Is there a good tactics primer for the Corsair Anywhere?

[percivaldanvers]

At this point I know generally how to fly the Corsair, but I don't well understand how to fight with it. So far most of the tutorials I've seen are focused on basic airmanship, but I'm wondering if anyone has seen any good resources on tactics for it. Currently I'm finding it extremely challenging to defeat the Bf 109 K-4 since it doesn't seem like I can outrun it or out turn it. 

[anlq]

On 7/1/2025 at 1:25 AM, percivaldanvers said:

At this point I know generally how to fly the Corsair, but I don't well understand how to fight with it. So far most of the tutorials I've seen are focused on basic airmanship, but I'm wondering if anyone has seen any good resources on tactics for it. Currently I'm finding it extremely challenging to defeat the Bf 109 K-4 since it doesn't seem like I can outrun it or out turn it. 

+ dogfighting the Bf109 is really hard. I got ass-kicked by AI 5-6 times to 1. The only chance I got is head-on which was rarely happening because the Bf109 is faster and can climb better. 

With boom and zoom tactics I managed to beat a slower P-47. But most of the time, the Bf109 easily got to my 6. Apparently turn and burn doesnt work with Bf109, even it is hard to out turn the P-47 in a horizontal dogfight.

The Corsair in DCS is very different from IL-2. I was a IL-2 player and familiar with dogfighting tactics. In IL-2 the F4U Corsair can do BnZ and TnB quite good. 

[Saxman]

I've got a LONG history with the Corsair going back to Aces High over twenty years.

IMO the Corsair is best when you use the vertical during maneuvers. Don't turn flat. Use high and low Yo-Yos to manage your E state. Also, going vertical will let you cut some of your horizontal turn distance off, allowing you to cut inside an opponent that has, ostensibly, a tighter turn radius. If you can't get lead without scrubbing your E, or if you're not going to get nose on target, try a barrel roll attack: Before he breaks past you pull up and barrel roll AWAY from him, and continue the roll until you can put your lift vector in front of him. Use that big barn door attached to the tail to help swing your nose around and drop back in behind him. Beware that you may lose visual for a moment during the initial break and need to pick him up quickly once you've rolled inverted.

Be liberal with the application of that rudder. The Corsair has a VERY good one, and often you can get guns on for a snapshot by kicking the rudder to haul the nose over when your opponent thinks he's managed to slip out of reach.

If you need to, remember those flaps. Those first two notches will automatically blow up when their speed is exceeded, and drop back down again as your airspeed decreases, basically making them automatic combat flaps. You might lose a little acceleration, but this will really help your turns.

Remember that the Corsair's rate of roll IMPROVES with airspeed. Other than the 190s, the Corsair should out-roll any of the other Warbirds at high speeds. Take advantage of that. And when all else fails, point that big nose at the deck and run like hell.