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Fighter vs. Fighter
Fighter vs. fighter can be an endless tactical dialogue. For
now we will touch on the basics.
The German A.I. never challenges my formation head-on like I tackle them when I fly as an Ally. I have always taken the cue from Bob Johnson's real P-47 experience in sim flying- break up the enemy attack head-on.
Mimicking the real head-on attacks has mixed
results. If the aircraft are axis to axis and at equal altitude
or a hair below, you can usually score. The P-47 has high marks
here with its firepower. It you are not intersecting exactly
nose to nose you can easily miss the deflection. Use the
magnification key "+" to see ahead. Remember that distances close
rapidly when you are flying head to head. Aim carefully.
Enemy artificial intelligence seem to use mostly the same moves
over and over. The Germans will roll over and split-S repeatedly
until they run out of altitude, then they will roll a lot to
throw off your aim. However, their constant rolls allow you to close the distance. They also do a maneuver that appears to be the beginning of
a split-S then they twist around rolling, toward their original
heading.
Avoid getting too close; 700-900 feet (225- 300 meters) is good.
Much closer and you miss quick moves. The Germans
especially love to chop the throttle and make you over-shoot.
Outside loops are a usable defense if you begin with plenty of
altitude. They seem to throw off the A.I. If you don't have the energy
you will know soon enough as the plane will not bend over and
through in comparison to the rate the ground is rushing up at you. At
least you can turn your outside loop into a dive and hopefully distance yourself
from your pursuer.
Click to continue
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I recall the gripe of pilots in Aces Over Europe that
you could do nothing to get away. The A.I. had a single-minded
mission - to get you. Unlike AOE you will find that during the initial clash of
combat you will not feel as though every enemy fighter is
gunning for you.
If you are over friendly territory and damaged you can use the
"shift e" command to locate an airfield. Landing there will not
improve your score apart from landing in a field but doing it
lends the "feel" of an emergency limp in.
I have noticed that late '44 on to the end the German A.I. uses a
unique move. They put their planes into extremely SLOW maneuvers
which throw you off tremendously. I have heard that they have
been known to even drop their landing gear in order to slow down
though I've not seen it. There are other
other complaints I've heard about the A.I., but this is sophisticated
stuff!
ENTER THE PATCH
After installing the version 
Me 110.
Heavier aircraft will be at a disadvantage in vertical manouvers as speed bleeds off. If you
do not nail your enemy first the lighter planes will out maneuver
you at slow speed and likely end up on your butt! Shoot from as
far away as your skill allows.
Post Patch Modeling Flaws
The patch definitely makes the Me 110's better than reality. A P-47 can no longer turn with them, they seem to always be going too fast, and they perform the same vertical stunts as the single-engined fighters! Their low altitude split-
S exhibitions leave my jaw on the table. Yes, they do smack into
the ground sometimes while fleeing you but usually they survive.
Go to Page Four
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