how to handle the spitIX??

[Skoshi Tiger]

Originally Posted by BadAim

That's usually what I'm doing no matter what plane I'm flying, that and drinking heavily. It's my secret for siming mediocrity, it keeps 'em guessing, and shaking their heads in disbelief.

Welcome to the "Fifteen Minuters"! It's a tough job but without pilots like us those point-whores couldn't rack up 1000's of points each mission!

Cheers

[rollnloop]

Keep in mind many online players have more than 10 years experience flying WWII combat sims, 8+ on IL2 alone, for some almost every day for several hours. These ones know their business, and can use their planes at their best. Those are the ones you can't reach, or outurn you in their 109, outrun you in their 190, kill you in one pass before you ever see them. They are even more dangerous when they hunt in horde, two or more planes against one is a fantastic advantage, even the best pilots struggle when caught outnumbered.

There's only one secret, practise and patience. While you experiment this, take a look at Il2 compare to see where your plane outperforms your foe's. For the SpitIX, it's best feature is its turning ability in the 300/330kph band. When turning, stay in this speed range, while slightly nosing down, and no German plane will outurn you, even the mighty 109F2/F4/G2. Don't run after a FW190 when he runs, climb instead. If he reengages he is then lower, you have the energy to catch him with a dive.

Note also that the Spit is one of the hardest planes to aim with, due to the position of its MGs and Cannons. Fire near convergence or aim only with one wing if you're much closer, don't fire at all if the target is much further, you'd waste your ammo for no result.

[IceFire]

Something else you can practice offline... setup some C-47s and use them as target practice.

Get to the point where you can cripple or kill a C-47 in a single burst of cannon and machine gun fire with virtually no missed shots. In reality there will be some shots that go astray but you should not miss with most of those shots.

Work your way towards doing that in combat. Find a target, setup the shot, kill it and keep going. What kills you is zooming around trying to get a few hits. The Spitfire and the Hispano cannon combination is great for killing almost anything in the first pass.

[322Sqn_Dusty]

S!

Ever flown with AI controlled planes in close combat escort formations? The AI always seem to cruise faster and you can't keep up even with the throttle at full? Try for cruising a setting of 70/70, 70% throttle and 70% blade pitch, depending on how you've trimmed and equipped the plane the numbers change and o.c. it's also depending on your own style. Only use 100% prop pitch when in combat or in need of full power. Lowering the pitch also helps in landing. On take off with heavy load you can also lower the flaps for lift.

If interested you can also ask questions at our forum http://www.322squadron.com

Picture of the MkIX of the Dutch Historical Airforce while serviced at her home base attached. Currently she's flying with the rounded wingtips but can also be fitted with the clipped.