This film shows about 8 mins of 109G2 flying for anyone that is interested. Aiming for the newer players who seek to learn a few acms in a non-typical MA plane choice. The fight with the yak and 190 starts about 2 mins in.
Film link:
http://www.freeroleentertainment.com/109g2_vs_yak190.ahf Some points to concentrate on non-specific to the G2:
-Knowing it is a multi-plane fight, I was trying not to get fixated on either enemy. Defense as a primary, offence as oppertunity arises in small bursts but quickly reset to defence.
-Spacial Awareness. Keep that head on a swivel. If you don't see the enemy then your turns are only going to work by chance. Constantly searching for the next attack is a key element to surviving a multi-plane duel.
For an example of SA deciding your action, look at 04:45 into the film. The choice is there to evade left or right from the Yak's attack, the relative possition of the 190 dictates the best way to initialy break is left, turning into the 190 and prolonging the time before it next gets a shot. Then shortly after the same option is offered, and the same theory put into play. Turning to evade the rear con whilst hopefully also provding the second con with as short a chance as possible.
-Tell the future! Not quite like the old woman at the fair, but similar. SA is not just about your eyes. Predicting the possible flight paths of enemy cons can be just as usefull as watching them the whole time, if not more so, as it leaves you free to look elsewhere. An example at 04:25 shows the yak making an attack run but holding fire. The G2 is able to present a small target and then ignore the yak. The G2 knows that even with the best possible flying from the yak there is enough time to watch the 190 for 5 seconds before re-evaluate the yak again. When looking back 5 seconds later it appears the yak flew almost perfectly and is now d800 and holding. Time to switch our attention that-a-way.
- Don't fixate. Unless you are 110% certain you can make a killshot before you become at risk, do not fixate on one target at any time. Many times you can see my unsteady aim with the G2 failing to connect on dead 6 shots. This is often the time to stop shooting and re-evaluate threats. However, if you
can make that killshot before you get shot at yourself, then that is the best scenario. Know your limits and don't hesitate to take the course of action you think more likely to succede.
-Be small. This sounds funny but it is an integral part of not being killed. When ever possible, calculated evasives that do not waste E are preferable. If you can point a wingtip at the attack you are offering as slim a profile as possible. This tactic can be seen throughout the film.
-Be calm. Much as it is the hardest thing to do when excited, being relaxed will help alot with your thought process and with your flying and gunnery. Chill out man!
- Don't flop around. Much as it is tempting to stir the stick to avoid being shot, I suggest not to. Flying smoothly and presenting a small target as possible is a much better way to keep your stamina up. Flopping like a dead fish is only going to do one of two things: Get you killed anyhow or set you up to be Boom n Zoomed to death. If you are going to be shot, stay calm, move smoothly. Timing is everything and a smooth move at the right time is far better than a wild move at the wrong time.
- Don't HO. This one speaks for itself. See if you can count how many head on shot's the 109G2 denies by not flying straight at the enemy guns blazing. I won't get into a debate on to ho or not to ho here. I suggest if the G2 had tried to ho it would have lost that fight 9 out of 10 times. This is just personal preference and it is up to you.
A few tips specific to the G2:
- The G2 is probably the best suited 109 for a low alt turning fight in my opinion, that however could be up for debate! It has all the power you could need (unless you like flying with no risk at all). It's turns very well at high speed, with flaps out it also performs excelently at low speed. Both in horizontal and vertical aspects. Use it aggressively to pressure your opponent, or defensively to avoid being shot, either way it will excell against less agile fighters like the yak and 190. People assume that as it bears an iron cross on the wing it must be rubbish at turn fighting. For the G2 this could not be further form the truth.
- Don't fixate. Mentioned twice for importance. The G2 guns are its only weak point. They work perfectly well....if you can hit anything! Don't get killed stressing over a low % shot. Take your time and wait for a certain chance. This does not mean hold fire at all times untill you have a killshot, it simply means 'take your low % shot but if you miss get over it instantly and go back to SA mode'. Don't get depressed and ruin your confidence by these missed low % shots, just wipe the slate clean and look to flying for a better shot.
- Engine. It's got alot of torque, be carefull not to spin out during slow turns because you had the WEP firewalled. If you leave the WEP on during a stall turn you are likely to get unintended roll.
- Flaps. They are excelent flaps on the G2, quick and with various degrees to play with. Try not to use them if you want to remain fast. Once you hang on the flaps for a few turns you will be very slow and easy to hit in a 2 on 1 situation. Use them when needed, but never forget to withdraw them the moment they are not needed if you want to maximise your energy.
- Guns. Small bursts and patience. When you have a shot, don't try to correct your aim at the last seconds or you will jerk and spray around your target. You will need a good solid burst to hit the same spot so smooth aim is essential. You don't have alot of ammo either. Consider anything over 250 yards as a low % shot. If the target is a full plan view you might have luck out to 450-500 yards but don't waste your ammo. You could try plinking with the MGs at range, these guns are essential useless at any range so use them as a psycological tool.
- Agression. Be agressive, every time you fly straight you give your enemies more time to setup a gun solution. Always try to be turning into the biggest threat and constaly watching all cons to see where the second and third threats might come from. Aggression does not have to mean attacking, it just means you are up for a fight and are not going to be killed running away.
Cant think of anything else yet but probably lots of things I forgot or got wrong. Please feel free to comment or correct the post anyone. This is a layman's explanation from a layman, just trying to describe it as I see it. Anyone who could shed some technical light on what is going on here I would be most gratefull.
Salute to the two guys in the yak and 190. I was lucky a few times, they both flew very well in their respective aircraft (two difficult planes to fly).
