage against me in a spit8 defending.



we messed around for 5 mins before another nitcame in higher and picked him off.


you certainly know what youre doing in that thing shrimp, i would be interested in the DA results as equal pilots would result in the la7 winning in my view.

[Saxman]

Equal pilots, 4-Hog would beat the 51D. Some similarities in performance but most categories go to F4U-4 with a slight to significant edge. Only CLEAR advantage for the 51D is top speed at 20k, but even then the 4-Hog's not far off.

[Warspawn]

You know what would be interesting?  Comparing the Pony's .50 cal loadout options vs. the typical 3-cannon LA7.  I was pleasantly surprised taking a 4-gun D Pony vs. a couple of N1K's in the DA; the weight reduction turns that 'stang into a very nimble plane.

I guess it would make sense; you lose what, 100 Lbs or so with barrel/receiver/mounts per gun and at least another 100 Lbs of ammo for the pair?  300 lbs less weight with the same airframe and engine should make a dramatic difference in performance.  If you get the chance AquaShrimp (or any of the really good, experienced players here), I'd be very interested in hearing what some of the top-guns here think of a pony D's performance vs. the LA-7 with the Mustang lightened up a bit.  I know it'll make the lethality of the Pony suffer even more in comparison to the cannons of the Russian plane, but if the LA's guns never get a shot on the Mustang that shouldn't be a huge factor...not in a 1-on-1 duel.

[SirLoin]

i beleive the pony always has 6 mg's installed..but u have the option of loading only 4 guns.

im pretty sure about this(but hope i'm wrong)

[332nd outlaw]

default load out on pony is 6 guns with option to down grade to 4

as far which is best that will never really be known as i do not know one guy that can fly both att he same time.. 2 differnt pilots will always leave the edge to the better pilot even if the skill level is just slightly better for one then the other..

[SirLoin]

ya but the plane art always shows 6 guns.

[hubsonfire]

I'm curious about the gun loadout now. I'd read that was in issue in the Mildcat as well, with the pilots preferring the 4 gun setup over the 6 gun setup, as the 4 gun setup gave you a few more seconds worth of fire. Does the 4 gun setup in the pony also hold more rpg than the 6 gun setup?
IIRC, the F4s and FMs had the 2 additional guns removed. Wonder if the pony is setup the same way.

[SirLoin]

When u select 4 gun option on P51 does it only load the weight of four machine guns(ammo weight excluded) ?

[uvwpvW]

La-7 with a half-decent pilot will win against a P-51B/D 9 out of 10 times all things being equal. Even if the fight starts above 20k the La can still hold its own until the fight ENDS on the deck. At any time the La can dive and escape using its superior speed, if the Pony follows it will most likely die. La-7 turns better than P-51 and hold all the other cards as well down low (where most fights end up).

Pony's only chance is to keep the fight high and fast, making slashing attacks. La-7 can deny the Pony a fight by diving. P-51 can deny La-7 a fight by keeping high.

[BBQ_Bob]

Originally posted by Ack-Ack
How would you know?  You bail out and hit the silk before you even merge.



ack-ack

At least he did'nt quit.

[Widewing]

A few facts are needed as the flight model has changed since the 2.07 update.

Among mid and late war American fighters, the P-51D currently has the largest turning circle and nearly the lowest turn rate, with full flaps. With two notches of flaps, the turn rate increases without a big difference in radius. My advice is not to use full flaps. The P-51B is slightly better, but not significantly so.

Against the La7 or Bf 109K-4, either P-51 is now easily beaten in a turn fight. Inasmuch as the La-7 will run down, out-climb and out-turn either Mustang, you better be one hell of a pilot. Likewise, the 109K-4 will out-cllimb and out-turn the Mustangs. Both the La-7 and the 109K-4 accelerate much faster. Things being as they exist after the update, given equal pilots the P-51s will lose. Indeed, the La-7 will beat the 109K4 under the same criteria. Since the update, the 190D-9 can now afford to dogfight a P-51 as it can match them on turn radius and actually maintain a higher turn rate.

There's only one way the Mustangs can have and maintain an advantage. Fight all duels at 20,000 feet or higher. Up there the P-51 can win.

My regards,

Widewing

[TW9]

They PwNd the pony???

[68DevilM]

Originally posted by AquaShrimp
I think the P-51D is the most versatile plane in the game.  Every fighter that it comes up against, it has an advantage in a certain aspect.

For instance, against turning planes such as the KI-84, N1K2, or Spit9, the P-51 can outrun & outdive, and outzoom them.

Against faster planes such as the 190D9, 109K4, and La7, it can outturn them, has a better gunsight, and can outdive them.

The P-51s advantage lies in all the features it has.  Excellent visibility from the bubble canopy, good fire power and excellent deflection shooting from 6x50cals, excellent dive characteristics, good turning at all speeds due to the large wing and combat flaps, and also good durability.  I dont think any other plane has as many attributes as the mustang.

Also, lets not forget it can carry 2x1000lb bombs, along with 6 rockets and 6x50cal guns.  And it has a very long range.

ill take on your stang in a spit 9

[SuperDud]

The val beats the pony or lala anytime. Anyone who doesn't believe me can meet me in the DA and I will show you my mad skills!

[Widewing]

Originally posted by TW9
They PwNd the pony???

Yeah, the latest update porked the Mustangs... Actually porked the drag model associated with the flaps. While not a genuine bug as it is with the P-38, the Mustang simply cannot turn worth a hoot with more than a notch or two of flaps.

However, since there have obviously been unexpected changes in the flight models since 2.07 (109F-4 becoming major uber, Niki improving beyond uber and so on), I fully expect that there will be a further refining of the drag model with the next update.

For now, we're stuck with what we have and will have to adjust to the new reality.

My regards,

Widewing