Supongo has also shot me down, at least twice, in his 109 <S!>. I remember one fight, just me in my Spit and him in a 109 variant, that went on for about 10 minutes it seemed. I was low alt, on the deck practically, and he would make long, extended, straight line attacks with an extension out to d3+ and a regain of significant alt. For my part, all I had to do was time a single turn at a comfortable corner speed to sidestep his attacks, which were about a minute or so apart. I could evade fairly easily, but in no way could I engage effectively. Eventually I ran out of gas and the fight ended rather quickly.
Now, an observation related to this and other, similar posts.
- Pilot fatigue. Well, in RL the 109 pilot would likely tire before me with his manuvers at high speed. The spit was far ligher on the controls at 250 mph compared to a BnZ 109 at 400 mph, and the very long extension give both pilots plenty of time to rest from a single, but well-timed turn and the eventual 109 pull out. In this example pilot fatigue probably wouldn't be an issue for either pilot, but I believe pilot fatigue would shift play balance in the MA by making the 109 less effective than it is now. I really start to sweat when a 109 pilot keeps his or her energy high, but adds a few unexpected angles at d1 or less, does a shorter and angled extension and keeps the presure up. Of course, if the 109 pilot doesn't play it right he or she could wind up playing into my hands, but a G10 has so much extra power over a Spit flying at low E...
-- FM and GM? Numerous posts with real background info suggest that these are pretty close to accurate. The damage model seems to need some review, but heavy control 109s and light control Spitfires, seem to be accurate (test data and both historic and recent pilot feed back tend to say the same things). I'm sure the good folks at HTC would like to see any new data you have developed to support your claims, and I'm sure they would make changes if it is reliable.
And Hispanio vs 151 seems to be accurate too. I must really suck with both, since I need d400 or less to have any chance of hitting with serious damage with either package. I only inflict "irritations" at longer range and then mainly when a pilot who is flying a long, non-manuvering wings level extension. I have found from personal experience that the more a pilot flies like this the more likely he is to be hit and on occasion shot down at d700 etc. It only takes a little rudder or roll in the extension to make most rounds miss it seems.
-- Overheating and autotrim -- whatever.
After the last two tours I feel the Lufwaffe's pain, I really do
I have been trying to be an ace in each plane before moving on to the next -- which has been very painful at times. It's hard to "dogfigt" in the Luftwaffe aircraft and it takes real discipline to fly them at high e constantly.
The G6 and A8 spring to mind as being particularly painful, and sadly the p-38 as well (two one-ping engine hits in three flights). And yes, the LW guns do suck until they hit -- but then the A5 and A8 are true killers when that happens. Since I can't hit much beyond d400 It hasn't been that big a deal.
In the end, a D9, 51, LA-7, G10, low-alt Yak or well flown 47 can rule the battlefield against a Spit or N1K1 by being able to dictate the fight or accelerate that extra d200 into or out of gun range. I need to change my flying style a bit more.
For what little it's worth, Charon
And again <S!> to Supongo, he was a gentleman in the fight and I'm sure that is the norm.
[ 10-04-2001: Message edited by: Charon ]
