New Pilot Buying Advice

[Scrubs]

Howdy Folks! I have a multiplayer plane set question! 

I just bought into the game during the winter sale. I also bought a full set of sticks (t.16000 I love them). Because of the investment I was only able to buy BoS standard. Now I fully expect to expand my library the next time there is a sale.... However... In the meantime I am noticing that most of the multiplayer servers (TAW,WOL,COMBATBOX) have rotating plane sets. There are times when there is only a single plane available to fly. There are even times when all three servers are running plane sets that I have no access to. 

Would it make sense to purchase a collector plane? Is there a certain plane that is used in more sets then others? I was leaning towards the BF109 G-6 as it seems like it would be present in many different sets? The Yak-1b? P-40E-1?

It's not really about what I want to fly, it's more about getting the most bang for my buck until the next sale! 

Any advice is appreciated!

[cardboard_killer]

I'm not sure about MP flying, but I think that BoS gives you the best single purchase plane coverage for MP; it is also the one expansion where buying the premium is a no-brainer. The Fw-190a3 and the La-5/5N are important planes that you'll definitely want. The extra $7.50 is the cheapest you'll ever have the opportunity to get them. They come on sale for $5 each from time to time.

 

I'd avoid buying the collector planes at all until the next sale, and then I'd buy BoK regular edition if you're hard up for cash. That gets you the Yak-7b for the Russians and the Bf-109G4 and the Fw190a5 for the Germans. Then, I'd say the La-5 and the Bf-109G6 are the collector planes to invest in at that point. Then, BoBp.

 

Note, I am more focused on fighters than ground attackers, and only play SP right now, so take this with a grain of salt.

[[=PzG=]-Southernbear]

one little problem is since your new you don't really know what your gonna be good at

 

However as a rule of thumb I always suggest this:
 

The 190 A-5 will most probably be the most useful (unless its a really early Stalingrad mission but is open to be used from Moscow to BoBP in my experience and sometimes in Stalingrad depending on how accurate the server is trying to be) because it gets a decent amout of ground ordnance and is an alright fighter HOWEVER this plane is from an Expansion and is expensive in the bigger picture so the next best thing is the 190 A-3...that IS in every expansion mission and the earlier the mission (i.e Stalingrad and Moscow compared to Kuban and Bodenplatte) the better of fighter it will be...so Defiantly the A3 without a doubt as the G-6 can be kinda iffy when it comes to availability in early missions for Moscow and Stalingrad

 

As for the Russians I'ma probably go a bit left field with this one...a tiny bit of personal bias I think but I suggest the P-40, good all round plane and will teach you engine management. Only down side would be Wings of Liberty as what makes it good is its an alright fighter but also can load 6 rockets/ 1 250 or 500kg bomb AS WELL as have 6 50cals good for ground attack BUT on Wings of Liberty ground ordinance for fighters is often locked meaning par for par the La-5s and such probably make a better fighter

Other downside is while the 50s are a blessing they are also a curse as they don't really teach you how to lead allied fighter guns until you get into BoBP 

 

Following everything I just said I MAY end up replacing the P-40 with the Hurricane when it comes out depending on what modifications the Hurricane can get but, for now, it remains as this.

 

But yeah...I'd say the Fw-190 A3 and the P-40 (for now) as both are solid starter buys for a new player. They are also both quite unique particularly the P-40 so you may like that too 

 

Edited January 13, 2020 by Southernbear

[SCG_Tzigy]

 

[[=PzG=]-Southernbear]

Oh yeah theres that XD Go pick up BoMP (Battle of Moscow Premium) its probably the best 'bang for your buck' as you get the P-40 and also classics like the Ju 88 and Bf 110 E-2 which are Very common aircraft on any server and then if your still hungry for a solid common Axis plane pick up the A-3 later

 

P.S I say MP over SP because you already have all the Stalingrad aircraft and would only be getting the 2 collector planes anyway so MP is probably better value atm

Edited January 13, 2020 by Southernbear

[ShamrockOneFive]

That's a great question and definitely a bit of a conundrum.

 

The different servers out there cater somewhat differently to different areas of the series. Wings of Liberty seems to be mainly about the Eastern Front. Combat Box is focused on the West. KOTA does a bit of both. You'll probably find the greatest availability of the aircraft you have in Battle of Stalingrad with the Wings of Liberty server.

 

That all said, if you were to buy a Collector Plane today, I think your idea of the Bf109G-6 is a good one. I've seen it show up in all of the servers I've mentioned. The other benefit is that if you like flying the Bf109F-4 and G-2 from Battle of Stalingrad, the G-6 is going to be a familiar experience (although different - with more engine power, more weight, heavier armament, etc.).

[Scrubs]

Wow. I just had a ton of fun reading all your responses. All great advice! Thanks people! 

You kinda swayed me on the P-40... I used to be in a Flying Tiger campaign way back in the day (IL-2 1946). The P-40 is one of my all time favorite planes.

[=FEW=fernando11]

My one advise, beside the fact that Bo Stalingrad is probably the best "starter" pack at least for now. And the fact that you should get the map/planes that you like most, is:

 

ALWAYS GET PREMIUM EDITIONS!

specially if you are in a sale.

It's always more expensive to get the missing planes as colectors...

 

I'm very biased towards the fw190a3!

And the Kuban map (BoK) and the early planes in BoM

 

[Goffik]

Hah, I read the title of this thread and was intrigued as to why anyone would want to buy advice when most people are happy to give it for free in this community. My dumb moment of the day. 

Edited January 13, 2020 by Goffik

[Diggun]

Also, just to say, hello and welcome to our weird little community! 

 

The p-40 is an iconic plane, but I would offer the caviat that, as represented in this sim, it is challenging. The engine management is some of the most unforgiving in the sim. The climb rate is sedate, and you will find yourself often losing energy faster than opponents. However, with discipline, you'll learn to love the dive rate, and the 6x.50s are very powerful, and you have ammo to spare to walk your shots into the enemy / set up a wall of lead for them to fly into. Leave the canopy open and you both look stylish and have a great field of view. 

 

Personally, and with a degree of national and personal bias though, I would perhaps point you in a different direction. 

 

Have you considered the Spitfire V? The spit is generally available in both East and West front scenarios, even later in the war, and though she may lack a bit in speed, she's more than capable of outmanouvering anything the opposition can throw at her. 2x20mm and 4x.303 are pretty powerful, though you only have 6 seconds of 'squirt' for the cannons. So it'll teach you trigger discipline and the importance of setting a correct convergence for your guns. With the two engine options you can optimise for either high or low altitude business too. @ShamrockOneFiveis too modest to do it himself, but I'll point you in the direction of his excellent blog, https://stormbirds.blog/, particularly the 'aircraft gazetter' section where he discusses strengths and weaknesses of most all of the aircraft currently in game https://stormbirds.blog/aircraft-gazetteer/

 

Have a peruse, its actually like a nice little showroom to browse before you part with your hard earned cash monies! 

 

See you in the sky!