To be fair to semp, I must admit, at the time I was in an LA7.
His countrymen were zapping our base relentlessly for hours with 10k+ P51s, the LA7 is the only surefire way to get speed quickly before the vulching light goes on..
As for friends, I don't recall any giving chase other than myself, but I shall see if I kept the AHFilm to confirm.
However, I take the twin 20mm gunpack; to say I HO like the best is just pure unadulteraded lying, only stupid pilots HO when they take off the 3rd cannon

.