[Robo.]

I understand what you're saying Felipe, I am just saying that FM is something technical, but I also enjoy discussing tactics and sim flying so what. I am really looking forward for your testing. I did some basic testing, too and I will definitely comment on anything you come up with!

Originally Posted by 6S.Manu

But, imo, you find one as Felipe once every 30 engagements with Spitfire pilots. So I can understand if blue pilots feel confident in their rides: probably they used to not look above their plane while flying at medium altitude.

I know you mentioned you didn't spend much time in this sim (and I understand) but just to let you know there is quite a few high flying Spitfire pilots. I agree that say on ATAG, most of the action is happening down low, but that applies to both sides equally, even more so to the 109s as they really like their airfield strafing missions. There are many skilled 109 pilots and many skilled RAF fighter pilots, too.

Originally Posted by 6S.Manu

IMO BnZ is harder to learn, required more time and many KIA: it's less rewarding and a guy without patience will switch plane (do you remember the 190's IL2 history?). Because of this I think that the average pilot of BnZ planes (109/190/Hellcat/P47/P51) is actually more skilled than a Spitfire/Zeke/La7 pilot.

I see what you're saying, new pilot usually starts with a nimble plane like Zero or La-5Fn or Bf 109G-2 or 25lbs. Spitfire - and then he learns more and sees that there is more to it than pulling the stick down on the deck. But I am saying that flying any aircraft aon the edge requires same amount of skill, maybe different type of skill. In my experience many pilots who fly BnZ are helpless when it comes to 'close range melee'. You trick him a bit and he just flies straight and doesn't know what to do. Pilot is skilled no matter what he flies, if he flies it well and if he succeeds. I would not despise an experienced pilot in a Fw 190, Spitfire or G.50. That plane type does not matter. Good pilot will fly in a way that's necessary to win and survive and he can do BnZ in a Spitfire and TnB in a 190 when it comes to that. I've been into 1946 as long as you are and our squad, altough historically blue would fly just anything.

Originally Posted by 6S.Manu

Of course I'm talking about IL2 1946... only Luthier knows when CloD will be worthy of been played by me.

It is already better than 1946, you should give it a try. I'd like to see how you deal with well flown Spitfires or 109s

Originally Posted by 6S.Manu

Sooo... returning to the FM argument: Osprey states that "after 14 months of utter domination by the 109 the FMs are at least brought closer"... Flanker.. do you really believe it was a FM issue?

Yes, it was very much a FM issue.

Originally Posted by 6S.Manu

Every Fw190 pilot in IL2 had to fly plane with worser performance than the one of a captured and crashed plane.

That is not true at all. 190s were actually typically faster than they should be, especially early Dora. And they were less maneouvrable than they should be - see latest DT patch where the 190 are spot on (except for manual pp) - just ask Maraz. I might be wrong, that's not the point of this discussion though. But trust me ppl would complain a lot if it would be too slow no matter if blue or red. They never complained about G-6/AS SL speed or performance or early Dora although it was off in the positive direction. That's not blue or red, that's just people.

Last time I took a 190 I had 9 kills on a full real server. Spitfires Mk.VIIIs and few P-47s doing ground pounding tbh. Not bad pilots, just the fact unless you're doing silly stuff they can't touch you. And the firepower. It was even better (faster) BnZ butcher before 4.11 but now it keeps E better. Perfect fighter plane but too easy when you master it. Same like 109 in CloD. I switched to late war USAAF and at least had to master .50s. But most of the time, I always really enjoyed flying 'inferior' planes and pushed myself harder to develop better tactics. When I get killed I don't blame the FM or the plane performance, I blame myself because I am the digger, the plane is just my showel.

I agree that FM should not be used as excuse, BUT the fact that an experienced pilot can balance for the shortcomings is not an excuse not to fix these issues. That's why we have this thread.