Aces High Bulletin Board
Help and Support Forums => Help and Training => Topic started by: gofaster on March 03, 2003, 03:47:54 PM
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First off, you're going to need some training wheels until you get used to the aircraft flight models, weapon ballistics, views, key commands, and how the game works. The best training aircraft are (in no particular order):
Spitfire Mk IX
N1K2
LA-7
A6M2 or A6M5
F6F-5
Spitfire V/Seafire II
Hurricane
These are planes with user-friendly stall characteristics. The first 3 I've listed are fairly common in the Main Arena (MA) because of their "fightability" - the ability to get kills fairly easily. The others you fly not so much to get kills as to keep from planting your nose in the dirt, particularly the A6M and Hurricane planes which can become deathtraps if you don't keep your head on a swivel.
The next planes you'll want to try are:
P-51D
Typhoon
P-47
P-38
Bf109
FW190D
Ki-61
C202 and C205
F4U1D
Each of these can create some challenging stall recovery situations and take a bit of skill to get kills with. The Mustang and Typhoon are popular because of their ability to speed their way out of a jam unless an La-7 is glued to their tails, and because they pack a pretty good punch. The others will force you to learn patience and to stay with a target as it tracks across your stream of fire.
If you're in the game to earn perk points quickly, I recommend the FW190A8, the F4U-1A "Birdcage Corsair", the Yak-9U, the Spitfire V (since most people go with the SpitIX, the SpitV and its brother the Seafire get used less often and have a higher perk generation ability), the 109F, and the Ki-61.
I'll write more when I have more time.
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Gofaster,
The La7 and F6F should not be considered "starter" planes. Neither is going to be successful in a typical "turn-fight" agianst anything else in that list. The N1K, Zero, Hurri, Spit, F4F, FM2... will all eat up an La7/F6F in the hands of a new player. I have no idea where you got the idea that the La7 was a good starter plane... it's not, if anything it is less dangerous in the hands of a new pilot than a N1K is... by far.
The F6F simply is a bit lumbering for the average user, being a class behind a true turner in slow'ish style fights and a little slow to accelerate/climb. I don't think you understand the La7 either. It is a terribly starter aircraft unless you want the new pilot to spend the whole time colliding or running. The only realy strength it has is in speed/climb at low levels, something best used by more experienced pilots as a defense... not an offensive. Any C202 can dive on an La7 and turn that speed advantage into nothing. The views on the La7 are poor, the ballistics a complete joke, and the range is amongst the worst in the game. The La7 takes at least the skill of a P-51 (which is faster above 8K, more range, better guns, better views, maneuvering flaps, etc) to get the most out of it. The whole La7 superiority thing is a myth that needs to be dispelled since it is un-informed.
I would tend to agree that one of the other planes in the list is likely a good starter though. New players tend to turn-fight everything, thus turn-rate and radius at slow speeds are important, where most of those other planes tend to excel. There also tends to be a graduation that occurs after the survivability aspects of these rides starts to show and people will search for a plane they perceive offers more survivability. Often though, they find they just need to develop their skills and can continue to fly Spits, and such, very effectively.
-Soda
AH Trainer Corps.
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Originally posted by Soda
I have no idea where you got the idea that the La7 was a good starter plane...
Why wouldnt you want to fly an La7 when ure a newbie? It has the ability to get away from a fight faster than almost any plane here, and the skills it lacks over 10k are just good enough since most rookies dont wanna climb high to get to a fight.
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Simple Wildthing, most new guys have no comprehension of "running".
They'll turn in it till they die.
Plus it has a really nasty slow speed snap stall.
Not stuff you want to throw at new people.
Actually the Yak9U is better in all respects for someone new to the game who wants a bit more speed.
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Well your gonna throw ACM at them? If not running..
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Originally posted by gofaster
The next planes you'll want to try are:
P-51D
Typhoon
P-47
P-38
Bf109
FW190D
Ki-61
C202 and C205
F4U1D
Each of these can create some challenging stall recovery situations and take a bit of skill to get kills with. The Mustang and Typhoon are popular because of their ability to speed their way out of a jam unless an La-7 is glued to their tails, and because they pack a pretty good punch. The others will force you to learn patience and to stay with a target as it tracks across your stream of fire.
Out of all the planes in AH, the P-38 has probably the most gentle stall characteristics and is probably the easiest plane to recover from a stall. It is also probably one of the best stall fighters in the game and in a stall fight is quite able to gain the advantage over planes like the Spitfire and N1K2. Unless you turn fight in the P-38, it's a good plane to learn Energy and BnZ tactics in because of it's fantastic ability to retain E (probably the best in the game in this regard) and quick acceleration in dives and it doesn't suffer from engine torque like the single engine fighters. Only when you start to use the P-38 as a turn fighter and have to use flaps that it becomes a difficult plane to fly.
Ack-Ack
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Most new players are not runners, half don't even know how to land. Running is a defensive skill anyway, not an offensive one, and requires an understanding of when to run. Most newbies will simply enter the fight at low levels and start a big, level, turn-fight at low speed. The ones that don't enter at low alt tend to chase the first con they find to 50ft AGL and turn-fight till the end. The La7 sucks for that, too spooky in the handling department and simply not up to the low speed, tight-turning task against something else. Besides, the guns have terrible ballistics so hitting anything unless point blank is fairly unlikely (or if they catch someone asleep at the wheel). The N1K is the prime example of a good plane for newbies, it is a very good turner, plus has 4 cannons with tonnes of ammo... good beginner plane since it can corner like crazy and spray the sky with rounds hoping to land a lucky hit at D800. Sure, the ballistics are not hot damn, but who cares when you can fill the sky with 20mm. It also accelerates pretty well, allowing a shot at anyone who stays around just a bit too long and tries to disengage.
In the hands of a newbie, the La7 is likely to be no more effective than the P-51 (which has vastly better views, flaps to help stall, and ballistically better guns). Honestly, the one thing the P-51 fears it the La7.. anything else it should be able to deal with 1:1. I don't think the La7 is a good introductory plane though... a Spit would give more mileage with better chance to get a kill or two.
-Soda
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Originally posted by Soda
Gofaster,
The La7 and F6F should not be considered "starter" planes. Neither is going to be successful in a typical "turn-fight" agianst anything else in that list. The N1K, Zero, Hurri, Spit, F4F, FM2... will all eat up an La7/F6F in the hands of a new player. I have no idea where you got the idea that the La7 was a good starter plane... it's not, if anything it is less dangerous in the hands of a new pilot than a N1K is... by far.
Your assumption is that all new players turn fight. I would disagree. I think there is a fair number of players coming from other flight sims that are simply looking for a plane that they can use to get to a fight, take a shot, and get out safely when an enemy saddles up behind them. That's the advantage of the LA-7 over the other planes in that list. A N1K2, Zero, Hurri, FM2...those aren't going to be running from anything successfully. When those planes go in, they're in it until the bitter end. The LA-7 can run away and drag the bad guys to friendlies.
Originally posted by Soda
The F6F simply is a bit lumbering for the average user, being a class behind a true turner in slow'ish style fights and a little slow to accelerate/climb.
Its faster than an FM-2 off the carrier deck, packs more ammo, and carries a greater ground-pound capability. It certainly has a bigger load-out than a Seafire. With some altitude it can get itself out of a jam and can turn fair enough. That makes it a good starter plane for new navy pilots.
Originally posted by Soda
I don't think you understand the La7 either. It is a terribly starter aircraft unless you want the new pilot to spend the whole time colliding or running. The only realy strength it has is in speed/climb at low levels, something best used by more experienced pilots as a defense... not an offensive.
[/B]
Like I said, the LA-7 is great for running when you find yourself in a jam. That makes for longevity until a new pilot can learn gunnery (and game key commands).
Originally posted by Soda
Any C202 can dive on an La7 and turn that speed advantage into nothing. The views on the La7 are poor, the ballistics a complete joke, and the range is amongst the worst in the game. The La7 takes at least the skill of a P-51 (which is faster above 8K, more range, better guns, better views, maneuvering flaps, etc) to get the most out of it. The whole La7 superiority thing is a myth that needs to be dispelled since it is un-informed.
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You won't find too many new pilots willing to travel more than 3 or 4 sectors for a fight, so I wouldn't think range would be an issue. Any plane can dive on an LA-7 given an altitude advantage. As for views, the Spitfire's are more limited, particularly dead astern.
Originally posted by Soda
I would tend to agree that one of the other planes in the list is likely a good starter though. New players tend to turn-fight everything, thus turn-rate and radius at slow speeds are important, where most of those other planes tend to excel. There also tends to be a graduation that occurs after the survivability aspects of these rides starts to show and people will search for a plane they perceive offers more survivability. Often though, they find they just need to develop their skills and can continue to fly Spits, and such, very effectively.
-Soda
AH Trainer Corps. [/B]
My intent was to present a balanced group of turnfighters and high-speed interceptors - "If you get shot down in Spits and Zeroes, try the LA-7."
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Originally posted by akak
Out of all the planes in AH, the P-38 has probably the most gentle stall characteristics and is probably the easiest plane to recover from a stall. It is also probably one of the best stall fighters in the game and in a stall fight is quite able to gain the advantage over planes like the Spitfire and N1K2. Unless you turn fight in the P-38, it's a good plane to learn Energy and BnZ tactics in because of it's fantastic ability to retain E (probably the best in the game in this regard) and quick acceleration in dives and it doesn't suffer from engine torque like the single engine fighters. Only when you start to use the P-38 as a turn fighter and have to use flaps that it becomes a difficult plane to fly.
Ack-Ack
Exactly, which is why its a "Tier Two" plane. You have to know how to use flaps and manage your energy and avoid compression if you want to stallfight in it. You don't have to worry about that sort of thing in a Spitfire, Zero, N1K2, or LA-7.
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Originally posted by gofaster
Like I said, the LA-7 is great for running when you find yourself in a jam. That makes for longevity until a new pilot can learn gunnery (and game key commands).
dang, and here i thought that's what offline was for??
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The views on a La7 are pretty damn good I think. Its a plane an idiv from another SIM can up and woop some bellybutton in as well. It turns well.... it can take 51's,190's. some 109's etc. The guns dont have the range of Hispano's but when they hit..they shred.
I think gofaster is pretty on w/his advice myself.
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Originally posted by gofaster
Exactly, which is why its a "Tier Two" plane. You have to know how to use flaps and manage your energy and avoid compression if you want to stallfight in it. You don't have to worry about that sort of thing in a Spitfire, Zero, N1K2, or LA-7.
Compressability in the P-38 is more of a threat when using Energy and BnZ tactics than it is in a stall fight. If you enter into compressability during a stall fight, you really messed up big time.
And as for the Spitfire, Zero/Zeke, N1K2 and La-7, the only one I'd stall fight in would be the Zero/Zeke. The Spitfire and N1K2 are good turn fighters but not great stall fighters and the La7 isn't a turn/stall fighter at all and would get chewed up really fast if you did it against a veteran opponent.
Ack-Ack
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Your assumption is that all new players turn fight
This is a fact, most new planers only flat-turn to start with. Most of the time their goal isn't to survive either, it's to get as many kills as they can with their ammo load, or get as many as they can before they get shot down. This is why I think the Spit's, N1K, Zero are typically the best planes. Few handling vices at low speeds, typically reasonable views (N1K a little poor), and enough firepower to get the job done. The Zero trades the firepower for turn-rate, the N1K kinda should be king (tonnes of ammo). A well flown Spit is also very capable of being a more intermediate or advanced aircraft, as long as it is flown well.
The planes like the F6F will be popular because it's Navy, AND, it is about the easiest plane to get off the CV with 2K of ordinance under the wings. It's awfully slow though (barely faster than a Spit), not a great turner, and is fairly lumbering at low speed against the likes of the Spit or N1K. Acceleration is poor so any Spit/N1K will catch you like a rocket.
I think the La7 needs to be put in a more "intermediate" level of plane though. The P-51 is similar, it offers some real balance in ability and doesn't need "super" skill to fly. Something like the 109G10 tends to be tougher, a plane with a very fine limit to fly within but brutal efficiency when used properly. The P-38 is a very nice plane, with only the problem of size, lower view, and high speed handling to deal with, again, something a little intermediate. Posting something that the La7 is a good newbie plane is simply wrong... the average new pilot to AH (not a WB/AW guy) is simply going to get eaten alive by the first Spit that jumps in on him.
-Soda
AH Trainer Corps.
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Originally posted by Soda
This is a fact, most new planers only flat-turn to start with. Posting something that the La7 is a good newbie plane is simply wrong... the average new pilot to AH (not a WB/AW guy) is simply going to get eaten alive by the first Spit that jumps in on him.
Ah, ok. Now I see the disconnect here. I was thinking in terms of addressing this for someone new to AH but with experience in WB, AW, EAW, CFS, or some other WW2 flight sim and knew some basic offense/defense strategies and ammo management, but simply weren't familiar with the flight model, lethality models, ballistics, damage models, key commands, game strategies, etc.
For a total noob, the options are more limited: Spit IX, N1K2, A6M, FM2, Hurricane II, none of the German planes (due to poor low-speed characteristics), and none of the Russian planes (due to limited ammo load). Shiny new pilots need a plane that won't spin, can turn on a dime, and carries a fair amount of ammunition.
You're right - the LA-7 isn't the weapon of choice for new guys wanting to turn fight like John Wayne. Its' small ammo load and tendency to snap-roll when slow will be a problem. However, it does make a good alternative to turnfighters and is certainly more potent than the Yak-9U, which requires better gunnery skills and the ability to stay with a target longer.
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Only been in game for 6 weeks, but one of the planes I have least trouble killing in my N1K is the P-38. Maybe the guys I'm meeting in them are noobs, but they don't seem a very good match.
Personally in tour 37: 6 kills of P-38, 2 deaths to P-38
In the MA in Tour 37: K/D of 982/643 in favor of N1K in head to head matchups.
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Originally posted by Ghosth
Plus it has a really nasty slow speed snap stall.
I gotta love it when they do that under my 109 :D
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For a total noob, the options are more limited: Spit IX, N1K2, A6M, FM2, Hurricane II, none of the German planes (due to poor low-speed characteristics), and none of the Russian planes
I think we are back on track... I agree, though I tend to leave the Hurri IID out (crazy cannons) and add the Spit V in. I think the Spit V can be a damn fine plane, though a little slow. The advantage of the SpitV though is a bit better turn-rate at low speed, meaning you can kill Spit IX's if they simply turn with you. The Zero is the ultimate turner, but tends to be almost helpless if it isn't turning. The N1K is scary and the bane of every Spit IX driver down low.
For people from other games, I try to steer them into something that requires a bit more skill, but hasn't really picked up any vices yet. P-51, P-38, F6F, P-47... easy US .50 ballistics, no real spooky handling issues, but room to grow when you learn the tricks (flap use, high speed dives, etc).
Then, come the "special" aircraft, ones that live on the edge of disaster half the time, or require real understanding to get best use from. 190 (roll rate so important and mis-understood), 109 (instant compression), anything with 30mm or greater, or anything with an ammo load that seems to evaporate in 2 seconds (Yak).
That's just what I tend to do though... make the transition easiest by giving them a plane that's maybe not on the ragged edge, but easily competitive if flown decently. The La7 falls more into the "special" category because it's only real asset is that speed down low. If it didn't have that it would be as popular as the La5FN is... That said, speed is one of the easiest things to take away from a plane, all you need is a little alt and some speed to start with.
-Soda
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Originally posted by najdorf
Only been in game for 6 weeks, but one of the planes I have least trouble killing in my N1K is the P-38. Maybe the guys I'm meeting in them are noobs, but they don't seem a very good match.
Personally in tour 37: 6 kills of P-38, 2 deaths to P-38
In the MA in Tour 37: K/D of 982/643 in favor of N1K in head to head matchups.
P-38s flown by players that don't regularly fly it are most likely the ones you've run up against.
Ack-Ack
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"quote:
Originally posted by najdorf
Only been in game for 6 weeks, but one of the planes I have least trouble killing in my N1K is the P-38. Maybe the guys I'm meeting in them are noobs, but they don't seem a very good match.
Personally in tour 37: 6 kills of P-38, 2 deaths to P-38
In the MA in Tour 37: K/D of 982/643 in favor of N1K in head to head matchups.
quote:
Originally posted by AckAck
P-38s flown by players that don't regularly fly it are most likely the ones you've run up against."
I have to agree with AckAck P38's are fairly regularly used by people who fly other aeroplanes most of the time, but when you (or me) run across AKAK or Manx, Duvel, DblTrbl, etc in their P38's its better to leave the scene then to tangle with them.
:eek:
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I do fully agree with Soda. I am still learning a lot myself but do not classify as a noob anymore I guess
Of the easy planes I quickly settled on the FM-2 but have flown almost anything from the beginning just to get a feel. As I found myself not really improving anymore, I switched to a 'difficult' plane for the last tour, the F4U1-D. Of course I had flown it before but this time I persisted and tried to live with the characteristics I don't exactly like. Result? Best K/D I ever managed in a single fighter type. You have to grow a 'feel' for any aircraft to become comfortable with it. How well does it turn, accelerate, dive, how easy does it compress. It's hard to describe in words but at some point you just KNOW that it is futile to dive on that D-9 (or not) and that you CAN kill that Spit IX because you can oumaneuver him with your E-excess. The best thing of flying the F4U is that it forces you to plan ahead, plunge headlong into any fight and you will die a lot. It made me a better (= less average) pilot.
There is nothing better than to arrive high over a friendly field being attacked and swat all opposition from the air in 5 minutes.
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Replace La7 in starter list with La5, move La7 into the other list.
SKurj
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I haven't flown the LA-5FN and don't get to fight against it very often, so I wasn't exactly sure how it fit into the categories.
So, just to refresh:
Total New Guy:
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Spitfire IX (if you want to get kills)
Spitfire V (if you want to get perk points)
Seafire II (if you want to get even more perk points)
A6M2 (keep your head on a swivel)
A6M5 (keep your head on a swivel)
N1K2 (fear nothing but your lack of experience)
FM-2 (beat Spitfires and N1K2s)
LA-5
Flown Other Sims Before But Don't Know AH:
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P-51D
Typhoon
P-47 (all models)
P-38
Bf109 (all models)
FW190D
Ki-61
C202 and C205
F4U1A and D
Yak9U
LA-7
Ready To Try Something More Complex:
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FW190A and F series
Bf109 w/30mm cannon option
Corsair - heavy from a carrier deck
Yak9T
P-40E
Mosquito (as a fighter)
Me-110 (as a fighter)
A-20 (as a fighter)
You Are An AH God:
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Val
P-40B
One thing I learned over the past couple of days is that the Yak-9U makes a pretty good trainer for the Bf109F. The 109 is a bit slower with a worse roll rate and compresses a bit more at high speeds, but generally you can fight with it using the same tactics as the Yak-9U so long as you know when to get on the WEP and stay fast.
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I'd move the La5FN out of the "easy group" and into the difficult. It has most of the same problems as the La7, plus, doesn't have the speed and only 2 cannons. It's a "complex" plane.... though a tonne of fun. Still has that nasty stall, bad ballistics, etc.
Putting planes in categories like this really deserves some details around why they are there though. Something like the Typhoon on the surface may appear to be awesome, but people who fly it know the limitations. It has dreadful roll rate and simply isn't fast enough to escape unless you get a reasonable start. It doesn't take damage well and the range is short (plus complicated because of all the different fuel tanks). That doesn't make it a bad plane, just one that takes understanding to fly properly.
Also, remember that something like the Spit V can be a dominant plane if flown well. A plane in the "new player" category likely has limits, but if you really know the plane and it's strengths/weaknesses, you can often extract enough performance out of it to be very successful.
-Soda
AH Trainer Corps.
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Just my 2 cents worth here.
For noobs I always recommend Spits.
They are very forgiving, easy to fly (which allows the pilot to learn/grasp the concept of ACM a little quicker).
I generally steer them tpwards the Spit V only because it turns better than the other models. They move on quite quickly to other aircraft once they "get " the concept.
I trained all of my squadron in Spits and it wasn't long before they moved on (quite succesfully) to other more demanding aircraft.
So all in all I agree with soda's assesment.
( I occasionally can be seen in a spit V or IX still, I kinda like being a "spit dweeb" somedays hehe).
I thiunk the F4U (all models) belongs more in the intermediate category. They are a different beast, but can pretty much B&Z with the B&Z'rs, turn with the turnfighters etc. It doesnt do either exceptionally well, but flown well it can be a devastating peice of equipment. Been my ride of choice for a while now, and I dont regard myself as one of the "top ten" by anymeans.
P38?...well I think this is definetly one for the advanced category.
In order to effectively fight with it, you will have alot of "cockpit management" going on. This plane is probably one of the best in here, if flown well. (unfortunatley I aint the guy to do it)
It is a handfull to fly and when I meet up with one (not knowing who the stick is), it tends to command a great deal of respect from me. I still remember getting a little lesson from Manx. I was in a N1K2 (actually I was in several of them because they kept blowing up). So here I agree with FTJR. With guys like these flying the P38, if you see one, it better grab your attention.
cheers,
RTR
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Just a thought on newby's and LA-7's.
Soda was quite correct about newby's and running.
Why?
The average new guy has almost no concept of energy/speed management. They have their hands full just trying to get turned around. Lead turns, 0G dives are unknown to them unless they are taught them.
If you don't believe me head on over to the TA for a half hour session. You don't even have to take yer favorite "MA fast" bird up. A Spit V or Zeke will be able to keep up with 95% or them. The other 5% have talked and worked with some of the trainers and are progressing well. Many have started their real flying in the CT because the planesets, of late, have been what they are learning on and the pace is a bit slower.
IMHO thats a good thing! Dump a new guy into the gristmill of the main arena and he/she will have a hard time of it. A little training, perhaps joining a squad to get help over the little plateau's that he/she is gonna encounter goes a long way. Beside's most of the new guys end up flying with us anyway! Let's make it fun for them and us!
So the LA7 isn't gonna do much to help the new guy.
:)
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Originally posted by hogenbor
It's hard to describe in words but at some point you just KNOW that it is futile to dive on that D-9 (or not) and that you CAN kill that Spit IX because you can oumaneuver him with your E-excess. The best thing of flying the F4U is that it forces you to plan ahead, plunge headlong into any fight and you will die a lot. It made me a better (= less average) pilot.
That's something you get with experience and it's all part of situational awarness. Sometimes SA isn't just what you see around you with your eyes but sometimes what you see in your mind. Like you said, it's really hard to describe but it's just a feeling you get.
Ack-Ack
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Originally posted by gofaster
Ready To Try Something More Complex:
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FW190A and F series
Bf109 w/30mm cannon option
Corsair - heavy from a carrier deck
Yak9T
P-40E
Mosquito (as a fighter)
Me-110 (as a fighter)
A-20 (as a fighter)
You might want to add the Ju-87 to that list as a fighter. I've found that nothing compares to the Ju-87 in a stall fight and it's always funny to see fighters run away from a Stuka. With the small caliber machine guns, you have to work for your kills but it's a satisfaction beyond measure when you see someone say on Channel 1, "WTF! I got shot down by a Stuka?!?!?".
Ack-Ack
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Originally posted by akak
You might want to add the Ju-87 to that list as a fighter. I've found that nothing compares to the Ju-87 in a stall fight and it's always funny to see fighters run away from a Stuka. With the small caliber machine guns, you have to work for your kills but it's a satisfaction beyond measure when you see someone say on Channel 1, "WTF! I got shot down by a Stuka?!?!?".
Ack-Ack
I've done the same thing in a Dauntless (after ditching the bombs). Its one tough bird and turns pretty good. One trick: the nose down escape maneuver with full dive brakes. Pop the brakes, ping'em with the tail gun, then watch'em overshoot, retract the brakes and give'em the business!
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The Ju-87, Dauntless, and Val all can do that.... it's like trying to hit a target that's barely moving in relation to you, yet dances all over the sky. Had a couple of guys who try and suck you into that kind of fight. Even had a guy in a Val who was looping so close to the ground that the extended landing gear would help him bounce back up into the air at the bottom of each loop.
I wouldn't consider this a standard sort of tactic though... it's more like toying with people. Anyone smart, simply extends for 10 seconds, then comes back for another pass vs trying to hang around and turn-fight with the risk of overshoot.
-Soda
AH Trainer Corps.
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Originally posted by akak
P-38s flown by players that don't regularly fly it are most likely the ones you've run up against.
Ack-Ack
tour 37 449 kills in p38
225 deaths in p38
:D I love my peeee38 :D
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Maybe I fly at the wrong hours but I've never seen a Stuka of Val being flown so well that I couldn't catch it or being pinged even. Had a Ju-88 dogfight me once though, I nearly died from laughing. I didn't get him, he chose to do so over a capped field so he had to fight a whole horde, but it was funny.
Akak's list is interesting, most of the planes he mentiones are indeed a bit harder, but most of them I managed to get kills in without too much trouble (and not too far away from friendlies :D)
What I really have trouble with is hitting something with 30mm and above, even the 20mm Mg151 give me trouble.
Another problem in the learning curve is dicerning what sort of pilot you're up against. Maybe 5% is really good but the rest?
This week I was flying the N1K2 for a change when my field got just captured. I was mauled badly by ack, lost a fuel tank, flap and aileron and decided to limp away. Two La-7's gave chase, one wisely gave up after the first hard turn, the second was foolish enough to try to dogfight me on the deck, I got him when he reversed too close to me.