Spit I v 109E

[Karnak]

Yes sir.  If the pony just ran and BnZed he would win most likely.

If there is any "ran" in the P-51's tactics the BnZ is going to be entirely based on either the Bf109 pilot messing up or the P-51 pilot making a hard shot as the running P-51 won't be draining the E from the Bf109 due to excessive timidity.

Also, the "run" tactic suddenly falls apart if the Bf109 turns out to be a Bf109K-4.

[Ardy123]

If there is any "ran" in the P-51's tactics the BnZ is going to be entirely based on either the Bf109 pilot messing up or the P-51 pilot making a hard shot as the running P-51 won't be draining the E from the Bf109 due to excessive timidity.

Also, the "run" tactic suddenly falls apart if the Bf109 turns out to be a Bf109K-4.

This is essentially what I said... But often the 'run' tactic works for p51s as the k4 doesn't want to chase the p15 for 2 sectors as the speed difference isn't that great. This is only true because the k4 pilot must get in very close to have any shot of hitting the p51 with the 30.

[tunnelrat]

If there is any "ran" in the P-51's tactics the BnZ is going to be entirely based on either the Bf109 pilot messing up or the P-51 pilot making a hard shot as the running P-51 won't be draining the E from the Bf109 due to excessive timidity.

This is what I am getting at... I think some people believe that BnZ and "running" are synonymous... perhaps hearkening from the days of "Run, Stang!" calls attempting to shorten a fight by making a decent BnZ'r do something stupid.... now evolved into "OMG, ITS A PONYD AND ITS FAST = RUNNING".

As far as E-conservation/regeneration, in relation to an opponent now extending away after a BnZ run, what's the best "next move" in a 109-F4?  Climb toward opponent, maintain course and build speed?

[Ardy123]

As far as E-conservation/regeneration, in relation to an opponent now extending away after a BnZ run, what's the best "next move" in a 109-F4?  Climb toward opponent, maintain course and build speed?

No fly away and flat, regain speed and create separation.

[tunnelrat]

No fly away and flat, regain speed and create separation.

Okay... so, at this point I have regained some E, I have more time to anticipate/react to the opponents next move, any other reason (assuming either of those are correct)

[Ardy123]

Okay... so, at this point I have regained some E, I have more time to anticipate/react to the opponents next move, any other reason (assuming either of those are correct)

Also, by creating separation, the diving plane will have to come for you. The farther he must fly straight to get to you, the more 'e' he loses, until he reaches his top speed at flying level.

[JunkyII]

I don't think the pony would win, but most likely result in a long stalemate. The 109 would be able to regain 'e' fast enough that the pony wouldn't be able to work it out of e and thus win. The only way the pony could win is if there were multiple not allowing the 109 to regain e.

Exactly what I was saying.....one or the other is going to do something stupid for the other to win in a MA fight

[Karnak]

Okay... so, at this point I have regained some E, I have more time to anticipate/react to the opponents next move, any other reason (assuming either of those are correct)

The faster you are the more E you have to burn in a hard maneuver to dodge the P-51's attack.  If the P-51 is aggressive in its BnZ attack you will have less E to use to dodge each time and eventually your dodges will become less effective due to insufficient E making it much easier to hit you.

The key thing is to realize that while it may take the Bf109F-4 quite a bit of time to get from 300 to 350, it doesn't take it all that long to get from 250 to 300 and if you are giving it that much time between passes it will always get back to 300 and have enough E to dodge.

[tunnelrat]

The faster you are the more E you have to burn in a hard maneuver to dodge the P-51's attack.  If the P-51 is aggressive in its BnZ attack you will have less E to use to dodge each time and eventually your dodges will become less effective due to insufficient E making it much easier to hit you.

The key thing is to realize that while it may take the Bf109F-4 quite a bit of time to get from 300 to 350, it doesn't take it all that long to get from 250 to 300 and if you are giving it that much time between passes it will always get back to 300 and have enough E to dodge.

Okay, definitely learning here.  (And I am usually in the 109F-4, not the stang hehe)

Thank you all for the clarifications/information!