* On the matter of MG151/20 Gondolas on the "Gustav" series of 109s..
There are lot of planes which climb slow, turn worse, and inferior in top speed compared to Bf 109s. But with enough awareness about what goes on around, they manage to survive despite harsh odds.
In my opinion, the same thing can be said about the gondolas. They slow down your rate of roll, effect climbing rates, add drag ... etc etc.. but there are advantages as much as there are disadvantages, and whether or not one outweighs the other
sorely depends on the preference of the pilot.
For instance, personally, I've had good success taking off in a G10 with gondolas in a low alt base-defense sorties against enemy carrier based planes. Gondolas, effect performance, but in a situation like this the G10 even with its performance hampered by extra guns still has an edge more than enough. Still climbs better and still fast enough. Or, when one chooses to patrol near sectors of heavy enemy activity, the odds are there will be an enemy buff nearby, and the only one who can get to it in time is probably the pilots in 109s.
It really is a matter of one's taste. If I had to fly 1 vs 1, I'd definately fly without the extra weapons. But since the MA is rarely - if ever - frequent in 1 vs 1 fight, taking extra ammo while keeping your sense heightened to compensate for the lost performance may seem a worthy alternative - at least, in my case I find the gondolas worthy enough.
..
* Back to the original question...
I am not in anyway a skilled pilot
, just another average Joe. But after experimenting with lots of planes for a
long time, it just happened that one day, I started upping in 109s - G2, G6s, G10s.. and after that day, I couldn't fly any other plane.
The 109Gs, with some clever rudder assists and angle/Energy management, can turn surprisingly well for an energy fighter. Flying the 109s in a 'timid' or "pure BnZ" style, contrary to popular belief, isn't very successful, since 109s have horrible high speed handling.
Thus, 109s render great success when you fly it more aggressively. Of course, the more you are aggressive, the larger the danger of being bounced upon grows. You need careful timing and calculation on the odds surrounding you.
How long may I chase the target down? Would it be safe to engage that feller? Would that high bogey chase me? And if he does, what will I do?... etc are all part of the careful planning before you enter a fight in a 109. And you have to make sure to promptly break off from the fight when the limit you have set is broken.
To even it all out, 109s are
"Hybrid" style of BnZers. They'll never shoot down someone in a pure high speed pass in the way P-51s and P-47s are capable of(unless it's a total surprise). You dive down with speed, go co-alt with enemy with that speed, engage aggressively in a semi-turnfight with careful E management for a limited short time, then break away and climb high.
Words of wisdom on 109s
"The 109 is a rapier, quickly in, quickly out"
"Think of yourself as a monkey on the ceiling with a hammer, wait until some unwary fellow isn't looking, then swoop down and smack him on the head, quickly climb back up again, repeat as necessary." - from ASSASINS' 'Gustav for Dummies'
[ 12-17-2001: Message edited by: Kweassa ]
