Aces High Bulletin Board
Help and Support Forums => Help and Training => Topic started by: Randy1 on February 06, 2014, 09:08:59 AM
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I would like to keep this thread centered on the P38 albeit any advice will be well received.
This tour I am back on the P38 J and L. My ACM skills continue to improve but I am flat atrocious at picking the right fight and right time to match the P38 strong points. My crummy K/D shows that.
My SA awareness is improving but I keep getting caught in fights that are riddled with pickers reminding one of a fat cat in the middle of a pack of wild dogs.
What should I look for on the clipboard map that would keep me out of the wrong fight for a P38? Something like look for a balance of red and green? Stay in zones with radar up?
Do I avoid all furballs or do I go up the 51s 109s and 190s, and try pick them from the top?
Do I avoid fights with high concentrations of Las, Yaks, Spits and the like?
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This tour I am back on the P38 J and L.
I would recommend you fly one of the P38 types until you are very comfortable in it. The hydraulic boosted ailerons of the P38L changes the roll characteristics dramatically when compared to the G or J model and the L can actually make rolling harder under certain circumstances. In addition, the G generally fights nose low compared to the friendlier nose high attitudes the J or the L favor.
My SA awareness is improving but I keep getting caught in fights that are riddled with pickers reminding one of a fat cat in the middle of a pack of wild dogs.
You are the proverbial "fat cat" as a P38 will garner the most attention after C47s and slow perk rides. Get used to reading the area and assume that every enemy aircraft will ignore others and attack you instead.
What should I look for on the clipboard map that would keep me out of the wrong fight for a P38? Something like look for a balance of red and green? Stay in zones with radar up?
Since the fight is governed by the players, it doesn't really matter what fight you enter. Each fight tends to be a little different and usually follows the lead from the squadron with the biggest presence. For example, if you're entering a fight and you see many members of a squadron in 190s, it is a safe bet the rest of the friendlies around them will be in faster planes as well. This isn't a stab at anyone but a singlular display of pack mentality.
Do I avoid all furballs or do I go up the 51s 109s and 190s, and try pick them from the top? Do I avoid fights with high concentrations of Las, Yaks, Spits and the like?
It is always a good idea to work your way down no matter what aircraft you're flying so you can't attacked from two sides on Y or vertical axis. If you do fight top performers like Yak3s and Spit8/16s, you need to fly perfectly and hope they make a mistake. Without a mistake made by the better performer, you will lose the fight in the P38. I'm NOT suggesting you run from those fights but know in fighting those aircraft you can push your skills to the limit (and hopefully improve them) depending on who you are fighting. For example, I'll enter a fight against a high zeke knowing I might be able to get inside of him as he dives with too much speed. However, if he is smart and throttles back (or decreases the angle of the dive) the fight will quickly work against my favor.
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As usual Del is spot on! :aok
Totally agree with Del's second point. You WILL be the most popular target in the area of any fight--so be aware.
It's possible to fight multiples in the 38 more easily if you're above them. You'll be able to outclimb or outzoom MOST other planes. Be mindful of the other planes' energy states and try to manage it for them :devil. Always be lookinig out for wild card enemies coming in from odd directions or above. This will be the guy that likely ruins your good run. I avoid turning as much as I can in furballs as the more turny planes are gonna catch up to me if I do and I don't want to give them the satisfaction. I'll tend to at least TRY to stay on the periphery although that can be a very fluid kind of thing. Be mindful of the "cold side" of the fight. That way if things start to go bad you have a way out to either withdraw or reset the fight in relative safety. The trick is knowing when it's time to head that way. A couple of seconds and be the difference between life and death. ;)
I like the challenge of fighting in the 38. It does everything fairly well but it's not the best at anything really. it IS a very popular target which makes it that much harder. You can "fight" any plane with it although your opponent might not consider it that way. Fight your fight---not the other guy's. That means no slow turny fights on the deck with Zeros and Hurris and those dang Brews. You're killing yourself if you do that. Keep your tactics sound vs a given plane and you can win consistently.
If you're a good shot it should be easier as it does have a great guns package with plenty of power. Unfortunately for me I can't hit the broad side of a barn with the broad side of--another barn. If I could have back just half the fights where I just flat out missed the guy bacause I can't shoot worth a dang I'e prolly graduate to half decent at this. In all the years I've been doing this you'd think I'd pick up the gunnery thing. <shrug>
I blame Bustr's pretty gunsights! :old: :neener: :bolt:
Good luck with it, Randy! Good to see you back in a proper airplane again! :salute
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The following advice hold pretty much for all twins.
1. One vs. many (defensive) will be VERY difficult for you. The 38 is a big target and even a two-weeker number guy will find its mark. Keep your SA up and know when to leave, or fly with wingmen.
2. Never ever allow a shot on your full plane. Learn to roll just before the other guy is about to fire even if it puts you in a less favorable position. The P-38 is paper-thin when viewed from the side, so break and if you cannot get completely out of the way, give them your side.
3. Once someone saddles up on you, it will be very difficult to wiggle your way out of that, like yaks, 109s or even P51s can. Do not let anyone get on your 6 - turn into them early, 1.5k with a minus sign is already too late. SA must be much higher than with other planes and the "threat range" much larger. As Delirium said, they are all looking at you.
Of all the twins, the P-38 has the best survival tools. It may fall short of the mossie deck speed, but your max speed goes linearly up with altitude. A few kft up, you are already in a better ranking speed-wise. Above 10k you are getting into your element and both your speed and climb start to get impressive. Above 20k you'll be alone, so come back down.
If you are in a learning phase, forget about smart flying and forget about your score this tour - go wild. Fly into the horde at low altitude and turn with every Brewster you see. That is the only way to learn how to handle a plane. After a tour of that, start to think about tactical flying.
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I would recommend you fly one of the P38 types until you are very comfortable in it.
Maybe a comprise here. I will use the J for fighter work and the L for Jabo. That would give 90% of the time in the J.
You are the proverbial "fat cat" as a P38 will garner the most attention after C47s and slow perk rides. Get used to reading the area and assume that every enemy aircraft will ignore others and attack you instead.
Reading the area I think is my biggest problem.
It is always a good idea to work your way down no matter what aircraft you're flying so you can't attacked from two sides on Y or vertical axis.
If you are going to area for the first time and suspect 10K fighting how high should one go into the area?
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If you are going to area for the first time and suspect 10K fighting how high should one go into the area?
No less than 15, preferably 20. This applies for any and all aircraft. ;)
Wiley.
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No less than 15, preferably 20. This applies for any and all aircraft. ;)
Wiley.
I disagree. The optimal altitude for any fight of any kind is always 7k. Right in the middle of things :aok.
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As usual Del is spot on! :aok
Totally agree with Del's second point. You WILL be the most popular target in the area of any fight--so be aware.
It's possible to fight multiples in the 38 more easily if you're above them. You'll be able to outclimb or outzoom MOST other planes. Be mindful of the other planes' energy states and try to manage it for them :devil. Always be lookinig out for wild card enemies coming in from odd directions or above. This will be the guy that likely ruins your good run. I avoid turning as much as I can in furballs as the more turny planes are gonna catch up to me if I do and I don't want to give them the satisfaction. I'll tend to at least TRY to stay on the periphery although that can be a very fluid kind of thing. Be mindful of the "cold side" of the fight. That way if things start to go bad you have a way out to either withdraw or reset the fight in relative safety. The trick is knowing when it's time to head that way. A couple of seconds and be the difference between life and death. ;)
I like the challenge of fighting in the 38. It does everything fairly well but it's not the best at anything really. it IS a very popular target which makes it that much harder. You can "fight" any plane with it although your opponent might not consider it that way. Fight your fight---not the other guy's. That means no slow turny fights on the deck with Zeros and Hurris and those dang Brews. You're killing yourself if you do that. Keep your tactics sound vs a given plane and you can win consistently.
If you're a good shot it should be easier as it does have a great guns package with plenty of power. Unfortunately for me I can't hit the broad side of a barn with the broad side of--another barn. If I could have back just half the fights where I just flat out missed the guy bacause I can't shoot worth a dang I'e prolly graduate to half decent at this. In all the years I've been doing this you'd think I'd pick up the gunnery thing. <shrug>
I blame Bustr's pretty gunsights! :old: :neener: :bolt:
Good luck with it, Randy! Good to see you back in a proper airplane again! :salute
Drano, I can greatly increase my K/D and Kills with the likes a of a P47M, P51 or a Ki but the challenge to do well in the P38 keeps calling me back. I agree, the P38 does a lot of things good but only excels in being a large target.
The "Cold Side". A good point. I often loose my way out. Gunnery, I wish I had the shot making skills of Del and Lusche
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No less than 15, preferably 20. This applies for any and all aircraft. ;)
Wiley.
Careful. Some on here consider such statements sin incarnate . You are at risk of being excommunicated and ridiculed by the real dogfighters. :rolleyes:
I disagree. The optimal altitude for any fight of any kind is always 7k. Right in the middle of things :aok.
Still too high in the eyes some. Best stick to under 500 ft. Oh yeah, be sure to dive into fights at nearly stall speeds against at least five as well. Don't worry about landing or even ditching. That's for sissies. :aok
:lol
In short: It's always best to run this stuff past some of the real dogfighters for approval before posting, if only in an attempt to save some of the wasted electrons from the inevitable arguments that will soon erupt. :lol
:bolt:
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No less than 15, preferably 20. This applies for any and all aircraft. ;)
Wiley.
no wayyyy.
If there is a fight at 10k, then come in at 10k with speed and once your in Icon Range make your choice if you want to zoom climb to have the high cap or zip through the fight.
If there is a fight at 10k and you arrive at 15k, the bandits you kill will return at 20k. Once you die you will return at 25k. That cycle tends to suck because your left with one side hovering over an enemy base at 25k and no body re-upping to fight even from a further base, because it takes to damn long to get up there.
I go everywhere in the MA at 8-12k, if I am flying to a base that friendlies are already at I will stay at 8, if I'm first in with a dar bar and no visual contact 12k.
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Careful. Some on here consider such statements sin incarnate . You are at risk of being excommunicated and ridiculed by the real dogfighters. :rolleyes:
:bolt:
or if you care to be less dramatic, the people who will ridicule this are those like myself who realize that AH2 is heavy on commute time and we don't all share the love of sitting in autopilot for 15+ each way every sortie.
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no wayyyy.
If there is a fight at 10k, then come in at 10k with speed and once your in Icon Range make your choice if you want to zoom climb to have the high cap or zip through the fight.
If there is a fight at 10k and you arrive at 15k, the bandits you kill will return at 20k. Once you die you will return at 25k. That cycle tends to suck because your left with one side hovering over an enemy base at 25k and no body re-upping to fight even from a further base, because it takes to damn long to get up there.
I go everywhere in the MA at 8-12k, if I am flying to a base that friendlies are already at I will stay at 8, if I'm first in with a dar bar and no visual contact 12k.
:O
(http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120113212735/warhammer40k/images/b/b1/Excommunicate_Traitorous_Icon.jpg)
;)
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or if you care to be less dramatic, the people who will ridicule this are those like myself who realize that AH2 is heavy on commute time and we don't all share the love of sitting in autopilot for 15+ each way every sortie.
Just a bit of tongue-in-cheek humor and parody, Bluberry. Not meant to be serious. :aok
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Just a bit of tongue-in-cheek humor and parody, Bluberry. Not meant to be serious. :aok
Sorry bro, hard to tell sometimes when its left up to our individual interpretation of things. :salute
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Gunnery, I wish I had the shot making skills of Del and Lusche
That is the single best and worst thing about the 38. The way the guns and the DM works in this game, for the most part any solid hit from a 38 destroys what it was pointed at. Unfortunately you've got to aim that tiny stream of bullets, you don't get the advantage of the X you get with wing mounted guns.
But yeah, if you can hit with it, it's awesome.
Careful. Some on here consider such statements sin incarnate . You are at risk of being excommunicated and ridiculed by the real dogfighters. :rolleyes:
Meh. I'm an unrepentant altmonkey. The difference between me and many altmonkeys you see these days is, if I have ammo and fuel I'm not going to run from the guy that's above me.
In short: It's always best to run this stuff past some of the real dogfighters for approval before posting, if only in an attempt to save some of the wasted electrons from the inevitable arguments that will soon erupt. :lol
:bolt:
Bah. They play down in the mud, I come in high looking for the red guy that's trying to feed off them. The thing that makes me happiest in the game is nailing a guy that's trying to pick a friendly who's turnfighting on the deck with another plane and having the guy I just shot down whine about being picked.
If there is a fight at 10k, then come in at 10k with speed and once your in Icon Range make your choice if you want to zoom climb to have the high cap or zip through the fight.
That's often option 2. Depends how impatient I get. :)
If there is a fight at 10k and you arrive at 15k, the bandits you kill will return at 20k. Once you die you will return at 25k. That cycle tends to suck because your left with one side hovering over an enemy base at 25k and no body re-upping to fight even from a further base, because it takes to damn long to get up there.
I go everywhere in the MA at 8-12k, if I am flying to a base that friendlies are already at I will stay at 8, if I'm first in with a dar bar and no visual contact 12k.
I plan for 15, depending on how things happen it can be anywhere from 5 to 20. I'm a big believer in ABC. Always Be Climbing. If it takes me a while to find the enemy being shown by the bardar, I tend to be at the higher end of things.
Wiley.
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That is the single best and worst thing about the 38. The way the guns and the DM works in this game, for the most part any solid hit from a 38 destroys what it was pointed at. Unfortunately you've got to aim that tiny stream of bullets, you don't get the advantage of the X you get with wing mounted guns.
Interesting, I find anything nose or cowl mounted to be easy mode compared to wing mounted.. and even wing mounted seems simple. I feel like the AH2 gunnery should be harder, but that's just my opinion. :salute
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Sorry bro, hard to tell sometimes when its left up to our individual interpretation of things. :salute
No worries man. I also admit it was just a wee bit trollish. I figured a few of your more vocal squadees would saddle up. ;)
In general, I agree with you by the way. 12K is usually the optimum. I do fly above 15K between bases when I'm looking for buffs or the occasional 1v1 with a fighter and not have some one else jump in. Seems the only way to find that kind of fight these days in the LWMA. :frown:
Edit: By "some one else jump in" I mean enemy OR friendly. 12 clearing seems on the rise lately. :mad:
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Interesting, I find anything nose or cowl mounted to be easy mode compared to wing mounted.. and even wing mounted seems simple. I feel like the AH2 gunnery should be harder, but that's just my opinion. :salute
if they made the gunnery any harder I wouldn't be able to hit at all :huh
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if they made the gunnery any harder I wouldn't be able to hit at all :huh
We would learn :old:
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Interesting, I find anything nose or cowl mounted to be easy mode compared to wing mounted.. and even wing mounted seems simple. I feel like the AH2 gunnery should be harder, but that's just my opinion. :salute
They both work, I just think the crossover makes it a bit easier to ping the other guy outside convergence.
As to gunnery, I think it's about the best model I've seen in here. Individual bullet modeling, trajectory, dispersion, pulling G's changes hit location...
WARNING! NOT FULLY RESEARCHED GENERAL LOGICAL STATEMENT NOT BASED ON PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH HEAVY WEAPONRY MOUNTED ON COMBAT AIRCRAFT FOLLOWS!
Sorry, gotta qualify things properly on this board... I don't know that much about how things react coming off planes IRL, but I do know a fair bit about guns and bullets.
I've heard somewhere along the way from guys that generally were not full of BS that firing when your plane's not moving directly forward, like if you kicked full rudder, causes dispersion to go WAY up, like to the point of essentially useless accuracy. That doesn't appear to be modeled in the game. Perhaps it's been overstated, I don't know, but I could see a 400mph head/crosswind from the angle you get from full rudder deflection playing havoc with a bullet as it leaves the muzzle of the gun.
Maybe it's been researched and dismissed, I don't know. Other than that though, I think gunnery in the game is quite well modeled.
Wiley.
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The following advice hold pretty much for all twins.
1. One vs. many (defensive) will be VERY difficult for you. The 38 is a big target and even a two-weeker number guy will find its mark. Keep your SA up and know when to leave, or fly with wingmen.
2. Never ever allow a shot on your full plane. Learn to roll just before the other guy is about to fire even if it puts you in a less favorable position. The P-38 is paper-thin when viewed from the side, so break and if you cannot get completely out of the way, give them your side.
3. Once someone saddles up on you, it will be very difficult to wiggle your way out of that, like yaks, 109s or even P51s can. Do not let anyone get on your 6 - turn into them early, 1.5k with a minus sign is already too late. SA must be much higher than with other planes and the "threat range" much larger. As Delirium said, they are all looking at you.
Of all the twins, the P-38 has the best survival tools. It may fall short of the mossie deck speed, but your max speed goes linearly up with altitude. A few kft up, you are already in a better ranking speed-wise. Above 10k you are getting into your element and both your speed and climb start to get impressive. Above 20k you'll be alone, so come back down.
If you are in a learning phase, forget about smart flying and forget about your score this tour - go wild. Fly into the horde at low altitude and turn with every Brewster you see. That is the only way to learn how to handle a plane. After a tour of that, start to think about tactical flying.
Good points all Bozon. Just in the last few weeks have I gotten much better at showing the skinny side as Del calls it. I had to devolve a mind set to make that happen and it was not easy for this old brain. As you posted, I have dove right into the middle of many furballs never fearing a lost plane but now I want to get more tactical savvy as you posted.
I don't exploit the high altitude performance enough. You got me there for sure.
Good stuff.
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No less than 15, preferably 20. This applies for any and all aircraft. ;)
Wiley.
Wiley, you make another good point that Bozon touched on as well. It does seem like the danger zone for a P38 is 9K to 12K. The land of the 109s, 190s and P51s. Thanks for the answer to the how high question.
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I disagree. The optimal altitude for any fight of any kind is always 7k. Right in the middle of things :aok.
I agree on the 7K. As I just posted the danger zone is about 8 to 10K.
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no wayyyy.
If there is a fight at 10k, then come in at 10k with speed and once your in Icon Range make your choice if you want to zoom climb to have the high cap or zip through the fight.
If there is a fight at 10k and you arrive at 15k, the bandits you kill will return at 20k. Once you die you will return at 25k. That cycle tends to suck because your left with one side hovering over an enemy base at 25k and no body re-upping to fight even from a further base, because it takes to damn long to get up there.
I go everywhere in the MA at 8-12k, if I am flying to a base that friendlies are already at I will stay at 8, if I'm first in with a dar bar and no visual contact 12k.
If you are going to work the top down as Delirum had posted when working a furball with a 38 then he is right. That was the original question. The 109s, 190s, and P51s live at 10-15K.
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The 109s, 190s, and P51s live at 10-15K.
Disagree, there are just as many who fly those planes and don't "live" at 10-15k
I guess if you like flying high alt, your going to run into other alt monkeys, so what we experience is different.
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Interesting, I find anything nose or cowl mounted to be easy mode compared to wing mounted.. and even wing mounted seems simple. I feel like the AH2 gunnery should be harder, but that's just my opinion. :salute
Fast planes like a P47M and P51 can close quick enough to get inside 400 making them pretty deadly. A full loaded M is exceptional. When I switch from a 50s MG plane to the P38, it takes a few sorties to the "eye" back. I don't find the P38 easier to kill with but I do find it different. The Ki now that is point shoot and watch the explosion.
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It does seem like the danger zone for a P38 is 9K to 12K.
It really isn't. Quite the opposite really.
ack-ack
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Disagree, there are just as many who fly those planes and don't "live" at 10-15k
I guess if you like flying high alt, your going to run into other alt monkeys, so what we experience is different.
I mostly run the P-51 at 12Kish, where it goes close to 410 on cruise, a very high number for a prop plane's cruise at that alt, and which is above most things. Above 12K there is a dip in performance that doesn't correct until you get above 17.5K, which is WAY too high above bandits in most case.
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We would learn :old:
I think I am to old too learn that now....I tried to switch over to Trackir.... :rofl
what a nightmare that was....
7 years and my aim is barely better then it was my first month....
I accept I will never be the crack shot lots of guys are....
no one is perfect :D
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Disagree, there are just as many who fly those planes and don't "live" at 10-15k
I guess if you like flying high alt, your going to run into other alt monkeys, so what we experience is different.
The only time I go higher than 5k is when I'm in a bomber. And even then I don't normally go higher than 15k, unless going for strats. :P
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It really isn't. Quite the opposite really.
ack-ack
Could you expand on this a bit?
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I would like to keep this thread centered on the P38 albeit any advice will be well received.
This tour I am back on the P38 J and L. My ACM skills continue to improve but I am flat atrocious at picking the right fight and right time to match the P38 strong points. My crummy K/D shows that.
My SA awareness is improving but I keep getting caught in fights that are riddled with pickers reminding one of a fat cat in the middle of a pack of wild dogs.
What should I look for on the clipboard map that would keep me out of the wrong fight for a P38? Something like look for a balance of red and green? Stay in zones with radar up?
Do I avoid all furballs or do I go up the 51s 109s and 190s, and try pick them from the top?
Do I avoid fights with high concentrations of Las, Yaks, Spits and the like?
Perhaps you might enjoy winging up for a flight or a night with the 113th Lucky Strikes, a P38 squad. We start operations around 7:PM each Saturday evening EST. We fly P38L's in attack mode and P38J or G for fighter protection. We fly as Knights and you can find us on Vox 113. We fly tactical formations for strikes and winged pairs for fighter protection. We found over the years that one of our P38L's = 1.5 hangers. It only takes a hand full of us to shut down a small airfield.
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Perhaps you might enjoy winging up for a flight or a night with the 113th Lucky Strikes, a P38 squad. We start operations around 7:PM each Saturday evening EST. We fly P38L's in attack mode and P38J or G for fighter protection. We fly as Knights and you can find us on Vox 113. We fly tactical formations for strikes and winged pairs for fighter protection. We found over the years that one of our P38L's = 1.5 hangers. It only takes a hand full of us to shut down a small airfield.
Traveler, I appreciate the offer and would jump in with y'all in a heart beat but our squad is mostly family so I have my ties there. It would be neat to fly in one of y'alls all P38 missions.
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Traveler, I appreciate the offer and would jump in with y'all in a heart beat but our squad is mostly family so I have my ties there. It would be neat to fly in one of y'alls all P38 missions.
are you by chance Knights? You could all come join in a mission. We never turn anyone away and are willing to fly bomber escort or any type of Jabo mission. We also do pure fighter sweeps.
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are you by chance Knights? You could all come join in a mission. We never turn anyone away and are willing to fly bomber escort or any type of Jabo mission. We also do pure fighter sweeps.
Rooks, but if the chance come up, I will switch sides and fly with y'all.
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Could you expand on this a bit?
You had seemed to imply that between 9,000 - 12,000ft, the P-38 is particularly vulnerable at that altitude range. It isn't, the P-38 (all of them) performs well at those altitudes, quite well actually. It also removes the danger of getting into a compressibility state since you're too low to get into one, allowing the P-38 to dive at high speeds if necessary. P-38's speed is also very good at those altitude ranges, as well as climb rate and acceleration. The only hindrance would be on the part of the pilot, not the plane.
ack-ack
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To elaborate on what Ack is saying here...
(http://www.hitechcreations.com/components/com_ahplaneperf/genchart.php?p1=18&p2=82&pw=1>ype=2&gui=localhost&itemsel=GameData)
...Turbocharging means never having to say "Oh sorry, my performance is weak in that altitude band". :)
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Ack-ack, Bnz, to me it is not the planes performance in question. It is that at 9k-12k, you are very likely to run into several 109s, 51sand 190s at 15k-20k. Lower than 9k the high alt people usually either want come down or the long approach is easy to avoid. At 15k and up you are at least nose level some of the time.
I always go to where the action is so the red concentration can be thick.
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I feel like the AH2 gunnery should be harder, but that's just my opinion. :salute
I agree ,getting hit regularly at 800 out kind of jerks my chain. :D
And on topic,i agree with Del. :joystick:
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Ack-ack, Bnz, to me it is not the planes performance in question. It is that at 9k-12k, you are very likely to run into several 109s, 51sand 190s at 15k-20k. Lower than 9k the high alt people usually either want come down or the long approach is easy to avoid. At 15k and up you are at least nose level some of the time.
I always go to where the action is so the red concentration can be thick.
Thats more of how you fight the fight than anything else. Me, I like to come in at 10-12k. Higher guys are just something to keep in mind while I concentrate on the targets I'm looking at. During my attacks I keep an eye on the pickers on their perch. If they dive in I avoid their run and continue my attacks. If the pickers pushes the issue HE becomes my target.
In the few times I've flow in the same area with you you seem to lose SA, or lets say become target fixated to the point you end up with 2 or 3 on you. In a furbal ducking and dodging are what you are doing most of the time with quick shots at bad guys intermixed.
I prefer the J model for both fighting and bombing. The trick is to be able to give up the bombs on a moments notice. If your more worried about getting the bombs to target your going to get shot down a LOT, and most likely NOT get them there anyway. Screw the mission profile! You can help your team by shooting down pickers so the rest of your team CAN get in. Getting hammered with bombs isn't helping all that much anyway right?
SA, switching gears (divebomber vs fighter) mid flight, and not getting fixated on a target are all things that make flying any plane but the 38 a bit more, a fun plane to fly.
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The trick is to be able to give up the bombs on a moments notice. If your more worried about getting the bombs to target your going to get shot down a LOT, and most likely NOT get them there anyway.
That's one of my problems. I tend get target fixated, whether on a plane, or on getting bombs to target, and get shot down. But I am getting better.
Randy, thanks for starting such an interesting thread.
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:rock
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In the few times I've flow in the same area with you you seem to lose SA, or lets say become target fixated to the point you end up with 2 or 3 on you. In a furbal ducking and dodging are what you are doing most of the time with quick shots at bad guys intermixed.
I get too aggressive no doubt about that. If I see a fellow green in trouble, I am going in to knock the chiggers off if I can to give them a chance to escape. Add to that, I like Latrobe's style of fighting. One is fun, two is more fun. I am just no where near as good as Latrobe but I study his technique.
A p38 is like a being a piece of corn in brood of 109 chickens especially if they pop up when your speed is down and they have the E advantage.
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I admit I target P- 38's first, if doing so doesn't excessively endanger me.
If they're well flown, they tend to be very well flown, and I find their survival... disagreeable.
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The higher you go in the AHII skies the thinner the crowd gets, until at a certain point there is no one it's not worth climbing up there. That point is no higher than 20K most of the time. Couple that with the fact that basically the relative performance of the P-38 against 90% of the plane set gets better the higher you go, and I can't really see what you're talking about here.
Diving into the thick of the furball isn't a good way to learn anything except that in furballs you shoot at everything red crossing your nose every chance you get and they do the same until one side or the other is all dead. And in a large target, that is not so fun. In furballs it is best to be either in one of the best turners or one of the fastest. The P-38 is neither. What the P-38 does have is unique attributes that give it a potential answer for 1v1 ACM against just about every plane in the set. Figure out how to use those attributes against one bandit at a time first. One bandit represents the minimum number of variables you can deal with, a furball represents incalculable variables, no need trying to win the Boston Marathon before you can crawl, to paraphrase an old saw.