I ran up 16 kills yesterday without dying. Oops that's not quite correct. I went afk once and my plane lost autopilot and down I went. But here's the story. I went to one base that was under fairly heavy attack. There were few defenders. I managed to kill 3 jabos and then rearmed for the next herd to come in. However the ones that hit the base killed all the FH's and the one guy left other than myself must have been new. He died fast. That left me with a 38. I tagged the 38 pretty good but he didn't go down. I check high 6 and here comes a blazing p47 so I had to pull off the 38. The p47 climbs back up. Back to the 38. Of course the p47 comes back. This time I had to make a tighter turn. He climbs back up. In comes the 38. (I'm in trouble here). I duck to avoid the HO. I don't think the 38 was maneuvering very well fortunately. Again the p47. This time he pulls up a hair too soon and swing back behind him and put a few pings on him but I'm nervous about the 38. I pull off fast and dive down for E. Once more the 47. This time I'm slow and I don't make it around as fast as I should have. He gets my oil. Now the hangers pop and everyone takes off, whew. The 47 makes a break for it but it's too late I get an assist and the p38 succumbs to his wounds......finally!
Later I head to 39 I get 4 kills and land. Re-up after I drop base supplies and go for the hunt. I head out to see what I can find. FBLazy has 2 f6s on him. He is flying very well though thank goodness. I dive in on one of the f6s. I check my 6 out of nervousness and there bearing on me is a p51. I grit it out and ping the f6 lightly or so I thought and turn hard. This p51 is more aggressive than most these days. He pulls up but only to burn some e and continue the attack. I avoid him again by slipping under his nose. Here comes the other f6. I'm doomed. I dodge him and gain a bit of e. The 51 is now back and he wants blood. I peer out my back side screen and I see an f6 go down in blazes, thanks to FBLazy. Then I thought I saw another plane go down at his hands. Then he must have polished off the f6 I pinged because I got the kill. The p51 is still all over me, bnz style. Finally I take a risk and swing into him. He misses my flat turn and turns in front of me. I get him into my sights and missed! but now he runs. I rearm and ended up landing 8 kills for that sortie.
The point being is I would have not landed those kills if it weren't for others. I try not to rely on other pilots but wow it is sure nice when they come through.