P-51B Pilot

[Dominare]

Ok, so I've been playing for about... 5 days now. I have tried some planes out and I have really liked the P-51B the most, and in one of the main arenas I've gotten 4 kills with it.
First off I would like to know if someone with more experience could teach me abit about flying the aircraft.
Second I was curious as to how many people use it and why/why not.
And third, would a P-51B specialized pilot be wanted in a squadron.

[humble]

P51B is a fine bird and the trade off is really longer firing time vs 6 guns. The B actually outperforms the D by a small margin at lower alts as well. The D however is a much better plane with regards to ord package.

Bunch of squads fly the D and suprisingly many of them whined alot when the ENY 1st came out so I dont know how they feel about a B driver but many squads (71 Squadron for sure) could care less what you fly. We fly knight and use 171 vox, feel free to join us anytime. We have a number of guys who are good pony drivers so you should have no problem finding a helping hand. Anytime you see me up (run ".f snaphook") I'd be happy to fly a pony hop or two for you to ride along as an observer...

[Spatula]

I fly the P-51D quite a bit and like it much more than the B. The main reason is that the B just doesnt pack quite enough punch to end fights quickly enough for my liking. Its snap-shot kill ability is pretty average. The D performs better at the mid to low altitudes, while the B shines very brightly indeed up high. As most fights in the MA happen down low (say under 10k), the D is the most suited to MA play. The D has better visibility, better guns, better mid to low alt performance (speed and climb). The turn ability is all but identical, turn rates are pretty close to exactly the same, the B has a marginally better turn radius.

I wrote a write up on the P51 series:
http://www.my2cents.co.nz/AKUAG/TheVault_Files/P51Guide.aspx

If you like the B, fly the B, thats what matters, really.

What times are you usually on?

[Dominare]

I liked the B better than the D so far, though I haven't used the D very much (even though it is my favorite WWII plane.) The main thing I don't like about the B is that it takes quite abit of lead in the air to take someone down, and I try to BnZ so I usually have to make multiple runs on a target. I think I will try the D more now, but I won't give up the B.
I live in PST zone, but I'm on almost any time during the day or night, and nice piece on the P-51s Spatula.

[Alky]

I wrote a write up on the P51 series:
http://www.my2cents.co.nz/AKUAG/TheVault_Files/P51Guide.aspx

Good read!! Thanx   

[Motherland]

I liked the B better than the D so far, though I haven't used the D very much (even though it is my favorite WWII plane.) The main thing I don't like about the B is that it takes quite abit of lead in the air to take someone down, and I try to BnZ so I usually have to make multiple runs on a target. I think I will try the D more now, but I won't give up the B.
I live in PST zone, but I'm on almost any time during the day or night, and nice piece on the P-51s Spatula.

You'll find that, when you move to non-American planes that dont have the .50 caliber M2 MG's, that the Pony requires very, very, little lead. Flying a German plane with MG151/20's most of the time, I found myself pulling probably 100-200 yards ahead of the N1K's in the D-hog in last fso 

[AWwrgwy]

You'll find that, when you move to non-American planes that dont have the .50 caliber M2 MG's, that the Pony requires very, very, little lead. Flying a German plane with MG151/20's most of the time, I found myself pulling probably 100-200 yards ahead of the N1K's in the D-hog in last fso 

Think he meant Lead (Pb), i.e. bullets, not "leed".  But I agree with your "leading" statement.   

wrngway

[Motherland]

*slaps himself* Duh... in that case I completely agree with him 

[uberslet]

i fly the 51D more than the B, but i almost like the B better for some reason. not sure if its because its harder to get kills in because of the higher ENY or what it is. i prefer the 51B though, turns better, seems about the same in a climb/dive as the D.