Originally posted by mrsid2
AkDeja my guess is that the n1k you flew against was either a VERY green pilot or he had elevator damage.
No way in blue hell you'd be able to pull that off against an experienced pilot in the n1kki.
I have to agree. A great deal depends upon the skills and experience of the person flying the N1K2, as well as the tactical situation at the outset of the fight. With the exception of maximum speed (often meaningless) and a slight advantage in initial dive acceleration, the N1K2 is superior to the Hellcat. I like the F6F-5. I fly it frequently, and generally do very well air to air with it. Most of my losses have been to ack and flak. However, I also have been flying the N1K2 this tour. I find the Niki to be the better fighter. OTOH, the Hellcat is a better fighter-bomber, and carefully flown, can duke it out with virtually anything. Yet for some reason, I have no trouble with the Hellcat myself, scoring at 33/3. Of these, I shot down 5 with the Niki (for no losses), and two others with the Hellcat. My losses to the F6F-5 include two Ostwinds and 1 Spitfire, and that was a proximity credit, as I was whacked by field ack and crashed on the runway. Air to air, I'm 20/0 against the F6F-5. Nonetheless, if one wants to know what the Hellcat is capable of, just examine Mathman's stats.
When I fight Hellcats, I always try to break down its energy. I do this by forcing the pilot to turn. If I can get him into a scissors, he's in deep bandini. To survive, he MUST keep his speed at or above corner. Let it fall below 250 and a decent Niki pilot will kill him forthwith.
A good F6F pilot can hold his own with Nikis, provided that he keep his energy up and/or avoids level turns. AkDejaVu was clearly the better pilot that day.
My regards,
Widewing
