fw 190a5 flight model

[IceFire]

Oryx: Agreed, that comment does stand out and it's in stark contrast to any volume of reading on WWII air combat on nearly all fronts of the war.

I love this quote from a Russian pilot in particular:

Q: Could you describe ordinary dogfight?
I can’t understand the question… There were no dogfights. You saw an airplane, approach it from behind, attack and leave. Bombers were not advised to attack from straight behind – the gunner would get you. Better attack it from behind-low, with an angle 20-30 degrees. Take lead and fire your weapons.
On the other hand over Kuban it was always cloudy, enemy would suddenly appear out of the clouds in front of you… And you just press the button… Single shot. I do not remember a single case when there would be a “dogfight”. Speed and maneuver is everything!

http://mig3.sovietwarplanes.com/pilo...in/zyvagin.htm

This would not be an isolated comment either. It's not to say that dogfights didn't happen but they are much romanticized I think.