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Originally Posted by Haklangr
It seems to me like the name of the game is getting behind the enemy... on their six, so to speak. My idea is to head off to the side, then turn to try to end up behind them. (Sometimes I think about trying to do this vertically -- a loop -- but I've not tried it yet.) I read somewhere I should not attempt shots with greater than 30 degrees Angle Off, but I've not yet managed to end up within 30 degrees of directly behind my target... or even within shooting distance (300m); I think the closest I've come to having a viable shot was 60 degrees off, 400m away, and that didn't last long. It's quite difficult to keep the enemy in my sights, or to stay on/get on their tail at all!
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Try to get closer. Most of the time shooting beyond 200m is a waste of ammo. And set your convergence accordingly. Angle off shots are more diffcult to make - but are more likley to hit something not well protected. One of the best in WW2 -Hartmann-always tried to set up high angle deflection shots against his foes because they are unpredictable.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Haklangr
I think I may be ending up getting out-turned, but perhaps I should be able to out-turn them. I'm not sure what to do if they can out-turn me -- how do I end up behind 'em? Is it viable to attack from another direction, like above (but in front)? I know "boom 'n' zoom" tactics are viable, but I'm not really sure how.
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Get into the fight with altitude advantage. Then attack from above. The enemy will evade - if not he should be an easy kill. If he evades -try to follow him for a short time only -then get back up to altitude. That way you use your altitude advantage throughout the fight -and usually avoid getting shot down. Getting kills is not easy that way - but you will learn to predict the enemy evasion patterns in time and then where to shoot at.
Get to know the enymy planes -fly them in QMB. Or look up their performance data in IL2Compare.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Haklangr
Another problem I know I have is that I don't know how to control my speed at all; I always end up zooming by in a split second when I do get somewhat close (if they haven't somehow turned around and zoomed back by me). I can only think to slow down by switching from combat flaps to landing flaps (or by pointing the plane up...?); I've tried to get enemy planes to overshoot me, but no luck. What should I be doing with the throttle, anyway? I nearly always put it at about 95% and leave it at that (I don't mess with prop pitch yet, so I assume the RPMs are being kept at a healthy level and my engine is not overheating, heh). Perhaps I should be using the throttle...
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Yes the throttle is essential for fighting - if you don't have one yet, consider buying a HOTAS. And with the Bf109 - its fine when you are always faster than the enemy - that way you will live. Prop pitch in a BF109 is automatic -so you needn't bother with that.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Haklangr
Thanks in advance, from the bottom of my wanna-be-pilot's heart; I'm continuing to look around for guides, of course, and I will keep reading, but any and all advice is appreciated.
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If you like the Bf109 - then consider using another variant -the G-6 is IMHO the weakest of the bunch. The F-4 is a pilots dream and the enemys nightmare. Faster than anything the enemy can throw at you - and outclimbs anything.
Don't get discouraged when you can't outfly the enemy like seen in vids - many people here play IL2 for years - and have thousands of virtual flying hours. IL2 takes time to learn, but it still is fun to play after years.
And last: Clouds are your friends. Use them. If you watch the artificial horizon to not get disoriented.