SE5a drivers

[SP1969]

Just wondering, who likes the SE5a enough to make it their regular mount in FC?

 

I'm seeing a few of the German pilots very effectively using pairs of aircraft in some of the furballs, each covering the other's tail in the attack.

 

Such tactics would,  I think, make the SE5 far more effective.

 

If anyone is interested in forming a pair, I'd love to hear from you.

 

I'm European time zone.

 

Thanks to Tatzelwurm for his skill and patience this evening - instructive and very interesting being your target drone, sir!

 

 

[HagarTheHorrible]

I like the SE5a and would like to get better flying it but find that it's not well suited to how FC is generally played, so I tend to fall back to the Camel, which is designed (talk about foresight on the part of Mr Sopwith) for the low level rough and tumble that FC normally is.  The Se5a is a good match against the usual Hun machines but has little to distinguish itself against the likes of the "f" especially if the dastardly Hun, tricky blighters, pair up for a bit of fly swatting.

[BMA_West]

Only way to distinguish yourself from a VIIf in a SE5 is plunge and get the hell out of Dodge )))

Against 2 of those ...

 

So now they already fly in pairs from starters?

Double trumping SE5 so forget the sporting tangent ...

Edited June 23, 2019 by West

[SP1969]

Morning Gents, 

 

Well, as someone or another wrote or said on a documentary, I can't recall whom, I'm afraid:

 

'Knights of the air? Rubbish. Sneak up and shoot the Hun in the back before he knows one is there'

 

Sounds like the sort of thing Mick Mannock may have said.

 

Anyway. 

 

Lonely SE5a seeks similar for high jinks......maybe more....

[HagarTheHorrible]

Do you need to speak, or is that cheating ?

 

A couple of things I find odd about the SE5a though are that I don’t seem to need to use the ailerons much, as if it wants to be a rotary, it’s all rudder, rudder, rudder and secondly I actually find the Camel to be a better, more stable, gun platform  when lining up a calculated, as opposed to snap, shot.

[SP1969]

I'm a terrible shot in FC anyway, but yes, I'd agree the nose of the SE gets in the way. 

 

I'm finding I'm shooting a bit low, a lot of the time, and can't quite figure out why.

 

All jokes aside, and this isn't false modesty, Hagar, I'm a bloody terrible pilot and a worse shot, but I have had a love affair with the SE since I was a wee boy, so I'm going to stick with it until I get it right.  

[HagarTheHorrible]

1 hour ago, SP1969 said:

 

 

I'm finding I'm shooting a bit low, a lot of the time, and can't quite figure out why.

 

All jokes aside, and this isn't false modesty, Hagar, I'm a bloody terrible pilot and a worse shot, but I have had a love affair with the SE since I was a wee boy, so I'm going to stick with it until I get it right.  

 

Try upping your convergence, forget the numbers, just set it to coincide with the point in space that you normally shoot at a target, if the convergence range setting is 600yds, so be it, even if you think it should only be 150-200yds.  I’m experimenting with maximum convergence range at the moment to try and bring the line of fire closer to that of the real aircraft, I don’t know if the sights adjust accordingly (I use VR so I make particular use of the Aldis).

 

P.S  ref piloting skill, then that at least makes two of us ?

Edited June 23, 2019 by HagarTheHorrible

[BMA_West]

The spotting against the ground back drop seems my sore thump.

The while you are high lighted against the sky or even getting baited with the real predator soaring above in numbers, so beware;

 

Next the shooting indeed, in a dive at high speeds with a rather small opportunity window, topped with the FC environment where kills on first pass rather seem improbable.

Indeed I concour with Hagar that convergence is important. Only 200 seems my sweet spot for now and I dont use VR.

 

And hopefully followed by a proper zoom or it all ends in a plump tangle )))

Edited June 23, 2019 by West

[HagarTheHorrible]

The Aldiis really ONLY makes sense in VR.  Your head moves around far more freely, just as it does in real life,  If you don’t fly using VR then you’re just as well sticking to the iron sights, they obstruct the view less.

[J2_Bidu]

5 hours ago, HagarTheHorrible said:

[...] for the low level rough and tumble that FC normally is [...]

 

... while there are no two-seaters available to give some sense to whatever is happening strategically-wise and of course flying high to escape all that mess and do their job...

 

[JGr2/J5_Klugermann]

12 hours ago, SP1969 said:

I'm a terrible shot in FC anyway, but yes, I'd agree the nose of the SE gets in the way. 

 

I'm finding I'm shooting a bit low, a lot of the time, and can't quite figure out why.

 

All jokes aside, and this isn't false modesty, Hagar, I'm a bloody terrible pilot and a worse shot, but I have had a love affair with the SE since I was a wee boy, so I'm going to stick with it until I get it right.  

 

If your tracers are low you need to lead more and you shouldn't be shooting at anything more than 200m away.

Edited June 24, 2019 by Klugermann

[BMA_West]

3 hours ago, HagarTheHorrible said:

The Aldiis really ONLY makes sense in VR.  Your head moves around far more freely, just as it does in real life,  If you don’t fly using VR then you’re just as well sticking to the iron sights, they obstruct the view less.

 

While not using VR I largely depend on the Aldis not only for aiming but also to estimate the proper firing distance to the looming prey when compared to its inner circle.

From always using it I guess I'm past finding it obstructive.

Edited June 23, 2019 by West

[HagarTheHorrible]

14 minutes ago, West said:

 

While not using VR I largely depend on the Aldis not only for aiming but also to estimate the proper firing distance to the looming prey when compared to its inner circle.

I always use it and nevert did find it obstructive.

 

Quite right.

 

Obviously it's also possible to use the ring and bead sight to estimate range.  The advantage of the Aldis, in real life, was that the "sight picture" didn't need to be perfect aligned, to get a perfectly aimed shot (very important when shooting properly) which can be challenging when it's not possible to clamp your head to the weapon.  Traditional viewing techniques, or even head tracking devices, such as TrackIR, tend to remove any error and put the head in the perfect position (unless you use 6 DOF and remove all dead zones) VR is slightly different in that your head is where your head is, fortunatly not subject to being moved by flight forces, and realistic sighting errors can creep in.  Before VR I enjoyed using the Aldis as much as the next person It's just that until I played in VR that I appreciated the reason for the need for it.

[Trooper117]

SP... I'll give it a go mate.

I'm like you, always liked the S.E.5, but I'm no hotshot pilot... I used to be in a squadron years ago and loved the whole IL2 online wars etc, and was in it for some kind of realism aspect and trying to achieve the mission, not in it for penis extension kills.

I've not been online for ages though so very rusty!

[BMA_West]

In some other earlier SE5 related thread 2 other posters were also advancing that idea of starting an Eu time zone SE5 squad.

Been trying but did not find it back.

However with high summer upon us and temperatures of + 35 °C here in Blegium for now (Paris +40°C feeling like 48°C) firing up the game PC is rather asking for big trouble ...

Edited June 23, 2019 by West

[JGr2/J5_Baeumer]

So good to see more gents putting things together on the Entente side. 

[wombatBritishBulldogs]

"     However with high summer upon us and temperatures of + 35 °C here in Belgium for now (Paris +40°C feeling like 48°C) firing up the game PC is rather asking for big trouble ..."

         on the weather front ! it just ticked over minus 3.9 c at 7am In southern state of australia Computer loves it 

[SP1969]

Thanks for all the feedback re gunnery, chaps, it is appreciated.

 

Troop, let's give it a go, shall we?

 

I'm sure when the map arrives, more things shall happen 'mission wise', so squadrons will make sense.

[HagarTheHorrible]

SP1969

 For someone who claims to be a bit rubbish i thought you did rather well to get a couple of victories flying the SE5a in that furball enviroment, I appreciate you died several times, but it was hardly the most conducive enviroment for the SE.

Edited June 23, 2019 by HagarTheHorrible

[No.23_Triggers]

S.E.5a is absolutely a squadron machine. I'd say the thing to do is think about setting up an S.E.5a Squadron! 

 

There are plenty interesting historical squadrons out there to choose from (No.56, No.60, No.74, etc), and if you decide to go down the 'Historical Skin' route, I should be able to help out with the correct Sqn. markings...

 

[SP1969]

I'd have got more, if I could only learn how to critically hit the target more often on the first pass.

 

I was watching some of the 103 boys doing their thing ( I'm SURE I saw someone flying Rickenbacker's aeroplane ) which was instructive.

 

The nose up attitude of the SE, even with the tailplane incidence set as low as possible, creates issues in trying to turn tightly and aim whilst doing so.

 

I evened that out in RoF with curves.

2 minutes ago, US103_Larner said:

S.E.5a is absolutely a squadron machine. I'd say the thing to do is think about setting up an S.E.5a Squadron! 

 

There are plenty interesting historical squadrons out there to choose from (No.56, No.60, No.74, etc), and if you decide to go down the 'Historical Skin' route, I should be able to help out with the correct Sqn. markings...

You posted as I hit send, Larner.

 

My Dad flew with 74, on Hunters and Lightnings.
 

 

[No.23_Triggers]

Wow, well there you go!! It's gotta be Tiger Squadron, then  

Gimme a shout if you ever do decide to set up 74, I'll get out the ol' book of Squadron Markings. 

[SP1969]

Much obliged, Sir.

 

I like a bit of photoshop, me, although I confess I like 'Hollywood' skins for furballs. Silver dope looks SO much nicer than PC10 or PC12!

 

Out of interest, when you dive those SPADs, what sort of speed are you doing as you bottom out in the dive?

 

 

[No.23_Gaylion]

I can never tell due to black out.

Edited June 23, 2019 by US103_Talbot

[SP1969]

Chuckling at that.

 

I lost wings a couple of times tonight due to over enthusiastic pulling up, but the FC SE is a LOT better than the RoF variant, and the engine doesn't break nearly as often.

[No.23_Gaylion]

Come hang out with us sometime and well gladly show you all the tricks!

 

[SP1969]

I might well do that, be nice to serve with the Americans again.

 

I did a stint instructing at Ft Bragg in 1992 after the First Gulf - had a VERY nice time. I was made to feel like a king by everybody. 

 

While I'm posting - to the DVa pilot who stopped shooting when I popped a white flare. 

 

You're a gentleman, Sir, whoever you are. I was red hazed, smoking and losing coolant, but due to your sportmanship, I was able to bring her down more or less intact, costing you your kill, but earning my respect.

 

Thank you.

[BMA_Hellbender]

11 hours ago, West said:

In some other earlier SE5 related thread 2 other posters were also advancing that idea of starting an Eu time zone SE5 squad.

Been trying but did not find it back.

However with high summer upon us and temperatures of + 35 °C here in Blegium for now (Paris +40°C feeling like 48°C) firing up the game PC is rather asking for big trouble ...

 

I can't believe I'd ever say this, but thank God we moved to Spain where those temperatures are fairly normal and we have air conditioning in the house, meaning it's 24-26C inside almost year-round. The a/c market is about to boom in the old fatherland.

 

Other than that, the SE5a is a great teamplay platform, way better than the Camel and a bit more forgiving than the SPAD. Forget the Dolphin.

 

If you discount the D.VIIF, it's easily better than everything on the Central side.

 

So far. 

[BMA_West]

@ Bender

 

Yep, if one builds new or rebuilds an AC installation becomes pretty obvious here now adays.

But if one is retired looking at the mileage for a future estimate makes it look such a big stretch ... the more when already gone through some remodelling 10-15 years ago.

If we had known what was looming ...

 

What I remember the SE5 also from as teamplay platform from in its former ROF days, before the star wars situation later, was its role as choice scout-command plane.

Meaning having the guy with the right eyes and mind up there on TS directing the camels down yonder.

Edited June 24, 2019 by West

[Diggun]

Forgive my ignorance, where do you FC types fly online? I'd love to bring my SE to the fray!

[No.23_Triggers]

The typical get-together is on Sundays, on the JAsta 5 Flugpark server. Can't remember the start-end dates off the top of my head, 1900 GMT to 0000 GMT, I think. 

[BMA_West]

@ Diggun

Or Friday nights at OG's server, just look at GCF's remembering posts about both.

Edited June 24, 2019 by West

[BMA_West]

On ‎6‎/‎23‎/‎2019 at 12:42 PM, SP1969 said:

I'm a terrible shot in FC anyway, but yes, I'd agree the nose of the SE gets in the way. 

 

I'm finding I'm shooting a bit low, a lot of the time, and can't quite figure out why.

….

 

I’d use SP quickies to figure out what goes wrong.

You may use record for reruns,  aiming assist, lower speed down, use team mates targets that stay put or set up an enemy without ammo.

[HagarTheHorrible]

SP1969

 

Could have done with a bit of a hand taking on those j2 fellas, although bizzarly I appear to have shot 2 of them down, I think they must have bumped into each other after I'd put some rounds in their tail feathers, they definetly got the better of the affair from my standpoint.  Despite crashing into the ground, several times, it appears I'm invulnerable, I didn't die once, most gratifying.  ?

 

I'll try the SE the next time I see you about. ?

[Sublime]

All I can say is others opinions wont change my love of the dolphin. It 'feels right'

just like in RoF the Dr I  'felt right' in my hands. It jived with soldiers accounts, dogfighting did feel like acrobatics but thats just how she flew to get firing solutions. this one.. no. The Dolhpin I never had, I prefer it over the camel infinitely. I always watned to like the Se5 but I cant. just cant. The spad I despise.

plus my god the dolphin with those 2 lewis underwing guns is a butcher

[Cynic_Al]

1 hour ago, Sublime said:

 the dolphin with those 2 lewis underwing guns is a butcher

 

Funny how those wing guns never suffer stoppages...

[Sublime]

Good catch thanks for that