BF109's

[BaldEagl]

I just started flying the BF109K-4 last camp and tonight I tried the G-14 and the G-2 for the first time.  My question to those who fly these regularly (the G-14 and G-2) is; is it worth the extra weight and drag to carry the 20mm gondolas or not?

[Krusty]

Gondolas are a severe drag (literally they increase drag). They slow you down crap-loads, and reduce climb significantly.

On the other hand, they triple your firepower.

Pure fighter: NEVER

Bomber hunter: 75% of the time

[Obie303]

The last tour, I used the gondolas just once to do some buff hunting.  As luck would have it, I got bounced by a La-La.  Like Krusty said, the extra ammo is nice but forget any acm.  You could try some BnZ tactics but I didn't have much luck in the G-14 with all that extra drag.

Maybe somebody else can offer some better advice.  I still need lots of practice.

Obie:aok

[MiloMorai]

Originally posted by Krusty
Gondolas are a severe drag (literally they increase drag). They slow you down crap-loads, and reduce climb significantly.
 

I would have to check but the 20mm gondies only slowed the 109 down by ~10mph or so.

[Lusche]

On the 109 G-6, the gondolas increase weight about 500 lbs. I don't remember the exact top speed reduction, but the average rate of climb is reduced by 10% (taking off with 100% fuel). Handling & turn radius suffers as well, but I never tested this aspect thoroughly.

Personally, if I see the need for massive firepower, I take another plane anyway (109K, 190A8).
The only time I do select the gondola option on the G-6 is when intercepting bufff in MW arena.
I never take gondolas on the G-2, for I don't see any reason to downgrade the very characteristics that made me pick this plane in the first place.

[pipz]

I may be wrong about this but I seem to recall Widewing saying there was no reason to choose the spit16 over the 109G-2.Maybe if he see's this post and if my memory was correct he will elaborate.

Pipz

[Krusty]

There's a lot of difference between choosing a spit16 and a 109g-2, heh heh.

Lusche brought something to mind, for me. I'd say that the performance of the 109G-2 is enough that there's "less noticable" impact of using the gondolas. That is, you might get away with it on this craft vs the other Gs.

[TUXC]

If you can learn to use the 30mm then you won't need godolas for buff hunting in the LW arena. It's tricky since the ballistics stink and you only get 65 rounds, but 1 hit will bring down a fighter and one good pass is all that's needed to ruin a bomber's day. If you're in a 109k you'll also be fast enough to get close to almost any fighter, so the 30mm's shell drop won't matter.

One of my squadmates likes to take gondolas when he flies with the squad since they provide a more powerful snap-shot capability for clearing people's sixes. When he flies alone he opts for the lighter loadout for better performance.

As everyone else already said, gondolas are good against bombers, but they do make you a little slower and a lot heavier. It's kind of like trying to dogfight with a 500lb bomb. In some ways taking a Fw 190 is better option than a 109 with gondolas.

[titanic3]

flying the 109G14, it got a good climb rate with 100% and gondolas, but as ppl mentioned, it produce drag, which slows ur climb rate by like 500-1000ft or sumthing like that

[BaldEagl]

Thanks guys.  Last night I was flying both with gondolas and, while they weren't awful or anything they weren't special either.

Today I flew both without gondolas (100% fuel, no extras, bigger ammo loads).  In the G-14 I was easily able to take out 2 B-24's while in the G-2 I went turn for turn with Spit XVI's on two occasions.  

Both of the Spit encounters were extended fights and during the second I had to leave for fuel and was easily able to extend away at my liesure.

I'm no expert after only a few flights but, as a long time Spit dweeb, I'd say that other than having to control the dive speed in the G-2 (which is pretty forgiving compared to the G-14 and the K-4) and the difference in ballistics between the dual 20mm Hispanos of the Spit vs the single 20mm of the 109, I would agree that there's no reason to pick a Spit XVI over the 109G-2.

Nice rides.  I'll be flying them again.

Thanks for the input.

[Serenity]

Not worth it. I never fly gondolas, even for bomber intercept. A skilled shot can do more than enough damage with the one cannon, and the WgR21s are WAY more fun for bomber intercept. Just my oppinion though.

[titanic3]

Originally posted by Serenity
Not worth it. I never fly gondolas, even for bomber intercept. A skilled shot can do more than enough damage with the one cannon, and the WgR21s are WAY more fun for bomber intercept. Just my oppinion though.

finally, sum1 understand the use of WgR21s

[Serenity]

Originally posted by titanic3
finally, sum1 understand the use of WgR21s

God those are fun! One shot and a whole formation goes down! Then some n00b jumps on the 200 and b**ches at you for cheating! lol! GREAT FUN!