Author Topic: Merging against P-38s... (Read 592 times)

Cobra412 · « **on:** March 08, 2004, 11:36:19 PM »

Well I'm fairly new to AH and I'm curious as to what the key is to merging against a 38? I've just started learning to fly the G-10 and just can't seem to get the merge down.

If we are both co alt and at the same energy state what is the way to approach the merge against a good 38 pilot? I've found that zooming isn't the key as the 38s zoom is just as good as the G10 or so it seems. Extending on the merge only leads to yet another merge which if the routine continues gets boring. Spiral climbs don't seem to help much due to the fact that by the time I come around the 38 has the same alt and same energy state again but is a better turner.

I can get shots off in atleast the first two passes if we both zoom and begin to spiral fight down but it doesn't seem to do much damage. Atleast not enough to warrant staying in the fight for more than those two passes. And disengaging at that time is risky cause they can slip in behind and decend just as good if not better than me.

Any help with this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Director · « **Reply #1 on:** March 09, 2004, 12:40:02 AM »

A HO might actually work, since a good P38 pilot will be trying to dive under you.

A HO against a poorer (or braver) P38 pilot will get you killed, pretty much only a 110 has the gun package to face down the P38's concentrated guns and live. (Although that spinner cannon is nothing to sneeze at.)

The P38 can't climb as well as the G10 (which hurts the P38, since that's usually its strongest point), so your spiral climb should work just fine. If you're having trouble with the other plane cutting you off, then you're making your loops too tight. As I said, the P38's climb is usually the strongest feature in a dogfight, so it's unlikely a dedicated stick (like myself) would notice they were being led into a trap.

If you're at a super-high alt, you can always dive and get them to compress at around 500mph, at which point any turns you make --if they can follow at all-- will cause them to black out. Then you've got the upper hand.

2bighorn · « **Reply #2 on:** March 09, 2004, 02:05:33 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Director
...at which point any turns you make...

...if any at all, will be pull-up with the elevator trim...

Eagler · « **Reply #3 on:** March 09, 2004, 07:25:05 AM »

a lightly loaded g6 will kill them t&bin 95% of time

Grits · « **Reply #4 on:** March 09, 2004, 08:46:45 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by storch
I lightly loaded G6 flown by Eagler will kill an F22 T&B'n 95% of the time also.

Yeah, I was gonna add "Flown by Eagler" too....

daddog · « **Reply #5 on:** March 09, 2004, 04:49:41 PM »

Quote

The P38 can't climb as well as the G10

Only if the G10 has the 2 extra 2mm right?

Quote

It is a truly awesome plane in the right hands.

Boy that is the truth.

Cobra where in California are you?

------------------------
CO CM daddog
332nd Flying Mongrels
Roster
Noses in the wind since 1997.

Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake. - Napoleon Bonaparte

Cobra412 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 09, 2004, 07:31:15 PM »

Thanks for the inputs all. I guess I'll just have to try it out and see what gives. I'll loosen my turns in the spiral climb and see where it leads me. I'll also try the double immelman.

Daddog I'm stationed at Edwards AFB...

daddog · « **Reply #7 on:** March 12, 2004, 02:51:40 PM »

Do you know where Sonora is? I am east of that about 30 minutes in a small town called Twain Harte about 4000' up in the Sierra Nevada.

Edwards? That is near Sac right?

Cobra412 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 12, 2004, 09:27:56 PM »

Daddog yeah I know where Sonora is. I use to go there every once in awhile before I left California for the military. Edwards is down south above LA in the Mojave Desert area.