Dedicated Mig pilot tactics.

[ScEBlack1]

My first love is the Eagle, but, I love this sim and all planes in it and my next favorite to fly is the Mig29S, it is a beautiful looking inside and out plane and very challenging to get kills in, especially now in 2.0 and so I would like to know from the dedicated few what are your proven tactics for this plane. I know the radar is limited in range and so is the fuel capacity so with that in consideration what are best ways to fly it such as defense of small radius around airport location, low level medium level altitude, low in valley, best throttle settings for fuel consumption, favorite armament for online, ECM usage, basically any tips your willing to part with for enjoying the online expierience in this plane.

[Exorcet]

I'm not a dedicated MiG pilot, but I like to use AWACS or EWR to aid tracking if possible. I usually fly with EOS on all the time, low to the ground, and pop out for attacks.

 

If you have the right people on your team, the radar range can be gotten around via team work. Have an Eagle of Flanker direct you from 10-20 miles back, and search with IRST.

 

6 R-77 is probably the best load out, or 4 R-77 and 2 R-73 if you think you might need to 73's dogfight agility.

 

As always, ECM only when you've been found.

[ScEBlack1]

Thanks exorcet, I only disagree with ECM after you have been found, looks like there is a short supply of Mig pilots out there.

[Exorcet]

Well, I say that because ECM is a big targeting beacon otherwise. There is a range of distances between radar detection and ECM burnthrough. Larger than this range, ECM just gives you away, so it doesn't help. Under the range, it doesn't help because the enemy radar can see through it. However in the range, ECM can nullify a lock on your plane. I try to guess when I'm in that range and when someone is tracking me. It's the only time I turn ECM on.

[ScEBlack1]

"I say that because ECM is a big targeting beacon otherwise"

 

correct, but it does have it's place and use for sure.

[Vekkinho]

I like MiG-29A...no ARH there...too bad there's not many A slots in MP...

 

So like you found out pop up attacks work great, GCI support is welcome, radar usage limited (RWR will inform your opponent of your location before your radar discovers him). So with GCI available (presence of EWR / AWACS in SP) use radar only to lock, launch and guide missiles. Use EOS to scan for target below your altitude (no clutter with EOS, at least not in FC). Perform takeoffs with 95%RPM. Use AB only when necesarry. Fly it a lot to get a hang of it.

 

MiG-29 in FC is opposite of what it was in FC1.12. Cornering speed, acceleration and thrust seems altered and (IMHO) it's now less realistic. I'm sort of disappointed with the way it turned out.

 

You see it's almost impossible to perform double 4G Immelman (or better said two Immelman maneuvers in a row) straight after takeoff without stalling whereas Fulcrum has no problems with it IRL and in FC1.12a.

[Kuky]

one word... EWR.. then it's great to fly it especially if you have few of them using EWR datalink, by the way that's what they were designed for

[ScEBlack1]

"EWR"

 

indeed.

[spyda]

i mostly fly the flanker these days but the Mig29s is my fav,

 

it excellerates fast and turns quickly i find in fc2 it bleeds speed fast in a turn so if im in a knife fight with an f15 or flanker i tend to climb and dive on them as it cant sustain speed in a turning dog fight or my skill level is not up to it lol

 

the r77 is deadly and if you dont kill on the first there smoke by the second thats for sure. radar is a lot weaker so flying in the mountains and jumping on the badguys appears to work better.

 

but id also be interested to hear some tips from a mig ACE even a youtube clip to demenstrate as i would like to introduce a few more kills on the 104th with the mig lol :thumbup:

[Fahhh]

I consider myself a dedicated MiG pilot, so I believe I can help.

 

First of all in the mig, you got to know that you can not lead the fight. You will probably get fired upon before you could get a shot, but you should stay calm and use your advantages in the best way. Flying low is a risky strategy. You may be able to jump out and surprise a bandit, but the next one will probably get you before you could hide again. What is more, there are chances you'll fly over a sam or manpad and die quickly.

 

I usually fly at angels 7-7.5 (7000-7500m). This gives you enough attitude and energy to be able to evade any missiles fired at you from a medium distance, it gives you better fuel economy, and the ability to fire from good ranges at both high and low flying bandits.

 

The next thing you should consider is detection range. Yeah it is limited, but still enough to find a bandit at a considerable range and prepare your strategy for the fight. What is important however is that you should train yourself to work with the radar as quickly and as efficiently as you can. It's no F-15, where you leave to scan the sky in front for you. You should rotate the antenna, point it left/right/up/down continuously. Especially when flying over mountains.

 

Another thing - fuel efficiency. You got limited fuel, so use it very wisely. After-burners are very rarely used, usually when running away from an inbound missile. You should take off at 100% throttle, speed up to 800-850 kmh IAS and then climb to the desired attitude with a pitch of max 15 degrees. Once there, reduce to ~90% throttle and keep it that way, until you enter the hot area.

 

 

When the fight starts, the most important thing is to build Situational Awareness. Observe the bandits, their attitudes, speeds, headings. Select the most dangerous and engage. If you see a 2-ship or more, and you are alone, better extend at a safe distance, there is no point in being a Rambo and dying quickly :). You should also watch out for high flying bandits... if you see a bandit at angels 13+, at 50 or more km, be ready to extend, there probably are AMRAAMS on their way towards you. Throttle to 100% and do a Split-S, keep it for 10 secs, then do an Immelman and be on the offensive again. The bandit should be closer at that time, and in range for your 77s. Fire one on him, so you can keep him busy. Crank to the left or right and dive, while still holding the lock, and observe his actions.

 

Don't try to chase him, cause there maybe another portion of missiles flying toward you. If the RWR starts to show another inbound missile, don't hesitate, do a split S and extend using the burners. If you're not sure what is happening behind you, don't turn around. If you've got less than 1.5 tons of fuel, don't turn around. If you've got only R-73's, don't turn around. When you are extending however you may try and hide in the hills... but the safest way is to accelerate at full burners, climb to angels 13 and proceed to your base. Don't worry about the fuel, from this attitude you may dive for at least 70-80 km, and your engines won't consume much fuel when in idle.

 

 

I can write more and more, but what you should remember is:

 

1. Work with the radar. Continuously.

2. Save your fuel.

3. Always have some attitude/energy. The best way to evade a missile is to out-run it, and one of the best ways to do it is via a Split-S and extending

4. If you have lost SA, extend.

5. Know when and how to extend.

6. Use ECM very cautiously, it has its uses, but in the unorganized chaos of the usual MP flights, it's better to keep it off for the most of the time.

 

I hope I have helped, if you've got any specific questions, feel free to ask...

 

edit: off course all this applies if you're a lonewolf... when flying in a 2-ship or more, the things for mig pilots look much much better :)

Edited April 14, 2010 by Fahhh

[2IAE-CrashBG]

Nice post Fahhh!

[ScEBlack1]

Excellent post, just what I wanted to hear, PM sent.