I dunno i about that... im rarely worried about the spit 16. Most fast planes can force an overshoot against a high spit and then dive away once you have enough of a heading difference. I find a well flown k4 more dangerous.
I’m still figuring it out but I’m learning to fight the K4 in a 51. That said, with a Spit XVI? Night and day easier. It’s almost cheating. Oh, and super fun, but, yeah, too slow if he runs.
Outclassed and under skilled while in a b17 doesn't matter. That unskilled b17 driver will more than likely send you back either dead or with so much damage that your out of the fight. That same pilot in any fighter or attack might ping me 1/10 fights. For a newer pilot a b17 is the most deadly plane in the game. What would be interesting is to have a vet like 9999 da another vet in let's say a p51. With a 8 min time limit I am willing to bet 9990 wins best of 5 fights.
If I’m in a 51 fighting a K4 I always fought with speed. One or two notch of flaps only. Never get down and dirty. It’s a really hard battle that away. Keep the K4 above 300 mph and you win.
That may be what I’m doing and not realizing it, but when I’m light especially I am getting slower than that at the top to keep the pressure on.
In a pony I always flew at 10k. Gives me enough alt to make overshoots possible and if I messed up I could dive and try again.