Whats wrong with the Sidewinder?

[Jogui3000]

Following the procedures to launch it by the letter, missile never tracks...

 

EDIT: Just did the training mission on A/A missile employement, didn't track the target either.

Edited April 17, 2016 by Jogui3000

[Buzzles]

Nothing is wrong.

 

It's one of the very first iterations of the missile. It's simply not very good, and that's true on a historical front as well.

 

It's still possible to employ it effectively though, you just need to spend time trying it and learning it's practical applications.

[Art-J]

Mine hit on the first attempt in tutorial mission. I did wait and got closer though (as advised), plus, attacked from below.

[Jogui3000]

Mine hit on the first attempt in tutorial mission. I did wait and got closer though (as advised), plus, attacked from below.

 

Did the same, was very close and came from bellow too.

[Art-J]

OK, maybe too close then :D. Try at different distances. Just flew the mission with the same successful result. Launched when I could clearly make out 4 engines, so not too far, but not too close either.

[Nooch]

I did manage to get a kill with the sidewinder on a stalling mig-15. If the target doesn't move much and you don't launch off boresight too much you should be good for achieving a kill.

[sgtmike74]

From my experience, there seems to be a sweet spot for when to launch. Too close and it can't line up fast enough, too far away and it just loses energy to turn. Most of my shots where on unaware and flying straight targets.

 

On the plus side it was better than any of the other IR missiles of the same era! :D

[justinm11]

This website has some good information. http://www.ausairpower.net/TE-Sidewinder-94.html

 

Assuming that this version was modeled accurately, I think the fact that its hard to get a kill with it is right on point. If you read down this website, it states that the probability of a kill was in the tens of percent. It gives the number of around 16% chance of a kill. From the look of it, you have to be within 2.6nm and behind the target pulling less than 2gs... those are pretty strict launch limits!

I haven't played with the missiles so I can't comment on that, but it seems like a pretty rudimentary weapon.

[qqQ]

If you launch it at straight (slight turns are also allowed) flying targets approx. from behind, nose maybe a little bit up (+ lead the target as much as possible) its a pretty deadly weapon. Just make sure you arent pulling significant G's and make sure your lock is solid (dont immediately launch on sound change, listen a second or two, always make sure you are not looking in the sun).

Having best success with some 0,5 nm distance, but also splashed once from 0,1 (in a missile only dogfight against a friend) or from greater distances (only on large aircraft, on smaller ones you wont get lock from distances significantly greater than approx. 0,8 nm). Launched about 30 missiles in total, definitely more than 50 % hit.

 

My hit probability against fighters is btw far higher when the target is human and not AI. Coincidence? Or do player aircraft have differences to the AI variant in case of IR signature etc?

 

Pretty useful against Migs who start a straight climb duel with you, without Missile you can basically just scare them with gunfire once they got some distance and hope they stop the climb flying evasive maneuvers (or disengage and hope they come back). Just be aware that the Missile wasnt awailable in the Korean war, so its not exactly realistic in some scenarios.

Edited April 18, 2016 by qqQ

[Jogui3000]

Yep I do understand that it's a limited missile and all, will try it again today and tell you guys about the results, cheers

[Jogui3000]

Tried it again, 1 missed and one hit.

[qqQ]

4 out of 4 hit on the Georgian Spring Server today. Two bugging AI Migs flying straight, lined up, aimed little bit above and waited for a safe lock. Well, they were dead.

 

Other 2 were on a Mig from 30 degress left and below + on a Mig from above close, maybe 15 degrees sideways. Both Migs seemed in Idiot mode (interfered when they met some AI Sabres).

 

 

@Jogui3000: You joined right before I left. Maybe we can one day fly together.

Edited April 20, 2016 by qqQ

[Jogui3000]

4 out of 4 hit on the Georgian Spring Server today. Two bugging AI Migs flying straight, lined up, aimed little bit above and waited for a safe lock. Well, they were dead.

 

Other 2 were on a Mig from 30 degress left and below + on a Mig from above close, maybe 15 degrees sideways. Both Migs seemed in Idiot mode (interfered when they met some AI Sabres).

 

 

@Jogui3000: You joined right before I left. Maybe we can one day fly together.

 

Sure :)

 

Though there aren't many Sabre/MiG-15 servers arround...

[qqQ]

Georgian Spring and last weekend (if I remember right) there was a simple furballing server that was populated with about 25 people.

 

Had a great time there.

[Jogui3000]

Georgian Spring and last weekend (if I remember right) there was a simple furballing server that was populated with about 25 people.

 

Had a great time there.

 

Cool, Never seen it though. We are really missing some nice Korean Era servers :v