The long road to succes

[hogenbor]

Been online for what is it? 5 months or so. Tried nearly everything you can do in AH but I fly fighters mostly.

Last tour was the first when my K/D fell below that of the last tour. didn't really do anything different than before. I've reached some sort of plateau of (in)competence, the learning curve (although still present) is levelling off.

Been flying good planes with low eny values (La-5, P-51B, FM2 mostly). Not on-line for really long periods of time so very few missions and not much interest in the strategic element of the game. Basically it is mostly fighter defense and furballing because this is the most fun. Always alone, no squad. Not a problem when you outnumber the enemy (especially in an FM2 as they are usually ignored in that situation), but not when I am on the side which is outnumbered.

I think the basic skills are all there but I'm wondering what sort of dedication you need to keep improving... I cannot and do not want to play 200 hours a month. Some guys in this forum have years and years of experience and moan when they're shot down once in three days while I'm lucky when I get shot down three times in one day. Of course my playing style is ill-suited for survival (I want to have fun after all), but even when I use the brain a bit more it is still hard.

Example:

I started flying Corsairs because they are so demanding and I didn't like them when I started the game. It also forces me to use slashing or B&Z tactics and to carefully manage my E. I sure get kills if I position myself well but I found it very hard to avoid being bounced myself. The F4U1-D dives and maneuvers very well at speed but if I work hard for a firing solution to catch let's say a La-7, some bastard always gets on my tail, even if I keep the speed up. Only going up high and come in at insane speeds solves this, but most people with a bit of SA will be able to avoid you which makes this tactic extremely boring. I also have the problem that my SA is good when cruising along and when picking a fight, but once committed to an intended victim I usually lose track of everything else. Especially in the Corsair, after a satisfying kill, one second of joy and then my wing breaks off because I didn't notice that Niki in time, and even if I had, I wouldn't be able to shake him off.

As usual a long rant, but hey, I'm only at work
Would like to hear advice.

[mia389]

Your style of fighting is good the slash or BnZ. That will usally keep you alive. It sounds like you need a wingman so when your on that LA7 your wingie can say hey we got a high niki coming in. Best way to keep SA is have a wingman when engaged,hoping your wingman has a good SA while your in. I would find a squad to join,that or just ask on country channel if any whats to wing with you.

[Oldman731]

Originally posted by hogenbor
I think the basic skills are all there but I'm wondering what sort of dedication you need to keep improving... I cannot and do not want to play 200 hours a month.

Many of us are, were or will be in the same situation.  It made it a lot easier for me to simply recognize the obvious:  if I can't put in as many hours as other people, I'm probably not going to be as good as they are.  After that it was just plain fun.  Sure, others shoot me down more than I shoot down others, but it makes my victories more memorable.

Why, I think it must be really boring to just shoot down people left and right, right and left.  No wonder the honchos whine when they get shot; they're wondering if it's The Beginning of The End.  I've got no such problem.  Neither should you.  Your skills will improve, it just takese longer.

- oldman

[dracon]

Yes and you blew me, a newbie, right outta the sky OLDMAN!  54 and learnin here.

Nice kill OBTW

Dracon

[Gooss]

Don't sweat it.  

Sounds like you know what you're doing.  Just try not to do things you know you shouldn't do.

Pick fights you can win.  Avoid fights you can't.  

Or do what I do.  Jabo, then die.  Sigh.


HONK!
Gooss

[humble]

Welcome to our world...I've been flying (online simms) since 1994 and have been "stuck" for years:D

An old AWstick (Brook) summed it up best...."below the gods but above the unwashed masses". Anywayhere are a couple things you can do to maximize your enjoyment.

1) Fit the plane to the mission and the mission to your mood. If your looking to mix things up grab a furballer....if your going hunting grab an e fighter. Once you decide onyour goals stick to it. I tend to favor the 205 or the yak since they're easy to fly both ways...till they run down the e level they can hang with anything but still build up perkies.

2) recognize you control your 1st encounter...fly "smart" early then let it hang out later. Obviously upping from a capped field creates problems...but even there you dothings to maximize your odds a bit unless they're in vulch mood already.

3) develop good early habits...

1) less fuel plus drop tank is better than a full load
2) circle your field a couple times to build alt early
3) Wep to mid alt, then let temp drop back
4) learn to trim your plane
5) learn to "fly the ball" in a turn fight
6) work on your views...biggest issue for many
7) get a copy of shaw or check it out from library
8) use flaps and throttle in a fight...they're there for a reason
9) develop basic SA...example...engage highest con 1st...or fly  
    over a con andthen bounce heading back to friendlys

One of the best films I ever saw was anold AW clip from HR (hardrock)...he had a 12-13 kill run...all good kills no "freebies"...anyway after each he flew AWAY from greatest threat area and circled...2-3 minutes if he got to deck in previous fight. He often was still neg E on next encounter...but at least he reached a reasonable fighting alt....obviously current numbers make this a totally dif enviornment...but some of this might help you abit.

[Oldman731]

Originally posted by humble
One of the best films I ever saw was anold AW clip from HR (hardrock)

And HR (who flies AH as...duh...Hard Rock...gave me the single best tip:  Learn to fly while looking behind you.  Took me years to master, but it's The Bomb of air combat technique.

- oldman

[Nwbie]

Still in this world

I also just jump in and hope for the best and laff my arse off when get kilt, I just like to have fun...Your SA will definetely improve over time, as mine sure has. I noticed my k/d ratio has improved slightly (obviously not an Ace but has improved) and I know it is because I have slowly developed into just kinda remembering approximate positions of enme's as I engage and the likelihood of another jumping in, I know the hi pony and spit or laffy will dive in, I know after shoot to look for em, and I know I better start evasives if I don't see em right away
I get shot more than I shoot down, but I last a little longer

I just have this addiction problem and it won't go away
Your SA will improve as you play, whether you intentionally are trying to improve or not, it just comes to you, I am sure the top guys in here are just a little more aware of whats happening around them, and I am sure they all started the same way we did, floundering
Have Fun, I do  
NwBie

[Urchin]

I'd be happy to show you some things that *may* improve your 'game' if you'd like.  Email me at shodges1@comcast.net, or look me up in-game (although I'm not in there nearly as often anymore).

[hogenbor]

Thanks for the advice guys, especially humble

You see, most of what he states I already found out myself (I still have to get Shaw though).

I can trim manually and use it when necessary (even have the 'Me-109' elevator up key mapped on my stick). I can merge, I can maneuver well enough in let's say a D-9 to kill a Spit. Views for all of my favourite aircraft have been set up ages ago. I know all of the value in getting alt above a safe area as I fly the FM2 frequently from CV's. Of course I use throttle (a lot) and flaps (sparingly). Sure enough I use drop tanks, and manual fuel selection in the Fw-190. I avidly read all advice and manuals recommended here.

Maybe I'm too eager to improve but I don't think I will do any better with my current style of flying, hence the switch to Corsairs.  Maybe AH is just something I will become good at, but have to swallow that I wil never become one of the best.

[Urchin]

I was at the point that I think you are at now about a year ago.  I had hit a plateau, and it didn't seem like I was getting any better.  I did two things then- I asked a couple people for films to look at, and I bought a copy of Robert Shaws book on Fighter tactics.  

Once you reach a point where you know all the 'moves' it becomes a function of timing and good shooting.  Good timing will get you in a position to kill someone, and good shooting will ensure that you actually do kill them.

Like I said before, I would be more than happy to work with you on reversal techniques, once you can give someone your 6 and not feel as if you are fighting from a disadvantage then all you have left to work on is timing and aiming.

[poopster]

Hogenbor I've played guitar for 30 years. Long ago I came to the realization that no matter how much I played and practiced I would never play like David Gilmore

I've been flyin online sims since 98 and have come to the same conclusion. Not that there isn't improvement, but in my case I just fly and have fun.

My gunnery sucks. It was better in WB but these lazer guns here have elluded me. My SA and BFM ain't half bad..

But I fly in the fur with my friends. LOVE the fur..

Now I could spend and hour a day offline practicing my gunnery on drones and have no doubt improve..

I don't.

I fly and have fun.

Fly the 1-D mostly and there are ways to fly it in the fur. Did it for a tour a few back with great concentration and did well for flyin the fur. Haven't come close since, just fly and have fun.

My sticking point is gunnery, with decent gunnery I wouldn't have to go so deep to get the kill. Sorta like I shouldn't be here, but that con is gonna die.

It's where I choose to fly. Being a cherry picker with crappy gunnery is like watching paint dry..

And vulching just isn't fun.

Give me 10% gunnery and I'd be a happy camper.

But don't make me work on it

[wetrat]

Take Urchin up on his offer... he made me decent

[hogenbor]

Maybe I'll take Urchin's offer when I have the time. I am a busy man and when I'm not busy I'm tired. In between I play AH

Hey I do it for fun (don't we all), but I still would like to improve.

Today a perfect attack with my FM2 on a LA-7, almost had him, no matter fast the s*cker was. But gut bounced by a F6F, I never saw the guy :-s Can someone make a rearview mirror?

[humble]

I 2nd...or 3rd taking up urchins offer,he's always been a tough nut to crack and he flys a variety of "styles"...not just luftwabble iron stuff. Anytime your lucky enough to get an offer like that grab it.

Oldman...you the "Oldman" 190 driver from AW?????. Still fondly remember your bunch of Blanders....many a fine evening spent MFing your crew all night long:)