Simaril, next month we are having two training clinics on engaging multiple enemies. We've run these before and they go a long way to improving your SA, learning to judge E states and help you to develop the skills required to determine which enemy is the greatest threat. Most of Saxman's squad, as well at many of the 332nd Flying Mongrels have attended. Everyone improved, some dramatically so. Check the Trainer's calender for the dates and times.
First fight, You didn't have a good idea where the enemy fighters were, and as several mentioned, you were excessively focused on the P-51 that collided with you. Focus on the primary threat, deal with that and move on to the next threat. Winning a 3 on 1 begins with understanding which aircraft must be shot down first, or at least discouraged enough to break off. To kill all three, you have to kill one first. In most fights with two or enemies, the primary threat will frequently change. You need to be able to identify this and counter.
You performed a series of loops while the F4U was barreling in unseen, your flight path now completely predictable. Change angles, never be predictable. Know where everyone is, and recognize their E state.
You also snap-stalled the Zero, giving away a chance at the Mustang. Be smooth on stick input. Slow is smooth and smooth is fast. This takes practice. That's why the clinics are so beneficial.
Second fight... You must be more aggressive. What you needed to do was equalize E states. Initially, you were 1,000 feet higher than the P-51. Moreover, you should have reversed into the P-51 much earlier (before the film started), trading that 1,000 feet for some additional speed (use WEP more, by the way). When you did reverse, you did so in a split-S with power pulled off. You gained little speed for the loss of altitude. That means you have NOT equalized E states as the E state is a combination of kinetic and potential energy. You increased kinetic energy only slightly at the expense of potential energy. E states remained unbalanced.
SA and E-management are the keys to defeating the BnZ, even with multiple bad guys.
Simaril, PM me and I'll send you links to several films with a couple of fellows who were working on wingman tactics. I was the rabbit, so to speak. You will notice that that when fighting two guys at once, you have to develop a sense of timing, recognizing when the threat changes. You may also notice that radical maneuvers are often not required. Doing no more than taking away an angle is often sufficient. Diving under the other guy's nose is often a great way to spoil what appeared to be a good opportunity. Watch from the fixed view with trails on. Use the sliders to change view angles.
My regards,
Widewing
