How to ID: Pe-2 Vs. Bf-110

[[CPT]milopugdog]

A little while ago, some other members of ZG1 were talking about being confused by other Axis pilots for a Pe-2, and being shot down. Today on WoL, I entered a dogfight, and got shot down by a 109. I know, kind of my fault for entering, but shouldn't we check to see if an aircraft is friendly or not before we shoot at it?

I'm aware of how "similar" the Pe-2, and Bf-110 may look, so here's a thread to point out the differences in the plane's profiles.

 

From the top, the wings and horizontal stabilizers of the Pe-2 are much more triangular than that of the Bf-110. The fuselage of the Pe-2 is also a lot wider, and the canopy stops much earlier going down it.

 

From the rear; the 110's horizontal stabilizers and wings are much more straight, with the Pe-2's both being slightly angled.The fuselage and wings of the 110 are also much more skinny than the Pe-2. The radiators on the wings or tail wheel could also be used to identify a Bf-110, but both are small enough for me to not expect anyone to notice them in a combat situation.

 

Looking from the side, you can again see the canopy of the Pe-2 being much shorter than that of the 110. The shape of both aircraft's fuselage are also shown again.

Two other things to remember are the size of the Pe-2 is also bigger than that of the 110, and the Pe-2 is usually colored in some combination of green, brown, black, and/or tan with a sky blue undertone; while the 110 is usually a green/gray combination with a gray blue undertone. 

 

Thanks for the read!

I know this probably has no real effect on anyone but us 110 pilots, but I figured it'd be better than cursing the dude out in chat. After all, we don't like dying either.

 

See you in the skies!

And stop TK'ing 110s or I'll start #110LivesMatter.

 

[216th_Lucas_From_Hell]

Funny you mention this because when going back home after a very successful bombing run on the Pe-2 I saw a smoking Bf-110 pursued by two Yak-1s. I came close to help but before I had a shot or anything the -110 smashed into a river bank and spread fire everywhere. I resumed my merry way home and saw to my right one of the Yak-1s closing in and taking a long and hard look at me before going away. Thankfully we red star bearers are used to the Pe-2 so these incidents don't happen too often

 

Nice guide, hopefully it will increase your life expectancy a little bit!

[KoN_]

I was there tonight ` it wasn't just 110 getting attacked by friendly fire but  also 109 vs 109s . I watched 109 pilot attack anything that moved in his airspace ..    .

I took a 110 earlier and had a 109 bounce me on the way to targets , i normally put my nav lights on to show as friendly . One way around it i guess .

I take WOL with a pinch of salt and fly there for fun only , its not your expert server so i guess your get your rookie pilots taking pot shots . .     

Could be also the visibility and colour blending . 

Edited June 23, 2016 by II./JG77_Con

[seafireliv]

That really should not happen. On the Saturday nights flights we've sometimes mistaken Pe-2s for 110s but always identified them in time before shots fired. Sounds like a lot of impatient people who can`t be bothered to identifiy first. I myself will get very close before daring to fire if I`m not certain.

Edited June 23, 2016 by seafireliv

[NN_RugbyGoth]

Prolem of identification occured often during the conflict. I remember Potez 63 pilots saying they were shot by Hurricane during France campaign, after a painful landing done by the wounded pilot, they took a car and went to the hurris base where the pilots were celebrating their victory... As soon as the french wounded pilot entered everything became silent...

 

So, yes, identify your target before firing!

[216th_Lucas_From_Hell]

Another thing is that if you are within firing range you can already see the markings so actually look out for stars and crosses on the relevant places, this saved an Il-2 flying with a jammed landing gear from receiving the Ju-87 treatment.

[wtornado]

That really should not happen. On the Saturday nights flights we've sometimes mistaken Pe-2s for 110s but always identified them in time before shots fired. Sounds like a lot of impatient people who can`t be bothered to identifiy first. I myself will get very close before daring to fire if I`m not certain.

Welcome to the world of open dogfight server follies long live co-op servers.

Edited June 23, 2016 by WTornado

[GrendelsDad]

Good post Milo.

[216th_Lucas_From_Hell]

Welcome to the world of open dogfight server follies long live co-op servers.

 

On DED things are more chill. The day before yesterday I took off under vulch attack by a pair of Bf-110s, then en route got caught up in an attack on our front storage by two Bf-110s (which I escaped by hiding among bloody trees 5m from the ground, nasty stuff) and on the way back saw the Yak-1 pair performing an intercept on that Bf-110. It's very, very pleasant to see organised groups

[GrendelsDad]

I agree WOL can be rough at times...but not too long ago I was there looking for people to fly with whilst shooting at friendlies every now and then. I feel like I owe to the newer guys to help out where I can. You can always find a new player in there. Its servers like WOL that bring in new players so I tend to be very understanding when on there.

Edited June 23, 2016 by 6./ZG1_GrendelsDad

[xThrottle_Geek]

Aviation Side note of the day: The angle of the wings relative to the horizon when viewed from the front/rear is called wing dihedral. Carry on good sirs. 

[curiousGamblerr]

That really should not happen. On the Saturday nights flights we've sometimes mistaken Pe-2s for 110s but always identified them in time before shots fired. Sounds like a lot of impatient people who can`t be bothered to identifiy first. I myself will get very close before daring to fire if I`m not certain.

 

Except that time p3z shot at AeroAce haha 

 

But same, I wait until I'm certain, even if that means getting scary close. As with everything in this game, you get better with practice so it's not so bad.

[Jade_Monkey]

I dont remember what i was flying but I got jumped by a teammate recently.

 

Speaking of TK, there are a lot of ground objects in WOL with the wrong country, that result in TK messages.

[von_Tom]

 

It's easy to tell the difference. Shoot all your ammo at it. If it is a 110 it's wings will fall off and it'll burn up. If it's a Pe2 you're dead from the gunner or you may as well ram it so as to save wasting all of your ammo only to see it fly off.

 

von Tom

 

ps Yes this is tongue in cheek with an element of truth.

[-TBC-AeroAce]

Except that time p3z shot at AeroAce haha

 

But same, I wait until I'm certain, even if that means getting scary close. As with everything in this game, you get better with practice so it's not so bad.

I wasn't going to bring that up but lol well done for remembering .

 

Lol Il never forget the TS chat;

 

 

Pez "where are you"

Me "at target now"

Pez "ok cool, shit enemy twins spotted"

Me "no joy"

Pez "attacking"

 

I get hit 

 

Me "wtf dude why"

 

Lol

Edited June 23, 2016 by AeroACE

[ACG_pezman]

I wasn't going to bring that up but lol well done for remembering .

 

Lol Il never forget the TS chat;

 

 

Pez "where are you"

Me "at target now"

Pez "ok cool, shit enemy twins spotted"

Me "no joy"

Pez "attacking"

 

I get hit

 

Me "wtf dude why"

 

Lol

You know why