Rhino - an apology

[SpitLead]

Rhino, I met you in the MA near 42 last night, we were both in Jugs.  You must of been having a bad night.  Normally I don't see you whining on the open channel.  However, in our engagement you clearly had the alt advantage (at least 1k even by your own account).  I'd say it was closer to 2-3K but the number doesn't really matter.  You had the -e- advantage.  Period.  I chose to disengage (turning towards my base) while you were still pretty far away (between d4.5-d6) to gain altitude to make it an even fight.  Read the P-47 Zoom Climb thread in the Help & Training and you'll read accounts of respected Jug drivers (i.e. Drex, -ammo-, Lephturn) who turned AWAY from a con to gain altitude for the very fact that the Jug is an 'e' fighter.

You followed and after I went for the deck then accused me of being an ack hugging sissy.  I took offense to that remark.  First, because it was the first time I had done that to you that evening (if ever).  You had not experienced me doing this repeatedly to you all night like I've seen other pilots do.  Secondly, because no matter how much you or I get frustrated by it, it IS a valid tactic in my book.  There are no rules in war.

I've only been flying the Jug for 2 nights so I'm still trying to manage my 'e' states and learn the envelope of the plane.  I'm trying to be cautious when engaging, not stupid. The absolute LAST think I want to do is to enter a fight at a disadvantage in 'e' states with an 'e' fighter.  I treat these engagements as close to real life as I can.  That's my personal choice.  As such, you won't find me throwing myself into a fight at a disadvantage just to fight if at all possible. What's the fun in that if I always get into a fight at a disadvantage and repeatedly get shot down for being stupid that way.  Apparently you're more comfortable in the Jug's abilities and that's fine.  But, we're all not at the same level.  If you recall after you broke off we met between bases later in the same sortie and we WERE co-alt.  I engaged and you shot me down.  Good kill.  With that, I'd like to ask you to please be considerate of your open channel comments to pilots during a fight.  There are many factors that come into play when online of which many you or I are not aware of as I've mentioned.  

Now, here's the apology.  I'm sorry for shooting your chute.  I was still peeved at your "ack hugging" remark and took out my frustration on you.  You will find by looking at my tour scores that I do NOT shoot chutes nor do I condone such actions.  It is "bad form" any way you look at it and I apologize.  

[sling322]

 

Originally posted by SpitLead:
You will find by looking at my tour scores that I do NOT shoot chutes nor do I condone such actions.  It is "bad form" any way you look at it and I apologize.  

Look at anybody's stats....chutes dont show up.  I posted about this bug a few weeks back in the bug forum and never got an answer.  I was pretty pissed about it at the time because I had popped 3 chutes in one nite and they didnt show up in my stats.  

By the way, you get bonus points if you elicit a whine after shooting a chute.  

[Vulcan]

I'd just like to point out that if EVERYONE turned from a 1 on 1 where they didn't have the 'E-advantage' then Aces High would be a very boring game with no kills made.

There are a few people out there that think that this is a valid 'tactic'. Well, they're right!

But... personally I find it a challenge in a 1 on 1 to fight from an 'e-disadvantage'. I find it a challenge to see if I can turn that advantage around. I also find I learn a lot more when I'm fighting at a disadvantage, I learn how far I can push my plane. I also see a lot of other people in AH who do the same as I (eg, the other night I had a couple of great fights with Mitsu right beside his base, not once did he run for the ack).

<S> to those that take the challenge.

To those that don't... well, you can always by a 'shooting empty beer cans sim'  

[SpitLead]

Vulcan, point is well taken.  However, there are plenty of "furball" opportunities in AH where many kills are made.  Finding a 1 vs. 1 engagement is more the exception rather than the rule in the MA. Usually there is at least one other con around to unbalance things. Only when flying late at night do I encounter more of these situations (i.e. 2:00 am).

There was no implication that I turn away from EVERY fight where I'm at a disadvantage. Sometimes it's just not possible.  My decision to disengage or engage is a split second decision based on the situation; how I'm feeling, if I'm on my game or not, the type of plane I'm engaging, the plane I'm in, and other factors. Many times I've engaged in a one-on-one at a disadvantage.  Often I come out on the wrong end of things and that's ok. It's usually a learning experience.  Sometimes though you just don't want to go down that road for whatever reasons.  To be sure though, I don't go into the MA to be the sacrificial goat and I try to get the advantage when I can, that's just smart flying.  If that makes it a little more boring for some people tough, that's the way I choose to fly because I get more enjoyment out of it.

And of course Mitsu didn't run for the ack. The best pilots have a more indepth understanding of ACM and can adapt better to situations and know when/how to take advantage of certain opportunities.  I'm still learning and I get a little better each day.

<S>

[This message has been edited by SpitLead (edited 05-18-2001).]