My "Trainer"

[Morpheus]

Mine was the pony. Learnt to fight that slow and everything else just falls into place. 

[uptown]

I would agree  that the 51B is a great gunnery trainer for the MA. 


Rabbit

Yep, with only 4 guns you have to hit your mark solid

Mine was the pony. Learnt to fight that slow and everything else just falls into place. 

That sums it up nicely 

[Traveler]

Wouldn't it make more sense to 'train' in the aircraft you plan on flying the most?

Got to agree with this.  Once a pilot was assigned to his company and squadron he trained in the aircraft assigned to the squadron.  My father had logged a little over 100 hours in training squadrons and was assigned to his outfit where he logged another 200 hours state side flying training mission in P47's, then on to England with his squadron and more trainging flights.  His first real mission was escorting B17's but by then he had logged over 250 hours in P47's.  My point being , he trained in what he would fight in and fought in what he had trained in.

[Banshee7]

By training, he could mean teaching new players how to fly, BFMs, and ACMs.  No necessarily mastering one aircraft kind of training.  And it would also be hard to train for an aircraft that you will be flying most, as you usually don't know exactly ehat you WILL fly the most...especially if you change planes every dortie like I do.

[awrabbit]

I would have to say that it is best to train in the aircraft that you fly the most. I fly the 51D but I used the Bravo stang to work on gunnery because it has a smaller gun package. I like the B pony as a change from flying the D.  there used to be times when I would fly the B for a whole tour with good results.  Once I get in the B pony I have a hard time getting back out of it because it is a sweet bird. I find it much more forgiving than the D.   In short I train in what I fly. 

The most inportant thing for me  right now after a long time away from AH is learning what the other planes can and can not do, as well as re developing my SA skills.

I will take the odd Hog out from a CV and I would like to take the time to learn how to effectively fight the Jug air to air. Once I re learn to fly the 51's I will use different aircraft for different types of missions.


Some guys can jump in anything and have success and some of us are specialists in the rides of our choice. I pretty much used to be the latter and once I get my act back together I am sure that this will remain the case.


Rabbit

[Gabriel]

By training, he could mean teaching new players how to fly, BFMs, and ACMs.  No necessarily mastering one aircraft kind of training.  And it would also be hard to train for an aircraft that you will be flying most, as you usually don't know exactly ehat you WILL fly the most...especially if you change planes every dortie like I do.

eh

Mostly I see just veteran or  'not new' pilots in here talking about planes that are just  less capable than the ones they usually fly. I fly 'blah ' because its slower and turns less and if I can kill with it then I can really pwn in 'insert dweeb plane here' elventibillaion!!!

Seems to me that if you are flying a fast plane, you don't HAVE to use your speed to gtfo anytime things go south - you choose too run. If you want to train then,,,just stop running 

But thats just me.

be right back, flying a Gear Down Hurricane 1 so I can be l33t

[1pLUs44]

Any one that can take on 3 guys in a p39 and win is not average.  Then again, its is all relevant.  Who were the three you took on?  I am just saying that dieing to some one better than you in a p39 after giving him a work out could mean a lot more than killing 3 zeros in it.

God no, I don't think I've ever won every 2 v 1 in the 39, definitely 3 v 1. But I find to learn more when I jump my 39 into a bunch of gang-bangs, there's been times though, that training in my 39 has helped me survive gang bangs (of course, with many pieces missing still haha)

Wouldn't it make more sense to 'train' in the aircraft you plan on flying the most?

All aircraft 'tick' differently, but there's always definite advantages in each. When you find that one plane, where you have no advantage except the skills on your back, it's a perfect "trainer" for the game. If I ever become a terrible gunner again, or I quit for a while, first thing I'm gonna fly when I get back'll be the P39Q.

[MaSonZ]

if i start running low on confidence i bring up my f4u1a, i bring her up every now and then just to keep in shape with her. if i really get low on confidence ill up a spit 16 a few times, and if that doesnt work ill go to DA.

[SmokinLoon]

if i start running low on confidence i bring up my f4u1a, i bring her up every now and then just to keep in shape with her. if i really get low on confidence ill up a spit 16 a few times, and if that doesnt work ill go to DA.

Is that the plane you got all those uber killz in?   

I am no perfect trainer and I still have a lot to learn, but when I am working with someone who is VERY wet behind the ears I'll send them up in a P40B.  It is a smooth plane that does everything slow and steady.  If a guy can menouver the P40B, then he can menouver anything.