Best plane for high alt buff killing

[Black Jack]

Would like to know what is the best plane for high buff killing. Something as high as 30k vs Lancs for example. What plane has the best guns, high alt performance, speed, to be able to actually make a pass on them withouth exposing yourself to their six o'clock guns. I've tried P47's, spits, pony's, p38's, even Me262 but not really sure which one was the best. At that alt the bombers seemed as fast as me no matter what I was flying. So to pass them, climb a little to slash on them was the only option I had. Not enough speed, performance to be able to climb over them and dive down like we can normally do at 20k and less and if you do, takes you for ever to get back to that alt again. So what plane do you guys use against those bombers at 30k going for the strats?? tks

[WWhiskey]

i like the big "juggs" for that, lots of guns, it just takes alot of time, time i would rather spend on lower alt targets. say around 15 to 20,000 feet.

[Hap]

30K M Jug Ta152 Spit 14 all of it depends on the pilot.

[WMLute]

Jug or Ta-152 are both @ 100kias faster than a B-17 @ 30k

[Krusty]

Ta152 doesn't really have all that great a performance up high at 30k+ -- it's okay, but it's squirrely. Jug is much much more stable. The tradeoff is the 152 has a high chance of a 1-pass kill (with 2x20mm and 1x30mm), so you might want the better guns, or you might want the better platform.

Pick and choose as you like. 

[Lusche]

While losing somewhat in performance beyond 25K, the Bf 109 K-4 is also still a great interceptor vs high alt bombers. The main advantage over the 47M and Ta 152 is that it can climb much faster to altitude, important feature when time is more crucial. (And comparing the K-4 to the Spit XIV: The Spit runs out of WEP before hitting 20K, the 109K still has 5mins to go, so it's the best climber in game.)

So if you got time to get to altitude & into position:
P-47's (all of them do well, but 47M is the best for this mission) -  Sturdy, long endurance, good view, very good firepower!
Ta--152 -  Firepower!
Honorable mention: P-51, F4U-4

If you need to get there quick:
BF-109K
Spit XiV (But note that this one, as all Spitfires, is very fragile. A few pings may remove your wing.)
Honorable mention: 109G-14 with or without gondolas (performance drops rather quick past 25K, but if the buffs are unescorted, you are still good)


All this refers to killing buffs well past 25K or even 30K. At 35k+, (happens very rarely thought) take the 47M.
If you want to compare planes yourself, you want to check out the plane performance comparison on the AH score page. In this context, climb rate is a much more valuable indicator than top speed.


But remember: The most important tool in your box is not your plane.
It's patience.

[RamPytho]

if they're at the strat and the ME163 base is close, then the ME163, if it ain't I don't bother 30k buffs

[BaldEagl]

The Ta-152 is too prone to radiator damage IMO. 

When it get's very high, even though it's slow, I like the Bf110G-2 with the big gun package.  I've sat right in a set of B-17's fire with one taking well over 50 hits and flown away with 3 kills. 

Another option for shear firepower is the Tempest although being a relatively expensive perkie you want to be careful.

I agree that the 109K-4 works well as do the Jugs and both the Spit XIV and XVI and, of course, the ME163 if it's close by.

[Patches1]

At 30,000 feet bombers in level flight have a very nice speed and fuel advantage, if they are well flown. I cannot think of a single World War II fighter that isn't challenged at that altitude with the exception of rocket powered and jet powered fighters (and they have limitations, as well).

I wrote a very long and detailed dissertation to answer your question and realized after I had written it that I had not answered your question.

So, here it is...short and sweet; it's the pilot, not the aircraft!

If you did not read the Map and DarBars correctly, if you did not anticipate the altitude of the bombers, if you did not factor in the climb rate of your aircraft, if you did not factor in fuel burn, and if you did not set an intercept course that would put you 3-5 k above the bombers and match their speed, then no aircraft will be "best"; you must visualize and set up the shot long before it happens.

Now, as to what aircraft you fly to accomplish this...that's up to you. Personally, I like the F4U Series, and I've shot down many buffs at 25-30 K in a Corsair. You may opt to fly an ME-262, or an ME-163, or a TA-152, or an A6M...it doesn't matter as long as you know the performance of your aircraft, have the skill level to fly the aircraft at 30K altitudes, and have the patience to set up the encounter.

Another keynote...I learned that if I want to know how to shoot down bombers...it's probably a good idea to learn how to fly them and defend them.

I'll stop here. There's more, but digest this first.

<S>

...just some thoughts

[mtnman]

...and have the patience to set up the encounter.

Sure, it takes a long time to set up a proper attack.  But then again, it took the buffs a long time to get to where they are too.

Al of the listed planes will do just fine.  If...  you take the time to set it up.  If you don't, then even the "best" plane on the list will appear inadequate.

[Ardy123]

It takes a while to get up there but I like taking the me262 way up there to hunt buffs. Also if its a strat raid, sometimes you can up a me163.

[TonyJoey]

If you have the patience ( I don't) to climb up to 30k with a 110, then do so. Take the rockets, and learn how to use em. If you do, you'll kill all of them while staying out of gun range. It's a blast, pun intended.

[W7LPNRICK]

Bf-110G-2 with air to air rockets. 

[whiteman]

during my first 9 months i use to take the 110G-2 up to 25k and go buff hunting. Can have a few beers, joke with squadies then kill some buffs when you find them. Was easier to do on maps like NDisles and the other small maps.

[Saurdaukar]

High alt buff killing?

Jugs.  No contest.