Author Topic: Flying 2nd and 3rd tier aircraft in LWMA (Read 1303 times)

Anaxogoras · « **on:** February 08, 2008, 02:18:43 PM »

Flying the older aircraft in the LWMA is even more challenging than I expected. The most difficult part is not the dogfighting performance, but the low speed: you can never run away. That means that many 1vs1 engagements end up 3vs1 and you just have to fight to the death.

Lately I've tried:
A6M2
109E
SpitMk1
P-40
F4F
Ki61

The most disappointing of all these has been the Ki61. It's slow and doesn't turn as well as most Spitfires. If you can keep your energy up it's ok, but even then it is a dog. Average to above average pilots like me will suffer with it.

One middle tier aircraft that receives little LWMA use is the Mosquito. I thought no one would try to ho my Mosquito, but I couldn't have been more wrong...too bad for them.

All in all, however, flying these aircraft makes my K/D and K/S ratios plummet. It is the pilot, not the plane, but at a certain point the plane can count for a lot.

Anyway, it's a good learning experience and I'm going to continue trying the little-used rides during this tour, and I will die a lot.

-------------------------

P.S. Is it me or do many pilots target older aircraft first when they have a choice?

hubsonfire · « **Reply #1 on:** February 08, 2008, 02:31:15 PM »

Yes, people enthusiastically pursue the EW rides, as it is typically assumed that they are the easiest to kill.

Gulp · « **Reply #2 on:** February 08, 2008, 02:43:28 PM »

I'm a skilless noob myself, but look up Kermit if you need some tips on outflying late war rides with the KI61. I'm sure there are many good 61 sticks, but I've ran into him in a 61 a few times and learned not to underestimate that plane.

Aspen

Guppy35 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 08, 2008, 02:48:05 PM »

As one who is up in a 38G in Latewar all the time, I understand that I'll never be able to run. And 38s tend to draw lots of attention, in particular if they are lower then everyone else.

But that's the fun for me in trying to make em work hard for the kill.

Leaving myself out of the equation, I tend to be wary of early war rides as generally the guys in em, know what they are doing.

mensa180 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 08, 2008, 02:48:39 PM »

Burn the wing tanks low in the 61 first, it helps.

Also the 38G is a great ride, if you're feeling like a target.

mg1942 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 08, 2008, 02:50:17 PM »

Ki 61 is my favorite Spit killer:aok

Its cannons fire faster than .50 cal M2s and it's mounted in the nose:t

crockett · « **Reply #6 on:** February 08, 2008, 02:52:01 PM »

Ki61 is one of my favorites, but I'd trade in the Spit 1 for a Huri 1.

mg1942 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 08, 2008, 02:57:01 PM »

I love the Ki 61. It can turn with spit marks 8/9/14/16. For me it was the Japanese interpretation of what the Me 109 should have been.

Anaxogoras · « **Reply #8 on:** February 08, 2008, 03:01:40 PM »

Quote

I love the Ki 61. It can turn with spit marks 8/9/14/16

Maybe I had too much fuel and my opponents had little...

According to DocGonzo's aircraft performance pages, the Ki-61 has a larger turn radius than the Spitfire XVI and VIII, and with flaps deployed it's radius is larger than the IX too. http://gonzoville.com/ahcharts/index.php
I know that sometimes aircraft with a larger turn radius can have a better turn rate, but that's doubtful in this case.

kamilyun · « **Reply #9 on:** February 08, 2008, 03:02:21 PM »

Ki-61 is a great plane. I haven't flown it in a long time, but way back when...before the Ki-84 came in the game, I flew a couple of tours in Japanese planes only.

Got sick of the NIKI quick, and flew the Ki-61 a lot. My impression was that it flew like an underpowered Pony. It's also similar to a C205 or one of the early/middle 109 models. If you're familiar with those planes, then flying the Ki-61 should be a reasonable adaptation. I remember the cannons being my least favorite part. Either their rate of fire, or their ballistics (i.e. drop) or both.

moneyguy · « **Reply #10 on:** February 08, 2008, 03:05:38 PM »

i like the Yak and the 109F4 myself.

Speed55 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 08, 2008, 03:22:26 PM »

I really love fighting against any spit in a 109e.

Hap · « **Reply #12 on:** February 08, 2008, 03:38:48 PM »

I'm for the Ki too. And the Hurri 1.

Had many hours of enjoyment in the Tony.

Oldman731 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 08, 2008, 04:09:38 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Hap
I'm for the Ki too. And the Hurri 1.

Had many hours of enjoyment in the Tony.

Yup. But the Tony is a difficult plane to fly well, takes some learning. Keep the speed in the 200s is my advice. And don't expect it to be able to outturn Spits, there really are not a lot of planes that can do that.

- oldman (well...except for the Hurri I, of course)

Gixer · « **Reply #14 on:** February 08, 2008, 04:19:10 PM »

All those rides except the Dweeb1 are good. Especially the Ki61 just ask Odege.

~~...-Gixer~~