What do YOU consider the best fighter?

[Chalenge]

In Aces High the only thing that matters is how the plane suits the pilot.

[MachFly]

only thing that matters is how the plane suits the pilot.

True

[moot]

viz. the long list of virtuosos with huge kill streaks in C202s, Stukas, A6M2s, 190F8s, etc.

[frosty]

spit16? i think p38 better than spit16 at this part

Given 2 inexperienced pilots, the Spixteen wins every time.  Between 2 experienced pilots, it's a lot closer.

[Delirium]

Spit16 has a better roll rate, a higher speed with wep (without wep it is very close), a better climb rate, better acceleration, and can reverse a heck of a lot faster than a 38J/L can (and much better than the G can).

Hammer's charts state the Spit16 has more damage output until's cannons are gone, while I agree on paper, I disagree in practice.

That said, I wouldn't want to see the Spit16 perked. Fighting them with a good pilot at the controls is like swinging two bats on the way to the plate.

http://gonzoville.com/ahcharts/index.php

[whiteman]

for me personaly

Air to Air - F4U-1A
Dump Truck - F6F
Best of Both Worlds - F4U-4

[Ghosth]

Best for what?

Planes are like tools, each has something that it is good at. Some are more specialized (A6m = turn)
Some are faster (la7)  others have more armament (N1k2).

However if you want a decent plane, that is fair at most things, easy to fly, and easy to learn basic ACM in, its hard to beat the Spitfire 8. Its not uber in any way compared to its other spit brethren. It can't outturn a spit 5, nor outrun or outclimb a spit 16. But it does all things fairly well. In capable hands it is truly a jack of all trades.

Now if you truly want the "best of the best" your talking perk planes for the most part. Good luck accumulating the points to fly those late war monsters.
Exceptions would be the spit 16, la7, 109k4, p51.
All fast, all very capable killers if flown well.

[Klauss]

"Given 2 inexperienced pilots, the Spixteen wins every time.  Between 2 experienced pilots, it's a lot closer." - noob in spit16 and noob in p38, spit wins (p38 noob will try and turn with the spit16), both pilots are exp. p38 wins..as i see  it, nothing close. p38 will get alt advantage and keep it that way, will bnz spit16 pilot, and will not fall into getting gready and follow him down in a turn fight.

[BnZs]

"Given 2 inexperienced pilots, the Spixteen wins every time.  Between 2 experienced pilots, it's a lot closer." - noob in spit16 and noob in p38, spit wins (p38 noob will try and turn with the spit16), both pilots are exp. p38 wins..as i see  it, nothing close. p38 will get alt advantage and keep it that way, will bnz spit16 pilot, and will not fall into getting gready and follow him down in a turn fight.

The P-38's top speed is *1mph* faster than the SpitXVI right on the deck. The P-38 is slower than the SpitXVI's from 1-10K. The P-38 has basically the same speed or a little slower up until 20K. The P-38 is decidedly inferior in climb from the deck to 30K.

So the P-38 cannot expect to build an E advantage over a co-E or superior-E SpitfireXVI, cannot turn with the SpitXVI, and cannot have any expectation of being able to disengage reliably below 20K. IOW, the P-38, like numerous planes in the set, is indisputably double-inferior to the SpitXVI and at a decided disadvantage when engaging them below 20K.

[Saurdaukar]

Yeah I'd put my money on the 16 without much hesitation.

The A/C has no significant weakness while the 38 has plenty.

But... we've already had that thread, have we not?

[BnZs]

Yeah I'd put my money on the 16 without much hesitation.

The A/C has no significant weakness while the 38 has plenty.

But... we've already had that thread, have we not?

Many people apparently think of the SpitXVI as another slow plane that turns well, that will easily be avoided by most any lesser turner who b'n'z's and keeps their speed up. I until I actually checked the stats. Just educating the public my friend. 

[Klauss]

"The P-38's top speed is *1mph* faster than the SpitXVI right on the deck. The P-38 is slower than the SpitXVI's from 1-10K" - P51 has better top speed than the p38 at all altitudes. P51 can't catch the P38 in a pure climbing fight, simple as that. Same for the spit16, it can't catch the p38 in a vertical fight. IN equal conditions , p38 can built alt advantage over the spit16.
"annot turn with the SpitXVI" -  who said about turning anything? Why would you want to turn with the p38 when the spit16 is the opponent, i just go up, turn only to adjust shooting position, nothing more.
I pray for a good p38 driver to see this topic.

[BnZs]

"The P-38's top speed is *1mph* faster than the SpitXVI right on the deck. The P-38 is slower than the SpitXVI's from 1-10K" - P51 has better top speed than the p38 at all altitudes. P51 can't catch the P38 in a pure climbing fight, simple as that. Same for the spit16, it can't catch the p38 in a vertical fight. IN equal conditions , p38 can built alt advantage over the spit16.
"annot turn with the SpitXVI" -  who said about turning anything? Why would you want to turn with the p38 when the spit16 is the opponent, i just go up, turn only to adjust shooting position, nothing more.
I pray for a good p38 driver to see this topic.

Klauss:
The SpitXVI enjoys a ROC climb advantage of 1000fpm or so up to 20K. This is huge. The SpitXVI also retains E better under Gs. From memory, when I last tested zoom climbs, starting at the deck and 400mph, a P-38 zoomed to 7000feet, compared to the SpitXVI's 6000 feet and some change. Less than 1000 feet difference=less than 333.33 yards=within guns range. Below 10K, the P-38 cannot expect to out-run the SpitXVI in level flight, much less build an alt advantage in any sort of climb. Thus from a Co-E start, there really is no conceivable way for a P-38 to build an E advantage over the SpitXVI below 20K. Granted, the P-38 has the singular advantage of torque-less operation, this will be a help if the P-38 is lucky enough to engage a SpitXVI from a position of initial advantage, however, it makes much less difference Co-E than many assume, perhaps because torque effect in AHII seems rather mild to begin with.

[Klauss]

the problem is that i don't start zooming with you at 0 feet from me...or 100 feet..understand? that will never happen. Let's go to DA now, recort the fight, post it here. I may be so wrong.

[BnZs]

What is your call-sign?