P-51D and Dogfighting

[Azazel]

Here are a few tips from what I've learned about dog-fighting the Dora. Map the radiator and oil cooling controls to your HOTAS and as you're entering the dog fight (or even better before) open them fully. I set my RPMs to about 2900 and in general don't have to adjust it really. By doing these two things you'll be able to at least keep a good climb rate with him and not fry your engine. Use that gyro sight. Map both the wingspan gauge and range gauge for the K-14 sight to your HOTAS. The wingspan only needs to be adjusted once really: the Dora has about a 35ft wingspan. The range though needs to be adjusted a lot though while your maneuvering for a shot. I'm constantly adjusting mine every few seconds as I try and get the distance from me to him steady. Once he's in your cross hairs hold the dot on him for at least a second before pulling the trigger (the K-14 is awesome for deflection shots and hard breaking shots) and if you have the range right you'll cut a wing off on him no problem. At first I really hated the area target sighting of my guns, preferring convergence instead but after getting used to the K-14 I kind of like them. Also do not do any power on stalls. If you are going to stall (like you will in the vertical some times), just cut the throttle and let it happen. Recovery this way is much much faster. Once the nose is over and pointed down you can add the power back moderately and recover. Hope this helps anyone who is new and frustrated.

[BSS_Vidar]

Well said! I agree with this post.

 

V

[Echo38]

do not do any power on stalls. If you are going to stall (like you will in the vertical some times), just cut the throttle and let it happen. Recovery this way is much much faster. Once the nose is over and pointed down you can add the power back moderately and recover.

 

The best part about this is that it'll help your engine stay cool. Power stalls in the P-51D are a great way to make your engine overheat and die in seconds.

[Niko]

thanks for the tips, is there any video around that i can watch explaining how to use the engine to its maximum ? such as when to use WEP and as you said radiator and oil cooling etc.