I'm horrible at dogfighting!

[unlikely_spider]

So I enjoy this sim for the historical aspect and for learning to fly/navigate on Expert settings. However, in the single-player game (I've never flown online), I get shot down by 109s almost instantly. I'm currently learning to fly the Yak-1, and I would like to start playing the PWCG campaign.

 

I've watched Requiem's tutorials on how to do the basic maneuvers, and CEM. But when I start a quick mission with one-on-one against a 109, I usually circle or loop for a bit trying to get on his 6, gradually losing speed the entire time, then he shoots me down. Even if I select Average as the AI pilot. I try to keep my turns gradual, but eventually I'll enter a turn where the wind buffets around the plane (I can hear the sound of the wind changing), and I lose control for a bit while I try to straighten out. That's usually when it's game over.

 

How do I maintain a constant high speed? Is there one type of loop or turn that the Yak is better at that I should be trying? I want to be better at this, as every time I start a campaign, I get killed pretty quickly. Usually I can shoot down a bomber or Stuka, but if there are fighters in the area, I'm dead meat.

[JimTM]

Check out Requiem's RoF tutorials too for more information on air combat tactics and air combat maneuvering. Many of the concepts apply to WWII aircraft too.

 

If I have the time and space, I try to get a height advantage and boom and zoom the 109 to keep the pressure on him and force him to bleed off energy. Once he's got the height advantage though, I find it tough to get off any more than snap shots as he's climbing out after booming and zooming me. I try to start a gentle turn as he's diving at me and gradually tighten it as he gets closer. That way, if he is inexperienced and keeps trying to turn with me, he bleeds off energy and puts me closer to maybe turning the tables on him.

 

However, there are many in here with more experience than me in Yak vs. 109 duels so I'll let them fill you in.

 

Good luck!

Edited February 23, 2016 by JimTM

[Ace_Pilto]

I'd definitely watch those tut videos again and the RoF ones too but if you're having trouble in single-player it's probably not entirely your fault skill wise IMO.

 

The AI are weird. They have magical powers and just about every campaign mission starts with you at a disadvantage to the enemy. The stock campaign, PWCG are both the same, you never see your flight come in with a height advantage on the enemy and this means you're always defensive from the start. If you're defensive in this game vs the AI or a human the chances are, you're screwed no matter how good you are. Humans are actually easier to fool than the AI in most cases, a little side-slip or some negative G works wonders but the AI just mindlessly target you through magical computer sentience and annihilate you with their laser targeting. 

 

My advice is to fly alone about 2,000m above your AI so that you start with speed instead of wondering why you don't have any later on. It sucks to do this in the sense that you have to do this kind of rubbish and "game the game" to survive since a lot of single-player fans like the immersion of formation flying and being realistic but, you play the cards you're dealt.

[SYN_Luftwaffles]

First and foremost: 

If it's a fair fight, you're doing it wrong. Try to spot them first and have an advantage. 

With the AI in quick mission duels, they want to get into a turn fight with you. Keep a feel for your energy and alternate between sliding up and sliding down into high and low yo-yo. You'll cut into his lead bit-by-bit. You can also try to roll. If nothing else, if you have height, do a split-S and disengage and try to get some distance and speed before going for another attack. 

[Original_Uwe]

Hop on berloga server.

After an hour you'll be better lol

[borris70]

Hello engrish..

I used to be terrible at dogfighting myself.its a very hard game.but dont give up.it takes time to understand the key to fighting.but the main key is keep your energy up always....once you loose some.gain some fast..i have but 100s of hours in this game.but starting now to be pretty good at fighting.but as i said.it takes alot of time and practise..but we have all been there.

But do you have rudders??

It is a must in this game..

Good luck.it will come to you.i promis you

...

It is a very very good sim.the best if you ask me..hehe

[unlikely_spider]

Thanks for the replies everyone. No, I don't have rudders- just a twist stick.

I've watched the RoF Requiem tutorials and I will have to practice those maneuvers. Maybe I'll even jump on a server for some MP for the first time!

[JimTM]

Send me a PM if you want to wing up on MP some time. Also, you can get on TeamSpeak and see if there are others who want to fly together. Flying as a coordinated group is highly recommended for a long life. Flying alone is a big gamble, unless you are highly skilled.

 

Cheers!

[borris70]

Sounds good engrish..

MP is very good learning.but pwcg is very good too.but nothing is like flying with a live person.i need to get better myself so need to practise more on MP..

Good luck.

[216th_Lucas_From_Hell]

Send me a PM if you want to wing up on MP some time. Also, you can get on TeamSpeak and see if there are others who want to fly together. Flying as a coordinated group is highly recommended for a long life. Flying alone is a big gamble, unless you are highly skilled.

 

Cheers!

Same here, if you need a wingman let me know

[borris70]

Anyone want to team up flying germans one night.never tried teaming up before.sounds fun

[unlikely_spider]

Thanks everyone! I'll keep you all in mind.

[JimTM]

Anyone want to team up flying germans one night.never tried teaming up before.sounds fun

 

Sure. Do you have TeamSpeak? That's the best way to communicate when flying together.

Edited February 25, 2016 by JimTM

[unlikely_spider]

What is that? Software that needs to be installed? I've only ever used Steam's service.

[JimTM]

What is that? Software that needs to be installed? I've only ever used Steam's service.

 

Yes, TeamSpeak is a free download. There is an official BoS Teamspeak server available. Here's a post re. Teamspeak setup.

[Nocke]

Now this may sound silly, but seriously: You said you have no chance even setting the AI enemy to average - just dont be too proud to set it to novice

You will get more experience and confidence from that.

[SqwkHappy]

 When I BNZ Yak's, or any VVS plane really, the way they avoid me is by turning into my dive.

 

 If you see the 109 pulling lead on you in the dive, your turn is failing. In that case I would try an off-axis, about 120 deg from level flight, split-s into the dive, he can't follow that unless he really killed his speed to get at you and in that case you start a horizontal scissor which he will lose unless he goes vertical again. If the 109 goes vertical, you could break turn to his plane and punch it to max combat and teach him a lesson.

Edited March 11, 2016 by [MYK]Mikeypro83

[Sublime]

On 2/22/2016 at 6:35 PM, engrish_major said:

So I enjoy this sim for the historical aspect and for learning to fly/navigate on Expert settings. However, in the single-player game (I've never flown online), I get shot down by 109s almost instantly. I'm currently learning to fly the Yak-1, and I would like to start playing the PWCG campaign.

 

I've watched Requiem's tutorials on how to do the basic maneuvers, and CEM. But when I start a quick mission with one-on-one against a 109, I usually circle or loop for a bit trying to get on his 6, gradually losing speed the entire time, then he shoots me down. Even if I select Average as the AI pilot. I try to keep my turns gradual, but eventually I'll enter a turn where the wind buffets around the plane (I can hear the sound of the wind changing), and I lose control for a bit while I try to straighten out. That's usually when it's game over.

 

How do I maintain a constant high speed? Is there one type of loop or turn that the Yak is better at that I should be trying? I want to be better at this, as every time I start a campaign, I get killed pretty quickly. Usually I can shoot down a bomber or Stuka, but if there are fighters in the area, I'm dead meat.

Im sure this is thread necromancy.

But a search put this up and ir cane up.

I saw Yaks and thats yohr problem. Besides spits yaks are the best. Turning allied fighter you.ll face!

Thats why.  Now to keep up speed the hard turns where u begin buffeting are no nos. Try smooth stick inputs and lag pursuit - you dont meed crosshaiea on him just pursue keeo him in view but u dont need ur nose dead on him this will let you gain speed.

Also many many people would agree with me that turn fighting usually isnt the best move in a 109.  Everyone has to learn somewhere and my dogfights can be way too long sometimes. In a 109 or 190 you want to swoop in, fire and extend. Get a few km and come back.  Preferably you want a kill or heavy damage in tbat pass. More than one or 2 passes and you may have company etc etc.

If need be practice endlessly against pe2s in sp qmbs. Their guners are lethal enuff. Set up in pursuit 3km above them. Tbis will force you to deal wtih dive issues like elevator authority at hifh speeda and dealing with snapshots. I spend 4 hours doing this one day.  It improved my accuracy markedly for snap shots.  Remember dont chase bombers. You race thru the formation. If the bomber isnt engine damaged or shot down in one pass its a fail. U dont wanna maych speed and sit on tbeir 6 pumping rojnds. Youll get killed. You eant to pass thru their formation at high speed. After practixe you can down 4 or 5 A20s or 2 or 3 peshkas in one well planned dive and attack.

Next up it a notch. Make it easier at first - fight something not terrible but not OP - maybe la5 regular. Or p40.  Work on BnZ. Finally fight against Spit Ix Es. 2 groups clipped wings and not. Medium pilots. 2 groups of 109s - novice pilots ajd you. Ahain its not abt kills. Its about one pass kills or crippli g blows.  Once yoh get this down good itll make your life simpler in MP. I still have a long waus to go on my own advice.

Mp is harsh mistress to learn from