Airframe choice and convergence questions from a new guy.

[zampheer]

I know these have been answered before in the forums.  But the answers I think are sort of old.  So I’d like to ask them again.

I’ve been on for about two weeks.  I know how to fly, and know a bit of theory on BCM and ACM.  I’ve racked up a few dozen kills and assists, but am mostly a danger to myself…especially this week when I turned off the stall limiter!

My two questions are:

1 – I’ve been using the Spit XIV based on recommendations in the forum.  Is this a good choice?  I’d like to pick and air-to-air machine and stick with it until I ‘master’ it. 

2 – what should I be using as a convergence.  I’m happy to go spend a few hours at the range getting good. But it seems like once you get dialed into a convergence zone, it’s probably a bit of a challenge to change it around.  I have it set at 325 for the MG and 300 for the cannon.  Is this a good set up to get dialed in?

To the Bishops thanks for your patience.  To the Rooks and Knights…glad to help you pump up your stats this month!

Awesome game.  Glad to find it.

[Soulyss]

Here's my take/opinions - keep in mind they're just that, opinions get a few different ones and see what works best for you.

1.  I think the Spit is a great starter bird for someone who's interested in air-to-air fighting.  It's reasonably fast, climbs well, accelerates well, has a good turn radius and the 20mm have plenty of punch.  That being said I think the Spit XIV is probably not the best of the bunch for a new player, I would tend to recommend either the Spit VIII, IX, or XVI.    The XIV is probably the least forgiving from a handling point of view.

2.  As for convergence, within the effective range of your weapons, it is largely pilot preference.  For either the 20mm hispano cannon or the .50 cal MG's 300 yards will give you plenty of hitting power, the only advice I can offer there is there isn't one magic convergence that works for everyone.  What's far more important is knowing the drop and lead at the convergence you're using.  Aim is far more important than convergence so don't change it too often in search for the sweet spot.

[SIK1]

I think Soulyss hit the nail on the head. I would recommend the spit viii, or ix as a starter bird, the xiv is probably the least forgiving of the spits. Personally I like convergence in close but again as Soulyss said it is a personal preference. The biggest fault of the spits is the small clip so get in close for the shot and try to make everyone count.

That being said keep the stall limiter off and learn to control the plane on the edge of the envelope, and how to recover it when you cross that edge. Work with a trainer for at least a session or two. The insight someone like Morfiend can give you is invaluable in setting you up for success in the air to air arena. Don't be afraid of going into fights where you don't have the advantages, they can be great learning tools. In the begging don't worry about your score. Fight for the sake of the fight.

Welcome to your new addiction.

[BaldEagl]

First of all get out of the Spit XIV.  It's the hardest of the Spits to fly and, in fact, doesn't handle like any other Spit.

I personally prefer the Spit IX although it's best at high or low alts with a dead spot in performance from about 16K to about 20K.  The XIII and XVI are very close in performance but the XVI rolls much better at the cost of low speed stability.  The I, V and Seafire are underpowered in the MA and suffer from other deficiencies, therefore are better saved until your skills improve.

So now if it's between the VIII, IX and XVI your convergence choices begin to be dictated to you.  The VIII and IX both carry the 4 x .303 cal + 2 x 20mm packages.  The .303's dont offer enough punch outside of 250-350 yards to be effective outside that range.  The XVI carries the 2 x .50 cal + 2 x 20mm package.  Both the .50 cals and the 20mm's carry enough punch to cause damage out to 1000 yards.  In the former package I like to set at 400 while in the latter package I like to set to 650, always in point convergence with my preferred firing range being about 400 yards with either package but I'm more likely to snipe at long ranges with the latter.

That's how I like to do it.  YMMV.  Hope that helps.

[Latrobe]

1. Covered pretty well already. Spit VIII, IX, or XVI are excellent planes to learn it.

2. Convergence settings are partly decided on the caliber of the gun, partly decided on the placement of the guns, but mostly decided just on personal preference. You should set your convergence at whatever distance you feel most comfortable pulling the trigger at. I recommend getting in as close as possible to your opponent before pulling the trigger since it really is the easiest shot to make. You have virtually no travel time on the bullets at that range, have less leading to do on deflection shots, and you do the most damage from your guns. So a convergence setting somewhere in the 200-350 range would work best there. Planes with guns in the wings I set to 300, but planes like the 109 or P38 that have all their guns in the nose I have set to 450. This is because with the guns in the nose you don't have to worry about the whole bullets converging at one point like wing mounted guns. The only factor to take in with nose mounted guns is the bullet drop and travel time. Different caliber rounds have different ballistics. At close range this is almost not even noticeable (One plane that this is very noticeable in is the 109K4. Try the .target ### command at 300 yards and shoot the guns. All shots hit close together at almost the same time. Now set the target to 800 yards. The 13mm's are still fairy accurate and reach the target much earlier than the 30mm. The 30mm is very inaccurate, reaches the target much later than the 13mm's, and hits much lower from the bullet drop.)

For the Spitfire's since they are wing mounted guns and the MG's are only .303 caliber, I'd say a convergence at 200-300 maximum is best. Get in close and let them have it. 

[Sunka]

Lots of long answers here..you guys sound smart  
As far as convergence i was told by a trainer long ago to record my flights and watch where i GET MOST of my kills and set it there.
The same trainer also told me the closer the better (teaches you to fly better needing to saddle up).
I dont stagger rounds i like em all at the same distance ,better exploding,im set at 225,and keep a hit % around 0.80

[Wiley]

I agree with Sunka.  It sounds trite, but put your convergence where you do most of your shooting.

I'm a big believer in point convergence as well.  Staggered convergence may give you a bigger shot pattern, but it will be harder to knock pieces off in my experience.

I used to put my convergence out around 350-400 with the idea that I could reach out for runners at 7-800 to get them to turn.  Rarely knocked pieces off at those ranges though.  I found since I moved the convergence in to 300 on everything, I am still able to spark guys out far to get them to turn, and my ability to kill in the 250-350 yard range improved significantly.  I believe I am generally firing for effect between 400 and 250 yards most of the time.  I try to time it so the hit sprites start occurring just as the icon turns from 400 to 200, which is right on 300 yards.

The only convergence exception I make is with the 30mm in the nose of the 109K/G14.  Those I put at 350 because that seems to give the tater the most time closest to your LOS without going too high or low.

One thing that was mentioned I would like to second, if you make a change on your convergence use it for a while before changing it again.  At least for me, it takes a while for my brain to get used to the slightly different sight picture you need to hit with different convergences.  YMMV of course.

Wiley.

[Yankee67]

Don't forget, if you set convergence out far, not only will the rounds start wide and narrow down to your convergence point, but they will also start high and drop into your convergence point.  So if you set convergence at 550, and shoot at something close, the rounds might go right over your target.

[Oldman731]

My role here is to establish the minimum community standard of simple-mindedness, so I'll offer this:

Rifle calibers (.303, 7.7, 7.92, .30):  200 yards (or 175, my preference)

All others:  300 yards

Hey, it's a start.  As others have said, much depends on how far out you begin shooting.

- oldman