F3h-2 Aim-7c engagement window

[:partyhat:]

When is the optimal time to launch an aim-7c? In a headon, side aspect and rear aspect.
The radar on the f3h does not like clods or looking down, so it's mostly limited to long range head ons, pop-up attacks, and sniping people on RTB from what I've seen. 2s burn time makes it tricky. It seems to hit some pretty good side shots in test drive but that's just a barely turning MIG15.
Something like 3-4km in rear, 8km in a mach 1 headon and 3-4km side aspect with lead?
So far I haven't had much luck, and idk what can make them work better.

[JuX]

It's simply a trash missile like it was in real life.

It won't track immediately after launch and randomly looses track / self-destructs. I did the 9.7 suffering and got it spaded for the RP. Think i ever got like 1-2 kills with the missile.

Also don't ever trust test drives for performance. It's basically offline mode so you aren't being hindered by server side issues. Teammates and NPC's are exceptions in battle cause they always render 100% of the time.

[:partyhat:]

So despite its drawbacks when is it most likely to splash someone? I want to force it to work just for fun, or for the challenge.
The main issue I find is the fight goes down low, and if I go for early headons I get caught in the furball and die. I was trying to sideclimb and jump bombers on their way back to base but still no luck yet.
Opinions appreciated, even if everyone thinks it's dead weight lol

[:partyhat:]

Anyone else want to weigh in on this early radar missile?

[shipdesignerdude]

I spaded the F3H-2, but that was before custom loadouts were added and the Su-25 came into the game. I only ever used the 4 Aim-9s, the Demon really relies on the guns to get kills, which is sub optimal considering the aircraft is very underpowered.

The Aim-7C has poor range, combined with a bad radar, plus the activation time for turning. It's just a bad missile in general. I'd carry at least 1 with 3 Aim-9s, as there's not a lot of situations where the 9B will great either, so 1 Aim-7 could be useful at points.