I have to agree with Blackdog about the damage model.
I've still been able to cause some explosions (wings taken off, fuel blows up, etc) with my .303s, but they're much more rare which I feel is as it should be.
I've had situations where prolonged 'exposure' to enemy fire has resulted in a Spitfire full of holes, but otherwise still operable. This is usually when I'm getting shot up from directly 6 o'clock. My controls get damaged, but not often does my engine start to suffer unless they get a lucky shot. More often, my guns get damaged (after one particular enemy attack which peppered my wings, I had only one gun left operable out of 8!)
Not so if I'm attacked with some deflection. If bullets strike my nose, I've got problems (engine and fuel are all up there!).
Perhaps some of the aerodynamics aren't perfect when dealing with airframe damage, but I still think the damage is leagues ahead of 1946.
You get your guns lined up and your shots on target from as close a distance as you can and hope for the best. If you can get the shots specifically at a vulnerable spot (fuel tanks, engine, etc) all the better. If I can get an enemy plane smoking or otherwise visibly in difficulty, I usually don't waste any more bullets on him if I absolutely don't have to. Physics will do the rest for me and I'll have more bullets for the next guy
