The 190's have literally NO advantages over any other ac in the game other than roll rate and guns (and speed for the Dora). It requires very strong SA, good knowledge of ACM's and strong E management skills to stay alive. You can't just yank and bank in an A8. Many ACM's are not even feasable given energy states.
Pick your 190 to suit your mission:
190A-5 - Best turner of the group, lightest and most nimble and packs a punch if you load out all 4 cannons.
190A-8 - Heaviest of the group but packs the biggest punch with 2x30mm, 2x20mm cannons and 2x13 (?) mm machine guns. Great for buff hunting and a decent fighter.
190D-9 - Fastest of the group. Among the fastest in the arena. Purely a B'n'Zer. Lightest gun package with only 2x20mm cannons plus machine guns but they are plenty for taking out fighters.
190F-8 - Best ground attack fighter in the group. Performance is similar to the A-8 so it makes a decent fighter as well.
Ta-152H - Slowest of the group at low to mid alts but among the fastest in the arenas over 20K. 1x30mm plus 2x20mm make it a good high alt hunter. Max dive speed is ~100 mph lower than the other 190's but it will glide forever (which is good as the radiator is prone to damage).
Common charachteristics: Great dive speed (500 ias+) without compression, poor climb rates but zoom climb is good, best roll rates of any plane, poor turn rates but can change direction quickly by using roll rate with gentle turns.
How to fight: Start fast, preferably with alt. Look to B'n'Z. You can turn to get shots but do not turn more than about 540 degrees total during your engagement and pull gently on the stick when doing so (low-G turns). Never let the stall buzzer sound. Once you've turned the maximum amount exit in a zoom climb for alt then repeat. You need ~3-3.5K seperation to reverse on someone chasing you. Use nose low turns (split-s/low yo-yo, etc.) whenever possible to conserve speed. In general, avoid looping manouvers however, If the 190 has enough speed to use a vertical reversal (pull up, roll 180 degrees then pull down) you'll have at least one good shot opportunity on the bogie below you and, even if that just gets the bogies attention you may get a second opportunity in a subsequent move.
Best defenses: Speed. Lacking speed use a flat or rolling scissors to try and force an overshoot.
IMHO one of the 190's are one of the best familys of fighters in the game if you get to know them and the A-8 is my personal favorite among them.
