Now to question: If your in a 109 or 190 and you come up against a spit with advantage, do you expect to lose? If you lose it is the plane, if you win it is the pilot? Doesn't that sound a bit defeatist? Just asking.
Depends on the size of the advantage, the possition he is attacking from, and what he does imediatly after that first pass. If he makes a poor move, or blows a lot of E pulling up from a dive, then I assume I'm going to win. If he climbs back up or makes another move that maintains his E and possition relative to me, then I assume I'm going to have one hell of a fight with no clear cut winner.
As to the plane or pilot, that depends. If during the fight, he shows that hes a good pilot, I assume its a 25/75 mix. If he proved competent, but not outstanding, I assume its a mix closer to 50/50. If he shows an overall lack of ACM and manages to beat me, then I assume I'm having an off day, make a disparaging comment about spits on squad channel and let an unnamed squadie's rant about spits salve my ego.
without false modesty, I know I'm a pretty good pilot; not outstanding, but good. I'm confident enough in my skills to know that odds are the same pilot couldn't have beaten me were the possitions reversed.
And Shuffler, yes pushing yourself (in my oppinion) involves more pilot, less plane.
