Alright, since I have cancelled my Aces High account a while back, I am ready to give away my P-51 secrets. I will try to be as objective as possible. Though let me start by saying I loved flying the P-51 in Aces High.
Here is how to rack up kills in the P-51:
(1) For most sorties, take 50% fuel and 6 guns (converged at 300 yards).
(2) Climb at WEP to 10k. At 10k, the P-51 will cruise at 400mph. If you want a bit more speed, climb to 12k. Though going to 12k offers little advantage and uses up more fuel. Do not get into the 12+ to 18k range, as the supercharger is not geared for this altitude and the engine loses power.
(3)Fight in the vertical. Whenever there is a choice to make a vertical maneuver instead of a horizontal one, use the vertical maneuver. Deploy flaps as your airspeed drops below 150mph, but as soon as you finish the maneuver, clean up quickly.
(4)Keep your airspeed above 250mph when fighting in a target rich environment. This gives you speed to maneuver. The P-51 accelerates poorly.
(5)If you have to separate from an opponent, roll inverted and hold the stick forward until the G-meter reads "0". The reason for rolling inverted is to allow you to reverse direction quickly if your opponent stays on you, forcing him to push negative G's while you can pull positive G's.
(6) As related to number 5, whenever you need to spoil an opponents shot, force him to push negative G's. This is especially useful when fighting low and slow on the deck. If you are in a turning fight, get your plane as far below the enemy plane as possible. I can't tell you how many times this has saved me.
(7) When energy fighting, don't turn horizontally more than 60 degrees. Use the vertical and roll the direction you need. As said in number 3, use flaps as your speed bleeds off.
(8) When 1 vs 1 with an opponent, fight very aggressively in the first few seconds of the fight. This will catch your opponent unaware. For example, if you merge with a co-alt Spit, feel free to pull into a black-out immelman and drop full flaps to get a high angle deflection shot on him. If you start losing, revert to rule 5. If it shakes him up, clean your plane up, unload, and re-engage.
(9) Almost always turn to the left. The Mustang is much more stable in a left hand turn.
(10) Learn how to do the Rolling Scissors. It requires extreme use of rudder, balance, judgement, and timing. Roll to the left.
As Duke Cunningham said "You meet a better class of people in the vertical."
Anyone else have anything to add to this post?
