PATIENT SPIT

[mikev]

  1 of the things i have learned about attacking bombers is not to try and rush in ,especially if they see you coming.  this video i show how i am patient when going after a group of b17s.  i fly close and when they open up i stay out of range until i can get another shot. during the encounter a p51 flying cover comes at me and i try to bring him down to the furball, he does not bite on that but leaves me an opening to re engage the bombers. as you can see in this video i get the chance to come in close and nail 1 of them, my only mistake is when i dive away i took the wrong angle leaving him a shot on me. enjoy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDRGssaRwSc

[bustr]

Did the tail gunner or that tall 51 get your wing at the end?

[Mongoose]

I started to watch and then quit when the background music started.  I find background music in this sort of video too distracting.

[bustr]

I fast forwarded.....

[mikev]

Did the tail gunner or that tall 51 get your wing at the end?

tail gunner got me. i should of dove underneath and peeled left or right instead of the 180

[mikev]

I started to watch and then quit when the background music started.  I find background music in this sort of video too distracting.

  sorry if the music is to distracting , i do it because its a little less boring to me. if you wish i can post the video without music.

[The Fugitive]

I don't think this should be posted in the training section other than to show what NOT to do when hunting buffs.

This video is more along the lines of "entertainment" as apposed to training. The first part of the film is a gang fest on a pony, middle part is climbing to buffs and staying close enough to take hits from them. Next part is to dive away from a pony only to climb up the tail pipe of the buffs and get shot down.

[mikev]

I don't think this should be posted in the training section other than to show what NOT to do when hunting buffs.

This video is more along the lines of "entertainment" as apposed to training. The first part of the film is a gang fest on a pony, middle part is climbing to buffs and staying close enough to take hits from them. Next part is to dive away from a pony only to climb up the tail pipe of the buffs and get shot down.

well sorry you feel that way Fugi but remember im still new when it comes to flying in this game. in the past i would go diving right in and not even get a shot off. what im trying is to be more patient ,all part of the learning process . dont you agree?

[The Fugitive]

well sorry you feel that way Fugi but remember im still new when it comes to flying in this game. in the past i would go diving right in and not even get a shot off. what im trying is to be more patient ,all part of the learning process . dont you agree?

You said it yourself, "you still new". While you did score some hits and got a kill.... just as you died, this video should be posted with a note ".... what not to do". Once you learn more and start getting the hang of it you will find out how UN-patient you really were.

Climbing to a buff, especially that close is a BIG no-no. You shouldn't get closer than a 2000 yards away until your that far in front with an alt advantage and you turn to start your run on the buffs. THAT is patients.

You ARE getting better, Ill give you that, but not close enough to post "training" films. I'd just hate to see someone come in here view that video and think that is a good way to fight, or go about killing a buff.

Not trashing your video, just trying to keep the info good for everyone.

[Kingpin]

Not trashing your video, just trying to keep the info good for everyone.

Mike is still trying to learn, so I think he posts these here more to get feedback, not as a "training example" films, Fugi.

I agree videos with music (and especially ones without the AH film) are more for entertainment value than training value, so those should probably go in the Films section of the forum.  But, as you mentioned Fugi, there is some learning to be done from this film too!

Fugi is right, Mike, that an even more patient approach would not have you attacking the bombers from their low six, which is ultimately how you got shot down on this one.

If you want some practice engaging bombers, I am happy to work on that with you as well.

<S>
Kingpin

p.s. If you like making films from AH game play, there is nothing wrong with that!  You can post them purely for entertainment value in the Films section of the forum or post them here with questions or asking for feedback.

[caldera]

Some people are good shots and/or happen to be in multi cannon planes, which helps them survive encounters on a bomber's 6.   If you're not one of those guys, don't do it.   I've broken my rule not to do that twice this tour and died both times in short order.  One was just a few minutes ago. 

The key to hitting bombers is patience and closing speed.   Come in from above and fast.  Dive underneath and extend out towards the front.  Zoom or climb up above and in front for the next pass.   Don't rush it. 

[Muzzy]

One tip...don't get overconfident when you're down to the last buff, especially if you've already taken hits. Just because you've dropped 2 doesn't mean you'll get the third easily.

[Patches1]

One tip...don't get overconfident when you're down to the last buff, especially if you've already taken hits. Just because you've dropped 2 doesn't mean you'll get the third easily.

This is an especially good tip! When I was an active player I made Buff killing in an F4U-1/-1A/-1D Corsair my forte...and it was usually the third bomber that shot me down! Why?

Well, to be honest, my ego got ahead of my talent, and I got slow, sloppy, and overconfident, and that is just simply a recipe for disaster; a good Bomber Pilot will wait for you to make these mistakes.

My suggestion to any fighter pilot who wants to shoot down bombers regularly is...take the time learn to fly bombers! Shooting and Scooting in the weeds with other fighters will teach you how to combat other fighters of a like ilk down low, but teaches you nothing about countering bombers up high. Learn to fly your fighter at 30,000 feet heavy with fuel and ammo...right on the edge of falling out of the sky...and learn to fight the bombers who may have the ability to outrun you at that altitude...learn to use your flaps and throttle...make every shot opportunity count...and in doing so, you'll learn the patience to take out that third bomber.

Another thing a good buff hunting fighter pilot should learn is...how to glide home and land dead-stick from high altitude under differing weights. Sometimes you are full of fuel and ammo and the bomber takes out your engine, and you are still very heavy, and other times you've expended your fuel and ammo and are very light: both scenarios require you to land safely from altitude and control your aircraft and speed (and I won't mention anything about the damage you may have taken).

I've like to think of Buff Hunting as a game of Chess...it looks simple, but can be very complex.

Best of luck to you, Sir, and enjoy the game.







 

[Kingpin]

I've like to think of Buff Hunting as a game of Chess...it looks simple, but can be very complex.

All of Patches comments above are spot on. 

To expand on one of his comments, also learn where your oil gauge is and how long your engine will run after an oil hit: you can save your last few drops of oil for a power-on landing.  You can first use power (watching your oil status) to get some alt and turn for home (or if you think oil will last long enough, finish off that last bomber), then feather your prop (pull RPM back fully) before you turn off the engine (or before it seizes) and glide to the nearest base (often a couple sectors away after a high-alt fight). Then you can turn your engine on, apply power and use your last few drops of oil for a power-on landing or to regain some more gliding alt if you are coming in short.  You can also periodically turn the engine back on to extend your glide range, if you have enough oil to do so.

p.s. Good to see you, Patches, my blue-plane loving friend!  Hope you are well.

<S>
Kingpin

[Muzzy]

Surprisingly, the FM2 can be a pretty good buff hunter because of it size and toughness. If you can take the time to climb to altitude and make diving passes, the Wildcat's small size makes it harder to hit when it's coming down on a target, and the bird can take quite a bit of damage and still be combat worthy. For one thing, she can take an oil hit and be flyable for a decent amount of time. The 4x.50's may not have quite the punch, but they are easier to aim in a diving attack, and you have a ton of ammo to spend. They can quickly take down a buff if you aim for the wing root or cockpit.