MIG-15 AI - some doubts

[Reflected]

Hi all,

 

What do you think about the MIG.-15 AI?

 

I think that:

 

a) they use the "handbrake" trick 90% of the time. They open their airbrakes, and slow down in a way I could never do. Then, when I overshoot, they close them and regain their energy instantly. I would love to see it gone, because it's very annoying. I doubt real MIG pilots did this other than a last resort.

 

b) I'm not a bad shot, but it usually takes my full ammo to down one MIG. I know .50 cals weren't very effective in real life, but I've seen real guncam footages and that was like War Thunder compared to DCS if you know what I mean. I suspect the MIG 15 is a bit too sturdy.

 

c) Since the update the pipper might be a little off. It's dead on the center of the turning MIG and my rounds just don't hit? (yes, I uncaged it, and had radar contact)

 

Or is it just me? Thanks!

[WinterH]

There are many threads about MiG-15 AI actually. Basically, it is an alien UFO :).

[1.JaVA_Platypus]

I think it is one of the easiest aircraft to fly against. The pipper seems to be 'off' a bit. Now you have to point it in front of the nose and fire when it hits the outer circle. Dogfighting a MiG-15 AI in an F-86 is very easy. Just keep on turning. If you don't get it the first turn, just keep the stick pulled back and let the 'all flying tail' and hydraulics do the work for you. You'll get it in the next few turns for sure!

 

p.s. do you have the correct wingspan adjustment? It should be 33 feet, the 'tab' should be a fair bit on the left.

[Reflected]

I do have the correct wingspan, and I do not have any problems dogfighting them.

 

The problem comes when I get behind them and they just lose 200 knots of flying speed in a blink of an eye. And this is the trick they ALWAYS use.

 

The pipper is off, right? I thouight it was just my aiming, but I also noticed it needs to point ahead of the bandit. Should that be fixed? I doubt it was like this IRL.

 

Thanks!

[qqQ]

@Platypus: This heavily depends on your airspeed. At higher speeds you enjoy better maneuverability in most aspects (sustained, seemingly also instantaneous turn rate as well as roll) but at around mach 0.5 it is not advisable to turn with him as he enjoys the better sustained turn (whilst your instantaneous is better). You may be able to turn tighter, but only at the cost of sacrificing energy, thus only for a limited amount of time, whilst seen over a long time, he can turn tighter.

 

Because of this, he wants you to turn with him to let you bleed energy, slowly giving him an advantage, whilst you want to ease up on the stick and conserve as much energy as you can without loosing him, trading it at the right time for position by using your instantanous turning capabilities.

 

EDIT: Just want to say that this may only be correct for a human mig. as the AI may fly the plane totally different and/or may have a different flight model. Not sure about that.

 

@reflected: You may try to change the target speed/drop speed switch (located above the gunsight mode selector) to improve your pipper accuracy.

 

The .50 cal is to ineffective (or the mig to robust), yes, but you can still improve your results by aiming at the wing roots, which are extremely fragile compared to the fuselage (which can survive a HVAR impact near (tried that on a parked Mig). This works best when shooting a little bit from above. If you dont cut a wing off, he sometimes toggles idiot mode (when damaged) and tries to reach the next airport in straight level flight. This makes him easy prey, as he may outaccelerate you, but cant outrun you.

 

You dont need the wingspan when ranging is done with the radar (Its only needed in manual mode for rangefinding, as you have the correct range if the target fits the diamond circle).

 

The "Handbraking". Hadnt had it that much, but at low speeds this tactic is very advisable for the Mig as it can force a guaranteed overshoot due to its lower stall speed. Still never experienced it slowing down that fast, try counter with barrel rolls.

Edited April 3, 2016 by qqQ