Originally posted by eskimo2
I think it was last night...
A Hellcat was running away from a pack of co-alt Jap planes, and towards his CV. MY Japanese comrads seemed genuinly mad that he wouldn't turn back and fight. I'm still amazed to hear players complain about such tactics. Turning around would be nothing but stupid. He could have hoped for one good HO, and then he would have been eaten up. They were mad at him for not being stupid.
eskimo
I absolutely agree with Eskimo. I’m continually amazed at the endless whining that follows after a pilot demonstrates the good sense to fly his aircraft in a manner that best suits its capabilities.
For example, there is nothing in the current IJN/JAAF plane set that can cope with a “properly” flown P-38L. Utilizing its speed, tremendous zoom climb and rock-steady shooting platform, the Lightning is almost untouchable, save for a pilot blunder. Often, we hear the talk about how easily it compresses. What we don’t hear is how insignificant this really is once you learn how to make it work to your advantage. It’s those little known secrets that give pilots an edge to be exploited. Other areas can be exploited as well. Again, for example, the P-38 can easily outclimb the N1K2. Nonsense, you say! Well, it can! How? Simply make it a shallow, high-speed climb, around 1 to 1.5k/minute. To the dismay of the Niki driver, he finds himself rapidly falling behind. Once again, this is flying to the strengths of your plane, and avoiding those of the enemy aircraft.
So, why would anyone get involved in a turning fight with Zekes or N1K2 type fighters? Why fight the way your enemy fights best? In the MA, I fly the Zero, Ki-61 and N1K2 fairly often. There’s nothing I like more than a P-38 trying to turn fight with me.
Last night, I came across a pair of P-38s turn fighting with a Zero down on the deck. I watched as the P-38s struggled to avoid the Zero, while trying to gain position for a shot. I orbited above the fight for a few minutes waiting to see if it would ever end. Having waited long enough to give the P-38 guys their opportunity, I finally split-essed and smacked down the Zero. In this instance, we have demonstrated both the wrong way and right way to fight Zekes. Fly smart and you'll look like a genius. Fly dumb and, well, you know.
Unfortunately, the Japanese fighters are all slow in comparison to the American iron. Simply stated, there’s no running away from P-38s, Thunderbolts and Hellcats. Even the A-20G is faster on the deck than any of the current Japanese fighters except the N1K2, which is, essentially, a dead heat (about 320-325 mph).
Another tremendous fighter is the F6F Hellcat. It does everything well. Dive acceleration is incredible, and it is extremely durable. Last evening, I attacked Daddog’s Ki-67 formation, shooting down two of them, but losing a flap, three guns and an elevator in the process. Returning to the carrier, I encounter a Niki fighting with another Hellcat. I saw an opportunity to sneak in a snapshot, by zooming up to the fight. There was some risk, as I would find myself dead slow at the top of the climb, but figured I could get away with it if I was careful. So, up I went, firing a 70 degree deflection shot into the Niki, knocking off some pieces. On the verge of a stall, I rolled inverted and headed down, the beat up Niki in hot pursuit blazing away, and knocking off my other flap too! But, what the enemy pilot didn’t realize is that the F6F turns remarkably well, even missing one elevator. I pulled into a left-hand Lufberry, and slowly began to work around on the Niki! Meanwhile, that other Hellcat finished him off when he pulled out of the circle. Apparently, one of those pieces I knocked off the Niki was one of his elevators. A minute later the Niki driver stated that I was lucky that he had a damaged plane. Of course, if I had all 6 guns working, he probably wouldn't have survived my snapshot in the first place.
Stupid Cat Tricks department: Attacked a formation of Ki-67s with Hellcat. Instead of using guns, I salvo’d six 5” rockets. Damned if I didn’t hit all three bombers!
Pangea! He was very good-natured about it. Me, I would have been really pissed! I tried the same stunt again 30 minutes later and missed everything. 
So much for skill!
Finally, I managed to crash out a pair of Hellcats, colliding with bombers, simply flying way too aggressively. Well, stupid is as stupid does.....
I’m starting to feel at home in the CT….
My regards,
Widewing
