Tips for "Beaufighters"?

[Fenragus the Brambus]

Any tips on how to fly better with these magnificent planes? Those 20mm cannos are great fun and do good damage, but seems like I'm doing something wrong. I currently have the Beaufiger Mk. XVI C.

[=37th= minepagan]

Head-on. Always.

[Fenragus the Brambus]

Originally posted by minepagan:

Head-on. Always.

You gotta be kidding me right...

[cg]

Agreed with head-on. You will almost always win 80%+ of the time if done right. Its well armoured and the cannons are beast.

[Fenragus the Brambus]

Originally posted by Mr. G:

Agreed with head-on. You will almost always win 80%+ of the time if done right. Its well armoured and the cannons are beast.

Huh, well I did notice about 2 burst of a 20mm lead rain puts a plane out of commision pretty quick

[Waltzing]

Never dogfight with a fighter, during a pass if you fail to get a kill simply fly in a straight line if possible and fire your cannons early in head-ons around 1.2km to 1km would be fine.

[Fenragus the Brambus]

Originally posted by BIG GUY 4 U ME ME:

Never dogfight with a fighter, during a pass if you fail to get a kill simply fly in a straight line if possible and fire your cannons early in head-ons around 1.2km to 1km would be fine.

But don't you need to wait to be in 0.7-0.8 km range for the targeting reticule to appear? Or is it there it just dosen't show?

[Waltzing]

The targeting reticule is just there to help, you gotta just guess where you fire. Just remember your 20mm's begin to arc before 1km so angle your shots alittle.

[Fenragus the Brambus]

Originally posted by BIG GUY 4 U ME ME:

The targeting reticule is just there to help, you gotta just guess where you fire. Just remember your 20mm's begin to arc before 1km so angle your shots alittle.

Ooooh okay, thank you very much

[hegemoni]

anticipating the flight path-turning and attack hieght-side top-let them run into fire
bullet trajectory-verticle targeting
when to use-i will use mid game when everyones distracted
tactics-fit in between fruballs,clean up

practice-use german dorniers/me as practice as translates well...im not chasing-just aware of what going on-clean lines...10 kills so hey
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=396549530

[Fenragus the Brambus]

Originally posted by hegemoni -GONG-:

anticipating the flight path-turning and attack hieght-side top-let them run into fire
bullet trajectory-verticle targeting
when to use-i will use mid game when everyones distracted
tactics-fit in between fruballs,clean up

practice-use german dorniers/me as practice as translates well...im not chasing-just aware of what going on-clean lines...10 kills so hey
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=396549530

I can't really understand what you just said

[Spaddobird]

Try not to hang around underneath enemy fighters. Use what little altitude you can get and force those head to heads with them. Heavy fighters can be turn fought, try not to follow directly behind bombers, you will likely be pilot sniped and your engines are massive targets.

[DarthHammer]

Originally posted by Spaddobird:

Try not to hang around underneath enemy fighters. Use what little altitude you can get and force those head to heads with them. Heavy fighters can be turn fought, try not to follow directly behind bombers, you will likely be pilot sniped and your engines are massive targets.

To further expand on what you said about not following bombers:

Its counter-intuitive, but you actually want to avoid getting right on the tail of the bombers/heavies that are flying straight and level when being pursued.

You'd think, 'oh hey he's straight and level easy target' but the only reason he's doing that and not taking evasive action is because he's manually aiming his turrets.

The best solution is to try to attack head on, as most bomber armor and defensive armarment is focused in the rearward arc. But if that's not an option (and it won't be a fair amount of the time) then attacking from above or below is the best bet. Less guns can be brought to bear against you and you have a much bigger target area.

[Scowlin]

From early on everyone should learn; 'Never go head to head with a Beaufighter'

If you are heading for a head to head with both of you level you'll always want to aim slightly above your target (he'll fly right onto you hail of cannon shells), I start shooting at 1.3km or so; frankly you have the ammo to spare, I shoot a long burst then evade by 0.9km out; often before I know if I've got the kill or not.

Your pilot is the weakspot of the plane; you can get one shot here so turning early often means your plane takes the hit instead of the pilot.

I use my later version Beaufighter as a bomber interceptor most of the time (no surprise there). As long as you don't fly too straight and level you're more than capable of soaking up a lot of turret fire. Try and come in from the sides, above or below (slightly) to maximise your enemies profile; more surface area for your cannon to land on.

It takes time to get up to altitude, but you climb as fast (or faster) than most bombers. You have plenty more ammo than most heavy fighters, but don't forget to reload after a bomber kill.

Don't forget to load rockets/bombs/torpedo's if the map suits it.

The early model Beaufighter has an astounding 22 second or so turn rate when upgraded. Don't be afraid to fly through a furball and pounce on the odd person who discounts your agility, just don't stay for long as you'll lose speed and a turn fighter or two will get on your tail and slowly chew you to bits.

Beaufighters flight controls are very unresponsive at higher speeds; you can dive fast, but can't adjust until you lose some speed; so don't try and zoom and boom. Fast level fly pasts are best.

[Pyrrhic]

Are you playing in arcade? If so, just stop. In arcade, beaufighters suck. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Now, on the other hand, if you're playing Realistic, try ground pounding. I know, I know, the beaufighter is a heavy fighter, but those cannons make quick work of Armored Cars, AAA, and even light tanks. You can put some bombs on your plane too and try your luck with those, or for those annoying Japaneese maps, add a torpedo and take out a destroyer or even a light cruiser!

This is the way I would play a beaufighter, especially since they lead to Mosquitoes, one or two of which have 50mm cannons that are great against even heavy tanks. (with the right ammo)

[Coelian]

In a beaufighter, head on everything, dont turn around when the enmey dodged yourshots, or your pilot is PASTE. I'd skip Beaufighter mk.21 (Turn time is 42 sec, worse than Beaufiter mk. X or the first beaufighter. I'ld just reccomend mk.21 beautyfighter for head ons or bomber hunting. Mark X should be for mentioned above, or for turnifighting a bf-110 if you see one or turnfighting b-25's or a A-20. (Yes!!) For the First beaufighter you get, Its the weakest for firepower, but the best turner. So just dogfite anthin you can outturn, head on anything you cant outturn. Or rekt bombers.