a few comments on P-40 use and tactics

[paulieb]

First of all, I think that the P-40s would have a much better K/D ratio, and possibly a lower ENY if people knew how to fly them to their strengths. These planes are only an average turner, and don't climb very well. They do possess good speed at lower altitudes, and are very tough. What do they excel at? Rolling and diving.
First, rolling; Eric Schilling has gone on record as saying that the P-40 had a superior roll rate to almost anything in the air. What does this mean to us in AH? Well, except for purely vertical manouvers, all manouvers start with a roll. From the point of view of a P-40 pilot pursuing an enemy, this means that while the lead plane is attempting to out-turn the P-40, its roll rate gives it a valuable extra split second of reaction time getting into the turn. An experienced pilot can get a good shot during that time, possibly even a kill. From the point of view of a P-40 being pursued, this means that while the P-40 is already into its turn, the attacker is still rolling, and therefore has to pull more G's initially, which of course will cost it E.
Second, diving; Schilling has also said that no enemy aircraft could dive with the P-40, and among Allied planes, only the P-47 could out-dive it. The preferred tactic among AVG pilots when being pursued at close range was to roll inverted and dive away. While gaining speed and E, the P-40 pilot would then have the option to extend and disengage or attempt to counterattack.
According to Schilling, a P-40 pilot should never attempt to turn with any enemy through more than about 90 degrees of rotation, but rather should disengage and look for a more favorable opportunity.
So what does all this mean? Simply put, although the P-40 is a more challenging plane to fly successfully (read without getting you killed in combat), when flown by these guidelines by an experienced pilot, it is a formidable adversary.
I would be very interested to see the resulting K/D and ENY stats if a few of our resident hot sticks would use the P-40 more regularly. I, for one, intend to fly them exclusively for a while just to see if it makes a difference.
I would also be very interested in hearing (reading?) any and all comments on the above. So whaddaya think? Wouldn't it be extremely satisfying to kill a LA-7, P-51, or Spit in one of these babies?

[Innominate]

The p40 was a competent plane early in the war.  In our late war arena, it's totally outclassed.  Even the 60ENY c202 dominates the p40B.  The P-40E is somewhat better with it's 6x.50's, a bit more speed, and a somewhat worse turning ability.

The p40 could dive away from japanese planes, but doesnt stand a chance against later war planes, except in a turnfight.

The p40's eny dont need to be lowered, they need to be raised.  The only planes which got fewer kills than the P-40B last tour were the boston and the ar234.  The P-40E is just barely ahead of the c202 in terms of kills.  They should be 50 and 60 eny respectivly.

[paulieb]

While it is certainly true that in the late war environment that exists in the MA, the P-40B and E are completely outclassed by planes such as the 190, P-51D, and Corsair variants, I still believe that if a person were to fly these planes exclusively to their strengths, they would be capable of much more favorable results than the stats indicate. Although I can't remember where right  now, I seem to recall having read that the B was considered superior in many respects when it was new, but was soon eclipsed by newer, more powerful planes.
Perhaps a K or N would compare more favorably?

[Mitsu]

it can use the same tactics as ki61.

[HeLLcAt]

I agree with Mitsu very much. I am a Hellcat pilot. I fly my P40 like I would fly my F6F. Keep as much speed as you can and just boom & zoom the enemies. I think overall in the P40E I have about 15 kills and a couple deaths...not sure. I think for ALL slow planes that I fly F4F, FM2, P40, & maybe F6F, but it can be fast. For the slow planes, I keep as much speed as possible up and when I have a fight, I will outfly the other person, use roll or turning advantage. The P40, I think is a VERY hard plane to fly. To keep your speed up is very hard to do because it's sooo easy to lose it and gaining it back sucks even more. In any plane, you have to think ahead and guess on what your airspeed would be, who you would be on, and how to get outta it. I am an all-around guy, so I like to B n Z whatever I can when I have the chance, and when I HAVE to I will dogfight. I hope this helps someone in any kind of way. SALUTE ALL!

[Widewing]

Originally posted by Mitsu
it can use the same tactics as ki61.

Exactly right. Slower aircraft require as much or greater attention to E state as the faster ones. If I can maintain better than a 6:1 K/D flying the SBD as a fighter, surely it is possible to do at least that well in either P-40. It all boils down to the tactics that are employed.

I'll repeat my mantra: Speed, Altitude and Stealth.

With those three in your pocket you can be very successful in any aircraft in the plane set, REGARDLESS of what the enemy is flying.

Hell, yesterday I attacked three P-51Ds, killing one and shooting the other two to pieces, forcing them to run for their lives. Both were finished by faster fighters who got to them before I could. This was done because they either failed to notice me or figured that the SBD was no threat. But, I had a little altitude on them, and they were maneuvering to strafe a town. Sure they were probably N00bs, but it was a 1 on 3 and their attacker was flying a 250 mph dive-bomber for cryin' out loud!.

Clearly, I had all three of the above in my favor, combined with aggression and decent SA, their equipment advantage was effectively neutered. Now, being little more than an average pilot, I have no special skills. Therefore, we can remove skill from the equation leaving tactics as the principle factor.

With smart tactics and solid SA, anyone can achieve superior scoring flying the P-40s. Ultimately, each individual pilots must learn what tactics work best and employ them without deviation. Stick to your game plan, never fight to the enemy's strengths, but force him to react to you. Press your advantage while it remains.

Finally, never waste a second worrying about the enemy. Leave them to worry about you.

My regards,

Widewing