Originally posted by -lynx-:
There's no way buff's 50 cals shooting the same half an inch bullets that come out of wing mounted Brownings. Lone buff vs lone fighter stood no chance whatsoever in RL. In AH one needs to be a good fighter pilot and a lucky sob too to just survive the encounter with a B26 not to mention B17.
They start pinging manoeuvering fighter approaching from 3/9 at 300+ mph at 1,500 yards and that's just roadkill (or scrifice of realism for playability's sake which is sorta fair enough). They take a wing of a plane with a couple of pings of the same - err - 50 cals... Yeahright 
Hmm...
I guess it is different for different players. If I set up on a BUFF right, make my attack clean and in one pass. The BUFF goes boom and I fly away.
When I screw up, sit on the BUFF's six, make the wrong attack or remain too stationary. The BUFF flies away and I go boom.
BTW this is from P-38, not an uber-BUFF hunter. I find the attack that works the best for me is a pure vertical move from a 4 or 8 starting point.
I try to get d2.5 to d3.0 higher than the BUFF and start my dive from around 200mph. Start shooting at d1.2, well ahead of the BUFF's line of flight. The target is large, because you see the whole planform. Try to position yourself slightly to one side or the other so that your shots hit wings and fuselage.
Closer rate becomes an issue and should be very rapid. You don't have time to waste.
The idea is to only allow the BUFF to be able to train one turret on you (2 guns). This is the upper turret when attacking, and belly turret when you are extending. With a 4 or 8 attack you are crossing the BUFF's line of flight and it makes you harder to track. This is because you force them to track in two directions with the guns, vice one.
If you enter into the BUFF's rear cone of fire. Stay there long and you are toast.
Attack angles for B-17- Level six or HO = 6 guns - Bad idea, unless closure rate is very very very high
- Level six or HO from the side = 7 guns - Very bad idea
- High / low six or HO = 4 guns - Poor idea
- High / low six or HO from the side = 5 guns - Poorer idea
- Side from high / low = 3 guns - OK idea, often positions you on the BUFF's six
- Side attack = 5 guns - No so OK idea
- Vertical below or above = 2 guns - Best idea, the well timed vertical diving attack is optimum
You can analyze the B-26 in the same fashion. The B-26 has no belly turret. Some like this attack angle, I do not. Its timing is too crucial. It often leaves you hanging motionless in the B-26's rear cone of fire or for any escort fighter to come along and snuff you easily.
Good Luck!
PS: Sorry Rip I was writing this while you were posting that...
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Mino
The Wrecking Crew
[This message has been edited by Minotaur (edited 05-10-2000).]
