P38 vs 109

[Shifty]

"SPEED is life".  It's always much easier to get rid of too much than try to gain it.

...and for some comic relief.  

The three most useless things in aviation:
1. Second best Air Force
2. Gas in the truck
3. Runway behind you
4. Altitude above you    

Made a slight adjustment.  

[CAP1]

and what is it they say?

second is the first loser? 

[Shifty]

They also say the biggest waste of money in the world is the second best Air Force.

[Dawger]

There are a couple of keys when fighting 109's in general.

1. The big cannons in the 109 tempt the 109 drivers into taking snapshots when he should be max performing his aircraft. This is a big opportunity for the P-38 pilot to grab angles away from a 109. If you see your opponent taking shots in a knife fight just max perform the P-38 and the 109 will lose angles quickly to you. Of course, you have to know how to max perform the 38 first. If you find a 109 that isn't firing every time you are anywhere in his front window then you might be up against someone with a clue.

2. The 109's have lots of canopy frame so it is hard to track you visually. Don't make his tracking job any easier. Avoid any steady state single plane maneuvering. Single plane in this instance is in the geometry sense. Don't drive in circles vertically, horizontally or obliquely. You want your fight to swirl. Make his tracking problem difficult and every time he loses sight you will be able to grab angles from him. This is a big part of the reason you see 109's hugging the deck in the AvA. It minimizes the visual scan area to one half of what it is up high. Stay high and take this away from the 109 jock. Don't fight his fight on the deck. The P-38 is large and the only way to even out or turn the visual tracking problems to your advantage is to fight with altitude above and below.

Specific p-38 versus 109 depend on particular models involved, of course.

[CAP1]

thank ya sir......i always like reading your replies.........keep the tips comin. please.

[cactuskooler]

One of the big differences between the 109 and the 38 is torque. The 109 has lots of torque. The 38 has no torque. As the 38 driver you can take advantage of that difference. Torque is most prevalent at low speeds, high angles of attack, and high power settings. So if you are both in a maneuver that fits that description, such as a Flat Scissors, you know he will have a very hard time rolling right, if he can at all. Meanwhile you are still free to roll to the right to your heart's desire.

So keep an eye open for a chance to bring the fight slow and then give him two options; turn right or dive away. If he tries to turn right, you can probably gain some massive angular advantages or maybe a game ending shot. If he recognizes the danger and dives away, you will have the high ground and can work him down with BnZ attacks.

Of course there are differences depending on what models you're talking about. 38G vs 109F4 is going to be a lot different than 38L vs 109K4.

[pervert]

Of course there are differences depending on what models you're talking about. 38G vs 109F4 is going to be a lot different than 38L vs 109K4.

The 109 G6 vs 38 is a pretty even match up the K4 all things being equal pilot etc has to much power. The 38 vs G6 match ups in MW I always felt were very even matched and the best fights, in LW from a co E start it just has to much horsepower.

[Big Rat]

The middle 109's vs the J/L 38's are a good match up.  I have to give the 38's a slight advantage in the verticle with the 109's with a turn advantage.  The 38 in order to take advantage of the verticle advantage has to accurately judge the 109's E state since it's not a slouch in the verticle itself, and underestimating it while trying a rope equals easy target for the 109.  As a basic rule the 38 must gain the alt advantage and maintain it.  A good 109 stick realizing this will try to maintain his alt as much as possible and try to get the 38 into a slower turning fight, when the 38 pilot realizes he can't get above the 109 and is forced to turn or try to disengage.  Keep in mind the 109's accelerate very well, so when getting an alt advantage against them with a 38 you have to be fairly aggressive or the 109 will equalize E states fairly quickly. 

As always, I'm normally available in the TA around 9 central time during the week if anybody wants to work on something.

 
BigRat

[grumpy37]

BR, your help it the TA a few weeks ago on the 109 has really helped a lot. 

[CAP1]

BR, your help it the TA a few weeks ago on the 109 has really helped a lot. 

aahhhAAAA!!!

that's how you kicked my bellybutton so handily!!   

[grumpy37]

whatever makes you sleep better at  night........   

[CAP1]

whatever makes you sleep better at  night........   

   i was joking with ya sir. i know it's really my crappy flying. 

[L0nGb0w]

I don't fly the 38 but when I'm fighting them in a 109, I know once I get em low and/or into a stall fight with me they're usually easy to mop up, so I would say don't get down and dirty playin the 109's game or they'll get you every time 

[grumpy37]

  i was joking with ya sir. i know it's really my crappy flying. 

i know!!!!!  lol   Im sure i just a good run of luck and you will return the favor soon enough.....      

[Big Rat]

BR, your help it the TA a few weeks ago on the 109 has really helped a lot. 

Glad to hear that it helped

 
BigRat