Swager,
That was me that apologized for the HO. I have no problems with HO attempts on me and I am usually able to avoid them. In our case I came out of a turn with 900 yards separating us (on my FE) and heading straight at each other. I judged that I lacked time to dodge, so I fired. Generally I try to avoid HOs with F4U-1Cs when I'm in a Zero

, but that time I won.
I only apologized to mollify any potential temper tantrum about to come my way. In the event, it was you and you didn't care about the HO. <S>
Basically, I take any shot the enemy gives me. I prefer it to be from a position where he cannot return fire, but that is not always possible. I also expect the enemy to take any shot I give him and if he gives less of a damn about return fire than I do, well, its my job to get out of his fire.
I remember one fight that I had where I was turning and every time I came around there was this N1K2 and we'd do a HO. After the 3rd or 4th go around I was awarded my 2nd kill. It turned out that I had be HOing
TWO N1K2s in my Zero and I'd shot them both down.

Who says the Zero can't take a pounding? (Of course I was on fire from the 2nd HO on

)
People whine about HOs too much. They are usually easy to dodge.
------------------
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother
Sisu
-Karnak
[This message has been edited by Karnak (edited 01-22-2001).]