Arcade - Fighter Tutorial Videos

[Resonance84 28]

 

 

And with that I'm going to take a break for a while, I went at too hectic a pace for a while there & am burning myself out.

 

Thank you for all you've done; I for one have benefited immensely from your series.   There are a lot of video tutorials out there but I at least have found yours to be the most instructive; mostly because you are willing to show your mistakes as well as your successes.  That does a lot for helping to identify errors in your own flying that you can start to correct.

 

I look forward to watching more of your videos when you decide to make more.

[long5hot 7,302]

Glad you've found the vids helpful Resonance :) Its not just my own mistakes, there's plenty that opponents make too that I try to point out - not to make fun of them or anything like that, but simply to analyse why they found themselves in front of my guns & how they could have avoided that. There was less of that kind of analysis in the He51 vid except for planes that tried to helicopter in combat - I pointed that out a few times.

Anyway, today's patch has fixed (for me at least) whatever it was they did in the previous patch & the game is now playable again. I'll still take a break, and when I start vidding again I might ignore the F4F/Me410 flying bathtubs (which are currently the top two on the poll) and go with a plane that's a bit more enjoyable to fly. It'll take me a while to work up the requisite energy & enthusiasm needed to tackle those harder planes ;)

[Bigyin13 1,213]

This is some very helpful content you are creating. Keep it up!

It was suggested by another member that this be pinned and I see no reason not to. ;)s

 

Pinned

[long5hot 7,302]

Thanks, will try to keep up the standard :)

[HochgeborenKlown 1,276]

Greetings Long5hot...A couple of things...1) after watching your He-51 video it dawned on me that I was inadvertently doing what you said not to...I was flying with mouse only...I had my hand on the keyboard but was not using the flight control keys, my hand was just there...It is fairly amazing how much better all of my planes fly when I actually use those keys now, Big Thanks for reminding me of something so simple...2) All of your videos so far have been about how to fly a specific plane and utilize its' strength while minimizing the weaknesses...Have you ever considered doing a video on how to fight against a specific plane(s)???...Say like the I-15 and/or I-16 series...Both have more and better weapons than planes they face, they out maneuver pretty much everything they face and if they don't, they are faster and/or better armed...I do not like facing them, especially if the reds are in one of the I's and I am not...Just a thought for when you become unburned and wish to continue our education...Cheers of a Klown, when there's no one around...  

[long5hot 7,302]

...2) All of your videos so far have been about how to fly a specific plane and utilize its' strength while minimizing the weaknesses...Have you ever considered doing a video on how to fight against a specific plane(s)???...Say like the I-15 and/or I-16 series...Both have more and better weapons than planes they face, they out maneuver pretty much everything they face and if they don't, they are faster and/or better armed...I do not like facing them, especially if the reds are in one of the I's and I am not...Just a thought for when you become unburned and wish to continue our education...Cheers of a Klown, when there's no one around...

 

Hi Klown, interesting suggestion though I'm not sure how I'd go about it.  Tactics against a certain plane will differ widely depending on what I'm flying, and also on how the enemy plane's being flown.  That's a ton of variables right there, and I'm not sure it'd make for a coherent video.  I tend to find that if I'm flying my own plane well, without doing anything stupid, then I don't have any particular concerns about anything an enemy's flying.  As you saw in the last vid, a He51's quite capable of lighting up any number of Ishaks and Chaikas - which is not to say its a better plane than them far from it, but that with good tactics no particular type of enemy plane needs special treatment, especially if their pilot makes the mistake of fighting you on your terms not his.  In my mind if I'm flying at my absolute best, don't make any mistakes, and an enemy beats me then hats off to him as he's a better pilot deserving of my respect.

 

On a kind of related note, AIM & I were thinking of starting a "versus" series, where we pick a combination of 2 planes and duel each other given a few of scenarios (first head on, then one person having a height advantage, then the other), taking turns in each plane to balance out our respective skill levels.  This should reveal much more of each plane's capabilities as we'll be pushing each other to the limit in dogfights.  We've actually done this once already, with a MiG-3-15 BK against a MiG-3-34, but we were firing on the head-on approach which caused a little damage to both planes (AIM can hit me in a snap roll) and made the resulting dogfight less useful for judging respective plane performances, though it was fun.  Hell I might even upload it.

Edited May 31, 2014 by long5hot

[BratwurstBob 3,855]

longshot, you did very enjoyable videos. Take a break, play something else, give Gaijin animal names, whatever it takes, but please don't burn out. I've pretty much been there and I lost almost all interest in the game (largely due to Gaijin's inability to provide). I love your videos because they are fair, modest and detailed. You don't spare to show us your mistakes as well as praising / condemning your opponents. Every time I watched a video of yours I felt compelled to start up the game and check your findings. Thank you for that!

 

Maybe a switch to tanks? Just saying... otherwise: why not a series on the best planes out there? 

And on a last note: your tactics are becoming more and more sound, your piloting skills obviously improved a a great deal as well. Please keep this in mind when making future videos, as you now have a pool of knowledge the average player probably doesn't have. It might make a plane appear to be no problem at all as you are skilled, while many might struggle with it. 

 

Keep them coming, I love to watch your videos. Even if at a leisurely pace, I'd rather watch your analysis of a plane than those of all those fanbois out there. At least you got porno music  :Ps

 

EDIT: I might have been drunk when writing this, so forgive me for being this candid.

Edited May 31, 2014 by OpInfo

[HochgeborenKlown 1,276]

Hi Klown, interesting suggestion though I'm not sure how I'd go about it.  Tactics against a certain plane will differ widely depending on what I'm flying, and also on how the enemy plane's being flown.  That's a ton of variables right there, and I'm not sure it'd make for a coherent video.  I tend to find that if I'm flying my own plane well, without doing anything stupid, then I don't have any particular concerns about anything an enemy's flying.  As you saw in the last vid, a He51's quite capable of lighting up any number of Ishaks and Chaikas - which is not to say its a better plane than them far from it, but that with good tactics no particular type of enemy plane needs special treatment, especially if their pilot makes the mistake of fighting you on your terms not his.  In my mind if I'm flying at my absolute best, don't make any mistakes, and an enemy beats me then hats off to him as he's a better pilot deserving of my respect.

My thoughts were specifically about the I-15/I-16...Unless I am also flying one of them, I try to avoid them unless I either have a much faster plane and can run, or have so much firepower that on a BnZ they have no chance...For me at least, when I am flying the same BR, I am over matched in speed, maneuverability, and firepower by these 2 model types...The weapons of the other 4 nations just dont compare and it seems that unless I get a lucky shot on a BnZ all I do is piss them off...Kinda like swatting at a 3 foot long hornet and missing...I am seeing more and more lower levels flying only these planes and I dont want to see Gajin nerf them because people complain that they are overpowered...In their era they were far and away the best planes...

 

On a kind of related note, AIM & I were thinking of starting a "versus" series, where we pick a combination of 2 planes and duel each other given a few of scenarios (first head on, then one person having a height advantage, then the other), taking turns in each plane to balance out our respective skill levels.  This should reveal much more of each plane's capabilities as we'll be pushing each other to the limit in dogfights.  We've actually done this once already, with a MiG-3-15 BK against a MiG-3-34, but we were firing on the head-on approach which caused a little damage to both planes (AIM can hit me in a snap roll) and made the resulting dogfight less useful for judging respective plane performances, though it was fun.  Hell I might even upload it.

I will gladly volunteer myself in the pursuit of knowledge if you need an extra...Would love to fly with/against the 2 of you...

Cheers of a Klown, when there's no one around...

[UrbaniteNine 246]

In particular...

• USA Reserve / Gift Planes: 2x 7.62mm's or 1x 7.62mm and 1x 12.7mm (Peashooters and Buffalos) and bombs (100kg)
• German Reserve / Gift Planes: 2x 7.92mm's or 2x SAFAT 12.7mm's (He-51's and CR42's) and bombs (10kg)
• Russian Reserve / Gift Planes: 4x 7.62mm's or 4x ShKAS 7.62mm's (I-15's and I-153's) and bombs (50kg) and rockets (8x)
• British Reserve / Gift Planes: 2x 7.7mm's or 4x 7.7mm's (Nimrods, Furies and Gladiators)
• Japanese Reserve / Gift Planes: 2x 7.7mm's (Ki-10's and A5M4's)

P.S. and that's one damn scary plane you've got in your signature Mr. Klown...

Edited June 1, 2014 by UrbaniteNine

[HochgeborenKlown 1,276]

In particular...

• USA Reserve / Gift Planes: 2x 7.62mm's or 1x 7.62mm and 1x 12.7mm (Peashooters and Buffalos) and bombs (100kg)
• German Reserve / Gift Planes: 2x 7.92mm's or 2x SAFAT 12.7mm's (He-51's and CR42's) and bombs (10kg)
• Russian Reserve / Gift Planes: 4x 7.62mm's or 4x ShKAS 7.62mm's (I-15's and I-153's) and bombs (50kg) and rockets (8x)
• British Reserve / Gift Planes: 2x 7.7mm's or 4x 7.7mm's (Nimrods, Furies and Gladiators)
• Japanese Reserve / Gift Planes: 2x 7.7mm's (Ki-10's and A5M4's)

P.S. and that's one damn scary plane you've got in your signature Mr. Klown...

HA!, that is just Klown Force One...You should see my combat aircraft...Lotta DAKKA DAKKA...

[cozy66 8]

And ... here's the beginner's guide on how to FW190 A-1 :)
Holy crap! at the end when going through the bridge was nerv wrecking:)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEpzlBdiGWQ

[long5hot 7,302]

And ... here's the beginner's guide on how to FW190 A-1 :)
Holy crap! at the end when going through the bridge was nerv wrecking:)

 
Heh, should I spoil it by saying it was a lot easier than it looked?  No, I won't :)
 
Keen observers may have noted (from edits to the 1st post) that I'm collecting footage on a variety of planes based on whatever I feel like flying.  I'll create a vid on whichever has enough content first, but can't give any estimates yet on when that'll be. Edited June 1, 2014 by long5hot

[long5hot 7,302]

My thoughts were specifically about the I-15/I-16...Unless I am also flying one of them, I try to avoid them unless I either have a much faster plane and can run, or have so much firepower that on a BnZ they have no chance...For me at least, when I am flying the same BR, I am over matched in speed, maneuverability, and firepower by these 2 model types...The weapons of the other 4 nations just dont compare and it seems that unless I get a lucky shot on a BnZ all I do is piss them off...Kinda like swatting at a 3 foot long hornet and missing...I am seeing more and more lower levels flying only these planes and I dont want to see Gajin nerf them because people complain that they are overpowered...In their era they were far and away the best planes...

Well again it depends what you're flying. Most monoplanes are an easy match for the I-15 in speed, so getting an altitude advantage & BnZing is the way to go. Any biplane, even the lowly He51, can out-turn an I-16 so the key there is to engage it in a dogfight.

But let's say you're in a He51 vs an I-15. It comes down to how you position your plane prior to combat, and how you choose to engage the enemy. If you go in at equal altitude & speed then you're at a disadvantage from the outset. Unless the outcome of the battle is on the line you should never engage unless you hold the upper hand, which means you get first shot @ the enemy plane and its up to them to try and get you off their back and reverse the situation. In biplane battles its rare to have extended 1v1 combat, so nine times out of ten engaging with an advantage will get you a kill or an assist & the I-15 won't have a chance to fight back.

Its much the same with an I16. If you meet them on the same altitude/speed then you're in trouble unless your plane's a superior turner or has cannons & can blow the Ishak away on the head-on. With a slight altitude advantage you can turn that into a winning edge, even in a plane that doesn't turn as well, as I showed in the MiG vid

Even if you are forced to fight on even terms, which occasionally happens, if you've mastered your planes abilities & know exactly what it can do, and how to use keyboard/throttle/flaps etc to get the most out of it, then you're still better prepared than most pilots you'll meet in superior planes. Conversely, if you're always afraid to fight a certain plane then you'll inevitably find ways to miss your shots at it & then make bad decisions that end in losing your plane. Its strange how the brain works ;) Edited June 1, 2014 by long5hot

[long5hot 7,302]

Ok, change of pace.  Please let me know if you'd like to see more vids like this & any changes/improvements or plane & scenario choices ... or if we should just stick to the previous format.  Note that if we are going to make a series of "versus" vids we'll put more effort into exploring different tactics and more in-depth analysis.  This is more like an initial proof of concept...

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iKwP2nU1ek

[Resonance84 28]

I certainly like the format; it seems pretty good for looking at planes in a more controlled way.  Watching real matches is very valuable but so much is happening at once, especially in an arcade match, that sometimes it feels like random situational variables are more important than any choice the pilot makes.  The 1v1 setup pulls that out.

 

It might be nice to see some other common situations setup; such as evading and turning the tables against boom and zoom attacks, evading a turnfighter long enough to pull away, or pulling a reversal on someone that creeps up behind you.

 

Overall though, I think this would be a good addition if you are willing and able to do them; although I hope they do not completely supplant the single aircraft tutorial videos.

[long5hot 7,302]

Thanks for your feedback Res, and rest assured I'm going to keep making tutorial vids.

 

Some nice scenario suggestions there, will definitely try to explore those.  We also need to determine which plane combinations to test - Spit 1a vs Ishak springs to mind, along with Spit 1a vs Bf110, Spit 2b vs Bf109 E-3 or MC202 (with an altitude advantage), Spit 2b vs A6M2, A6M2 vs Chaika, A6M2 vs Hellcat etc.  We're also wondering whether to keep recording them using AB FMs or switch to RB physics as it'll better show each plane's innate characteristics, though it won't allow maneuvers you can typically pull off in AB and neither AIM_120_AMRAAM or I are experienced RB pilots.

[UrbaniteNine 246]

A6M2 vs Hellcat etc.  We're also wondering whether to keep recording them using AB FMs or switch to RB physics as it'll better show each plane's innate characteristics, though it won't allow maneuvers you can typically pull off in AB and neither AIM_120_AMRAAM or I are experienced RB pilots.

I'd like to see that! Hellcat pilot here!  :Ps Stick with AB for now, since you've started this mini-series in AB... Good luck!

[Guest]

Some nice scenario suggestions there, will definitely try to explore those.  We also need to determine which plane combinations to test - Spit 1a vs Ishak springs to mind, along with Spit 1a vs Bf110, Spit 2b vs Bf109 E-3 or MC202 (with an altitude advantage), Spit 2b vs A6M2, A6M2 vs Chaika, A6M2 vs Hellcat etc.  We're also wondering whether to keep recording them using AB FMs or switch to RB physics as it'll better show each plane's innate characteristics, though it won't allow maneuvers you can typically pull off in AB and neither AIM_120_AMRAAM or I are experienced RB pilots.

I do not think you can do a proper 1-on-1 dogfight with AB FM. The boosting of FM in AB has way too strong influence on airplanes energy models.

 

Let's consider three main airplanes categories--turnfighter, energy fighter and boom'n'zoomer. Dogfight would make sense only, if the difference in the energy dependency of each side is minimal, ie. turnfighter vs turnfighter is ok, energy fighter vs energy fighter is ok. B'n'Z vs B'n'Z will be possible, but prolly like an elephant dancing...

 

Turnfighter vs Energy fighter could be doable, but you might have much bigger problems to bleed the other side out, it can take literarly forever.

 

B'n'Z will have problems to separate without getting cheap shot in the neck and they are usually much worse climbers due to their weight. Zero vs Hellcat would never be dogfight in the first line for a reason.

 

“If you’re in a fair fight, you didn’t plan it properly.”

- Nick Lappos, Chief R&D Pilot, Sikorsky Aircraft.

 

Just do test of some early Spitfire vs Bf 109... How that will go with AB model... You can forbid yourself shooting and just check if you manage to bring Spitfire into such low energy state, that he cannot evade effectively anymore and you would be consistently getting a fire solution. You can try it both in AB and RB model for comparison.

Edited June 3, 2014 by Guest

[long5hot 7,302]

I do not think you can do a proper 1-on-1 dogfight with AB FM. The boosting of FM in AB has way too strong influence on airplanes energy models.

I'm sorry, I have to disagree. You're way over-estimating the degree to which the 15% FM boost planes receive in AB, changes their characteristics. I've seen many RB pilots (not you) say that all AB planes are the same UFO with no differentiation - nothing could be further from the truth. Planes can be induced to stall in AB, they can be lured into a low energy state, some planes have far superior energy retention to others & so forth. Its just that the differences are not quite as stark as in RB, but they are still there and can be exploited as I demonstrate repeatedly in my vids.

Yes in RB its more clear cut as to what a plane can do & what it can't, which makes the tactics more clear cut as well - I have no argument with that. I don't agree though with the idea that none of it counts for much in AB. On the contrary, using tactics appropriate to the plane is just as important assuming the pilot wants more than to just derp into the nearest furball & die after a kill or two regardless of the plane they're flying.
 

Turnfighter vs Energy fighter could be doable, but you might have much bigger problems to bleed the other side out, it can take literarly forever.

Just do test of some early Spitfire vs Bf 109... How that will go with AB model... You can forbid yourself shooting and just check if you manage to bring Spitfire into such low energy state, that he cannot evade effectively anymore and you would be consistently getting a fire solution. You can try it both in AB and RB model for comparison.

B'n'Z will have problems to separate without getting cheap shot in the neck and they are usually much worse climbers due to their weight. Zero vs Hellcat would never be dogfight in the first line for a reason.

We actually have already tested an early Spitfire (Mk 1a) vs the Bf110, with the 110 starting with an altitude advantage. It had total control of the combat and each time secured the kill after a few passes despite vigilant defensive flying from the sucker in the Spit. Neither AIM or I are likely to allow any plane to stall in situations where many other pilots will be greedy & try to helicopter after a zoom climber, and pay the price for doing so. I actually forgot myself and did this when recording footage on the F4U 1A, and included it in the video with a big warning saying "don't do what I just did!"

The BnZer can also avoid getting fired on as they exit, something I've also demonstrated in plenty of vids. Its a matter of not zoom-climbing too quickly, of extending away in a direction that the target would have to turn hard in order to fire at you before climbing when safe.

So yes BnZing and Energy Fighting is perfectly valid in Arcade, its just not as easy as it is in RB and you have to take more care with diving attacks. I believe that's where many RB pilots get caught out in trying to BnZ in Arcade.
 
So, tl;dr - if you're saying that planes are too similar in Arcade to show anything of value in a series of duel vids, then I'm sorry but with the greatest respect you are incorrect, and that's pretty much reinforced my decision to keep making these for Arcade - for now at least.

[Freeborn 12,815]

I'm sorry, I have to disagree. You're way over-estimating the degree to which the 15% FM boost planes receive in AB, changes their characteristics

 

Indeed it's just that way that many people don't realize that their plane is bad for a certain type of manouver make the weakness often a lot more exploitable.

To be precise I usually get shot down because of this.

[Guest]

So, tl;dr - if you're saying that planes are too similar in Arcade to show anything of value in a series of duel vids, then I'm sorry but with the greatest respect you are incorrect, and that's pretty much reinforced my decision to keep making these for Arcade - for now at least.

I have to admit, I really enjoy your English. That is a compliment! :)

 

I rather feel that AB FM simple allows to make more lucky shots in due to smeared differences. Be it longer shooting window during separation, be it higher danger of getting helicopter shot etc. In the case of Spit I mean not just stalling it fully out, but eventually they simply get too slow to effectively avoid in time.

 

But I am not expert, rather exactly opposite. I just judge this on my own experience. I moved recently from AB to RB simply as I felt the differences in FM allowed too much aphysical things and exploits which I found disturbing. But it can well be, that it is just simply my sucking in AB in general. :)

 

I will still watch your serie as I enjoy your videos a lot! I trust in your judgement, finally you are pretty honest with yourself. :) If it works, I am sure you will proof it, or dismiss it otherwise. :)

[long5hot 7,302]

I really _really_ wish that AB hadn't been given boosted FMs or a lead indicator. All it needed imho was a cap on the maximum speeds at the point where things start breaking off in RB, or at which compressability completely locks control surfaces. And the lead indicator is the lamest dumbing-down training wheel feature I've ever seen. Put it this way, if neither the boosted FMs or lead indicator been introduced would anyone now be missing them & pushing for their inclusion?

Still, we have what we have. What I love about AB is simply the intensity. The multitude of potential threats & targets to track, and the lack of down-time that you have in RB. Maybe when I have a lot more spare time on my hands I'll give RB a serious try, but on the occasions I've flown RB its simply bored me, but that's just my short attention span perhaps :)

Anyway, next "Versus" video is up, here 'tis...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3O9FLx9zbmg

[Cenric 28]

Thanks for the latest video. It looks like the Spitfire is garbage. I wonder if I should not waste my time with the British tree at this point and focus on the Russian and US trees because obvious over powered planes are obvious.

Edited June 3, 2014 by Cenric

[long5hot 7,302]

Thanks for the latest video. It looks like the Spitfire is garbage. I wonder if I should not waste my time with the British tree at this point and focus on the Russian and US trees because obvious over powered planes are obvious..

I think that's a bit harsh of an assessment, I didn't mean to convey the impression of the Spit being a bad plane. I've had tons of enjoyment from flying Spits, and plenty of kills with them as well. I'd say they're probably modeled fairly accurately - its the Ishaks which are far far better than they should be. Even though you can't win against an Ishak (when flown well), there's plenty of fighters the Spit will out-maneuver, and plenty of Ishak/Chaika pilots who don't know their left aileron from their right ;)

Also even though the I16 is obviously superior, notice how much trouble AIM was giving me and how difficult I found it to get a decent shot at him. Edited June 3, 2014 by long5hot

[Cenric 28]

Well it looks like the mark 1 spitfire is a purely defensive plane. It has poor energy retention, can't really turn fight at low altitudes or boom and zoom anything because it is to light. The only way I can see getting kills with it is for the opponent to screw up and use their plane incorrectly. That sounds like a lot more effort for very little enjoyment. US planes can just boom and zoom it, RU and JP planes can out turn it. Looks like the only types the spitfire can take one on one would be DE fighters. I hope higher marks are more effective. I don't have a ton of time to enjoy war thunder and want to spend that time on trees that are worth it. I do have some hope still waiting for you review on the mark 1.

 

The versus videos are nice. I can see how you both are trying to use proper maneuvers to gain an advantage in a dogfight. If you ever want more help, I might be able to provide decent cannon fodder.

 

:Ps