What plane should I learn next?

[loonetik]

I have been flying simulators for along time now. I started out in flight simulator and moved into things like air warrior, war birds, etc... I have been in aces high off and on since launch.

My favorite plane in air warrior was the p38. In aces high I started flying the 190d (well ok LA7 but, everyone did right?), moved to the p51 for awhile, throw in a Hurricane IIC when we are being camped and now I am pretty much purely a KI84 pilot. I am mainly an energy fighter, little bnz, and very little t&b.

I recently watched dogfight episodes about the Corsair and P38 so I am pumped up and want to learn something new. I know the P38 is no where as good as it was in air warrior. Maybe because its more realistic here?.. I know the Corsair is a good plane, but I see some talk over flying the f6f instead. I also see guys in the tempest survive so much so that kind of interests me. I’ve never flown a typhoon or tempest.

I know this is question is all based on opinion but, what would you guys suggest?

[Ghosth]

Spend a couple of months in a spitfire first learning the Flight Model and gunnery and damage models. Then slowly start experiementing with different planes and tactics.

Yak9u is another good choice for an intermediate plane that will both turn and E fight.

[loonetik]

Originally posted by Ghosth
Spend a couple of months in a spitfire first learning the Flight Model and gunnery and damage models. Then slowly start experiementing with different planes and tactics.

Yak9u is another good choice for an intermediate plane that will both turn and E fight.

What it sounds like you are saying is "learn the basics". I feel I already know a lot of the basics. Is there another reason for you suggesting this path?

[Tiger]

Go with the corsair... blue planes are fun.

[Ack-Ack]

Originally posted by loonetik

 I know the P38 is no where as good as it was in air warrior. Maybe because its more realistic here?

Actually, whatever you could do in the P-38 in AW, you can do it with the P-38s in AH and a lot more.  In the hands of an experienced player, the P-38 is by far one of the more deadly planes in the game.


ack-ack

[SuBWaYCH]

Corsairs's a great plane to learn. Holds E OK but absolutely deadly in the BnZ and turnfighting. I would suggest learning the 1-hog first (just the plain 1 model) so you can get a feel for the other F4U's. 1-A a great turnfighter and BnZ AC, while the 1-D is more of an attack/multirole aircraft. 1-C has great armament and a good payload, but is perked. F4U-4 im pretty sure THE fastest prop aircraft on the deck, and is perked pretty well. Also a great payload. This bird can TURN!!

But really its up to you on what plane you should pick. As prevuisly stated, Yak is a good plane as well

[Oldman731]

Originally posted by loonetik
I know this is question is all based on opinion but, what would you guys suggest?

There are so many planes in AH2, almost all of them are fun to fly (I exclude the P-40B from this statement).  So, MY advice is to try them all, sooner or later.

The AH P-38, as Ack-Ack says, is one of the best fighters in AH, once you learn how to fly it.  I think that it's also one of the hardest to learn to fly well, just as it was in AW FR.  Same for the Corsair.  

- oldman (And I'm still working on the FW 190A8.)

[Ghosth]

Really is up to you Loonetik, you say you've been here on & off. But that really doesn't tell me how good you are, or where your at skill wise.

Its possible a couple of nights in the TA and some time with a good trainer would have you setup and ready to go.  Over the years I've seen a lot of people come here from other sims. Some just need a few days to adjust and they are ready to go. Others never really mastered one on one combat with a live human and virtually start from scratch to get it right. It is of course your dime and your time.

[SgtPappy]

From what I hear, the P-38's not even a plane.
It's a monster.
One deadlier to the wielder than to the enemy if flown aimlessly.
But if flown correctly, I'm assuming it is one of the most deadly energy fighters in the game even if there are other guys out there that are experts in their spixteens, lala's and what have you.
Except MAYBE the F4U. I can't even find a way to kill Hog's while flying P-38's but that's just cuz i stink.

[loonetik]

Whether the p38 in aces high in the right hands is good or not, it was a dominating plane in air warrior. Even in bad hands. All I was trying to say was that was my plane of choice in air warrior.

[Fruda]

Originally posted by loonetik
Whether the p38 in aces high in the right hands is good or not, it was a dominating plane in air warrior. Even in bad hands. All I was trying to say was that was my plane of choice in air warrior.

So, you're saying that you sucked?

Anyway, try the Yak-9U. It's an extremely deadly plane below 10,500 feet... In capable hands (just as the MiG-3 is black death above that altitude, but since we don't have it, that point is rather moot, isn't it?).

It accelerates very well. It turns very well. Its controls are very responsive, and it's a stable plane. It has some pretty heavy shortcomings that keep most pilots away from it, though.

For starters, it doesn't have the most devastating weapons package --- 2x 7.62mm and 1x 20mm, in the nose and cowl, respectively. Along with that, while the Yak is a stable fighter, it's not quite so stable when you're trying to position yourself for a kill. And to top it all off, it doesn't have very much range, and it flat-out sucks up high.

That said, it's excellent below the previously stated altitude. If you fly it properly (read: don't turn fight with Spitfires), you'll succeed. And the Yak is second only to Focke Wulfs in Rolling Scissors.

Try it... But watch that trigger finger.

[Rich46yo]

I think you should discover the wonder-plane called the B-26 Martin Marauder.

[Luigi30]

Seconding the Yak-9U. It's one of the lightest and fastest planes in the game. With a 50% fuel load it can out-turn a lot of other planes. The problem is it carries about 3 seconds of ammo for its MGs and cannon.

But since it's made out of Russian plywood, by the time you run out of ammo you've probably lost half your control surfaces as well

[AirFlyer]

You could always try A6M, I would suggest the A6M5b for starting though. It's a fine plane but you won't see it often do to the idea no one likes slow planes, and other reasons.

Maneuverability: The best in the game when the speeds are slow except for the A6M2. Although if the speeds pick up past 250 it becomes a lot harder to turn and you start blacking out fast.

Speed: Probably the biggest factor that dictates why it isen't used. It's slow, really slow... 288 MPH on the deck and 330 at 10,000 Ft. Anything higher then that is a waste of time. There is also no WEP for it.

Armament: Pretty fair, but unfortunetly the gun ballistics themself are atrocious. With 1x 7.7mm(680 Rpg) Cowl Mounted and 1x 13mm(250 Rpg) Cowl Mounted and 2x 20mm(125 Rpg) its not horrible on ammo. Keep the 20mm's for 200 Yrd. shots and the Cowlings for everything else, with practice you can hit targets out to 800 Yrds. if they are flying a straight line.

All in all this is a short over-view of the plane, there are plenty more Pros and Cons to look at, but for the best experience try it yourself a few times, if you like it, keep flying it, if you don't, you can always try an other plane.

[WMLute]

Originally posted by Fruda
Anyway, try the Yak-9U. It's an extremely deadly plane below 10,500 feet...

 And to top it all off, it doesn't have very much range, and it flat-out sucks up high..

Yak-9U dominates 16-17k.  Only thing faster w/o wep @ that alt (prop plane) is a Tempest.  190D and 190K are a bit faster w/ wep.  (and of course the temp)

Of the 4 planes that are "close" or en par to it's speed @ that alt, it out maneuvers 'em handily.

Great ride.