This is what some people play AH for - good fights.
Here are 3 films of me vs Eagler (and yeah, I'm taking the Ws here, lol!) my La7 vs him in a 109k 2x and lastly in 109g2. Very good historical/performance matchups. Each encounter started at a lower alt than the previous one because I knew it was Eagler and that we're both looking for fun, not just kills.
1. I had alt coming into this one since I was heading towards a secondary base - big rook/knit furball in next sector. I was in an interdiction mission and was aware Eagler was in the general area. Once I spotted the lower 109, I assumed it was Eagler and decided to be more aggressive on my bounce instead of a longer BnZ delaying tactic in case more upped.
2. I hung around the area, knowing Eagler would reup and come back for more. I didn't continue to climb, but hung around at a lower alt (looking for fun fights, not just kills.) However, there was a yak also coming, so my merge had to take into account the possible yak-pick. Once the yak cleared the area, it was on with Eagler. I reversed with him 2k on my 6 - how many in MA even do that these days?
3. Last one was an even lower starting point - we merged on the deck for a great fight.
Here's the thing: Once I knew it was Eagler, I made a conscious decision to alter (slow down) my merge because Eagler has a great move and would very often pop me on it when I had too much speed. I decided to not be so predictable and try to take advantage of his probable mindset in me doing the thing that always got me killed in past. It paid off. Eagler is a great, fun fight and we will often end up in these extended turning situations (if I survive that first merge.)
The takeaway - don't become too predictable and know how your plane(s) handle at slower speeds. Also note how Eagler made sure to get some speed/e out of his reups as I didn't press him closer to base. Much fun was had by both of us.
