Biggest "crutch" plane of AH

[BuckShot]

Spit 16
La7

[Lusche]

Tempest.

[DmonSlyr]

Tempest, spit16, la7, 190D, p51

You can run from anything and catch anything (most of the time) while there are some good sticks who fly them aggressively. They always seem to be able to skirt away from trouble and that is a huge crutch.

[Latrobe]

If we're talking crutch as in "easy mode training wheels" my vote goes to the Spit 16. You can intentionally screw up in that plane and still be ok.

If we're talking crutch as in "easy to survive in" then the Tempest, La7, 190D or P-51D. Just go really fast and no one can ever catch you.

[Randy1]

Ki84  It does everything well and is as tough as 47 . . . maybe tougher.

In base defense A20.

[Oldman731]

What do you think?

The Spitfires (except for the Mk1 and Mk14).

Yak 3 is a close fifth place.

- oldman

[Tilt]

The best planes are those that permit you to disengage from a position of disadvantage to later re engage in a position of advantage.

As such they are the "crutch" that helps compensate when agin experten of greater skill.

[waystin2]

The plane you are best in.  Nuff said.

[save]

I guess you talking about the F8 

the 190 is actually a great dog fighter. Not many people know how to really work it to its full ability.

[Scca]

Any of them...  if you know what your doing...

To support my assessment, all one has to do is look at Cobia in an A-20.  That man has caused more "perk the A-20" or "haxxor!!!" whines than anyone.  Planes don't kill cartoon people, cartoon people kill cartoon people.

 

[Lusche]

Yak 3 is a close fifth place.

In my definition, a 'crutch' fighter would combine a high lethality at reduced risk of getting killed yourself combined with easy handling. A plane that needs some expert skills to be utilised that way is not one I would call a crutch.
That's why I wouldn't put the Yak in there, the relatively minor firepower combined with a seriously short clip makes it unattractive as a crutch for the average player.

For the average player, a combination of speed and firepower and platform stability/good handling makes the best 'crutch'

[Oldman731]

For the average player, a combination of speed and firepower and platform stability/good handling makes the best 'crutch'

You and Tilt have said essentially the same thing.  I suppose "crutch" can be viewed as a crutch to keep you alive, or, alternatively, as a crutch to help you win a fight.  The OP (I think) and I were speaking of the second meaning.  The fast, big-gun planes will keep you alive, but (other than plucking the unwary as you zoom through a furball) won't help you win a fight as much as the dancers will.

- oldman

[Lusche]

The fast, big-gun planes will keep you alive, but (other than plucking the unwary as you zoom through a furball) won't help you win a fight as much as the dancers will.

I would aswsume "win a fight" means to shoot the enemy down by using your plane's strengths. A Tempest absolutely excels at that. It's not merely a 'survival plane', it's a killer.
A pure dancer would have to wait for the the fast cannonbird to slow down and dance with it. And that dance requires a bit more skill. A Tempest can just zip by and hose you down with it's Hizookas.

[Copprhed]

the 190 is actually a great dog fighter. Not many people know how to really work it to its full ability.

I need someone like you to teach me how to dogfight the 190. Not Climb, ho  and run, but actually dogfight it. Also, the Ki-43 is without a doubt the crutch plane, it out turns anything in the game.

[Dragon Tamer]

If we're talking crutch as in "easy mode training wheels" my vote goes to the Spit 16 and N1k. You can intentionally screw up in that plane and still be ok.

If we're talking crutch as in "easy to survive in" then the Tempest, La7, 190D or P-51D. Just go really fast and no one can ever catch you.

I agree.