Online again today... I'm convinced that the top players are using one of the flight sticks - the ps3 controller can't be set to match their steady turn rate... I'll have to get one to really compete.

I don't think you do - by all means get one for the immersion factor or whatever, but you don't need one to compete.

Use the aviator layout and turn your elevator sensitivity down as little as possible but so that you can pull the joypad to its extreme and not stall. Use combat flaps (click left stick on aviator) and enter a turn with no throttle then give it full throttle through the turn. Throttle gives lift and lift pulls you round the corner :)

Practise in training before going online though lol

edal, mirgervin and I all use ps3 controller aviator layout, just about every other good dogfighter I've played against too. Flight sticks would actually have a disadvantage since their hat controls don't work right.

The spitfire's corner speed is somewhere around 300kph, I don't know exactly where. The closer you stay to that speed, the faster your turning circle will be. Faster planes like yak-3 and la7 are somewhere around 370, and I think la5 is around 330 to 350.

A lot of people will slow down to their minimum turn radius because it gets them quick angles, but if they don't hit their shot, they lose even more angles because their turn rate is reduced. This includes the stall moves - watch for them and dodge them, then take advantage. When a plane gets into a flat 250kph turn, it's not turning at its fastest rate anymore, so the plane that flies the higher-radius yo-yo turns will keep its speed faster and eventually be able to line up a shot.

To escape from a slow turn fight, wait till your opponent is aiming past you and almost has enough lead, then break into a flat scissors. If you have the slower plane, it will give you an advantage.

each plane also has an ideal elevator setting. Spitfires 6 notches below full, la5's full elevator. la7's, about 3 notches below. Yaks at about 4 notches from the top. Ailerons full with most planes.