Combat guide for Gustav

[Ropalcz]

Hi, I would like to ask - what is the best escape/defense strategy for G-2? 

 

I have learned and practiced the "basics" of Gustav flying  (taxiing, taking off, landing, basic aiming and shooting, standard combat altitude etc. ), but I am horrible at dogfighting - once someone better jumps on my six, I usually end dead in the nearest forest. 

 

 

[Finkeren]

Once you're jumped by someone (meaning he has the energy advantage) and is on your six (meaning he is close and has a clear shot) then you're in deep trouble no matter what plane you're in. From that point on every second is a struggle for survival and there is no guaranteed way out of such a situation.

 

Your first line of defense is always being aware. Make sure you spot him well in advance, so you don't get jumped and have time to react to the tactical situation that presents itself.

 

Your second line of defense is energy. Once you spot a target that has an equal or better energy situation than you, it's important, that you gain as much energy as you can to even the score before you clash. Depending on the situation that can take the form of climbing to gain altitude or gaining speed or a combination of the two.

 

If by the time you get close he still has the advantage, that's when you start to really play to your planes strengths. In the case of the G2 that is climb performance and level speed. Use your speed to keep him out of shooting distance and as soon as it is safe you climb, repeat until you're on top of him. Against any opponent except the MiG-3 your advantage grows the higher you climb, so climb, climb and then climb some more.

[E69_geramos109]

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jirRZdD2Od0

[=38=Tatarenko]

Having flown against you, my recommendation would be to get higher, turn much less, shoot at the guy that hasn't seen you and to get on a server like Random Expert or WoL that doesn't have those red/blue icons. You have a superb plane but as Finkeren says, hit then run and climb, don't try to waltz with it. The enemy yak at your alt who knows you're there isn't your target. Start by looking for a low, slow baby seal that you can club then land the kill and do it again and again. 

[Wulf]

Hi, I would like to ask - what is the best escape/defense strategy for G-2? 

 

I have learned and practiced the "basics" of Gustav flying  (taxiing, taking off, landing, basic aiming and shooting, standard combat altitude etc. ), but I am horrible at dogfighting - once someone better jumps on my six, I usually end dead in the nearest forest. 

 

 

As alluded by others, attempt to stay above the altitude where enemy aircraft are likely to be encountered.  The objective is to attack unseen, from above, and kill or disable the enemy (in a diving attack), before he sees you and has an opportunity to react.  This is what is commonly referred too as a 'bounce'.  Whether your initial dive is successful or not, climb back to altitude after the dive and re-assess the situation.

 

If you find yourself with an enemy closing fast on your tail, your best bet is either a 'break turn' (typically a hard 'high G' diving turn left or right) or a 'split S'.  If the enemy is going significantly faster than you, he will find it difficult to follow your maneuver.  However, if he's smart he will climb and attempt to re-engage you again at a lower altitude, so watch out.  The Split S is a particularly good escape maneuver if you're above (preferably well about) 1000m - which you should be!  Essentially you quickly roll on your back, pull the stick into your stomach and dive away on a reciprocal heading turning your altitude into speed.   At this point you then use this newly acquired speed to get you the farrrrk, out of there...

 

Good luck.

Edited November 27, 2016 by Wulf

[Ropalcz]

Thanks for the help guys! 

[Gambit21]

The old saying "never get into a fair fight" will serve you well in any aircraft.

Hartmann used to make sure he was higher than anyone else, when he did dive on an unsuspecting Yak he was faster than everyone else.

 

In any aircraft, wanting kills will get you killed - ego get's you killed.

Start flying like it's your actual life on the line, be smart, be patient, be willing to fly around for an hour, be willing to land without a kill...and the

kills will come so long as you're practiced at gunnery. Don't go diving into furballs unless you're making a pass from above with an abundance

of energy. The intuitive snapshot goes a long ways if you can master it.

[Ropalcz]

I started flying like that. I achived only two asists, but better than nothing. 

The most difficult part for me,is not being greedy for kills. 

[Irgendjemand]

I started flying like that. I achived only two asists, but better than nothing. 

The most difficult part for me,is not being greedy for kills. 

 

Good advice for training to shoot is go on berloga. There is no better place to train shooting with that high frequency. one hour on Berloga is like more than a whole day on WOL or some other expert server when it comes to encounters and shooting oportunities.

However the tense feeling and immersion is much higher on servers like TAW or random expert.

[-WILD-AlbinoHA5E]

The Dicta Boelke still holds true and contains the most Basic Rules.

1. Try to secure advantages before attacking. If possible keep the sun behind you.
2. Always carry through an attack when you started it.
3. Fire only at close range and only when your opponent is properly in your sights.
4. Always keep your eye on your opponent and never let yourself be deceived by ruses.
5. In any form of attack it is essential to assail your opponent from behind.
6. If your opponent dives on you, do not try to evade his onslaught but fly to meet him.
7. When over the enemy's line never forget your own line of retreat.
8. For the Squadron: Attack on principle in groups of four or six. When the fight breaks up into a series of single combats take care that several do not go for one opponent.

 

More complete on here.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dicta_Boelcke

[Ropalcz]

Current situation on WoL is more like spring 1945 than winter 1942/43. 

 

Doesn´t matter where I am, I spend most of my flying time running for my life from masses of red team members. 

[-WILD-AlbinoHA5E]

Current situation on WoL is more like spring 1945 than winter 1942/43. 

 

Doesn´t matter where I am, I spend most of my flying time running for my life from masses of red team members. 

As well as the lack of Basic Flying Skills on the German Side.

[Ropalcz]

As well as the lack of Basic Flying Skills on the German Side.

 

Not even flying, some are sadly not even able to take off or taxi safely. Its pretty dangerous on the runway 

 

I have about 180 hours played and I still feel like a beginner, especially when it comes to fighter vs fighter combat. 

[Dakpilot]

Current situation on WoL is more like spring 1945 than winter 1942/43. 

 

Doesn´t matter where I am, I spend most of my flying time running for my life from masses of red team members. 

 

To be realistic the situation at Stalingrad in winter 42/43 was pretty comparable to spring 45

 

some Luftwaffe fighter units were down to 29 serviceable aircraft out of a normal strength of 140 ish, this was a similar situation amongst most of them.

 

Whilst at the same time VVS was increasing in size at Stalingrad front and the most newer types were appearing

 

(of course this is not to be suggested as ideal for online fun)   but earlier in the battle the situation was reversed (summer/Autumn)

 

Cheers Dakpilot

[-WILD-AlbinoHA5E]

Not even flying, some are sadly not even able to take off or taxi safely. Its pretty dangerous on the runway 

 

I have about 180 hours played and I still feel like a beginner, especially when it comes to fighter vs fighter combat. 

I am crap at Dogfighting as well, that's why I Stick to Levelbombing and heavy fighters. Not everyone is born an Ace, I acknowledge that and stick to what I'm best at, not that I'm good at it though, just less bad than at fighting.

 

John Cleese talking about all those Wannabe 109 Hartmanns and Nowotny 190 Scrubs.

 

 

"The Dunning–Kruger effect is a cognitive bias in which low-ability individuals suffer from illusory superiority, mistakenly assessing their ability as much higher than it really is. Dunning and Kruger attributed this bias to a metacognitive incapacity, on the part of those with low ability, to recognize their ineptitude and evaluate their competence accurately. Their research also suggests corollaries: high-ability individuals may underestimate their relative competence and may erroneously assume that tasks which are easy for them are also easy for others.^[1]"

Edited December 1, 2016 by CuteKitten94

[=38=Tatarenko]

I'm with you there Kitten .... that's why i fly the IL-2. Everything happens at my speed (slowly!)

[-WILD-AlbinoHA5E]

I'm with you there Kitten .... that's why i fly the IL-2. Everything happens at my speed (slowly!)

I would, well not die, but pay for an Il-4. The russians need an Aircraft able to carry more than 2500kg of Bombs. I love the Peshkas, Il-2 is a ton of fun, but nothing matches the Satisfaction of Carpeting an entire Area in fire and death from 6000m you get in the 88 and 111.

Nothing will match the H-16 with 32 bombs.

[Wulf]

Current situation on WoL is more like spring 1945 than winter 1942/43. 

 

Doesn´t matter where I am, I spend most of my flying time running for my life from masses of red team members. 

 

 

You need to select an airfield well away from the action and arrive over the likely combat areas with lots of altitude under your wings.  Something like 6k should do it.  Then start looking for enemies below you.  At that height you'll see less than you would at 4k or 3k, but it's safer.  Be very picky about who you attack and don't get sucked into prolonged fights.  And remember, keep a watchful eye on your tail and particularly the area in the blind spot below and behind your tail. (try flying in long gentle curves, first one way then the other).  One of the hardest parts of of this game is actually seeing other aircraft.  Up high you'll often get to see their vapour trails but not always.  Unless you have a wingman to watch your tail for you it pays to spend more time looking behind you than hunting for targets.

Edited December 2, 2016 by Wulf

[-WILD-AlbinoHA5E]

You need to select an airfield well away from the action and arrive over the likely combat areas with lots of altitude under your wings.  Something like 6k should do it.  Then start looking for enemies below you.  At that height you'll see less than you would at 4k or 3k, but it's safer.  Be very picky about who you attack and don't get sucked into prolonged fights.  And remember, keep a watchful eye on your tail and particularly the area in the blind spot below and behind your tail. (try flying in long gentle curves, first one way then the other).  One of the hardest parts of of this game is actually seeing other aircraft.  Up high you'll often get to see their vapour trails but not always.  Unless you have a wingman to watch your tail for you it pays to spend more time looking behind you than hunting for targets.

Such truth, such an unlikely source.

 

But I can only reaffirm flying organized for Success. Aerial Combat is always easier with a couple  Mates by your side.

Also remember never to fight on even or fair Grounds EVER. You are in a Gustav, nothing can touch you if you don't want it to. Never play anything but your strengths.

Edited December 2, 2016 by CuteKitten94

[Yogiflight]

Hi Kitten, you can also fly the Ju88 with 32 bombs, but 4 of them are then 250s.

[=CFC=Conky]

You need to select an airfield well away from the action and arrive over the likely combat areas with lots of altitude under your wings.  Something like 6k should do it.  Then start looking for enemies below you.  At that height you'll see less than you would at 4k or 3k, but it's safer.  Be very picky about who you attack and don't get sucked into prolonged fights.  And remember, keep a watchful eye on your tail and particularly the area in the blind spot below and behind your tail. (try flying in long gentle curves, first one way then the other).  One of the hardest parts of of this game is actually seeing other aircraft.  Up high you'll often get to see their vapour trails but not always.  Unless you have a wingman to watch your tail for you it pays to spend more time looking behind you than hunting for targets.

 

 

Hey Wulf,

 

I agree with most of what you say, except for the altitude part. At 6000m in a 109 you will be very safe, but you probably won't see the VVS kites trashing their ground targets. My philosophy is you can't be both safe and dangerous to the enemy. Personally, I rarely fly above 4000m, usually around 3000m. Your technique for clearing your tail is bang-on though. 

 

I'm a crappy dogfighter; the rare times I manage to shoot somebody down is because they didn't see me coming.

 

Good hunting,

Conky

Edited December 2, 2016 by =CFC=Conky

[Wulf]

Hey Wulf,

 

I agree with most of what you say, except for the altitude part. At 6000m in a 109 you will be very safe, but you probably won't see the VVS kites trashing their ground targets. My philosophy is you can't be both safe and dangerous to the enemy. Personally, I rarely fly above 4000m, usually around 3000m. Your technique for clearing your tail is bang-on though. 

 

I'm a crappy dogfighter; the rare times I manage to shoot somebody down is because they didn't see me coming.

 

Good hunting,

Conky

 

 

Yes agreed; you won't see what's going on near the ground from way up there.  I just thought if you're learning the ropes, flying around up there and having the odd success is probably a better learning experience than getting clobbered again and again at 2k. 

[=CFC=Conky]

Yes agreed; you won't see what's going on near the ground from way up there.  I just thought if you're learning the ropes, flying around up there and having the odd success is probably a better learning experience than getting clobbered again and again at 2k. 

 

 

Yeah, fair enough Wulf, I imagine you see some Mig-3's way up there, and some other stuff a bit lower.

[-WILD-AlbinoHA5E]

Hi Kitten, you can also fly the Ju88 with 32 bombs, but 4 of them are then 250s.

I think what excites me even more a 8x250kg Internally.

[Trinkof]

Hey Wulf,

 

I agree with most of what you say, except for the altitude part. At 6000m in a 109 you will be very safe, but you probably won't see the VVS kites trashing their ground targets. My philosophy is you can't be both safe and dangerous to the enemy. Personally, I rarely fly above 4000m, usually around 3000m. Your technique for clearing your tail is bang-on though.

 

I'm a crappy dogfighter; the rare times I manage to shoot somebody down is because they didn't see me coming.

 

Good hunting,

Conky

At 6k you can practice a brillant and very safe tactic called pendulum : dive somewhere near objectives tou want to protect or attack ... At max speed , level flight at 750km.h or more , check for targets, then full power and climb at initial alt. If tou see something, check above, if clear , reassess your positioning, loose some alt to not be too fast on target then BnZ.

 

I consider 6k to be a good altitude even for planning an engagement at 2k. It forces you to think and take your time, and do it safely. Thinking will save your life... Much more than dogfighting at 2k

 

If you do not have alt advantage at least have a huge speed advantage. This can only be done by strating very high. Without speed or alt advantage , you only rely on luck to go home alive ...

Edited December 2, 2016 by LAL_Trinkof