Originally posted by akak
Put a newbie or mediocre pilot in a La7 and I'll rope him everytime on the merge in my P-38L. Put Lev in a Zero and he'll shoot down my P-38L everytime. So again, it's the pilot that makes the plane, not the other way around.
Ack-Ack
This is an easy argument to debate. With pilots of equal skill at Co-E and Co-alt, planes choice is the deciding factor. But, two equal aircraft under same conditions, pilot skill is deciding factor.
Of course, this ignores all other circumstances. Even a rank beginner can be successful if he's lucky and has the better aircraft for a given situation. Obviously, we cannot divorce ourselves from circumstances.
Last night, I was jumped by an La-7 just after taking off in a heavy P-51D. I had barely 180 mph and 1,000 ft under me, when I see him boring in (our Dar was down at the time). I dumped the ord, but had too little speed, no altitude, too much gas and few options. I made him work real hard, but he eventually hit my elevator, so I bailed. Had I been in a Bf-109F, the La-7 dweeb would have two choices. Run or risk being clobbered. I immediately upped a 109F and headed straight for his location. Upon seeing my Icon, he wheeled around and disappeared.... Many guys would have challenged the 109 figuring that they are not especially dangerous around 10k. They haven't tackled an F at 10k. It climbs faster than the La-7, turns much better, and accelerates nearly as well too. Indeed, the La-7's only advantage is maximum speed, and that's not much at 10k.
Again, to add to my initial points, all factors being equal, tactical advantage can often make the difference. Ultimately, it isn't just the pilot or the aircraft involved. It is a combination of factors that ultimately decides the outcome of events. Let face facts, the very best pilots in this game get killed. Sometimes by newbies, who by circumstance, had an opportunity they would never get otherwise. 99 time out of a 100, the newbie would die. Circumstances dictated a different outcome. I know first hand, because as a newbie, I got a few kills on "experts" that resulted from being at the right place, at the right time. In other words, luck was the difference. We can't factor out luck either. Life can be a squeak and then it gets worse....
My regards,
Widewing
