(These are just my views, on how I do things, but any help would be greatly appreciated)
After about an hour offline, I figured out my Convergence area. Simply by the fact I noticed that I don't fire when you're farther than 200 away from me. This probably has alot to do with the fact I used to fly the Yak-9U alot. It was (and still is, though I haven't used it alot lately) one of my best/favorite rides. But back to the subject.
Like I said, I just won't fire out of 200. And this can cause some major problems for me. Specially' when someones in a faster plane than myself. And just extends (common of late, as I've been flying slower aircraft, cept the 190A-5... but that was pretty much random.) I know I need to practice on farther shots, but it is a tough habit. I just don't like wasting bullets. It makes me feel bad. Any way you guys think I can speed the process up? I mean, I figure I might just slowly set the Conv. out farther. Until I hit an area that is actually better, and know it for the different planes I fly.
On SA, I have learned fairly quickly that if you aren't looking around, you will get shot in the buttocks, and there probably won't be enough of you left to go eat ice cream at a Field Hospital. Heck, I learned that in Warbirds, and I only played it about a month. And it has nowhere near the numbers we do here.
I constantly sweep the area, atleast when I'm not in combat. Wing dips, with rudder to counter some of the alt. loss (I climbed up there, it took time, I don't want to just give it away) and even flying inverted for short times to make sure no one is hiding somewhere. I figure this is a good thing. Right?
But in battle, I tend to slow it down in my mind. More so recently. I see a plane, and I zoom in quickly with the Camera to see what he's doing. I figure I've seen a few of the more common cockpits and I know about where he can/can't see. Even if I have a big red marker showing where I am. So, if I can I like to set up to come in from those blind spots. And with the sun giving me a light (pun intended) push to help. I used to not do this. And I still have to think about it now adays, it's not natural to me yet. I'll do it even if their above me, or co-alt. As long as he doesn't see me, he 'should' be an easy kill. Thankfully most people see me. (Cause, you know, as much as I like stabbing people in the back, it still feels kinda dirty)
Also, I've recently been seeing how an aircraft is flying from a distance. His direction. And about what speed he might be, based off alt. and situation. And I try to think what I would be doing in his case. And visioning how I would do it. Low La-7 leaving everyone in the dust? Common since tells me if he has fuel, and ammo left, he will climb back up once we ignore him. There are other situations, but that is the most common to me. None of the aircraft I fly can keep up with a La-7 at just about any alt. So, I just usally let them walk away. Let the faster guys get them, I don't mind. But during that time my head will stay on a swivel. Sure, I have a low target out infront of me, but he may have sneaky friends. Sneaky friends that will come from behind and put a bullet in my backside.
I can usually keep my enemy in my view, since I have the buttons around my hat switch set to The up angles (Fr, Fl, Rl, Rr) as well as another button in easy reach for the area between all the way up, and forward. Not to mention that I have the head posistions set to what I find the most 'seeing.' So, lately I've been seeing things more 3d. I can see up and downs uses finally. It only took a year. (It was mostly because of that P-40 vs. N1k video someone put up, sorry if I can't remember who.
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I think I've gotten better since I was gone, atleast it seems like it. It may just be because I'm lucky (Hah! I doubt that! Me and Luck are not good pals!) I could just be crazy. That's more likely.
One of my major problems is I will get fixated. I try to break it, but my gunnery is kinda... crap. So alot of the time I end up losing my target when I look around. The only way I've figured out how to fix this is to just lag track. Hey, I mean, I look around, and if I didn't turn any faster/he didn't manuever, then it's very likely he is just where I left him. Don't turn all the way, and just pull him in. I personally don't trust snap shots. I prefer a steady target in my sights. But that isn't always possible. And I will shoot anyone who gets thier long enough for me to 'feel' them getting hit.
Do these seem like good things to you guys? (On a side note, I got Check 6: The Virtual Pilots thingy last summer, and I read it alot. And I have found it useful, if very... vague at times)
