Help me not get beat up by Roland CIIs please?

[Ryan H]

I dont really know what to say here. I'm flying an early war campaign and so far its been a walk in the park. Fly up, shoot down some Fokkers with my N11, fly home. Now though, I'm fighting the Roland CII. That craft seems to be a formidable foe to say the least! It seems to be able to fly like a fighter, it seems very strong, and has a rear gunner. How do you guys approach these foes? Is it best to just let them go? Once a furball forms it seems like every wich way you turn you in someone sights, be it the pilot or the gunner. So far I've been brought down (alive) by 2 Rolands in the last week. Help me!! Thanks guys

[zoomzoom]

Well, this is kinda how its supposed to be. I mean after all, they aren't up there for a picnic lunch. And the Roland CII is a formidable and versatile fighting machine. The tactics best employed are as follows:

 

Use diving attacks from above, or even better, from in front and above. Streak through the formation and try to shoot up the last man.....tail end charlie. Hopefully you can damage him and he will slow down.....then you can focus on him alone without his buddies to pester you.

 

(in many instances, if this failed, many pilots would just find easier prey, as a formation of these battleships is quite dangerous once you have lost the element of suprise)

 

If however, through diving attacks and persistance you succeed in culling one from the "herd', then try shooting him up from underneath, bobbing up and down so as not to get in his gunners sights.

 

These are your best chances. Its not easy......its not supposed to be. Good luck.

 

 

ZZ.

 

PS. If however, they break up into a swarm after the first attack, like angry hornets, and your boys don't outnumber them, I'd leave......

Edited May 20, 2010 by zoomzoom

[Rickitycrate]

Good points ZZ. In RL the Walfisch was a pretty good fighter when first put into service. Add to that the visibility and the observer/gunner and indeed you have a tough nut to crack. So Ryan I too think your experience is in keeping with RL and that your best attacks would be from the front and maybe below. Good luck.

[Ryan H]

Sounds great! Its kinda refreshing to have something other than Fokker EIIIs to shoot at, now I've got something that puts up a fight . I think whats happening is that I keep running into FA62 (i think thats who they are) who used the CII as a fighter; which explains why they break formation and fight if you try and dive on them.

[shredward]

Sounds great! Its kinda refreshing to have something other than Fokker EIIIs to shoot at, now I've got something that puts up a fight . I think whats happening is that I keep running into FA62 (i think thats who they are) who used the CII as a fighter; which explains why they break formation and fight if you try and dive on them.

 

The Wahlfisch was used as an escort fighter, particularly by the Schustas. I have seen reports by British pilots who, on attacking a pair, or a formation of two-seaters, were surprised by a Roland turning to fight while the other a/c made good their escape. And when the Wahlfisch was first put into service, it was very fast compared to most of its Allied opponents - a very formidable machine.

Cheers,

shredward