Top Fighter/Attack Planes of Choice:

[eskimo2]

- Because I was curious, and wanted to see what some of the experienced pilots were choosing to fly, I compiled a list of what the top 10 ranked fighter and attack drivers were choosing as their rides of choice (Just as a sample group, 15 pilots total).  To make the list, a fighter/attack plane had to have contributed at least 5% of that pilot's total kills, up to this point in Tour 18.  Also of note:

3 pilots were driving only 1 main plane,
5 pilots = 2 planes,
1 pilot = 3 planes,
5 pilots = 4 planes,
and 1 pilot = 5 planes.  

- There is no way to tell whether the planes on the list are being used as fighter or attack (Other than the IL-2).

*Denotes a plane contributed at least 50% of a pilot's total kills (7 pilots had 1 true main ride).

* F4U1-C       7 pilots
* * N1K       6 pilots
* F4U-1D       4 pilots
* Spit-IX       2 pilots
* LA-7       2 pilots
F6F       2 pilots
P-38       2 pilots
A6M       2 pilots
KI-61       2 pilots
* Yak-9U       1 pilot
Tempest       1 pilot
Typhoon       1 pilot
P-47D-11       1 pilot
P-47D-30       1 pilot
P-51D       1 pilot
109G-10       1 pilot
109F-4       1 pilot
190A-5       1 pilot
IL-2       1 pilot

I want to point out that I am not trying to make any points here.  I was just cuious, and thought I would share what I found.

eskimo

[SpitLead]

Hmmmm, interesting look at the data.  No real surprises there except for the Yak 9U (the Yak 9U!!??) which is comparable to a Spit.  Same old Chog, NIK, Spit grouping.  Funny thing is the top three airplanes are my main rides also except I use the Tiffy as well.  The bulk of my kills are fairly equally spread between those 4 airplanes.  The La7 has moved up just as I thought it might.  It is a VERY underrated plane IMHO.  I saw it outrun a Tempest the other day.  Personally, I consider it more dangerous than the N1K.

[eskimo2]

Yak-9U = Fariz1's main ride.

eskimo

[StSanta]

Eskimo, the scores aren't really that representative of "good" fighter pilots though. People like Hblair and Regurge are way down, same with Animal and many others. They're great sticks but that doesn't show up on the score pages.

[Nash]

I don't think the attack rank means too much as 99% of people don't hit that little attack button (and this includes the people who appearantly clamored for its inclusion).

[eskimo2]

The key words are: SAMPLE GROUP

"(Just as a sample group, 15 pilots total)"

I am not trying to suggest that these are the best pilots, just a sample of experienced pilots.
Please don't read into it anymore than that.

If I wanted to start with a list of who I thought were the "best"pilots, it would quickly grow past 100, and I really would get flamed because I would have left out another 100+ great pilots.

Again, I just wanted a quick, small sample of experienced pilots.

Feel free to add what you drive over 5% of the time.

eskimo

[Hangtime]

Hiya Eskimo!

I've had some success in using the P51D in the attack role, but have found the plane too fragile to work in a cockroach infested enviornment.

So; for air to mud missions with ordanance I fly the P47D25, w/o ordanance and on ack/runway supression missions I've been flying the P47D11. I find the jug to be a good ship, capable ATA in much the same way the pony is, but with a signifcantly tuffer airframe.

If I'm attacking from a CV; I fly either the F4U or the F6F depending on the state of affairs at the field I'm attacking. On several occasions I've brought in the F4U1C rather than the 1D for it's hitting power.. and have been moderately successful in using it as a devestating vulch platform.

I usually forget to set the attack button.  

[eskimo2]

Hangtime;
What kind of circumstances make you choose the P-47D-11 vs. the D-25?

... Hellcat vs. the F4U?

I use the P-47D-30 (fully loaded) only when I am absolutly certain that there will be no air threat and I just want to move a lot of mud.  I can't fight in that machine and am an easy kill when opposed by... anything with wings.  Are the 2 Jugs you fly better dogfighters?

From a CV I take the D-hog when I am first in to de-ack a field, or when I am going to Kamakazi an enemy CV, and am certain that I would just blow 8 perks in the C.

Clearly the C is the "Vulch-O-Matic" machine.

eskimo

[jihad]

Hmmmm, interesting look at the data.  No real surprises there except for the Yak 9U (the Yak 9U!!??) which is comparable to a Spit

The only thing a Spit can do better than the Yak is sustained turn, if you fly the Yak like you do a Spit you will never see the full potential of it.

The Yak-9U is definately one of the top 5 planes modeled.

I'm spending 95% of my time in and it just keeps getting better as I learn it.

[Hangtime]

Hiya Eskimo!

The nuances between the jug variants seems to be somewhat of an issue. I find the D11 to be pretty nimble down on the deck, and although the view is hampered, it feels most like the pony in initial turn and vertical capability down low. Certainly it seems to load out lighter with just gun ammo on it than the D25 at a half a tank of fuel load.. the d25 just feels more sluggish; eggs on it or not. I try to keep em both fast; but I think the D11 has better ATA capability than either the D25 or D30.

So.. if I'm just after acks and runway supression; I'll take a D11. If I need to come back because the cockroaches killed me the first time around; I'll bring the D25 loaded with rockets; a 500lbder on the centerline for the roaches themselves and 2 1k eggs to kill the roach motel.

Same thinking goes into the CV launched attack.. the F4F for acks and runway supression.. the F4u's in either variant with heavy ATG loadouts to kill the roaches and the roach motel.

Normally; field supression runs both types in succession... a fast trip in to kill acks and announce the fact that AA is dead; then come back with a heavy ATG bird to continue supression; kill cockroaches and generally make a nusiance of myself.

The pony's now relegated to med alt/high alt cap and sweep work; and occasional furballing if it's appropriate or I just don't give a damn. Flying thru acks in a P51 is a quick way to end a sortie... the engine gets shot out; a wing comes off or the tail just flutters away. Robust a pony is not. I can take about three times as many AA hits in the jugs and still have a flyable plane  

Hope this helps..

[SFRT - Frenchy]

Heu... Let me think ...

Attack : P47-D30
Fighter : P47-D30

  Far from being the best in any of those roles in the MA, but the heck with it  

This TOD I experimented plenty of other fighters. Pony is a sweety, nicely refreshing to be able to escape. LW planes great too, canon power perfect for my miserable shooting Pingpingpingcrack ...wow ... already? ... next  

[ 07-28-2001: Message edited by: SFRT - Frenchy ]

[Dmitry]

Surprised with Yak -9U? lol Simply the best there is  

[Mathman]

Well, my choice like Frenchy's, is a very tough one.

Fighter:      F6F
Attack:       F6F
Boat:         F6F
Vehicle:      F6F
Sight-seeing: F6F
Goon-Hnting:  Tempest (best goon hunter, IMO)
Bombing:      TBM

Oh well, I guess it is obvious what my favorite plane is.  For those that are slow, I am referring to the Tempest  

Seriously, I love the Hellcat, only thing I wish was different was its top speed. Truth be told, I love ALL the Grumman Cats.  Though I do like the Tempest.  Not because of anything other than the missions I fly it on.  Goon hunting has provided me with some of the most exciting and intense sorties.  I usually end up losing the 70 perkies, but the sorties are normally well worth every one of those points.

-math

[Yeager]

Let me tell you eskimo that some of the best pilots have hundreds of hours per tour in this *game*

Although I appreciate and respect what you are trying to say let me express my own opinion:

I dont know about you but I have a job requiring no less than 48 hours per week and a wife and two kids.

If I can get 20 hours per week in AH then that means Im spending about 10 hours per week too much.

Some of these fediddleing dweebs have got 200+ hours per tour (50 hours per week. aka 5+ hours per DAY!  aka NO LIFE WHAT-SO-EVER).

I could honestly care less what these lifeless dweebs are flying.  All I want to do is kill them....still trying    

Yeager

[AKDejaVu]

What Mathman said.

AKDejaVu