The Nose MGs of the 109 are very comfartable for precise shooting at the neuralgic points like on the engine part or the pilot cabine of the airplane in front of you. Especially, when you have a Spitfire in a sharp defensive turn a good leaded MG burst can cripple the engien of it and bring it eventually down. Also when you get very close to the Spit in the turn, you acn also use your cannon and try to anything on the SPit will it is in a sharp turn. While turning it makes a big target with its huge wings (the Spit) and with a hit in the wings , the SPit loses a lots of its lift and becomes an easier target for subsequent attacks.

I just read the posting from yesterday and @Doggles, I have to say I'm disappointed in your opening post. I thought you had more about you in sticking the good fight no matter the odds and that you weren't in 109's just because they are better. It's like supporting Man Utd, you pick it because it wins with zero sentiment. The RAF have had it dead tough since release and they just generally get on with it, Klem has been bang on with the vast majority of his points imho.

I managed to get a ride in a SpitII last night and had some success, but both kills were versus 109's on the deck trying to turn fight - I worked with Robo and we did 3 of them in - he flew the Hurricane. The Spit II made no difference, I've nailed just as many in the Spit I because they just played the wrong cards. But more important for me was to actually have a go in it in the server I fly most in - why should I have to go elsewhere? I got one ride before Launcher crash and then it was taken so no biggy.

If you want to be restricting RAF then don't forget that your E3's and E4's also need to go. Read Steinhilpers book, he will tell you that the Luftwaffe were short of them and only 'the Spaniards' took them. Everyone else was on E1's. But on the server the RAF constantly face the E4's in massive numbers with their big cannon and dangerous twin nose MG's but do we constantly bang on about how unfair it is?

Sorry but I find the instant and very overly vocal Luftwhining very annoying. I would like to request that if ATAG feel pressured by the vocalists enough to remove the Spit II then please place serious restriction on the E4's and E3's too - it should be 40-50% E1's.

None taken Old Chap! :)

Here's my problem: Most of the time when I fly it's late at night, and numbers are low. Even with only 5 Spit 2's, if there are only 10 people in the server then all of the red team will be flying Spit 2s. If the spit 2 pilot sees you, he will win the fight unless you get the kill on the first pass.

So now there's no point in me flying on my favourite server.

The E1 has the same performance as the E3 and E4.

Interesting, and this underlines just how disappointing the sales in the USA really are. I have hardly noticed any increase in traffic from the time COD went on sale in the USA - where the hell is everyone?

The E-1 Doesn't have the same guns though. Why else do you think that the majority take the E-4?

I think the majority take the E4 for the auto prop pitch. I know I usually do. The E1 is a very good fighter, and has a LOT of ammunition.
Also, IIRC historically JG52 flew E1's through most of the BoB!

What really concerns me now is the furore that I predict from a lot of the blue drivers when flight models raise the game of the Spitfire. If it becomes historically correct and so does the 109 and Hurricane then I think we'll see a 109 massacre purely because so many 109 guys are used to diving into fights, bleeding e and escaping through speed and climb. That will end and their behaviour will need to change, but it won't imho.

I will be much more content when I know I can escape a 109 with a steep climbing turn, if he follows then he will stall first, and when he dives away and gains ground as a result.

I also feel that the damage done by 303's to 109's doesn't impact their performance quickly enough. I don't 'do' 109 driving but I've been in many fights where I've made all kinds of leaks and explosions only to see him carry on for numerous minutes with no apparent performance loss. I confess I really need to try this for myself though.

As one of the guys who flies for the RAF exclusively and 'quietly gets on with it' I will continue to quietly get on with it regardless of whether or not a Spitfire IIa is available to fly or not. I could care less. I'm more concerned about not forgetting to open my radiator before I overheat.

BTW, it's a great disservice to the ATAG guys to 'boycot' their server because of the IIa appearing once in a while. How many hours of fun has their server provided? It's not free for them to have the server up. I think keeping the server populated and fun for people to play on is worth a few broken pretend airplanes.

I'm on at night an late afternoon ,last night even being out numbered out 8or 9 to 6 red, Only 2 spit iia where up !! as i think it will be most of the time. the other planes up were 2 rotols a spit an a spit 1a ,Blue side 8 109 4s an 1 87 . an think he flew 110 after that, So i haven't seen what your saying might happen.!! I think bliss an ATAG did the right thing!!! when you see me i'll still be in my rotol!!!! day or night .funniest part of this is most of the time, the 2a are going for bombers ,not even caring about the 109s unless they happen to be escorting the bombers. ;) an not out hunting 109s like they should be ,i,ve only flown the 2a once an wasn't that impressed!!!!! I think big deal , If you need me on blue i'll switch ,If i can shoot down 109s ,bet i can shoot down 2a , an have been seeing so many shot down . I still think it comes down to ts an tactics, So lets just sit back an watch!!!! an see how this plays out ,with 5 at 60 players ,red out numbered most days!!! an if what you say could happen does!!! from what i've seen i'll bet ATAG will prob. adjust maps at night ,but not wanting to step on any toes, i think your putting the cart in front of the horse!!!!! SALUTE

I flew with JTdawg and the other regulars, it was quiet and most flew their usual rides. I didn't recognise the few Spit2 jockeys that were using it but, as JT points out, they were going down just as frequently as any other ac.

My advice is to give it a go and see for yourselves! It seemed like business as usual Reds v Blues with no negative comments in the chat bar `- which says a lot.