And yes widewing seems foolish imho....he started with a post that insulted BoPs and he is welcome to apologize and start again...I have played many years longer then him...i just choose to enjoy the whole game as a game and not as a life decision. I'm sure if I was motivated i could memorize optimal turn speeds and radiuses for all the planes and be uber too. The truth is it doesn't seem historic but gamey. If people who read ww2 aviation history really thinks we come even close to what actually occurred by DA standards then I can't help you. The MA for me is the closest to the unpredictable environment of air combat and that is why i love it. Maybe you guys should spend more time in there. The number of geniuses who have decided to prioritize ACM over everything else is ridiculous but hey you are not alone.....
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If widewing is an amazing guy then my first encounter with him is very negative and he can reflect on that as well...perhaps he should reread his first post and decide if that is the post that would make me think well of trainers or be convinced that the true dweebs have infiltrated the training ranks. I would hope someone who has dedicated himself to only training would be amazing....but who really cares...resume material for you?? Murder is of the same ilk...though it is only lately that I find him annoying.
I stated: "There isn't a single BOP that could wake me up from a nap... Keep preaching that skill means nothing... Keep insisting that a player who wants to improve his ACM skill is "nuts"..."
I made a statement of fact. It's a fact because you, their leader, discourage them from learning basic ACM. If you find that facts insult, change the facts. You can change the facts by getting your squadies some training. Not the type I suspect you emphasize, but training that teaches them some basics in air combat maneuvering, which you brand as "gamey". Rather than make such statements, encourage your guys to learn how to fight effectively, even if alone. Indeed, the only guy in your squad that I have seen flying alone is REVRAND in his Niki. I have found him at a few in-between field furballs... Having let that cat out of the bag, don't kick him out of the BOPs.
Rather that spreading more manure than a Tennessee tobacco farmer, admit that your guys could benefit from ACM training. This would strengthen the BOPs, and it would allow for some diversity in game play. You won't have to avoid an even-up fight to have success. The problem isn't the rank and file of the BOPs, the problem is their leadership. That means you. I'd bet that there are several members of the various BOP squads that have the talent to be a top tier stick, if only they were directed that way and challenged. All of them can certainly improve substantially. So, why would you not encourage that?
I suggested you bring your guys to the TA for a 3v1 clinic, or a wingman clinic. If you think that they won't learn something of value, you would be completely incorrect. You would even get to fight a trainer, 3 on 1. In fact, everyone will get to defend 3v1. They'll learn how to judge the greatest threat, and the most simple yet most difficult factor to master: Winning a 3v1 requires you to kill one guy as fast as possible. Which one? How to decide? How to fight 3 as 1. Decision making. Judging E states. Recognizing the weakest of the 3, etc and so on.
Being uber is far more than just knowing and recognizing the absolute capabilities of each fighter. However, without that knowledge, you will never be able to jump into any fighter and immediately be good in it. I have found that guys who specialize in one type usually cannot compete nearly as well in another type. Therefore, I preach that learning every aircraft is a critical part of being well rounded. Those of you who compete in KOTH events understand exactly what I'm driving at. Sometimes, the specialist isn't really as good as was supposed. Single dimension pilots will eventually have to face their limitations and suck up the result. Here's an example. I flew a series of duels with a guy thought by many in the community to be the best in his particular fighter. His problem was that his style never prepared him for a close-in, low speed fight where knowledge of plane handling at the absolute limit was required. We flew his ride and it was a debacle for him. However, he now understands what I am trying to enlighten you with.
You would be surprised how
more fun your guys could have if they were confident that they could fight with a reasonable expectation of winning as individuals and not just as a gang.
You made this statement that belies your ignorance of history: "The truth is it doesn't seem historic but gamey." Your reference was to ACM and detailed performance knowledge of the aircraft. That is completely wrong. Ever hear of "Clobber College"? This was a required course for all incoming P-51 pilots to the 8th Air Force. They were taught advanced air combat maneuvering. They were taught how to extract maximum performance from their Mustangs. They were indoctrinated in the relative performance, strengths and weaknesses of enemy aircraft. Why do you think they did this? Because, sooner or later, their survival would depend on their ACM training and their knowledge of aircraft performance, capability and their individual skill at utilizing all of it.
Listen, you've reached China, stop digging.
My regards,
Widewing