BF109's and Stukas too hard to shoot down? Anyone else finding this?

[Kurfurst]

You probably didn't have anything vital - engine, pilot, fuel tank or radiator. Its odd, but it could happen. Personally I have little trouble knocking down 109.

One thing to keep in mind that only reasonably hittable vital system in the 109 wing are the radiators, otherwise the wing is pretty empty.

If you shoot the fuselage from dead astern, chances of success are low. I presume, given your results that the 109E-3 has armor plates modeled. A 8mm plate was mounted behind the fuel tank, and its should be proof against .303s at just about any range. With all rounds defeated by the armor plate, the rounds only pass through the rear fuselage and the tail, which is completely empty - you may hit the control cables or the radio though. Everything that is vital is front of it - fuel tank, pilot, engine, oil tank, in that order.

I suppose shooting it from an angle is the key, as you can bypass the armor plate, and hit the fuel or the pilot, since the armor plate is a distance behind them in the fuselage. Probably shooting from a bit below is the best approach.

[xnomad]

I'd say it's convergence too. I do most of my shooting with the two 7.92mm MG's in the bf109. I save the cannon for close in. In fact I spray with the MG a lot as there is just soooo much ammo for it. I've smoked a lot of Hurris with these.

Now that's 2 MG vs the Spit's 8 but they are straight down the centre so if I aim at the engine from an off tail angle I'll get results. With the Spit at close ranges you'll be hitting the wings of the 109 when dead astern. Plus you are lined up with all the armour facing you. I've had the best results at angles off tail.

In real life the RAF boys were happy to see some smoke, oil, or radiator fluid leaking and knew they had removed that bf109 from the fight and that he also probably would have a hard time getting home over the water.

[BadAim]

Shit happens.