First P-51D kill with an Fw190D9

[+streakeagle 871]

I have flown P-51Ds for so long in so many different sims, but especially in Aces High. The Aces High P-51D FM gunnery models are both fairly detailed and accurate, so transitioning to the DCS P-51D was pretty much a no-brainer other than learning how to keep my engine from seizing up. The only feature I miss from Aces High is being able to set the range for the guns, as I like them focused a bit further out than most pilots. Initially, beating the AI P-51D (the only opponent originally available) proved very difficult because the AI uses aggressive vertical tactics and seems to retain energy more efficiently than player flown aircraft. But I soon figured out how to go easier on my stick, keep or restore energy every chance I got, then get a sustained burst on the AI as it peaked in its vertical maneuver.

 

The AI Fw190D9 flew essentially the same way, perhaps having slightly inferior turn performance and slightly better climb performance? All I know, is that with no additional training or practice, I could smoke the AI Fw190D9 nearly every time if I didn't overheat my engine.

 

With the release of the Fw190D9 module, I am in completely new territory. I rarely flew Fw190 variants in Aces High. I hated the ballistics of their guns and didn't have the patience to employ the boom and zoom tactics they were born to use. So, I have little idea how to employ an Fw190 efficiently. Most of my Aces High Fw190 time was in the Fw190A5 with some time in the Ta152, but almost no time in the Fw190D9. Now that I am the Fw190D9 flying against the AI P-51D, I have been painfully reminded how hard a time I have flying the Fw190. But years of flying F-104s, F-105s, F-4s, and F-8s against MiG-17s in SFP1/SF2 does help. I have no trouble getting the AI P-51D to get trapped below me as I make a steady climbing turn using my power advantage. Eventually, the angles come around in my favor. But every time I try to close in for a shot, the P-51D pulls up into some sort of vertical stall/lag roll that pretty much reverses our position. But, I finally figured out how to lag him and quickly gained practice on leading the target with such low velocity rounds. I finally got my first P-51D!

Edited August 10, 2014 by streakeagle

[+ordway 23]

Nice Description for this fine series!  What altitude or altitudes did you fly against the P-51?

[+streakeagle 871]

I was flying the stock instant action mission, co-alt, head-on. Not sure what the altitude is because there is no time to check instruments... just dial in the wingspan of the Mustang and a range of about 300 meters to get the gunsight ready, then I try to keep my eyes on the P-51D 100% of the time and flying by "feel" in terms of climbing and turning as much as possible without stalling. Force feedback could be such a blessing.