..But it is a significant asset, unlike the JoaT saying subverts people into thinking. When you can do everything well enough, you're actually gaining advantage anytime the other plane isn't doing "its" thing. Does that make sense? Cause that's definitely what flying the 38 felt like the couple of times I got into it after being stuck in D9/152 and flogging the crap out of those.. The effect did wear off, but for the duration, those D9/152 flying habits translated into really hard whups of the other guy(s) compared to what I'd get from almost any other plane in stead of the 38. And I mean actual dogfighting incl close range stall fight, not just pressuring BNZ.
Put another way. You have something like the old Spit5 and you have the D9. The 38's sweet spot IMO (I'm not a 38 long timer but I'm saying it honestly for whatever my word's worth) spans across that divide and that means more than "does everything ok" seems to mean for most people.
Yep. I'm arguing minutia too. Most of the Good Fights in AH are won/lost in the "minutia" margins..
I suppose I'm of the mind that when an airplane (or any machine) has a specific set of strengths to play to or weaknesses to stay away from, it's easier to master than a more versatile aircraft that does many things well. That may not make sense on paper, but in game I often found (and still find) myself 'in between' different approaches. If I'm flying a Dora for example, I don't even fathom trying some things I'll try in a 38, and often trying them in a 38 is a mistake. What you're saying makes sense, but I think it only works out for better pilots who are able to make use of the variety of options at their disposal. Noobs like myself often do better when they have less options... at least in the short term.
My mistake. They're not brakes but aerodynamic help for compression.. right?. I only remember putting them on every time I wanted to cut speed and I guess I misled myself into thinking they worked that way..
Right. IRL they were added under the wing to change the airflow to give the control surfaces a fighting chance at high speed. In game, I've found their effect to even be minimal in a dive. I have no reason to believe they don't work as intended, but flying the G and J more than the L, I usually forget about them altogether.
IMO the problem is lack of interface between average-to-low players and training means (trainers + training tools). For whatever reasons that're worth their own thread, there's not enough Training covering the surface area of Suck (or diffusing into the volume of Suck, you get the picture I'm trying to show).. Minutia again: I'm not arguing that the 38 is that easy, I'm saying that the things you need to do to pass that reward floor, that minimum proficiency level, are pretty basic things. They're not hard things. ... The "average player skill" is the moving goal post. Remove trainers or fix that lack of training effect and the standard of comparison varies correspondingly. .
Taken independently I'd say you're right on. The list of things you need to be able to do to fly the 38 at a higher than average level isn't a bridge too far,
but it does require quick and concise decision making as to what to do and when. Again, this is where too many options is actually a bad thing for a lot of folks. All too often I've been in a given situation, recognize too late (even if only just) what's happening and suddenly I'm in a spot I'm not likely to get out of. I think the sheer size of the 38 hinders this too. There are smaller aircraft that are just plain harder to hit, and because of that you can be a touch late/off in your decision making and/or timing and probably get away with it.
I don't think you and Karnak/me are disagreeing that much.. I do think the argument's confused because it's not agreed what exactly is the "skill standard".
You're right. What I meant in was the 'average' player. I suppose we could use statistics to find that guy or gal, but even those don't tell the whole story. I agree it's very subjective which is why there is some disagreement here.
I dunno about that.. Now that you said it I have doubts, but what I remember is that the 38 goes like stink from a stop, especially pointing down.
I don't fly the Hurri much, but I do remember diving after a not so fast con and shedding ailerons by the time I got half way to the deck. I don't think it can dive very well.
While you're correct that the 38 is a very slick airframe and dives well in the short term, you really can't afford to flirt with compression like a lot of other planes can. I don't know the exact number, but I'd wager a guess that from equal energy states, there is a significant portion of the planes in AH that will catch the 38 in a dive or make him lawn dart trying to dive away. Pilot savvy does play a role there too, I suppose.
