The Bf109F-4 is more than a match for the Hurri2C(or 2D) in many important aspects. You should really come and play In the CT setup: Tunisia if you have an on-line account - there are a lot of interesting fights between the P-40E, Hurricane Mk.IIC and the Bf109F-4 in that particular setup. As a joke, the Axis pilots would compliment in a cocky, smug way "the Bf109F-4 is a Tempest to those P-40s and Hurricanes!"
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However, there is that one universal drawback on all Bf109s - while staying alive and gaining advantage is easily done, getting the advantageous situation to actually connect with kills is very hard:
a) The guns are incredibly weak and unaccurate in relativity when compared to four mighty Hispano 20mms on the Hurricanes. This means that the Hurricanes can get just one chance for a good shot and he'll drop the 109. In the case of 109, there may not be a potential chance coming at all if the enemy you are fighting against is smart - unless you jeopardize you're absolute advantage and start doing risky moves.
b) Since all the 109s compress like a rock at speeds over 400mph, the 109s, unlike other competent "BnZ" aircrafts, cannot transfer alt/speed into a direct advantage(of course, unless you are one heck of a crack shot). Thus, the 109s have to to do some serious maneuvering to the limit alt/speed advantage allows, and then break away by using its climb and acceleration. Thus it is often mentioned as a "hybrid" style fighter. It is during those phases that the 109 is most vulnerable - which good Hurricane pilots will exploit to its maximum.
c) The F-4 is the "thoroughbred" of the 109s - a mix of high maneuverability with good speed and acceleration and climb rates. But even so, compared to the Hurricanes the F-4 lacks very much in pure maneuverability. The most important factor one must consider when luring planes like Spitfires, N1K2s, Zeros and Hurricanes to the vertical is this: just being sure you have more energy to out zoom the enemy is not enough. You have to be sure that you have enough energy to out zoom AND regain control.
What I mean by this is:
* Usually, Hispanos are considered to be lethal even at ranges of 700~800 yards. So, when you lure an enemy to the vertical, you have to be sure that you have enough energy to out zoom him by at least 900~1000 yards.
* But, even when you have outzoomed the enemy, there is a considerable difference in the "margin" where Hurricanes and 109 pilots each regain full control of their planes - one may outzoom a Hurricane with the Bf109F-4 by 1000 yards, but after they both stall out in the vertical, the 109 pilot takes much more time to regain full control of his plane than the Hurricane. So, what can happen is, you see that you have outzoomed the Hurricane by about 900 yards in the vertical. You see him falter and stall out. But just then you stall out too. While you grunt and struggle with the flight controls to nurse the low-speed 109 to turn nose down without falling into a inverted flat stall, the Hurricane pilot noses down, dives a little to regain speed, and then noses up again(!) and meets the 109 coming down with a Head-on(!!)
* Therefore, you need very good judgement and timing to gain advantages when fighting against planes like Spits, N1K2s, Hurricanes and Zeros. You have to be sure you have enough energy and you also have to time your reversal carefully. It is usually this part where inexperienced 109 pilots make their mistakes.
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Therefore, in many occasions, a pure 1 vs 1 fight may end up in a stale-mate(but practically the Hurricane being the winner because it led the fight to a stalemate as the Bf109 has to run away). Success and high kills are rare in the Bf109. To put it simply, it is solemnly because of the reasons I have stated above that people hesitate to choose the Bf109 as their main rides. You fly a lot, you survive long, you strive and struggle and fight, and the result you usually get in the MA is no kills, many assists.
Bf109s are basically very inefficient when you engage enemies 1 vs 1. The most recommended method for overcoming all the disadvantages is flying in tight, disciplined pairs, with a wingman. Team work and group tactics increase the success rate of the 109 dramatically.
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So, all-in-all, I recommend that you don't fight planes like Hurricanes alone. Skilled 109F-4 pilots will thwart the Hurricanes easily, but getting there takes a looooooooooooooot of time.
