Big fighter planes easy targets?

[Ack-Ack]

As a P-38 driver, I would go for the Spitfire first as that's the only other plane than can out turn me and the biggest threat since it could force a turn fight to allow the other three to pick.  After the Spitfire is dead, I can then take my time on the remaining planes and prioritize as needed.

ack-ack

[Saxman]

Need more info!

What are their alts and headings relative to me? Are any of those planes flying together in a group or are they scattered around the area? Have they seen me? Are they already engaged with another target? What model of Spit?

There's not enough here to say who I'd target first.

[715]

If I saw a P51, Spit, P47 and P38 below me the first thing I'd do is climb away from them as there is no way I can ever take on 4:1 odds and end up as anything other than a grease stain on the terrain.

I find it difficult to hit P38s; yes, they are big, but they seem to be composed mostly of air.  But then I'm a really bad shot.

[titanic3]

If I saw a P51, Spit, P47 and P38 below me the first thing I'd do is climb away from them as there is no way I can ever take on 4:1 odds and end up as anything other than a grease stain on the terrain.

I find it difficult to hit P38s; yes, they are big, but they seem to be composed mostly of air.  But then I'm a really bad shot.

Maybe that's why you continue to be a grease stain? Take a chance and fight. You're holding all the cards.

[Debrody]

Its all about the pilot, not the plane. And the situation, of course.
You can tell how skilled your opponent is, how much of a threat he is, by his moves.
I agree, logically flying, the more dangerous cons should be dealt with first.
Sometimes its more fun to jump on the newb and have a good fight with the ace - even if i might lose 

[skorpx1]

I'd honestly chose the P51 first. If he doesn't get away right then, he will later. After that happens its all BnZ then extend 6k while he turns around and HO's you. Spit/38 would be my next target.

[Brakechk]

As an example, when you have you have a  choice of saddling up on a  Mustang, Spit, P47 or P38 below you and you have a good position on all of them, which plane would you choose first?  All pilots have equal skills lets say.

Tactically, I would think the choice should be taking out the plane that is the greatest threat to equalize or advance his or her's E.  Real game life though most seem to choose bigger plane first.  That's my take on it anyway.

One vs. four....The first one that isn't paying attention.  I won't necessarily be saddling on any of them, I'll go maybe a half turn as all manuevering burns E and allows the others to equalize.  My choice is based more on plane driver actions vs plane type.  Same applies if I'm getting bounced  co-E or from above.

[bozon]

I have to agree about the mossie statement. It is a bandit magnet. Actually, this is one of its redeeming features - why chase P51s around if instead you can fly a mossie and have them coming to you completely transfixed, like a bunch of teenage girls that spotted Justin Bieber on the street.

[LilMak]

It sounds like the OP was asking which plane would be the easiest target to bring down once you have a gun solution. Of the aircraft mentioned, the spit usually will go down before the others. This has little to do with size but more with durability. A couple rounds in the wing root will snap it off peretty easy compaired to the others. Durability would probably go in this order from least durable to most...spit, 51, 38, 47.

If you're trying to pepper one from a dead 6 from long distance going from easiest to hit to hardest...47, spit, 38, 51.
The 38, while wide from tip to tip, is like a razor from a dead 6.

Top down while trying to score hits with a full profile easiest to hardest to hit...38, 47, spit, 51.

Side view hits easiest to hardest to score...47, 38. The spit and 51 are about equal.

Most to least durable..47, 38, 51, spit.


When entering an engagment with all 4. It really depends on my E state compaired to theirs. If I'm holding a large reserve of E when I come across a group like that I'll dive in and kill whoever isn't paying attention first. Then I'll work the other planes based on my priorities which usually focuses on the most dangerous pilot. Plane selection is usually a good indication of pilot skill. So I'll go after the 38 first because he's the most likely to have the most skill and most likely to pick me off if I get tied up. The other three are pretty much a toss up but I'd probably go in this order after the 38 is eliminated...
spit (cuz 20s are most likely to break my plane if I get hit)
Jug (because he won't be able to escape my jug)
51 (because his pathetic attempts to pick me have failed and now he has no bait and only two options...die or run)

[surfinn]

Last month I had a p-38, spit and a 109 below me all close to each other. The p38 was slightly lower.  I dove on the p38 trying to take it out quickly because I knew Pawz was in it and if I got wrapped up with the spit I had no chance. Unfortunately for me I failed. I shot his plane up smoking its engine but not enough to take it down. Got wrapped up with the spit and pawz killed me.  When asked about it it was a simple answer, Pawz was by far the most dangerous there. I had a good chance of getting the other two if he went down fast. If I wouldn't have known that, then it would have been the highest ac first, regardless of model type.

[Lab Rat 3947]

38s get a raw deal in target selection it takes a special kind of sadist to fly one   gotta respect someone who flys that exclusive

actually the word should be masochist.

as I only fly P38s, I'm used to being a bullet magnet. I can always run into people wiling to engage me because of my preference.

LtngRydr   

[Wildcat1]

I always go for either the biggest threat, or the plane with the lowest ENY. In that case, I'd pick the mustang first.

[Volron]

None of them.  I shoot the ground blow them (well, because that's THE BIGGEST threat after all  ), then promptly introduce myself to it. 

[RedBull1]

I'd go for the highest one or the one who has the speed to get the highest.... unless it's a Brew. I will always pick on the brewsters first 

This!

throw 20 Spit16's at me, HO'ing, ramming, and picking away...but for the love of god man, have some humanity, keep the uber brews away

[Randy1]

None of them.  I shoot the ground blow them (well, because that's THE BIGGEST threat after all  ), then promptly introduce myself to it. 

Good one.

Brewsters, they are cute like a mouse and like a mouse they can do a lot of damage.

Thanks again for all the replies.  Good stuff.