Author Topic: P51d worth only at high alts?  (Read 495 times)

Offline maltesh

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P51d worth only at high alts?
« on: July 23, 2002, 07:44:55 AM »
Hello, I am a very new user of Aces High and this is my first post to this forum and so pardon me if I ask a silly question or something that has already been asked by someone else.

I notice that in order to really get P51d to combat mode, one has to gain high altitude (around 10,000) and engine warmed up. It also turns and twists better than others at high altitude but at low alts, it does not do that well. It dives really good (my wings got ripped when I did that with a Spitfire) but guns are quite weak. I have to do lots of shooting before I got something down.

Anyone else has other views on this. And just to flag off the tail, which is better P51d or F4u in terms of turning and lethality?

Thanks :)

Offline gofaster

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P51d worth only at high alts?
« Reply #1 on: July 23, 2002, 08:28:14 AM »
The P-51D works best when you're above the enemy and can get up some speed.  The Mustang will outturn a Spitfire at high speeds, but the Spitfire will outturn the Mustang at low speeds.  The Mustang has average lethality - some planes with cannons will pack a bigger punch and some planes with cannons will pack a weaker punch (depending on the number of cannons being carried).

The Corsair is a bit slower and can turn better than a P-51D, but both pack the same punch.  The Corsair's main advantage over the Mustang is the ability to land on both land and sea.  The Corsair's main advantage is in scoring: your kills in a Corsair will build more perk points than kills in a Mustang.  The Mustang has the advantage of higher speed and better visibility.

Personally, I prefer the P51B and the F4U-1 over the P-51D and the F4UD.  The early models seem better balanced and have better handling.

Offline maltesh

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P51d worth only at high alts?
« Reply #2 on: July 23, 2002, 09:44:07 AM »
Thanks for the info. Im yet to try all the planes and am starting off with what were perceived to be the best fighters during WWII. :)

Offline gofaster

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P51d worth only at high alts?
« Reply #3 on: July 24, 2002, 01:25:17 PM »
By the way, that information can only be used if you're a Knight in the Master Arena.  Otherwise, if you try to put that information to use, your computer will lock up and your harddrive will crash.  A copy of the report will be sent to your government and your school grades will be erased, along with a note being sent to your parents explaining how you are a generally bad person.

Oh, and if you have a dog, it will run away.

Offline Pei

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P51d worth only at high alts?
« Reply #4 on: July 24, 2002, 08:58:59 PM »
The P-51 is an awsome plane at high speed, but only mediocre at lower speeds. It doesn't accelerate or climb too well (though it's zoom climb is good). it dives well and doesn't bleed speed quickly.
As you mentioned it is very good at high alt.
The trick is to keep your speed above 250 when there is an enemy nearby and absolutely never get caught on the deck with your speed winding down. Use Boom and Zoom mostly, once you get the hang of it you can be a bit more agressive, using lag tactics to maintain speed.
Also remember you can use one notch of flaps to increase your turn below 400mph (though this will mean you bleed speed quicker).
When in trouble dive to get to very high speed (500+) then extend.
« Last Edit: July 24, 2002, 09:01:03 PM by Pei »

Offline ergRTC

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P51d worth only at high alts?
« Reply #5 on: July 28, 2002, 09:49:55 AM »
wow ah in india.  Nice.  My 2 cents on the runstang.

Run.

If that doesnt work, run some more.

This plane should never ever be used in a turn fight, always stay at 20k and 400mph.  Throttle back and dive in on your oponents for bnzs and always extend.  If somebody dives on you, dive and when you get near 550mph, maneuver, most other planes in the game cant do that well.  By maneuver I mean roll tight to the right or left and basically end up going in the oppisite direction and level.  

Always fly in the Ct.  That way you wont be fighting other mustangs, or la7s.

erg

Offline Kweassa

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P51d worth only at high alts?
« Reply #6 on: July 28, 2002, 08:25:35 PM »
Mustangs are excellent planes, but they are way over-hyped.

 It's a generally very bad plane to fight in when you don't have either numbers or alt advantage, and the only truly amazing capability that ensures its survival is the dive-and-run factor. Doesn't climb too good, doesn't accelerate too good(however, a slight dive gives out very good acceleration), doesn't turn well. In a 1v1 situation I'd guess the Bf109G-10 would dominate the fight most of the times unless the Mustang had something like a 5000 feet altitude advantage.. and even then, one good lure&bait and the Bf109G-10 can turn the tables quickly.

 However, when they are working in groups at high altitudes over 15k, retain alt advantage and keep their speed up high, they are very versatile.

 Capable plane, but over-hyped.