Real World P-38 vs P-47 duels

[bozon]

Originally posted by Benny Moore
Biggles, I have a question.  What loadout do you take for dogfighting?  After our dogfights, I tried the P-47D-40 with one fourth of a tank and six Brownings with the lesser ammunition count.  It flies like a dream!  I was out-turning Zekes (granted, Zekes flown by the noobery, but still Zekes) and Messerschmitts for the first time ever in a P-47D.  I went back to eight guns and full ammunition, and that extra six hundred pounds made it boatlike again.  Six hundred pounds makes a big difference on the Thunderbolt; the P-38 isn't quite as affected by that sort of weight change.  So what do you fly with?

The fuel load is much more important than anything else in the jug when in comes to performance. Remember that 100% is 370 gallons (not to mention the fuel load of the N...). You can fully fuel 3 109s with that and a few drops to spare. In order to extend the "quality" low-fuel last minutes you really have to manage your fuel.

Very few people bother with fuel management, but if you are not in a fight and not in a max-climb, ie cruise or CAP, I reduce throttle to 40-44 man and RPM to 2300. you get a few extra minuts of fuel and those are the quality minutes when you are light and can really suprise some opponents.

Also, you can make it home with a lot less fuel than you expect. Again, you have to fiddle with the throttle/RPM settings, but you can go a loooooong way on 1/8 of the main tank.

I'd refrain from taking 6 guns or low ammo. 2 gun does have some weight but meaningless compared with the condition of the fuel and this is one of the defining features of the jug. In addition, you don't get much shooting opportunities in the jug so you need all the punch. Ammo load - I just go trigger happy until the counters reach 1000. Then I am at the full low ammo load and start to aim

[Major Biggles]

8 guns, low ammo load and 50% fuel i was on benny. even low ammo load gives you plenty for 7/8 kills plus...

[Benny Moore]

Well, I guess I just don't know my Juggernaut, then.  I find the extra guns and ammunition to be useless, as I usually don't have enough opportunities to use them before I've got an angry Kraut on my tail.  With six guns, I have to spent more time firing, but at least I get the opportunities.

[Stoney74]

If your taking 6 guns to make the plane more maneuverable, you're not thinking the right way about the Jug.  Take the 8, and play to the strengths of the airplane:  massive firepower, dive speed, and high-speed stability.  Start up high, and fight downhill.  If you have altitude, remember that 550 mph IAS is only 7-8,000 feet away.

[Benny Moore]

I'm a dogfighter.  That doesn't mean I always turn-and-burn, but I love to dogfight even in big, heavy energy fighters.  If that dogfight takes place mostly in the vertical, that's fine with me.  But hit-and-run is no fun for me, or for the other guy.  In addition, since the Thunderbolt climbs like a granite cornerstone, I'm usually attacked before I can get high or fast.

[bustr]

Benny,

Look up my squad mate Platano. He has just discovered the wonders of flying the jug in the bushes like a spit5. He hates flying very long for a fight. So he ups goes straight over to the low furbal and flys a P47N like a spit. He has gotten almost as good as YUCCA is at it....I think soon he will be as good.

Platano harrases me to fly in the bushes with him. It can be done, I don't like to, you gotta change your drawers afterwards. But it gets him to stop calling me an alt monkey......

Bozon is correct about fuel and engine manegement. Also the jug takes time and patience to get good with it. While you are puttin in the time those 8 .50 make up for allota frustration when you get a con in your sites  hehehehehehe.......

[Oldman731]

Originally posted by bustr
Benny,

Look up my squad mate Platano. He has just discovered the wonders of flying the jug in the bushes like a spit5. He hates flying very long for a fight. So he ups goes straight over to the low furbal and flys a P47N like a spit. He has gotten almost as good as YUCCA is at it....I think soon he will be as good.

Platano is one of those gifted players like Batfink, with an innate grasp of the movement of air combat.  Very dangerous, I lose almost all fights to them.

- oldman

[Oldman731]

Originally posted by Widewing
From General Kenny's post-war book, "General Kenney Reports":

Thanks, Widewing, a great read as always.

- oldman